ABOUT LUNTIAN

             The concept of creating an ecology-oriented chapter of the United Architects of the Philippines surfaced on November 14, 2016, during a tree planting activity of students, faculty members and alumni of De La Salle University- Dasmarinas Architecture Department in Mt. Palay-palay in Cavite. This concept was further enhanced when the members of the core group were further exposed in various fields and facets of environment-related studies and practices of the profession, as well as architectural anthropology, indigenous building practices and cosmic anthropology. Progressively, the aspiration developed into a strong conviction of advocating the deeper sense of ecology-centered, sustainable, people and society centered, socio-cultural, as well as historical-centered practice of architecture which could be simply expressed as cosmic-centered architectural practice advocacy. The great respect to creation paved way on the use of Luntian as the group moniker.

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             After most of the members of the core group were already licensed architects and enough to satisfy the required number of members to form a chapter, meetings were done to prepare for the long journey of creating a UAP Chapter. With the guidance of some senior architect mentors, the Luntian group coordinated with Cavite Chapter since everyone is living if not working in the province of Cavite in securing endorsement which is an important requirement to acquire a charter to be able to recognize as a UAP Chapter. The negotiations took so long for so many reasons that it streamed through the hands of at least four presidents of Cavite Chapter. Although, the Cavite Chapter professed support and assistance to the group, all the efforts to have an endorsement did not materialize because there was as if silent and hiding forces from local up to the higher level of the organization that hinders the cause of Luntian group. 

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             Eventually, the core group was battered by exhaustion due to unusual experiences in the process of securing the charter. Significant number of the original members of the group yielded to pressure and moved away, some went to another organization of architects while others venture in creating a new architecture organization, and a number transferred to other UAP Chapters. 

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             In the middle of predicament and enervation, Luntian group saw at least a last glimpse of hope through the guidance of the then District Director, Ar. Romeo Vinco, UAP. The remaining members of Luntian were joined by new dynamic faces whose interests and aspirations are similar with the group, and a new effort to acquire a charter was ignited. Luntian group sought the help of UAP Las Pinas Chapter which in return expressed solidarity and extended sincere and constructive support to the creation of UAP Luntian Chapter. For the first time after so long, the horizon manifested a silver lining to Luntian only to be eclipsed by an objection of an officer from Cavite during the National Board Meeting in June 2021. The formation of the group as a distinct chapter was held in abeyance pending an immediate sit-down meeting between Cavite Chapter and Luntian group. Although there was already a hint among the members of Luntian, still the group was puzzled by the objection since there was no instance that an opposition, concern, or issue was raised against Luntian during negotiation with Cavite Chapter. 

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             On July 20, 2021, a dialogue which was attended by officers and representatives from Cavite Chapter, Cavite-Aguinaldo Chapter, Luntian Group, Las Pinas Chapter, Immediate Past District Director Romeo Vinco, UAP, Current District Director Jaime Hermogenes, UAP, PIEP, CIA Executive Director Ar. Vanessa Lagman-Ledesma, UAP, Past Presidents of Cavite Chapter and some, elders were conducted in Alabang, Muntinlupa City to discuss the concern of Cavite Chapter in the formation of Luntian Chapter. In the meeting, significant number of issues and concerns on the group were raised by representatives of Cavite Chapter for the first time after long years of negotiations. Although there was a feeling of consternation on the part of Luntian since matters which were raised could have been settled if transparency were observed during previous negotiations on chapter level; still the group decided to favor calmness and optimism and professed its adherence to any settlement agreement since it only wishes to have its own chapter. After a long discussion, Cavite Chapter and Luntian group, in front of the past and current District Directors and representatives from Las Pinas Chapter, Cavite-Aguinaldo Chapter, Commission on Internal Affairs and others adhered to certain gentleman’s agreement. 

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             For two months, the group did its part to coordinate with Ar. Martin Almeda, UAP, Cavite Chapter’s current chapter president, and perform its commitment to the agreement.  However, the succession of events clearly manifested that Cavite Chapter cannot adhere to the gentleman’s agreement which were defined during the settlement meeting. A matter that the Luntian group decided not to question any longer Instead of expressing feelings of apathy and dismay.

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             With this, the group reverted to its previous decision to seek refuge from the caring hands of Las Piñas chapter who sincerely extend assistance and believed to the aspirations of the group. The group, although all are residents if not working in Cavite decided to adopt Las Pinas in its proposed name as a gesture of life-long gratitude for all the support and undying care. Hence, UAP- Las Piñas Luntian Chapter, which was approved on October 14, 2021, during the National Board of Directors Meeting was born. 

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             The journey of the group of Caviteño Architects called Luntian is a clear manifestation that somewhere, there are genuine incidents that require everyone’s assertiveness and attention. Hence, aside from fostering professional growth within the realms of the spirituality of architecture through advocacy of cosmic-centered architecture; the fight for truth and justice through assertiveness, professionalism, and articulateness in helping other group of architects who are also in the same path which was journeyed by the UAP Las Pinas Luntian Chapter shall be included in its mission.