Taking Chances

Sabi ng iba, kahit pangit ka okay lang hangga’t marunong kang makisama. Ano nga ba ang pakikisama? Ito ba’y pagsang-ayon sa opinyon? Ito ba’y pagsimpatya sa nalulungkot? Ito ba’y compromise lamang? Ito ba’y pagpapakitang tao? Ito ba’y pagiging IN? Ito ba’y pagiging mabait? Ito ba’y pagsampalataya? Ano nga ba ang pakikisama? Minsan mas madali pang magpaganda kesa makisama.. 

Closed Facebook for I have no one to chat with just ads. 

Closed twitter coz a friend was so nonsensical. 

-_______-“

Contempo 2013 was held last February 22, 2013 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. It was actually a contemporary (architectural) photography contest. It presented to the public a variation of Philippine-architectural beauties in the Philippines. 

Here are the entries: http://bit.ly/149caWq

Next year I want to contribute in Contempo. ^_^ 

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There has also been a short lecture regarding Philippine contemporary architecture by Prof. Danilo Silvestre. He presented a couple more examples of contemporary buildings present yet not appreciated by the public. 

Prof. Danilo Silvestre

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There was also a book launch by Prof. Gerard Lico. The architectural book is titled as ISTILO : Pocket guide to architectural styles in the Philippines. 

I say this is a rather courageous move of the Filipino architects since I have not known any other book regarding the prevailing architectural styles in the country since it was launched. 

Anyway, I got a copy since the organizers automatically gave out 20 books for free for the first 20 registrants of the event, another 20 books free for random 20 people (and that’s the time my lucky charm worked) ;) REALLY YAY! ^_^

The book looks like this:

^FRONT COVER 

& the back cover looks like this..

I had to put plastic cover immediately since I want to protect it from dirt. :D

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I am so thankful to get a copy, really. It was fantastic.

So let me give comments on this book/pocket guide.

* HANDY - smaller than an A5 so you can carry it literally while walking through Manila or anywhere so it can help you “categorize” buildings around you. ;) A smaller version might be problematic since the text size of the body is approximately 8 so the elderly who might want to read on this would want to get a magnifying glass to read contents perfectly. But personally, I can still read it so it’s fine for me.

* THINNESS - the book is 152 (+ 3 more for copyright page and introduction). Really concise! Star!

* SUBSTANTIAL - if you’re curious about the contents, we’ll let me tell you that I like best for its contents. It tackle the styles ranging from vernacular to green architecture. This is the book that gave me a vivid explanation of what Palladianism is. See for yourself!

Here are some shots of the contents:

Table of contents

First page of a chapter/tradition

Each style introduction has a photo of an architecture which embodies that style the most, a style file (with notable features, etc.) and the body presenting the overall characteristic of the style. Most examples on this book are from Philippines* 

..and more photos! Arki students would love this for sure. :)

:) If you haven’t noticed, this book is also quite colorful. Each style’s color background/scheme is different. Nice!

There. This book is really worth buying! Personally, as an architecture student, I need a book like this to make me realize the differences and features of a specific style so that in my designs, I would not be mashing styles together resulting to a halo-halo structure (which can be ugly). 

KUDOS!

P.S. I really will do sir!