I miss this...

 

(I DO NOT OWN THE VIDEO)

TAWANG-TAWA TALAGA AKO SA VIDEO NA 'TO!! 😝🤣 Makes you want to really agree with it. I miss designing spaces... rooms, offices, homes, whole buildings. I enjoyed the "self-brainstorming" and execution of ideas (kahit na kapag pina-check ko na sa prof ay may mali pala), pero may magsasabi sa plates (projects) ko na, "Oo nga 'no?" o kaya "Wow, ang ganda!" na ang sarap-sarap pakinggan. Pumapalakpak ang mga tenga. HAHAHA!!!

I don't regret not being a freelance Architect by profession. Baka tamarin lang kasi ako lagi kung walang "push". 😅😂 Pipilitin ko lang madalas ang sarili ko. And I think I'm actually more accustomed to "routine". At saka literally, nakakabaliw. Ang sakit sa ulo, magkaka-ideas lang kapag tulog na ang lahat (minimum 1:00 AM yun) tapos mababawasan na kapag sumikat na ang araw. Kailangan ko ng ultimate silence (except for my personal music kapag sumobra naman) para tuluy-tuloy ang flow ng ideas and motivation. Duon ko minahal ang NU107, nung time na sleepless-nights-because-of-plates. Madalas walang tulog, palaging zombie mode, tapos kapag naka-"idlip" in the middle of a project, as in straight 10 to 12 hours babawi yung katawan ko. I just couldn't take that kind of "self-abuse". There came a point when I regret taking the course BS Architecture. 'BS' talaga. HAHAHAHA!!!!

Hindi ako nasanay sa AutoCAD software dahil medyo nalihis na ako ng career, so manual technical drafting at freehand drawing lang talaga ang kaya ko ngayon. Hindi rin ako magaling sa rendering ng color at textures. I failed the licensure exams 3 times for almost 3 consecutive years, kahit na nag-review school pa ako, so I think "not meant to be" talaga. I would have just dragged myself to embody the "forced creativity" that came with the license. Even now, I am forcing myself when I bought alcohol-based markers for doodling. The 80-piece set still sits undisturbed inside my mobile pedestal in the office.

Designing as an architect-only in the Philippines may not be that profitable, maybe even unfulfilling. Some of my classmates in college who are now practicing architects are also contractors, meaning: they design and build. That is a more viable and sustainable career here. Some have weekend gigs. Architect/photographer, architect/musician-- weekday designers with weekend occupations on the side. I'm happy for those who were excellent designers as students now get to see their creations come to life (some just partially, because company architects' final output is blended with their fellow architects' ideas).

I was able to design a two-storey residence when I became unemployed for a few months, but I never got to see it built. God just gave me the opportunity to have income while still applying for a new job. 🙏💗😊 The project was very hard for me because I experienced the full essence of the design process, negotiating with engineers for their signatures for my blueprints. Although it was quite fulfilling in the end. Quite. But I think I could not have maintained that kind of life on a normal basis. Talk to client--draw (trial and error)--talk to engineer--draw (according to specifications)--process the building permit. I undervalued my work when it came to the fee, because I was desperately in need. It is true that designers and illustrators, whatever kind, shouldn't succumb to haggling down the monetary value of their work.

I regret buying a larger drafting table, bigger than the one I used in college, only to neglect it and watch it deteriorate over a couple of years.

I just miss the craft in general. I need a (new) hobby. 🤣