MALACAÑANG on Thursday, February 21, offered its deepest condolences to the family of National Artist for Architecture Francisco Mañosa, who died at the age of 88.
Mañosa, one of the nation's greatest architects, passed away on Wednesday, February 20, nearly four months he was conferred the Order of National Artist in the field of Architecture by President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Mañosa's influence and legacy “will continue to live on,” despite the latter's death.
“The Palace expresses its deep condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Architect Francisco ‘Bobby’ Mañosa,” the Palace official said.
“Architect Mañosa will be missed but his influence and legacy will continue to live on. May the perpetual light shine upon him as we pray for the repose of his soul,” he added.
Mañosa was named National Artist for Architecture in October 2018 for his significant contribution to the development, preservation, and promotion of the Philippine architecture.
Some of Mañosa’s notable works as an architect include the Coconut Palace in Manila, the Lady of Peace Shrine in Edsa, the Amanpulo resorts in Palawan, and the San Miguel Corporation headquarters in Ortigas.
Panelo said the Palace acknowledged that Mañosa's “most famous” work is the iconic Coconut Palace, which became the former office of the Vice President of the Philippines.
He also lauded Mañosa for popularizing the bahay kubo and the bahay na bato, which became motifs in contemporary Filipino architecture.
“Architect Mañosa was a known nationalist who had been quoted as saying, ‘I design Filipino, nothing else,’” Panelo said.
“Indeed, the so-called Father of Philippine Neo-vernacular Architecture devoted his lifetime work championing the extensive use of indigenous Filipino materials in his design,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)