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Wednesday, August 10, 2005
The President’s Man
By
Arch’t. Karl A.E.F. Cabilao, UAP
When his name was floated as a candidate for Vice President for Area C (which is composed of three districts with 16 chapters all over the Visayas, including four from Cebu) of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), it was inevitable for Arch’t. Benjamin S. Avila, FUAP to have second thoughts. “I am just not good at making public speeches,” he confides.
But the call for leadership cannot be denied. The principal for Avila Architects and past president of UAP - Cebu Chapter is now busy traveling to different cities of the Philippines, getting in touch with chapters, attending meetings and yes, giving speeches.
Arch’t. Bing, as his friends and colleagues call him, is no stranger to handling captaincy roles. He was cited for spearheading the Architects’ Bowling Club - Cebu Chapter from 1995 to 1998. From 1999 to 2003, he was a trustee of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce. With his passion for motorbikes and cars, he served as vice president of Star Touring & Riding (a group of biking enthusiasts) and currently as president of Cebu Autosports Club.
When he graduated high school from the University of San Carlos Boys School, his father advised him to take up commerce so he could help in the family business, and not architecture, which was his personal choice. But after two years of Accounting, his heart got the better of him and he shifted to Architecture; it was a decision he never regretted.
As an architecture student at the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT), he reveals that he would never forget the time when he got an A+ grade in airport design. “My father had just arrived from Europe and gave me a brochure of the spanking new Schipol Airport in Amsterdam with a bird’s eye view perspective,” he shares.
With his professional contributions to the community and active participation in the UAP, he was elevated to the organization’s College of Fellows two years ago. Now as Area Vice President, he will be the UAP National President’s Visayan “side kick”. They will be working together with the other leaders for a “more vibrant professional organization by empowering Filipino architects”. He sees an uphill surge for the profession in the next five years and hopefully eradicate what he considers a common false impression that architects are no different from engineers.
So what is the most important thing ordinary people can learn from architects?
Arch’t. Avila was quick to reply, “That it pays to hire an architect in the long run.
When a client decides to build, the architect does more than just drawings. He designs, supervises, follow up permit requirements, coordinates with contractors and allied professionals even help the owner choose the building materials to be used.”
Truly with this energetic and PR-savvy leader, things are definitely looking up for this often-misunderstood profession. Public speeches notwithstanding.
(August 10, 2005 issue)
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