PALA Fellows I.P. Santos, Dolly Perez, and Carlito Pesons, with UP College of Architecture Faculty during I.P. Santos' Honoring Nite.
Since its inception on 8 December 1977 more than 25 years ago, the Philippine Association of Landscape Architects (PALA) remains as the national organization representing the profession of Landscape Architecture in the country. Together with the other member councils of the Council for the Built & Natural Environment (CBNE)- Forestry, Interior Design, Architecture, Environmental Planners, Agriculturists, Master Plumbers, etc.- PALA embodies the spirit of cooperation between associations, professionalism by its members, and social responsibility to the Filipino public.
A member association of the International Federation of Landscape Architects, PALA’s advocacy thru its members calls for the advancement of the profession as an instrument of service in improving the quality of life within a better natural and built environment.
As part of its commitment PALA also aims in making the Landscape Architecture Program more accessible to the public thru offering the program in more schools and universities around the country, and ensuring that the high standards expected of the curriculum and graduates of the program are maintained.
Throughout the history of PALA, there have been those few individuals who have gone beyond the expectations of regular members and have worked selflessly and tirelessly to further the profession, its ideals, and for due recognition by the public. It has been their sacrifice that has helped contribute and maintain the vitality of the profession, and whose fruits the entire membership has reaped and enjoys today.
To those rare individuals, PALA confers the distinguished title of “Fellow” of the association as recognition of their invaluable contribution and accomplishments.
The induction to the PALA Council of Fellows is among the highest honors that PALA can bestow to a member in recognition for their exemplary contribution and service to the profession. Members of the Council of Fellows may use the suffix “FPALA” to denote this high honor.
To date, the current council of fellows are composed of Arch. Ildefonso P. Santos, Arch. Dolly Q. Perez, and Arch. Carlito Pesons, all who have helped establish Philippine Landscape Architecture and have nurtured it during its infancy.
During this year’s annual meeting of members, PALA hosts an investiture dinner to induct a new class into the Council of Fellows for the year 2009 & 2010.
PALA Members with Burle Marx, renowned Brazilian landscape architect, during his lecture at the Ayala Museum.
They are Prof. Zenaida Galingan, Prof. Socorro Atega, and Prof. Felix Peronilla Jr. (+) for the Academe, Dr. Salvador Bautista for his role in establishing the local ornamental plant growing business in the Philippines, Arch. Paulo Alcazaren for the field of Journalism, Arch. Ricardo Hilario II, Arch. Jose Wilfrido Dizon, and Arch. Emmanuel Viado for spearheading & lobbying for the LA Bill which was ratified as R.A. 9053 or the Philippine Landscape Architecture Act of 2000, and Prof. Susan Aquino-Ong for her environmental advocacy and role in the academe.
This year’s awardees are being recognized for their contributions to the profession thru their participation in the academe, legislation, journalism, industry, and for representing and promoting the profession in both local and international venues. Not only have they proven to be stewards of the profession but have helped set the standard of untiring service to both the profession and countrymen for the new generation of Filipino landscape architects to emulate.
To the new class of fellows, we wholeheartedly salute you.
(Will be uploading a series of posts about this year’s honorees real soon.)
the green architect 