architectpointofview-blog

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Peculiar feeling

In Ancient architecture, people build their worship place as high as possible. because in their beliefs, the higher you are, the closer you are to that Higher being. maybe, its not a belief maybe its about the feeling. I go to BGC and hell being there is like not being in the Philippines, Especially when I entered SM Aura which looks like those fancy malls in other countries. And from my research there’s a rooftop garden and a Chapel, which I am a fan of, Religious structures. When I got there, I feel like I’m not in the city, there’s not much of people maybe because I visited it on weekdays. I entered the Chapel, it was slightly modern but peculiar enough. It was so solemn you could hear your own heartbeat. the feeling is refreshing especially the term is on the verge of ending and every deadline is on a single day. Me having myself there is a blessing. And it being at the rooftop has reason, reaching for the sky even though you don’t know what it is, is a feeling of something. Something Intangible, yet reassures.

Architecture, is not Civil Engineering. Architecture, should be able to express itself not only in physical form but also touch the users with their emotions. I think that chapel did really touch me and my emotions. 

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The Theater along Ermita street

Through years, this 86-year old Art Deco structure served thousands of Filipinos in delivering plays, zarzuelas, etc. and after years of debate, finally the ownership was handed over to the National Commission Cultural of Arts from Government Service Insurance System. In December 2015, the renovation started by having a clean-up drive by volunteers to pave its way to renovation.

Though after almost two years of renovation, it is still far from reality. Because sadly the theater back in the post-war era, has been misused to gay bars, cockpit arena, motel and even home for squatters. one of the volunteers also said that he didn’t expect just how much of it is left.  “I think the locals could really help if they would stop disgracing it, vandalizing, and littering on the theater.  They could really help if they realize the value of the building and choose to respect what it holds”

But, for me the really question is, if it will be restored. How can Metropolitan Theater be as competitive, there are more structures with the same functions that are built with larger capacities, modernized structural designs, etc. what is its edge for it to be as useful as current ones.

For it to withstand earthquakes and other natural calamities it already proved its worth. It’s not only aesthetically beautiful, but also smartly constructed structure. Architecture is a diverse field, even in this modernized world you can still design an old themed and still outshine other structures, its not about what’s cool, its about how you’ve delivered your design. Its about how you express yourself. 

Sources: 

https://thelasallian.com/2017/07/03/the-metamorphosis-of-manila-metropolitan-theater/

http://insights.looloo.com/manila-metropolitan-theater/

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Dark Alleys..

Where do most of the drug related crimes happens? And when? And why do police haven’t actually caught someone in act. As a student who usually goes home at night one thing I notice are the dark alleys or even streets, they are not well lit. it is dark, but some still took its path because hey it’s their way to home or work, as if they have a choice.

  When I was still a kid, the first thought comes to my mind when I looked at a dark alley is there are creepy monsters lurking inside it that I might be eaten alive. And until now, as an adult, I still think that way, but I realize that monsters are not the ones who have large fangs, creepy red eyes, or have sharp claws. Monsters, it lives inside us, it’s either you tame it or you trigger it. Others tame it, while others trigger it, and usually they use drugs as their mediums to unleash it.

 The most recent drug related crime was about this 17 year old, <a href= "http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/26/17/biktima-o-kriminal-pagpatay-kay-kian-delos-santos-siniyasat" > Kian Delos Santos</a>, a grade 12 student that was said to be “accused” to be a runner of drugs. (which I think, was overrated, or so much sensationalized by the media. Anyway,) it is said that the act was caught by a cctv, but it is too dark to identify if it is really him who was tortured by the policeman in the video.

 It should not be just about capturing every drug related person, Government should also find a way of helping future victims. I think this issue should be alarming and should be notice as an issue by the Government. I think having lights in streets and alleys (or if the government has “budget”, and cctvs too) I think lighting up one’s way to home or work is a big step to helping the future victims. Victims that are not only accused people but also victims from rape, murder, etc.

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The Homogeneous Nature of Malls and Commercial center in National Capital Region

Last Sunday, my family and I went to the 30th mall since I requested it for a requirement of one of my subjects:  The Homogeneous Nature of Malls and Commercial center in National Capital Region. Though I expected so much, but when we got there it’s just small, compared to trinoma and Fairview terraces which have the same developer, the plans were less complicated compared to Trinoma which I’ve been to many times yet I still get lost. But the landscapes are still awesome which for me is the trademark of Ayala.

After hours of spending and observing the 30th they decided to go to SM North to do groceries since the grocery in 30th was also small. And once I got there, though I’ve been there many times I just noticed that SM have driver’s lounge compare to the 30th, it also has toilets in the parking area. I remember back then the conversation I had with my sister:

Me: oh! There’s a driver’s lounge let me take a picture of it

Sis: 30th also have driver’s lounge

Me: It has seats for drivers, it’s not a lounge

Sis: what’s the difference!

I talk no longer, I can’t keep up a conversation who don’t understand me at all. That’s when I realize that she’ll never understand me because she’s not an architecture student, she doesn’t care about the comfort of the users, she just care about going in and out the mall.

I also notice the crowd each mall attracts. In the 30th no offense but it’s rare to see class D people, its either class A or B.

There are a lot of differences between the two.

In aesthetic, I think I’ll choose Ayala malls. No argument needed, It’s obvious.

In comfort of users, I think I’ll choose SM. They don’t just consider the users that will buy their products but they also consider even the user’s that aren’t quite beneficial to them (no offense)

For planning, I think I’ll choose SM, Ayala have quite more complicated plans which for me is not helpful to users. Yes, us Architects (to-be) can understand the plan, but how about the everyday users, or the more frequent users.

To the future mall developers, if you want to be the very best like no one every was please consider every consideration, not just choosing your users, developing it for them. I think being the best mall is to cater every user it should while not destroying the essence of the structure itself.

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A part of Mapuan’s Life: To swim or not to swim

 As part of the Mapuan life especially in the rainy season that Philippines has, we are indeed expected to be called as waterproof. Here’s some proof that shows that I really did experience these kinds of hardships yet fulfilling enough to make me work hard for the past 4 years of my Mapuan life.

                                      As a freshman back then, I was really shocked and dumfounded to see such situation where in being drenched in rain wasn’t even enough. I really didn’t expect this kind of scenario. Though it’s not new to me since I live in Malabon and flood is kind of literally seen everywhere, but this time I am away from home and it is a new environment like how people from the country side goes to Manila practically knowing nothing and be naïve to everything they see. So, my first question to myself is how. How could a freshman like me go through this? Do I have to swim for me to cross the roads? Or do I get to jaywalk when it’s not even legal? Where the fee for the pedicabs becomes 3 times the amount than usual in this season? I guess that’s all there is to it back then.

As years go by, the floods “lessen”, but it doesn’t disappear though. And as time goes by, topics discussed in class made me realize many things. The plan of Manila by Burnham was good during the time it was planned and it could still be, even now. But we Filipinos should learn how to maintain and innovate things. Maintenance is also a key to various elements in designing as well as constructing. An example of this is that there are a lot of places in Manila that have mountainous dump of garbage IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREETS of Blumenttrit or any other place within its vicinity, which is one of the causes of floods. That’s why I thought that Filipinos should learn to discipline themselves and yes, that’s including me.

Though the master plan was not completely followed, we should’ve thought of many variations or solutions because the plan was centuries ago and many of our urban planners have new and innovative designs. Or maybe there really is some master plan out there, it’s probably just hidden and kept away from the public because the government probably can’t give way to their own greed of abusing the taxes that they collect from their own people? Maybe it’s just my thought but regardless of that kind of information, why does the government still haven’t come up with a solution? Or do they have a solution and they haven’t still executed because they’re busy making themselves millionaires?

There are so many questions but either one of them aren’t even answered.

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A part of Mapuan’s Life: The Underpass

Bags in front, hugging it tightly with a paranoidal alertness and an eagle eye sharpness judging every person I pass by. This was my first experience passing through the underpass in front of the Manila city hall going to Mapua. I was more scared back then because back in my frosh days, my blockmate told this story about the man was shot in the underpass and he witness it with his own naked eyes. Also, I have a friend who got snatch her phone not only once, but twice. Luckily for me, in the 4 years of me being in and out of that underpass I haven’t experience any bad situations. And as time goes by, I became comfortable, okay still not comfortable but I just got used to it. I realized that is just an underpass for me but for the people down there it’s their life, way of living, an everyday routine.  As an Architecture student, and 4 years of experiencing walking there, I have noticed and observe it and there are some points I’d like to review about the underpass; Security, Aesthetic (hmmm….), Comfort, and Purpose. I’ll rate each from 1 to 10, 1 being to lowest and 10 being the highest

 Security, based on my experience it’s really a problem. I don’t feel safe walking along that underpass even if it’s just less than a minute. In that less than a minute I feel like my life is in constant bargain with death (worst case scenario) so I’ll rate the security 3/10.

Aesthetics, do I even have to reason this out? I mean come on! Isn’t it too obvious? Okay. I’m still gonna do it. The tiles are lost, the ceilings are disgusting (sorry, not sorry) and trash, trash everywhere.1/10

Comfort, based on the security, I’m not even comfortable walking along that lane. Also, in less than a minute I feel like melting with the humidity underneath.

Purpose, okay let’s say that their livelihood is there. And we can pass through (uneasy feeling though). But is that underpass really serving it’s really purpose? uder”PASS”, people should just pass through without a dilemma, why did it become Mixed-use or when did it become Mixed-use hmmm... 

So, concluding my experience passing through that underpass is that I don’t know why even when I’m not comfortable walking through, sometimes you just got used to it.

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Redevelopment of Metro Manila by MMDA

To visit all countries around the world is one of the things in my bucket list. I traveled around South East Asia and have visited some of the countries there. One of the countries that has been memorable to me is Singapore. Singapore is very much different compared to the Philippines, from the people, the culture, the language and especially the technology that they have that helped them improved their environment. When I arrived at Changi airport, one of the top airports in the world, I was surprised to see on how incredible and amusing their airport was, compared to ours. Airports set the first impression on how well one’s country is. at has been memorable to me is Singapore. Singapore is very much different compared to the Philippines, from the people, the culture, the language and especially the technology that they have that helped them improved their environment. 

Singapore’s railway station is so much better than ours. It provides access on almost corner of the state. It is also connected to Changi Airport which is convenient for the tourists especially those who don’t have access in booking taxis or cabs. Let me tell you about their tram, theirs and ours are nothing alike. It’s like a decade ahead of us. Their railway system is underground. It doesn’t ruin the view of the buildings and doesn’t occupy large spaces of their roads unlike our LRTs and MRTs

Singapore is a very walkable country. The streets are well lit and have proper signage and they even have vegetation to provide breathable sidewalks. They also have a large system of open spaces to allow the city to breathe and provide public spaces for the people.

We’re far from it not because of these physical attributes but because of us, Filipinos. Filipinos don’t even know how to follow simple rules like throwing trash properly, crossing streets on pedestrian lane, drivers don’t even know traffic rules.

How about educating and implementing rules strictly. Giving seminars about traffic rules before them renewing their license and if they don’t, they can’t. There’s alot to improve not to the country and cities but to the people who lives in it, who should’ve maintained it. 

Because even if the MMDA successfully implemented the plan, and us Filipinos don’t how to maintain, even how beautiful it can be, eventually it will be a trash. again. Just like Daniel Burnham’s plan for Manila.

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Traditional Jeepney to E-jeep

Did you know that the famous and iconic Jeepney from The Philippines came from the Military Jeep that was left from the World War II? Now, it is used nationwide for public transportation. I still remember the old days, when ten Pesos were still a paper bill, my Mom would let me sit on her lap while on the jeepney. It's very economical though, the fare is only charged as one person. As the time pass by, I became capable of commuting on my own. There was this moment when I'm still in high school, my friends and I, experienced a jeepney where it was speeding so fast that made us feel like we're on a roller coaster and then it suddenly stops because of the car that was passing by. The next thing we know we're hugging the person next to us with our "WHAT?!"-facial expression and each one of us felt a flashback of our lives like it our last day.

I’m sure each one of us has an unforgettable experience with Jeepneys that our life wouldn’t be the same, either if it’s good or bad, it's still an experience that helped us learn to grow. 

How would you feel if something you grew up with suddenly disappears? When your favorite series stops airing and was replaced with a new one? Would you feel satisfied? Can you love the new one the same way you’ve loved the one before? What would you do if the jeepneys that were there since our childhood upto now will suddenly be phased out and be replaced with the new  "E-Jeep"? Is it for the better? According to "Kilusan sa Pagbabago ng Industriya ng Transportasyon (KAPIT)” there will be 10,000 e-jeep that will ply the Philippine roads for the next 3 upcoming years. The E-jeeps were designed by a US company “US supplier Boston Power”. E-jeeps are,basically, E-jeeps an acronym for Electric jeepneys. E-jeeps do not need gasolines to run, they have a much diff kind of approach. They use electricty as the primary source of power where it got the name "E-jeep" . Solar panels are also installed on its roof to harvest solar energy that is then converted into electricity which are stored to the ejips battery that provides the passengers an advantage to charge their gadgets during the whole ride. Beep cards will be used as the mode of payment. Beep cards are widely used in railway transportation as well as in some buses around the metro.

So, What do you prefer? 

 Traditional Jeepney 

 Iconic

Culture 

Character 

 E-Jeep 

 Modern 

Cashless payment scheme (Beep cards) 

Reasonable price, since it will not use gasoline