Article written by UAPSA-SLU officers
For architects, junior architects, and architecture students, December is celebrated with the annual National Architecture Week (NAW) that aims to showcase and present the profession’s beauty and impact on the community. On December 2-4, the United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary – Saint Louis University Chapter (UAPSA – SLU), celebrated NAW through an off-campus activity by participating in the Art Deco Sunday organized by the Baguio City Government and the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP).
In the said event, UAPSA-SLU was tasked to help set up an exhibit at 90 Design Studio located in Berkeley School, Navy Base Rd, last December 2 and 3. A selection of scale models by architecture students was transferred from the Otto Hahn building to Berkely to be displayed in the said art gallery. These scale models were available for viewing from December 4 – 8, 2022.
The main event of the activity, KUBO: Art Deco Booth, was held last December 4, 2022, along Session Road, Baguio City. At around 8 AM, materials and equipment were gathered to set up the booth of UAPSA-SLU following the Art Deco theme. A total of 16 officers and committee members were present in the activity. At around 10 AM, the artistry of UAPSA-SLU was shared through a face painting activity, along with a live painting competition open for all interested artists.
In preparing the said activities and the booth, funds from the group’s booth operations last November 28 and 29 during SLU’s Foundation Week were utilized. For the Art Deco booth, the accumulated monetary payments from the various art activities will then be used for the planned outreach program this Christmas season.
Related to SDG Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and the CICM Advocacy on Integrity of Creation, UAPSA-SLU was able to create an interaction with the community of Baguio City. We were allowed to share our talents in art, express our appreciation for the culture and heritage of the city through participating in local events, and showcase the profession to the community, driven by the willingness of Louisian architecture student leaders to serve.
As we experienced how to set up in a public setting for the first time, we gained a lot of things. First, we expanded our knowledge in socializing with different people – children, students, adults, and professionals. After being confined in our homes due to the pandemic, this event was able to help us reach out to others again and find the confidence to interact with other people besides our families, friends, and schoolmates. Second, we were able to test our patience and diligence. The heat of the day, the busy street, and the different requests of children and their parents visiting our booth has given us a chance to prove our willingness to work out our responsibilities as officers of UAPSA-SLU carrying both names of the University and the Organization. Third, we realized that our chosen course, architecture, can be presented in many ways which people can recognize and appreciate. Most of the people coming to our booths commended our skills and passion for art which is the main essence of National Architecture Week. Lastly, this event has helped us, UAPSA-SLU officers, bond with one another. We have learned to practice the values of cooperation, patience, perseverance, and unity throughout the day. We showed support to one another to push through until the evening.
It was a massive opportunity for us to participate in such an event. We may have yet to receive any awards from the competitions prepared by UAP, however, the joyful faces and gratitude of those who visited our booth gave UAPSA-SLU a sense of appreciation and enthusiasm to continue on the chosen career path and be better student leaders in the Architecture department. The off-campus activity is , thus, a success.
