Monday, September 10, 2007 Topnotch architects By Arch’t. Karl A.E.F. Cabilao, UAP
AMONG the multitude of crowning glories that a university can reap, graduates who excel in licensure examinations bring more glitter to that proud collection.
Some, like those in nursing, law, or medical professions, even make it to the front pages of newspapers.
The University of San Carlos College of Architecture and Fine Arts recently scattered the confetti for two of its freshest alumni.
Architecture graduates Joel Anthony C. Ong and Lloyd L. Marquez placed among the Top 10 in the eternally tough Architects Licensure Examinations held last June.
Contrary to the common, outrageous I-was-not-expecting-to-pass-but-did-so-anyway tales, ninth placer Lloyd sincerely believed he had one of the top spots in the bag—until the decisive final exam day came.
“Day 3 (Architectural Planning and Design) caused a complete turnaround since I wasn’t able to accomplish all the drawing requirements,” he confides. While Joel, fourth placer, felt relieved after the final day when he completed all his drawings. “It gave me temporary comfort after being drubbed in Day 2 (which touched on Architectural Utilities, Structures and Building Technology),” he says.
Of course, that’s all behind them now. They are now among the more than 24,000 Professional Regulation Commission-registered architects here. And they’re determined to make most of their newly acquired licenses.
Green architecture is one of the advocacies that Lloyd wishes to specialize in (he confesses his options actually stretch from A-Z), while looking forward to designing his dream project: a house on a cliff that has a panoramic view of the city to be constructed without budget constraints. On the other hand, Joel seeks to gain more experience in a “good” architectural firm while “dabbling with his other interests,” like music. He belongs to a band named Melophobic.
They may be the Board’s Top 10 but they’re no supermen. They both admitted having had thought of backing out of the exams and even from finishing their architecture course. Joel shares his initial plan of shifting to another course during his sophomore year in college. He was all set to transfer to a Manila school when “Fate intervened.” The release of his grades was delayed so he wasn’t able to push through with his plan.
Young people like them with big success stories are sources of inspiration. When asked for their keys to getting through obstacles with flying colors, Joel and Lloyd both attribute it to making the ample and right preps, especially for the mind. Furthermore, they also acknowledged their two-year apprenticeship program, which helped them a lot after being exposed to different fields in actual architecture practice.
The euphoria of passing the board exams has a shelf-life of just a few weeks, after which, one blends with thousands of others jockeying for positions in the real world. Surely, these new architects have this actuality plastered like cement on their creative minds. Thus, resting on their laurels is nowhere in their battle plans.
