To Architect Carolyn A. Camarao, President of the United Architects of the Philippines - Qatar Chapter,

To the distinguished speakers, officers and members of UAP-Qatar Chapter,

Friends, colleagues, good morning. Magandang umaga po sa ating lahat.

Allow me to begin by extending my thanks to the people behind UAP - Qatar Chapter. The Philippine Embassy certainly appreciates the kind invitation accorded by your group for us to take part in your General Membership Assembly and Continuing Professional Development Seminar. Having been here in Qatar for barely three (3) months, I welcome every opportunity to touch base with groups like yours and speak with our kababayan who, in their own ways, are chartering their destiny here in this sunny corner of the Middle East.

Chartering one’s destiny takes on a new meaning when we consider that much of who we are, what we have, and what we can accomplish are, for the most part, the product of the material and spatial conditions around us. We can go as far as we can if the conditions allow it. On the same token, we can only go so far when the conditions that are necessary for us to be at our optimal best are nowhere to be found.

Here, I refer to your organization’s theme for this year, which is: “Spatial Planning and Design and Its Impact on Humanity.” I take interest in this topic because I recognize that our immediate environment, as well as the broader socio-economic milieu, shape the way we live our lives individually and as a community.

In this regard, I note that the Philippine Government endeavors to carry out a comprehensive physical and socioeconomic planning at both national and regional levels. Over the medium term, the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 seeks to establish livable communities where social environment is promoted, environmental quality is improved, built environment is upgraded, and responsive governance is advanced.

All of this is contemplated within the framework of the Philippines’ long-term vision of all Filipinos enjoying a strongly rooted, comfortable, and secure life by 2040.

Along this line, it gives me great pleasure to see that in our own way, whether individually or through the collective effort of the Filipino community, we inch closer and closer to our hopeful vision of the future as a nation and as a people.

For architects like you, the impetus to be drivers of change and innovation is high. With your knowledge and skills, you have what it takes to literally build environments that help foster economic and social balance, minimize damage to the environment, encourage dynamism in technical and creative fields, and turn personal spaces into arenas of ideas.

In sum, I have full faith and confidence in the Filipino architect. For verily, a Filipino architect is not just a skilled architect. A Filipino architect is, more importantly, one whose vision engenders passion and a desire for nation-building.

For in the words of the late National Artist for Architecture Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa, “[a]rchitecture must be true to itself, its land, and its people.”

On behalf of the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Doha, I wish to say thank you and congratulations to UAP - Qatar Chapter for the invitation and the wonderful activities lined up from this hour until the end of the afternoon. I look forward to hearing from the speakers and learning along with the rest of you.

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay po tayong lahat.