The Plight of Filipina Women in Architecture

Background:

              This Article  is an  extension and expression  of my  Research work,  as one of the subjects in  the Graduate School in MS ARCHITECTURE , MAJOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY  (MSAREP)  at Mapua Institute of Technology, Intramuros, Manila  which is on its terminal year  this coming 2018.  The TITLE,  “ The Plight of Women in Architecture”  passed my  1^st criteria  of being a Significant Topic, close to my heart  and  feed my  curiosity.

              For one,  it best gets my self- interest for my  Daughter, Hanna Sophia,  who is now graduating in BS Architecture at Mapua Institute of Technology. Me, having joined  the Academe since 1995 had develop  that sentiment and deep questioning as to my responsibility towards GIRLS,  aspiring for the Architectural Profession in terms of my Daughter, and towards the Women now,  in their survival  and journey to excel in this known,  "men-dominated-profession". 

             It took me first to surf GOOGLE  when I was deciding what course my daughter will take up.  If my recommendation shall make good for her, as in by myself, I feel, though hard, it made good to me too. But then, Google did not gave me answer. Philippine data about Women in Architecture is scarce to find, only the International publications as most  seen, even the list  and  achievements of Philippine Women Architects is hard to find.

               Second,  the society of women that is anxious preparing for the MRI/Liberalization comes 2 years from now is more puzzled when we see many girls wanting to enroll in Architecture School nowadays and end up in Call Centers, Caregivers, if not,  others  are on really  out of the field of architecture  jobs outside the Country that gives them comfortable salaries. 

Meaningful Data and Information:

                The  CHED Technical Panel in Architecture  lately,  had loudly declared the increase of enrolment of Girls in Architecture schools especially in Metro Manila. This increase had encouraged concerned leaders in the Academe to push for enhanced school building facilities favoring the female students. To mention, starting from the Comfort Rooms, to the stairs feature,  to the Drafting areas. Even in the school’s open spaces which previously an environment of boys with just 10% Girls , now  its populated  with girls,  more than half of Boys.

           Records of employment  of Graduated Female has percentage going abroad not to Private Practice but for Employment  wanting to earn dollars if not in BPO / Outsourcing jobs. These  fast track admissions / contractual employments unnoticeably is the starting point of disillusionment when these young girls hoped to become architects are out of their contracts. They become late for Board Exams which  diminishes their interest to pursue the  Profession.

          To fit to the time-frame of this Course  AR 290 : ARCHITECTURAL RESEARCH  METHODS  AND STATISTICS, I am looking at getting interviews and other data from the freshmen and Graduates of National University and Far Eastern University. These areas are accessible to me being a resident  near this  urban communities. For sources of interviews and online survey, the successful women Architects I am with at Architecture Advocacy Forum (AAF) can be access that will fit the no. of weeks data gathering.

          In terms of scale, how I wish to see the whole Philippines and the World in this presentation, but to be realistic on the access to  data and time -frame, I will focus in Metro Manila for this course, AR290.

Why conducting this Research is Significant to Society especially to Women in Architecture?

1. Wouldn’t  it be helpful if a thorough study be done to help the High school girls decide on their
               career paths especially  Architecture?
2. Isn’t it a nice world this will be when female architecture graduates produce the same successful architects?                    3. And more a progressive nation are we when all female who passed the Licensure Board Exam followed
                their  professional paths without ending as plain housekeepers after they bear a child?

After the Review of Related Literature  and Discussions, the following questions shall be enlightened. 

Question	Benefits
What are the influences in girls in their decision to take up architecture.	Helpful to validate the reason if they can truly sustain and finish the course. An Approach to Architecture  career Guidance.
What are the conditions that affects Female graduates from pursuing being Licensed and Private Practice in the ages 22-30 of before Marriage.	Helpful as guide for Young Lady Architects to recognize negative directions for them to avoid.
What are the conditions that affects women registered architects to lay-low if not fully stop continuing the Architectural Practice.	These is useful guide for the Labor Providers, offices and employers to contemplate on their offerings, facilities to retain WOMEN Architects in their practice. Also a gauge of effectivity of Government Laws especially  the Architect’s Laws if these safeguard both the MEN and WOMEN in the PROFESSION.
WISDOM Blast! What the Women in Architecture in the Philippines say ? In what portion in the Life of a woman architect she encounters the so called “ breaking moments” and how can this be dealt with properly towards Professional Practice.	An interviews with successful lady architects as inspiration to the young aspirants of the profession.

               These concern may not be so helpful in the big society as a whole because this may concern only women.

    But other this is near my heart, this is where SOCIETY BEGINS, women are Mothers,  

and HOME IS A BASIC UNIT OF SOCIETY. How Girls are guided promises

Women that are focused,  determine and Successful.

              Note: A follow-up Article  shall be published in this Blog  as soon as this Research  is  completed.

MA. ELENA EVANGELISTA-LAMASAN

On Going Architectural Research

Conceived May 12, 2014