Building on the wisdom of the past

MANILA, Philippines - Look back at Philippine history for ideas on building sustainable structures instead of indiscriminately adapting Western construction principles. Going green does not involve just the structure itself, but holistic benefits for the residents and community. The roofing of a building can be used to reverse the negative effects of climate change and not just a shield against the elements.

These are ideas you would normally expect from construction industry veterans. Interestingly, they come from college students who participated in the Holcim Journalism Awards for Sustainable Construction (Student Category) hosted by Holcim Philippines – proving that young people have much to say about an issue that has become increasingly important.

Joaquin Carlos Urbiztondo de Jesus, a 21-year old Development Studies major from Ateneo de Manila University, won the top award with his essay “Utilizing our Heritage for Modern and Sustainable Construction: A Must.”

He bested 34 other students from 14 schools nationwide to win P50,000 in cash plus a three-day stay in Singapore to attend the regional awarding ceremony of the Holcim Award for Sustainable Construction next year.

In his entry, De Jesus noted that builders have abandoned local design ideas that go well with sustainable construction targets in favor of modern concepts that are not necessarily better for building sustainably.

“We try to break free from the past but sadly, oftentimes, we are left with outcomes that are frustrating and chaotic. However, this shouldn’t be the case. When we take a look at our heritage, we realize that in our engagement with modernity, we find wisdom in the construction techniques and aesthetics of the past,” he wrote.

De Jesus pointed out that the bahay kubo and the bahay na bato – prevalent during the pre-Spanish and Spanish periods – have been set aside in favor of structures that rely more on artificial cooling and lighting, thus increasing energy consumption.

The Ateneo senior said more architects and engineers have been looking back to past construction techniques and designs, and such efforts should be supported especially if these lead to more sustainable practices.

“Constructing sustainably isn’t only about sustaining the environment; it is also about sustaining a people’s identity. Before we get lost with all these ‘modern construction styles’ from other countries, it is good that we take note of what we have here, and take inspiration from the many things found in our country,” he said.

Meanwhile, health science sophomore Alessandra Sofia Babao Guballa, also of Ateneo; industrial engineering sophomore Janelle Kathryn Ong of De La Salle University; and architecture senior April Cacho Gabayan of the University of the Philippines Mindanao were given merit awards.

Advertising industry maven and Cultural Center of the Philippines chair Emily Abrera, who served as a judge for the contest, was heartened that the students who participated were not only limited to those taking up engineering and architecture, but from a range of courses.

“The interest in the greening of our approach to development runs across so many disciplines and that is reflected in this competition,” Abrera said and reiterated that we should not underestimate the capability of young people to generate insights on important issues like sustainable construction.

“Although we picked winners today, the biggest winner is the country because of the promise that we saw in the essay and we hope that becomes a reality,” Abrera added.

Holcim Philippines chief operating officer Roland van Wijnen also praised the contestants for their participation, and urged them to keep the creativity and optimism they showed in their essays.

“I truly believe that the call for sustainable construction and sustainability in general are gaining momentum,” said van Wijnen. “But we need to give more context and content, we need to share more insights and combine past lessons with future discoveries. And we need more young people like you who believe in this advocacy.”

The other finalists in the contests are Rodelon Ramos of Adamson University, Jerome David of De La Salle, Pauline Gidget Estella and John Steven Tapican of UP Diliman; and Rafael Alzona and Ma. Elisse Campos from the University of Santo Tomas.

Aside from Abrera, the other judges were Ma. Sabrina Cruz, director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Public Affairs Office, Rene Fortuno, assistant director at the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Edgar Reformado, chairman of the Green Architecture Advocacy of the Philippines (Green AP), and Ma. Anna Tungol, executive director of the Philippine Green Building Council.

Sustainable construction refers to the practice of building structures in ways that are innovative and easy to replicate, economically viable, friendly to the environment and optimizes resources, beneficial to society and adheres to high ethical standards of construction, and has contextual and aesthetic impact.

The just-concluded essay contest forms part of the Holcim Philippines Journalism Awards, which has a Student Category and Media Category. These awards supplement the global Holcim Awards on Sustainable Construction – now on its third cycle – which is open for entries until March 23, 2011.

The Holcim Journalism Awards also features a Media Category, which is accepting entries until May 31, 2011.

Through the Holcim Journalism Awards, the company aims to encourage more in-depth discussion of sustainable construction by rewarding excellent print reportage about the subject.

Holcim is one of the world’s leading suppliers of cement and aggregates (crushed stone, gravel and sand) as well as downstream activities such as ready-mix concrete and asphalt. Holcim Philippines operates four cement plants in La Union, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental, and Davao and currently has 1,500 employees.