IN a celebration that prioritized community over ceremony, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) marked its 51st Founding Anniversary by coming home to its own neighborhood. Through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm, the Renato A. Heray Bayanihang Arkitektura (Rahba), it completed the “Handog sa Batang Laging Handa” project, a playground improvement at the Barangay Hall of the same name in Quezon City.
For the UAP, the choice of location was deeply personal. Barangay Laging Handa serves as the home of the UAP National Headquarters, making this initiative a gesture of gratitude toward the local community that has hosted the nation’s architects for decades.
More than a turnover, the activity was a continuation of a vision. Rahba was established and named in honor of the late Ar. Renato A. Heray, a UAP past national president, who is a true champion of Bayanihang Arkitektura.
In his keynote message, Ar. Jonathan Manalad, the current UAP national president, said the celebration was both sentimental and poetic: after half a decade, Rahba celebrates the UAP anniversary through a CSR project in the local community, as Ar. Heray’s last act of service to UAP was celebrating the 2021 foundation day at the UAP Headquarters. After his passing during the Covid-19 pandemic, the UAP vowed to keep his spirit alive by engaging in projects that uplift Filipino lives through design and service.
This playground improvement marks Rahba’s fourth major CSR project for the fiscal year 2025–2026, signalling a period of intense momentum for the committee’s advocacy work. The first two projects were done in Bacolod City: Rahba collaborated with the UAP Regional District C2 for a mural painting activity at the Bacolod City National High School and a playset donation at the Mansilingan Activity Center; while the latest one was a coastal cleanup and sea turtle hatchling release in Labac, Naic, Cavite.
The transformation of the Barangay Hall Playground was made possible through a synergy between professional expertise and private sector generosity. The project centerpiece is a brand-new, high-quality playset worth P200,000, donated by OneGlobal Development Inc. The equipment was selected to provide a safe haven where local children can develop physical strength and social skills.
The next generation
Adding vibrancy to the space, Davies Paints Philippines provided at least P35,000 worth of specialized paints. The application of these colors has breathed new life into the facility, turning a functional government space into a bright, welcoming environment for families.
During the turnover, the Rahba chairperson, this writer, emphasized that architecture should not be confined to blueprints and skyscrapers. “Ang arkitektura ay para sa tao (Architecture is for the people),” I said, addressing the families and children present. The project highlights a fundamental architectural truth: that a building is only as strong as its foundation, and a nation is only as strong as the happiness of its children.
The Hon. Jose Maria Rodriguez, barangay captain of Laging Handa, accepted the donation on behalf of the community, acknowledging the long-standing relationship between the barangay and the UAP.
As the UAP enters its 51st year, the Handog sa Batang Laging Handa project stands as a testament to the profession’s commitment to social responsibility. By focusing on the spatial experience of the youth, the Rahba architects are ensuring that the next generation of leaders — and perhaps future architects — have a place to dream, play and grow.
The event concluded with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, blessing, and the first official “play session” for the local children, officially turning the page on a new chapter of community partnership in Quezon City.
Before serving as ABA 2026 director, Ar. Murielle Gallardo-Cristobal served as chapter president of UAP Makati CBD from 2022 to 2024, wherein she was awarded the prestigious UAP Outstanding Chapter President. She is the current Rahba chairperson. She teaches architecture part-time at the University of the East-College of Fine Arts, Architecture, and Design.