Four years ago, from December 5 to December 10, what was dubbed as the “revival term” of the United Architects of the Philippines Students Auxiliary (UAPSA) PUP Chapter conducted the National Architecture Week 2016. It is the same year when Arkistilo and Laro ng Lahi started. There were booths as well during the week celebration like marriage booth, jail booth, and movie booth. Stalls of students selling food and drinks were bustling in the hallways of CEA 2nd Floor. To top it all off, Area B Vice President of UAPSA National at the time announced that if they do have the Best in NAW Celebration award amongst all the chapters of UAPSA nationwide, they would give it to UAPSA-PUP Chapter.
Due to their legacy, the officers of the term 2016-2017 of UAPSA-PUP Chapter had always been praised but in an exclusive interview with Jimuel Franz De Guzman, the Chapter President for that fiscal year, emphasized that “hindi naman talaga 'yung term namin 'yung nagpaganda, hindi naman 'yung officers nagpaganda kasi ang laking involvement nang student body.”
The Making
When they were thinking of a theme, there were a lot of suggestions including Avatar, Philippine Festivals, Greek Gods and Goddesses, and Philippine Mythology. Angelica Portia, one of the officers, suggested Encantadia. But then, they can’t choose a single one, so they conducted an online poll. They let the student body—to whom the NAW was for—to decide.
Unexpectedly, Encantadia won the poll. De Guzman, however, was hesitant at first because it was too feminine. There were even several remarks like “Why not Avatar? It has elements as well like Encantadia! Also, it’s gender-neutral.” But still, they opted for Encantadia because it had won the poll.
Weeks before the event, surprisingly, even the manliest guys in CAFA were helping in making the costumes. “‘Yun ‘yung pinaka naaalala ko ngayon na nagstart na ma-hype kami na pagandahan pa ‘yung [event] kasi nakita namin na lahat sila nagpaparticipate talaga.” De Guzman recalled.
Legacies
Laro ng Lahi and Arkistilo were competitions that kicked off during NAW 2016. Particularly, the Arkistilo was born because they want to have a whole new contest that isn’t dependent a lot on looks. As De Guzman shares while laughing, “Sabi namin ‘yung pageant ibigay natin sa CAFA week kasi nagkakaubusan na ng magaganda at mga pogi sa CAFA. Sabi ko ‘Paano naman ‘yung confident lang. ‘Yung confidence lang ang sandata kagaya natin. Paano naman tayo makikilala?’”
On the Big Night, where contestants of Arkistilo showcased their designs, De Guzman bawled. He was sitting by a table that contained the sashes for the winners and when the Arkistilo started, he cried because of how great the designs were. It was only an experimental activity and he did not expect that the participants would put their heart into it. Moreover, he was ecstatic that the succeeding NAW events adapted the competitions they have started.
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
One of the reasons why NAW 2016 was successful, as De Guzman noted, was because of the faculty. Ar. Garcia, their adviser, helped them when they were presenting their initial plans. Ar. Inocencio, and Ar. Lutap, College Dean, and Program Chairperson respectively at the time, aided them in looking for venues, sponsors, and they even cancelled classes for the whole week for Architecture students to truly enjoy the annual celebration.
“Based kasi dun sa experience ko nung college, kapag may event, si students lang nag-eenjoy. Si faculty, busy sila sa paghahabol ng mga schedules,” says De Guzman. “Makikiparticipate nalang si faculty kapag magju-judge [and] opening. ‘Yung NAW na ‘yon nasabi nila Ar. Ted na parang dun lang sila nag-enjoy ulit or naging ganon ka-participative, ka-supportive ulit [‘yung faculty].” De Guzman stressed that they did not do this for recognition. The main goal of NAW is break from academics, thus, they are so grateful that the faculty saw that and agreed for a one week of no classes.
During that fiscal year, the UAPSA-PUP Chapter was composed of only 9 officers. They knew that they cannot do that all alone. Hence, they sought help from the faculty, UAPSA National Officers—to which they helped willingly—and they even invited several friends and formed an organizing committee.
Lastly, it was all because of the student body. While they were walking in the hallway during the event, they encountered groups—composed of higher years and lower years—huddled together. That, De Guzman noted, was one of the good things that the event had brought. Architecture students of various year levels became almost like a family while making costumes and helping each other. After the event, De Guzman saw Facebook posts of the Hathoria group gathering for a Christmas party and Sapiro having their very own group chat. His heart is so full whenever he remembers what their event caused to the lives of a lot of students.
“Gustong-gusto kong i-share 'yung naging preparation tsaka naging event kasi parang lagi kasi namin nakikita sa Facebook na laging pinupuri 'yung term namin,” De Guzman concludes, “Which in fact, hindi naman talaga yung term namin 'yung nagpaganda, hindi naman yung officers nagpaganda kasi ang laki ng involvement nang student body.” —Claire Hernandez/The Freehand Feature
Photographs credits to UAPSA-PUP Chapter
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