It was no secret that architecture used to be a male-dominated field. This is why, in this women’s month, it is of utmost importance to commemorate those who ventured into practically uncrossed territory—which, for women then, was architecture.
One of these pioneers was Gng. Aida Cruz-Del Rosario, known to many as Lola Aida, was actually one of the first licensed Filipina architects!
Lola Aida was born on August 11, 1922, in Laguna. Though she was known in the field, Architecture was not her first choice. It was her father, Amado Cruz, a sculptor, who convinced her to take up the path instead of her first choice, Dentistry. She then enrolled in the school of Architecture at the University of Santo Thomas and was one of the first females to do so. She graduated at age 25 (1947) and became one of the first female architects to graduate from the university. She passed her licensure exam in 1948, earning 7th place and formally carving her name as the ninth registered female architect in the Philippines with License No. 270.
She is married to Engr. Jose Del Rosario; their marriage has lasted 50 loving years. Together, they’ve led the construction and design of no fewer than 120 residential and non-residential structures all over the country. Unfortunately, Lola Aida became a widow in her 80s, continuing life with their children by her side.
It was challenging to dig for old architectural projects that were led by women, but what is a more effective way of getting to know an architect than to be familiar with their works?
Aside from her contribution to the development of the early campus at the University of Baguio and her work on the Jacinto House, unfortunately, was ruined during the martial law, she also designed Doane Rest in the 1960s, a ministry retreat center also located in Baguio. Doane Rest’s own webpage says that their buildings remained resilient even despite the 1990 Baguio earthquake and that they reflect old concepts of the City of Pines.
A sturdy place of solace, definitely the work of an architect.
In her 90th birthday celebration, she said, "The practice of my profession was my passion. In the 50-plus years of practice, I never got tired of designing homes, keeping up to date with architectural trends, and delving into real-estate endeavors."
Architect Aida Cruz-Del Rosario, ventured down a path that was not usually taken by women. Not to mention, that path was not her first choice either. Still, she made a name for herself in a field dominated by the other gender. She shared words, quoted above, that reflected her dedication to the field, up to a point where fatigue did not measure up to the feeling of accomplishment during and after design.
Plenty of those who work in the field, or even in similar fields, can relate to her words. Truly, there is no sense nor room for tiredness when one is driven by a passion for their career. There is no greater fuel than love for one’s job. Architect Aida Cruz-Del Rosario was one of the first to start a legacy of Filipina architects. One of the first who inspired many and one of the first who led all. Hopefully, Filipina architects of the present and future will also dedicate well-deserved appreciation to those who dared before. And hopefully, Filipina architects from before would look in awe at what Filipina architects have achieved and will achieve as they continue the path of legacy
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