15/11/2025
๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ด๐ฟ๐๐บ๐ฑ๐ผ๐บ ๐ธ๐ถ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ผ "๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐" ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ป, ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ
Today, November 15th, we remember Leandro V. Locsin, the third Filipino architect named National Artist for Architecture in 1990. Born on August 15, 1928, in Silay, Negros Occidental, he was known for his signature โfloating volumesโ and the fusion of Oriental and Occidental design elements that shaped Filipino modern architecture. From 1955 to 1994, Locsin designed around 160 structures, including churches, hotels, and cultural landmarks. He passed away on November 15, 1994, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to define Philippine architecture. ๐
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The ๐๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด, constructed in 1970, was designed by National Artist Leandro V. Locsin and is recognized as an Important Cultural Property (ICP) by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). In 2022, the building faced a proposed demolition to make way for a six-storey structure that would house the Pag-IBIG Fund Naga City Branch office. However, this plan was halted through a suspension order issued by then NCCA Executive Director Oscar G. Casaysay, in accordance with Republic Act No. 10066, or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, which prohibits the demolition or alteration of works by National Artists without NCCA consultation. Today, the building still stands as a lasting testament to Locsinโs architectural legacy in the City of Naga, a silent hope for its preservation and rediscovery by future generations.
SOURCES: Legacy Building. (2022, February 25). Bicolmail. https://www.bicolmail.net/single-post/legacy-building
Neola, J. (2022, May 24). NCCA: Pag-IBIG Fund should stop demolition - CITY OF NAGA. CITY of NAGA. https://www2.naga.gov.ph/ncca-urges-pag-ibig-fund-to-stop-building-demolition/
Order of National Artists: Leandro V. Locsin. (2019). National Commission for Culture and the Arts. https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-the-philippines/leandro-v-locsin/