The third episode of Alagang Wilcon, titled Champions Of Filipino Architecture And Design, takes viewers through the inspiring journeys of three prominent architects and designers: Arlen De Guzman, Dryan Tria, and Royal Pineda. These professionals are not just reshaping the Filipino landscape; they are intertwining the past with the future, redefining what it means to build Filipino spaces in a modernized world.
Three Perspectives and Reflections
For Dryan Tria, Chief Operating Officer and Design Consultant of DST design+, architecture is not just about structures; it’s about honoring nature. “Nature has always been our guiding light in building our projects,” he shares. Mr. Tria believes that incorporating natural elements like stone and wood reflects the beauty created by God. The design consultant believes that there is something beautiful when nature is incorporated in the process of creating.
This perspective is echoed by Arch. Royal Pineda, principal of Royal Pineda+. As a naturalist and modernist, Arch. Royal seeks to modernize Filipino design while staying true to its roots. “The very essence of a bahay kubo is sustainability — the bamboo and nipa, [are locally] available. Filipino architecture is permeable, open, and welcoming, just like the Filipino people.” He believes that modern Filipino sensibility should be accessible to everyone.
For Arch. Arlen De Guzman, the journey always starts with a story. Having been in the business since 1978, he believes that every project is an extension of his client’s lifestyle. This approach ends up in precious personal connections to his clients, making each design a deeply personal and meaningful endeavor. He also noted that “the Filipino dream is always oriented as a family—from the lolos and lolas to the apos,” a reason for why he prides himself as a Filipino designer.
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