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| Note from
the PALA President |
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Friends,
please join me in welcoming the return of Philippine
Landscape Architecture News (PLAN) in its newest and
latest incarnation - as an electronic newsletter on the
PALA website. PLAN, under the more-than-capable
stewardships of Karla Rey and Joseph Soriano, aims to
attract a much wider readership than was previously attainable
with the printed newsletter. The new format, with a much
wider range of topics, will be accessible to even the
most far-flung expat Landscape Architect and ultimately,
the world. we wish you happy reading and hope to eventually
see your contributions in these pages.
To recap the events of the past year, PALA achieved the
successful staging of its Third National Convention themed,
Fusion of the Old & New: Exploring the Natural, Cultural & Designed
Landscapes. This was held at the Philippine Army Officer's
Club in Fort Bonifacio in February of this year. The events
of the year 2005 culminated in December with the awarding
of the winning entries in the Professional and Student
categories, of the PALA- supervised and participated-in,
National Commission on Culture and the Arts' (NCCA) Cultural
Center of the Philippines Redesign Competition. Earlier
in the year, thanks in no small measure to the untiring
efforts of Perry and Susan Ong as well as media support
from Paulo Alcazaren and Toti Villalon, the endangered
Dao tree in UPLB was spared from an ill-advised as well
as premeditated demise. This, unfortunately, cannot be
said of the once- proud Dap-dap trees (Erythrina spp.)
in the Philippines which were reduced to rotting stumps
and a few struggling survivors infested with the gall wasp.
These, we are told, all but wiped out the Dap-Dap trees
in Singapore.
Last year also witnessed the passing of three dear friends
of PALA , Dean Honny Fernandez, Cliff Peronilla and Par
Patacsil who took their leave in the prime of their lives.
They will be sorely missed but forever remembered for the
gifts their very existence brought to each one of us. To
each of them, Godspeed!
For every star that fades, other stars shine on in their
stead. None more brilliantly than Ildefonso P. Santos,
Jr., bestowed the highest honor of National Artist for
Architecture and the Allied Arts. No mean feat in this
fledgling profession. Then, there is Earn Villavicencio,
PRC’s Most Outstanding Professional of the Year for
Landscape Architecture for his work in the National Parks
System and last, but not the least, Cynthia Morales-Sundiang
was appointed Examiner of the Board of Landscape Architecture
(BOLA) where, together with Carlito Pesons and Cecile Herras-
Tence, she will serve the final baptism of fire for aspiring
Landscape Architects.
The Successful Examinees of the 2006 Licensure Exams for
Landscape Architects and this year's PALA Board of Directors
were inducted in ceremonies held at Cafe Benissimo, Eastwood
City which also served as the venue for the celebratory
get-together to roast and toast IP Santos for his achievements.
On behalf of the Board, let me welcome all the new members
into the PALA Family.
This year, the focus of our attention will be on our members.
Because of the efforts of previous Boards who, by necessity,
perseverance and determination, worked hard to establish
awareness and recognition of the profession in the public
consciousness, this Board is now able to address the needs
of its members and do its best to protect the rights and
privileges that the previous administrations worked so
hard to achieve through the passage of The Philippine Landscape
Architecture Act of 2000 (RA 9053).
We are reviving and revitalizing the Website and the Newsletter;
we are responding to the need for Continuing Professional
Development with a number of upcoming seminars/ workshops/
field trips; we are repackaging ourselves with a new, vibrant
PR brochure that will showcase the varied facets of the
practicing members. We are re-establishing bonds among
the general membership with fellowship get-togethers and
we hope to reinforce our ties with the Allied Professions
and Practices through dialogue and mutual respect.These
projects may be ambitious or modest depending on one's
perceptions but we hope to achieve them all with your support
and participation. I cannot emphasize enough how an organization
is only as good or as great as its members. And I know
we have greatness. All that we shall ever need is within
us. IP has shown us the way. Please keep that star burning
bright.
Together with the youngest and the brightest Board of Directors
in PALA's history, may we wish you GOOD HEALTH and GOOD
FORTUNE! Live Long and Prosper!
Dicky Altavas
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