THE United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) welcomes the centennial celebration of the architecture profession in the country with an architectural-historical tour in Intramuros, Manila last February 23.

Led by yours truly as UAP National President, participants of the Architecture Centennial Coordinating Committee (ACCC) conducted a historical journey back in time in Intramuros and visited specific sites which are landmarks in the history of the architecture profession. These are the Ayuntamiento, Intendencia, and Mapua University, all of which are located inside the Walled City. The Ayuntamiento building is a historical structure where the City Council or Cabildo approved the establishment of the Escuela Practica de Artes y Oficios. The school officially created a course for Maestro de Obras who were the forerunners of professional architects in the Philippines. The Intendencia building is the venue where the Philippine Legislature drafted Act 2985 which regulated the practice of architecture. Mapua University is also included in the architectural historical tour for being the first school of architecture in the Philippines.