Negrense Architects Inducted As The Newest Members and Officers of The Institute: Negros Occidental Formal Chartering Ceremony

written by: Ar. Steven Suñe

Representatives from PIA Cebu, the official sponsoring section, PIA Manila, and the National Board of Directors gathered in the events hall of Metro Inn in Bacolod City last August 30, 2014.  The PIA National President Ar. Arnel M. Colcol was also present in the event serving as the guest speaker.

Other notable guests were Ar.Ricardo O Afuang, FPIA- Chancellor; Ar.Ernie C. Popes, FPIA- Chairman Sec.Establishment; Ar.Delfin C. Pantangco Jr.,FPIA - COF Member; Ar.Delfin M. Viola III, FPIA- COF Member, Ar. Danny B. Alano, PIA- Pres. Manila Sec. & NCR Dist. Rep. & Ar. Norberto V. Uy, FPIA- Visayas District Director.

The newest corporate and associate members of the Institute from the newly chartered Negros Occidental Section.
Photo credits: Negros Occidental Section

Awarding of the Sponsor: DAVIES with PIA National President Ar. Arnel M. Colcol
and incumbent Negros Occidental President, Ar. Jomari Tolentino.
Photo credits: Negros Occidental Section

Several Negrense Architects were inducted as the newest officers and members of the institution. The formal ceremonies were led by Ar. Eric Nacorda of PIA Cebu. The highly qualified Officers of the PIA - Negros Occidental Section are following:
President, Ar. Jomari Tolentino;
Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Ar. Eden Telog;
Vice President for Public Affairs, Ar. Paulo Ballados;
Vice President for Professional Practice, Ar. Daniel Bayles;
Secretary, Ar. Wendy Trinidad; and
Treasurer, Ar. Argie Gapulan.

The newly inducted officers were also the ones who traditionally inducted the Associate and Affiliate members of the PIA Negros Occidental Section as their first official duty. The formal occasion was themed: “PIONEERS: First step into a journey towards the next frontier of architecture”.

The Cebu Section is the traditional sponsor of the chartering of Negros Occidental Section.
Photo credits: Negros Occidental Section

The event was definitely a huge success. Masskara Dancers entertained the guests during dinner.  Justine Garinganao and his band serenaded the crowd.  Ar. Ernand Steven Suñe and Ar. Wendy Trinidad-Mamar hosted the event.

Masskara Dancers to grace the event.
Photo credits: Negros Occidental Section

Incoming PIA Negros Occidental Section President, Ar. Joemarie Tolentino, delivered his Presidential Address. He was very optimistic with the new section and with his fellow group of officers. In his speech he said:

“Confidently, we look towards this year for us to actively participate in the institution. Tonight we make the FIRST STEP in our JOURNEY TOWARDS THE NEXT FRONTIER OF ARCHITECTURE.  

While I believe there will be challenges, I look forward to a great year ahead.” 

The newly inducted officers and members of the Philippine Institute of Architects - Negros Occidental Section.
Photo credits: Negros Occidental Section

edited and posted by Admin

March 16, 2015

Visayas District Expanding: Negros Occidental Section Chartered, Bohol Section Oathtaking for Corporate Members

Negros Occidental Section Chartered 

The Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA) Visayas District is expanding, as it continues to do the leg work in chartering more sections in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Samar-Leyte.

The efforts of the Visayas District Director for the Fiscal Year 2014-2015, Arch. Norberto V. Uy in collaboration with former District Director Arch. Ramon Nilo Vios, Jr., College of Fellow - Arch. Eric C. Nacorda and other key individuals, paved the way to finally charter the Negros Occidental Section with Cebu Section as its sponsor.  It was approved by the National Board through Board Resolution No. 009 - Series of 2014 last June 28, 2014, with Arch. Norberto Uy presenting all documents in his capacity as the Visayas District Director and Arch. Jimson Ong acting as the traditional sponsor in his capacity as the Cebu Section President, altogether a milestone achievement for the Fiscal Year 2014-2015.

The Negros Occidental Section Executive Board has been officially inducted during the 82nd PIA National Convention held in Basco, Batanes last February 26-March 2, 2015.

OFFICERS: Negros Occidental Section (Fiscal Year 2015-2016)

President:                                  ARCH. JOEMARIE T. TOLENTINO

VP Administrative Affairs:      ARCH. EDEN GRACE M. TELOG

VP Public Affairs:                    ARCH. PAULO O. BALLADOS

VP Professional Practice:         ARCH. AXZL RHOD F. CANINO

Secretary:                                 ARCH. WENDY T. MAMAR

Treasurer:                                 ARCH. JOAN GRACE H. ESCALONA

DIRECTOR:                            ARCH. RENEL M. CANILAO

Negrense Architects were inducted as the newest officers and members of the Institution.
The formal Chartering Ceremony was conducted at the events hall of Metro Inn in Bacolod City last August 30, 2014.
Photo Credits: Negros Occidental Section

Bohol Section Oathtaking for Corporate Members: PIA Visayas Moving Forward

In continuation of these efforts, new corporate members from Bohol shall take their Oath this coming 28th (Saturday) March 2015 in Tagbilaran City.  The roster on this Oath Taking Ceremony shall be submitted to the PIA National Board for further review to charter Bohol as a new PIA Section to be co-sponsored by the Negros Occidental and Cebu Sections.

Moreover, the Samar-Leyte areas also have another batch of architects who shall be part of the roster of new corporate members for the forthcoming new Samar-Leyte Section, among the lined up new Sections which the Visayas District shall help get chartered in the coming months.

With these developments, we see the Visayas District to be a dynamic contribution to the growth of the Philippine Institute of Architects in the region.  

All PIA members are encouraged to support the chartering of these new Sections in the Visayas.

♫ Come now! Let's all be united for the progress of our native land, as brother architects we must not forget to enhance the progress of our land! ♫

written in service to the Institute:

Arch./EnP. Donna Belle C. Pongase, pia, piep

For comments and/or suggestions,

please write to: donna(at)dcpongase.com

PIA Visayas District Attends the 82nd PIA National Convention Held in Batanes

The Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA) held its 82nd National Convention in Basco, Batanes with the Visayas District delegation consisting of Architects from the Cebu Section and the newly chartered Negros Occidental Section.  The Convention and Exhibits was themed: “Architectural Heritage Towards Sustainability” and was well attended by different sections from across the Philippines. 

It was a memorable experience for the delegates to be in Batanes and despite the rigorous task of organizing this leap of faith convention to be held in a far flung but beautiful place, the PIA-Manila Section was able to pull it off with flying colors.  It was to be the very first National Convention to be held in Batanes, quite a mark for the PIA in the history of Batanes.

The Mayor of Basco, Batanes, Hon. Demetrius Paul C. Narag (fourth from Left), welcomes the delegates to the 82nd PIA National Convention during the Opening Ceremony on February 26, 2015.  
Together with him are the National Directors of the PIA.

Annual Business Meeting: Main Matters

The Annual Business Meeting was held on Day 1: February 26, 2015 wherein key issues were presented and resolved, with VP for Administrative Affairs - Arch. Stephen M.R. Viola as the Presiding Officer.  President's Report was delivered by the National President - Arch. Arnel M. Colcol while the Treasurer's Report was presented by the National Treasurer - Arch. Jimson C. Ong.

Furthermore, a ratification of all acts and resolutions of the National Board during its term in the Fiscal year 2014-2015 was done.  Matters that required the approval of the General Membership were also raised.

Plenary Sessions: “Architectural Heritage Towards Sustainability”

Enriching Plenary Sessions were held on Day 2 (February 27, 2015) and the topics were the following:

Topic 1:           Vernacular Ivatan Architecture (Arch. Syra Valiente)

Topic 2:           Batanes Tourism: Tourism Office of Batanes

Topic 3:           Technical Session on Plumbing for Water Recycling and Innovations on Sewer Ventilation Systems

The Plenary Sessions opened opportunities and areas where architects and other allied professionals can help in the protection and conservation of a National Heritage that sits in the Islands of Batanes.  The presentations implied that the vernacular architecture in Batanes are threatened by the changing patterns of the modern times.  The current success in the aviation industry is also bringing in more tourists to the region which also adds more pressure to the carrying capacity of the Islands. 

As a wrap up of all the discussions in the Plenary Sessions, the Institute may explore areas to collaborate further with the Local Government Units of Batanes and further their cause of protecting their heritage.  Available technologies may also be applied to further this cause without sacrificing sustainability for Batanes.

New Officers for the Fiscal Year 2015-2016

The delegates of the 82nd PIA National Convention
during the Honor Dinner held at the Batanes National Science High School
last February 27, 2015.

Election was successfully held after the Business Meeting and our very own Cebu Section members were installed in the Institute's National Board and the College of Fellows for the coming Fiscal Year 2015-2016:

Chancellor for the College of Fellows: Arch. Norberto V. Uy

National Treasurer: Arch. Jimson C. Ong

District Director - Visayas: Arch. Donna Belle C. Pongase

A mass oath taking for the new set of officers was done during the Honor Dinner on Day 2: February 27, 2015 and the following were present to take their Oath of Office, signifying their unconditional service to the Institute:

National Board:

Chancellor (COF):                  Arch. Norberto V. Uy

National Treasurer:                  Arch. Jimson C. Ong

District Director - Visayas:     Arch. Donna Belle C. Pongase

Cebu Section Officers:

President:                                Arch. John Oneal O'neal Aspera

Treasurer:                                Arch. Katrina Banan

Negros Occidental Section Officers:

President:                                Arch. Jomarie Tolentino

              VP Administrative Affairs:    Arch. Eden Grace Telog

Also present to witness the Mass Induction of Officers during the Honor Dinner were the foundations of the PIA Cebu Section: COF - PIA Foundation, Inc. Bursar Arch. Isabel A. Garcia, COF Arch. Eric C. Nacorda and former Visayas District Director  Arch. Ramon Nilo Vios, Jr.

The Mass Induction of Officers also officially installed the New Board of Directors for the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 of the Cebu Section as follows:

President:                                Arch. John Oneal O'neal Aspera

VP External:                          Arch. Bryan Auman

VP Admin:                              Arch. Israeli Esnardo

Secretary:                                Arch. Dia Mae Dia MAe Garces Jupista

Treasurer:                                Arch. Katrina Banan

Chairman on Membership:      Arch. Rowell Shih

Chairman on Ways & Means: Arch. Eusebio Euse Pason

Board of Director:                  Arch. Mark Justin Caramihan

Ex officio:                               Arch. Jimson Ong 

The term for the New Officers shall commence on April 1, 2015 and will end March 31, 2016.

The 82nd PIA National Convention ended with an explosive show of the landscapes of Batanes Islands through the Batan Island Tours (Day 3) and the Sabtang Tours (Day 4).  The Cebu Section, together with the rest of the delegates, flew back to Manila on March 2, 2015 (Day 5).

It was a good start for the year and we look forward to the continued support of the PIA Cebu Section members as we move forward this year and beyond.

♫ Come now! Let's all be united for the progress of our native land, as brother architects we must not forget to enhance the progress of our land! ♫

Cebu Section wearing their Convention Shirts
during the Batan Island Tours on Day 3: February 28, 2015.

written in service to the Institute:

Arch./EnP. Donna Belle C. Pongase, pia, piep

For comments and/or suggestions,
please write to: donna(at)dcpongase.com