janmar2007 UPdate

Commemorative markers installed at Quezon Hall and Parish of the Holy Sacrifice.

Bronze plaques have been installed at Quezon Hall and the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice (PHS) to underscore their significance as works of two of the country’s National Artists for Architecture.

Quezon Hall. (From left) Bernard Hermosa and Maria Elena Cayanan of the United
Architects of the Philippines; Information Office and Office for Initiatives in Culture
and the Arts Director Rubén D. F. Defeo, Cultural Center of the Philippines President
Nestor Jardin, Mrs. Francisco Nakpil and Mercedes Nakpil, UP President
Emerlinda R. Román, children of the National Artist namely Francisco, Edith Nakpil
Rabat and Eulogio Nakpil; UPD Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs
Dr. Cynthia Grace C. Gregorio; the National Artist’s grandson Roberto Tañada and
Dr. Gerard Lico of the College of Architecture.

Quezon Hall, the seat of administration of both the UP System and UPD, was designed by Juan Felipe Nakpil, who was conferred the first National Artist for Architecture title in 1973. On the other hand, the PHS was designed by Leandro V. Locsin, who received the award in 1990.
According to the Filipino Heritage website, the National Artist Award or Gawad Artista ng Bayan is “the highest national recognition given to Filipino artists who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine art and to the cultural heritage of the country.” It is aimed at recognizing Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level and promoting the development of a national cultural identity. It was established under Proclamation No. 1001 dated April 27, 1972 “to honor Filipinos who have distinguished themselves and made outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and letters.”

The markers were unveiled on February 14 as part of the Architectural Legacy of Philippine National Artists, a project seeking to preserve and promote the legacies of National Artists in the field of architecture. The project is being undertaken by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Architectural Archives Philippines in cooperation with the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA) and the Philippine Association of Landscape Architects.

Quezon Hall was among the buildings constructed at the Diliman campus in the early 1950s, following the University’s exodus from Padre Faura to Diliman in 1949. An imposing colonial structure at the end of the University Avenue, it was completed in 1950. Its chief architect, Nakpil, is recognized as “a pioneer of modern Philippine architecture,” who “has contributed immensely to the present state and form of Philippine modern architecture.”

Nakpil was in his second year of an engineering course at UP when he decided to enrol at the University of Kansas in the US where he obtained a degree in civil engineering in 1921.

Parish of the Holy Sacrifice. Officials of the Philippine Institute of Architects
unveiled the commemorative marker with CCP president Nestor Jardin (right);
Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Cynthia Grace C. Gregorio, OICA director
Prof. Rubén D. F. Defeo (center), Andy Locsin, son of Leandro Locsin ( in dark suit)
and members of the Nakpil family.

In addition to Quezon Hall, Nakpil designed Gonzalez Hall, which houses the University Library, the Carillon and Alonzo Hall, the main building of the College of Home Economics complex.

At Quezon Hall, the unveiling rites were officiated by UP President Emerlinda R. Roman, officials of the UAP, CCP president Nestor Jardin and UPD officials namely Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Dr. Cynthia Grace Gregorio, Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts (OICA) Director Rubén D. F. Defeo and architecture professor Dr. Gerard Lico, in his capacity as member of the OICA Board. Also present were members of Nakpil’s family.

On the other hand, the PHS was inaugurated on December 19, 1955. It was constructed through funds raised by Catholics in the faculty, studentry, staff and alumni sectors. It is said to be the only structure in the country where works of four National Artists can be found. The foremost work is the domed structure itself, designed by Locsin. The other works are: the 15 murals depicting the stations of the cross by Vicente S. Manansala (Painting); the cross depicting both a suffering and a risen Christ and the marble altar by Napoleon V. Abueva (Sculpture); and the tilework design on the floor by Arturo R. Luz (Visual Arts).

The PHS marker was unvieled by officials of the UAP and UPD with special guest Andy Locsin, son of the late National Artist Locsin.

Legacy of 2 UPD buildings underscored