The Polytechnic University of the Philippines has gained another outstanding alumnus, becoming the first lady Architect of ASEAN from the college, Ar. Geraldine Garcia-Suede. The ceremony was held last December 10, 2021, on the official Facebook page of UAP, along with 8 other Filipino architects.
Now, we should get the show on the road. Taking architecture was not the first choice of our pride. Ar. Geraldine only took entrance exams in UP and PUP. She was given a slot in Chemical Engineering at UPLB since her dad wanted her to be like a "Chemist." Unfortunately, she didn't continue at Los Banos, so, she moved to PUP. Her dad insisted on Accountancy; however, in the heart of Ar. Geraldin wanted to take Architecture. She remembered the queues on the Accountancy were so long and took that as an opportunity to transfer lines.
"Makakalipat ako rito at marea-reason out ko sa parents ko because mahaba pila sa Accounting. 'Diba napakababaw."
Kidding aside, Ar. Geraldin also elaborated, she unconsciously was fond of taking Architecture during her childhood. She had notebooks with spaces that could be arranged. That was the time she realized she was better at planning and thinking than visualizing. She also stated that she didn't have a dollhouse, just role-playing using her ball pens as dolls.
"Na-follow ko yung heart ko. It emanates. It happens, and God, the Lord showed me the way to get into it."
Going deeper into her journey, the College life of Ar. Geraldin was amusing and challenging. She built friendships that lasted up until now. One struggle she specified was the tools and resources because they have to share them as a class. Still, they were blessed as their batch was the first ones who used the drafting tables inside the campus. Ar. Geraldine was also a student assistant, who supported expenditures like paper, pens, etc.
"Kailangan mo lang talaga mag-aral. Everything is there. And our tuition fee was so low. Naka-graduate kami ng P5,000." Reminiscing, Ar. Geraldin remembered eating lugaw at the Lagoon. Also, after class, they would go to the main building to have food trips like street food. They also eat at Pureza – fishball, banana cue, bread from the bakeshop, etc., with Ar. Royal Pineda.
College life is a new phase for every student. Ar. Geraldine pointed out, choosing the right peers that will improve you is one tip to enjoy the chosen course. She shared that, in her circle, she had 2 friends who were good at design and visualization, and the rest, including her, was good at conceptualizing. It was "collaboration" per se. Also, having friends from another department like Engineering is essential. "You are not alone. You have to ask. Also, ask your professors."
Procrastination. Ar. Geraldine kind of procrastinates before. They say the Architects are last-minute creators because the creative minds will explode during that phase. However, it's not the right attitude. Ar. Geraldin feared the deadlines, so she needed to manage her time as a student and student assistant.
Now in this online set-up, being an Architecture student has advantages and disadvantages. One advantage; you can learn anywhere; there are lots of webinars to attend to. "Magsasawa kang mag-aral." Furthermore, the real disadvantage that Ar. Geraldine expressed is the socialization that affects our mental health. This also applies to the professors since they cannot see the students personally.
"Whatever you did in school will affect your future."
Ar. Geraldine shared that she already started working by her 2nd year at the University, under Ar. Lutap and Ar. Teodoro, and was also a student assistant at one point, giving her experience and knowledge that proved to be useful. After 5 years of studying Architecture, she already had enough OJT hours to take the Architect Licensure Examination (ALE), and passed it the following year of her graduation.
Once she earned her license, while still working under Ar. Lutap, our Dean herself jokingly said “Oh my God, you are already an Architect. ‘Di ko na kaya yung sahod mo,” urging her to find a new job, and explore.
This led to her going to Ortigas applying to a famous company, in search for a job that earns more. However, she was shocked to learn that she was only offered Php 6,000 and realized how low that is for a Licensed Architect. Walking around the area some more, she spotted the National Economic Development Authority, who were then looking for an Architect. She went in, and they were glad that someone was interested since they have been looking for a Junior Architect. Receiving an offer of Php 13,000, twice what she was offered from the other company, Ar. Geraldine grabbed the opportunity and became an employee for 6 years, handling administrative jobs and designing. She became a great asset for the company, changing how Architecture was on Government offices.
This was the time that Ar. Royal Pineda, another pride of our college, contacted her, and told her about the partnership with Budji Layug, a famous Interior Designer. As one of his trusted friends, he wanted Ar. Geraldine to join him in that venture. She then took the offer, considering how good the training will be, and became a part of the Budji+Royal, meeting a lot of famous people, and encountering large-scale projects with soaring high budgets, not only locally, but also internationally.
After her journey at the Budji+Royal, she went international, and worked in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with knowledge that truly made it easier for her to adjust. “To be with the right people, at the right time, with the right office at the right time proved to be very important. Hindi mo kailangan i-aim kaagad ‘yung kailangan design kaagad. You have to pass all of it,” she added.
Taking the opportunity, the interviewers also asked questions regarding Architecture, getting an insight on Ar. Geraldine’s ideas. Now that we are experiencing a worldwide phenomenon that altered how we live and move around, Architecture also went through changes in order to fit those alterations. According to her, well ventilated spaces are important, with some open spaces so we can be able to breathe-in air without fear of contracting the virus. Open floorplans are also a great trend to follow.
”We go back to the basics,” bringing up the concept of Bahay Kubos and its passive cooling system.
In situations wherein space is limited, similar to what cities are experiencing due to the lack of enough land because of how crowded it has become, opening windows is one simple, yet effective solution. Bringing in plants can also help to freshen up the space.
After the coverage of Ar. Geraldine’s college life, up to her experiences as an Architect, last 10th of December, as mentioned in one of the paragraphs above, she became an ASEAN Architect, venturing yet another journey.
“You don’t stay doon sa isang level, as you grow old, kailangan nag-uupgrade ka,” adding that everything is a competition now. Finishing your degree and earning a License does not mean that you’re done. Adding a title to your name is marketing yourself, in addition to the loops you go through to get them and maintaining them.
Becoming an ASEAN Architect required years of being in the industry, and a whole lot of requirements in order to earn what she has right now. Ar. Geraldine invested in herself. “If it is God’s will that you become an AA, it will be”.
As she enters a new journey, Ar. Geraldine was asked a question that she found the hardest to answer, and that was: “Who is Ar. Geraldine?” She answered by saying that she is still herself. The Gigi that everyone knew, but of course, when it comes to work, she is a professional. “It’s just the same, it’s just a new name, and a new challenge.”
“For every new beginning, be excited. Look forward to it with enthusiasm,” Ar. Suede said, adding that you have to be inspired and happy when entering something new, and work for it. If you are not happy, everything will just become miserable and stressful for you, and that new beginning will not work out.
Just like Ar. Geraldine, let us all venture into new beginnings, be not afraid to try something new, and know that everything you do now will benefit you in the future.
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