THE ARCHITECT’S PERSPECTIVE
For the third consecutive year, the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) Singapore Chapter successfully organized its oath-taking ceremony on Sept. 21, 2025, at the VOCO Hotel Singapore. Fourteen newly licensed Filipino architects had passed the Special Professional Licensure Board Examinations conducted by the Philippines Professional Regulation Commission on June 6–8, 2025, at One North Singapore. The event marked a significant milestone in these new architects’ professional journey, formally welcoming them into the industry and recognizing their dedication, perseverance and achievement in meeting the standards of the practice.
The inductees had completed their review sessions under the UAP Singapore Chapter with their review classes on weekends at the Bayanihan Center. Their batch is known as ArchXIVers, a name that represents the 14 board passers in their group, namely, Gloria Abcede, Reina Grace Acosta, Christian Bartolome, Criza Caranyagan, Julio Cervants, Philip de los Reyes Jr., Christina Privado, Herbert Razon, Jerome Rico, Engelbert Robledo, John Clifford Rosales, Almalie Salva, Mary Ann Roxan Samaniego, and Narisa Villalon.
The intimate, dignified ceremony was formally administered by the chairman of the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture (PRBOA) Ar. Robert Mirafuente. It was honored by the presence of distinguished guests, including His Excellency Medardo G. Macaraig, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and Ar. Rex Chua Tak, UAP, Green AP (Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines, Inc.), and UAP national secretary-general. It had the support of the Board of Directors of the UAP Singapore Chapter, under the leadership of its chapter president, this author.
The oathtaking ceremony served as a significant celebration of professional accomplishment, unity, and dedication to architectural excellence. It highlighted the UAP Singapore Chapter’s ongoing commitment to supporting Filipino architects overseas through mentorship, education, and professional development. The inductees’ success further demonstrates the effectiveness of the chapter’s review programs in cultivating competence and excellence among future Filipino architects.
Ar. Maria Louretta R. Nico is UAP-Singapore’s chapter president. She finished her BS Architecture degree at the University of Santo Tomas and is currently working as a BIM manager at Kwan Yong Construction Pte. Ltd. She has been a volunteer lecturer and active organizer of Free Review /Refresher Sessions for aspiring architects since 2017.
The article was originally published in The Manila Times and written by Ar. Maria Louretta R. Nico, UAP.
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