The Center for Campus Art (CCA) presents yet another memorable exhibit celebrating the works and philosophy of Philippine National Artist for Architecture, Leandro V. Locsin. The event opened its doors to the public on Sept. 26 at the 12th Floor Gallery of the Design and Arts Campus (DAC) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).

A curation from the heart

In collaboration with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) through the CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division and Leandro V. Locsin Partners (LVLP), as well as curated by CCA director, Ar. Gerry Torres, the exhibit follows the theme of Past, Present, and Future, not only introducing the life of Locsin and his notable structures but also highlighting the projects LVLP has done in recent years, demonstrating how Locsin’s philosophies continue to shape the firm now led by his son, Mr. Andy Locsin. The final section of the exhibit looks to the future, featuring innovative works by Benilde Architecture students under the mentorship of Ar. Jim Caumeron and Ar. Kyle Nuestro.

In an official interview with The Benildean, Ar. Torres shared how the exhibit is much of a fitting representation of the culmination of his work as director and curator of CCA for the past ten years. “As an architect, this exhibit serves as my tribute to a National Artist whose work I deeply admire and know well [...] I leave this introduction to the genius of Locsin to the school with the hope that one day, a National Artist might come from one of us,” he remarked. 

He contacted the CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division and LVLP as the exhibit wouldn’t be complete without their input and archives on Locsin. Ar. Alexander Dominic ‘Aldo’ Mayorlago, an LVLP associate, shared his excitement when asked about the partnership with CCA, “I mean we jumped at the opportunity. We were really really happy with it. It allowed us to go through the archives. We basically opened up a lot of old plans. We scanned them then printed them out so you can go through them—the first time we ever did that in an exhibit,” he shared with The Benildean.

A tribute to the past

ID118 Architecture graduate Mr. Vincent Lo-Henares, now an apprentice under LVLP, mentioned how “Locsin's work is as much an emotional landmark as it is a physical landmark,” when asked about his effect on society culturally. Coming from the post-war era, Locsin reflected the country’s state with his use of concrete, a cost-friendly material suited for the climate, and the Brutalist design he pioneered in the country. 

This ties in with Mr. Lo-Henares’ answer when asked what Benilde taught him,  “As a Benildean, [...]  it’s to look at potential. Locsin’s work has elevated the status of concrete, now we look at it as something that’s marvelous, which it did not used to be. [...] our tagline in Benilde is doing ordinary things extraordinarily. I think that's what he did there and that's what we need to continue to do, it’s to take the everyday and try to make it good for everyone.”

Aside from his iconic works, part of the exhibit shows the Lost Locsins; structures that were lost to demolition. Head of the CCP Visual Arts and Museum division, Ms. Rica Estrada, mentioned how education can aid in the preservation of Locsin’s buildings. “So it's really exhibitions like this that tell us what goes on behind the creation of a work and how it’s a part of actually a longer process of learning and [...] understanding the environment,” she emphasized.

The Present and Beyond

“When Mr. Locsin died in the ‘90s, the partners all came back together and decided should we continue, what is the new role of the firm now that tatay has died? and the answer was essentially, we want to help mold the next generation and help elevate the standard of architecture and design in the Philippines,” Ar. Mayorlago shared when talking about the firm. 

Locsin’s legacy can be seen in the present works of LVLP, constructing the Ayala Museum in Makati, and the Henry Sy Hall in the De La Salle University (DLSU) campus, among others. His influence can be seen beyond LVLP, with a portion of the exhibit showcasing the works of Benildean Architecture students who incorporated Locsin’s design philosophies. namely; ID120 students, Charles Jenkins, Kim Nacion, Jarazea Bugnot, Anjello Ching, Joshua Hermosa, and Louise Pitoy, alongside ID118 Joshua Raña, and ID119 Yvonne Paez.

Ar. Raphael Lorenzo ‘Enzo’ Belandres, an alumnus and  now a professor of the Architecture program of the College, shared the influence of Locsin’s works; “[...] not only in terms of how it’s shaped Philippine architecture [then] but also how it’s continually shaping Filipino architecture now [...] For architecture to really last, for it to be iconic it has to have an abstraction. [...] That’s what I'm trying to teach as well, that architecture is a form, it’s actually a condensation of ideas,” showing Locsin’s continuing relevance in the classroom. 

More than just architecture

If there was one key takeaway from the architects who were interviewed, their advice was to be a student—to continue learning, gain new knowledge, and be a well-rounded person. For Mr. Andy Locsin, one piece of advice he wishes to impart to the younger generation is; “Whatever it is that you guys do going forward, [...] read. When I say read, do not limit yourself to this whole idea na obsessed lang kayo sa architecture and design. The world is gigantic; read literature, read comics, read everything you can get your hands on that tells you actually sort of how humankind lives,” he remarked.

For Mr. Locsin, part of design is understanding what humanity is all about, “The wider your exposure is to everything in the world, you will bring all of that unknowingly [...] The deeper you understand humankind, the better your design is, and the more relevant it is. At the end of the day, architecture is for the people, no one else,” he added.

As Leandro V. Locsin would say;  “A work of architecture becomes iconic only when society finds that it resonates on so many levels, when it captures a spirit and an idea that is relevant to and valued by those who view it, inhabit it, and use it over time.” 

The exhibit showed us there is more to architecture than we think. Locsin’s work reflected a unique time in history, working in the post-war Philippines and an emerging modern society. We see this in the materials he used and in the forms he shaped, he always had our culture, climate, and people in mind. 

With this being the last CCA exhibit under the direction of Ar. Torres, he reminisced about his journey saying; “They [Benildeans] were always at the center of my curatorial vision. It was always, from the very beginning, for the students. [...] I am still a teacher even if I don't teach in a classroom. For me, the gallery and all the galleries that we’ve put up all over the campuses, are learning spaces,” he shared. 

Adding to the collaborative effort, CCA will be releasing a catalog of “The Poet of Concrete,” featuring photos of the exhibit and its opening, project materials, essays from various architects, and interviews with the LVLP partners and associates.  

“The Poet of Concrete: The Architecture of National Artist Leandro Locsin” is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays until Dec. 14, 2024.

For more information, tune in to CCA’s Facebook page (Center for Campus Art)  and Instagram (benilde.campusart).