In 1969, I entered university to pursue architecture—a decision that would shape the course of my professional life. Looking back, those years were far more than an academic journey. They were a time of intellectual growth, personal discovery, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable world events that influenced an entire generation.
Architecture challenged me to think differently, but university also taught me lessons that extended well beyond the drafting table.
Studying Architecture During a Time of Social Change
The year 1969 was remarkable in many ways. It was the year of Woodstock, when the ideals of peace, freedom, and social change captured the imagination of young people around the world. As members of the Baby Boomer generation, many of us embraced those values of optimism, creativity, and hope for a better future.
It was also the year humanity first landed on the moon—a technological achievement that inspired students everywhere to believe that seemingly impossible dreams could become reality through vision, determination, and innovation.
Against this backdrop of rapid change, I began studying architecture, a profession that itself combines imagination with practical problem-solving.
Learning the Principles of Architectural Design
University life demanded discipline and commitment. Long hours were spent preparing drawings, building models, studying architectural history, and learning the technical principles that transform ideas into functional buildings.
Architecture is unlike many other fields of study. It requires creativity balanced by technical precision, artistic expression supported by engineering, and vision grounded in practical realities.
Those demanding years taught me that good design is rarely the product of inspiration alone. It is achieved through persistence, careful observation, and continuous refinement.
The habits of discipline I developed during those years have remained with me throughout my professional career.
Discovering Music and Creative Expression
University was not solely about academics. It was also during those years that I developed a lifelong love for singing.
Together with fellow students, I participated in campus programs and musical performances, experiences that added balance to the demanding schedule of architectural studies. Music became both an outlet for creativity and an opportunity to build friendships beyond the classroom.
Like many students of my generation, I was inspired by the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY) and Seals & Croft. Their songs became part of the soundtrack of our university years, capturing the optimism and idealism of the era. The Beatles were equally influential, and for many of us—including me—the music of John, Paul, George, and Ringo became a lifelong companion. Even today, "Beatles Forever" remains a fitting description of our enduring musical allegiance.
Those performances remain among my fondest college memories.
University Life During Historic Times in the Philippines
Our university years also unfolded during a period of profound change in Philippine history.
The declaration of Martial Law in 1972 marked a defining moment in our nation's history, transforming both its political climate and social fabric. Like many students of my generation, I experienced firsthand how events beyond our control could affect our education, our daily routines, and our outlook on the future. Living under a nightly curfew quickly became the norm, and over time we came to accept it as simply another part of our discipline and way of life.
Living through such historic moments reinforced an important lesson: while circumstances may change unexpectedly, integrity, resilience, and perseverance remain constant foundations upon which both careers and lives are built.
Meeting the Person Who Would Become My Life Partner
Among all the memories from my university years, none has had a greater impact on my life than meeting Josephine Borja.
Around 1972, our friendship gradually developed into a relationship that would grow stronger over the years. What began during our college days eventually became a relationship lasting for seven years before we were married in 1978.
Looking back, I consider this one of the greatest blessings of my university life. Through every stage of my architectural career—from the earliest struggles of establishing a professional practice to the many milestones that followed—my spouse has remained my steadfast partner, offering encouragement, wisdom, and unwavering support.
Building Foundations for Life
University prepared me not only to become an architect but also to become a lifelong learner.
It taught me discipline, introduced me to mentors and lasting friendships, nurtured my appreciation for music and creativity, and brought into my life the person who would become my wife and constant companion. It also allowed me to witness remarkable moments in world and Philippine history that shaped my generation's outlook on life.
During my university years, the Bachelor of Science in Architecture was a four-year degree program. Although many students took longer to finish, I was fortunate to graduate on schedule in 1973, placing me among the few who completed the course within the prescribed four years.
Looking back after more than five decades, I realize that the true value of those university years extended far beyond earning a degree. They laid the intellectual, professional, and personal foundations upon which the rest of my life would be built.
In many respects, architecture taught me how to design buildings. University taught me how to design a life.
