The MAGStory: (MANILA ARCHITECTS FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICE)
On the 8th of November 1977, the Manila Architects in Government Service Chapter was established after the disbandment of the former Association of Philippine Government Architects (APGA) which integrated with the League of Philippine Architects (LPA) and the Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA) to form the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) in 1975. Maravillas, Jr., who was the founding Regional Coordinator of the UAP for Central and Eastern Visayas based in Cebu City in 1975, and serving his third term as Regional Director and member of the UAP National Board, went into government service in the City of Manila and spearheaded the move together with Architects Felino C.T. Also in that group were Olga A. Feliciano, Renato Roldan and other leading figures of the APGA and the city government architects. Architect Felino C.T. Leon was elected MAGS Chapter's first president; however, he vacated his post to Architect Eliseo N. Feliciano (1978-1979) upon his election to the National Board in 1977 for Administrative Year 1978. Through the years, the following chapter presidents led and nurtured MAGS: Architects Juan A. Maravillas, Jr.(1980-1982), Lorenzo P. Espeleta, (1983), Olga A. Paz (1984-1986), Manuel L. Legazpi (1987), Emmanuel P. Cuntapay (1988), Gregorio M. Hoseña (1989), Angelito D. Damo (1990-1991), Benjamina C. Llanos (1992-1993), Luis P. Santos (1994), Jaime A. Avellaneda (1995-1996), John Hunter A. Azarcon (1997), Renato “Gordon” Bacungan (1998), Eubano T. Suguitan (1999-2001), Divina Veronica P. Vibandor (2002-2003), Fruto T. Macapagal (2004-2005), Thaddeu D. Oba (2006-2008), Alpha T. Fiesta-Azarcon (2008-2010), Joyce P. Banatao (2010-11), Tessa C. Espinas-Salinas (2011-14), Sylvester Shaun Seño (2014-2016), Ruel J. Camaquin (2016-2017), Irma Binag-Bernardo (2017-2019), Alpha Fiesta-Azarcon (2019-2021), and Kevin Christian A. Fagara (2021-22);
Some accomplishments of past chapter presidents are tough acts to follow. Arch. Jun Maravillas and Arch. Larry Espeleta crusaded for the Local Government Code to allow Architects to become Building Officials and other significant contributions to the evolution of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the National Building Code. Maravillas himself became the first Building Official of the City of Manila. In 1991, Arch. Lito Damo launched the official publication of MAGS called “MAGS-Ulat”.
“Nation-building is a public service. Architects, whether in private practice or government service, have equally important roles in our society.” The MAGS Chapter, therefore, is not exclusive for government architects in Manila but for all Filipino architects both in public and private practice who have ardent love for country. "MAGS-Ulat" was revived by Arch. Espinas in 2011. In May 2012, the FY 2011-2012 MAGS Chapter Board approved a resolution amending MAGS to reflect what it really stands for: “Manila Architects for Government Service”. During the UAP National Convention in 2014, UAP MAGS Chapter was declared winner of the "Best UAP Public Relations Program Award" (Group 3). It also received the "2015 Apolinario Mabini Award for Media Advocate Group" from Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III for its program "Rolyo ng Malaya" Interschool Documentary Film Festival, at the Heroes' Hall of Malacañan Palace. In 2015, the award is considered the first in UAP's 40 -year history, among its more than 137 local and international chapters. The "Apolinario Mabini Award" is biennially given by the PHILIPPINE FOUNDATION FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED. INC. (PFRDI), the oldest non-governmental organization (NGO) in the country that has relentlessly worked to address the needs of disabled persons since 1949. For FY 2015-2016, UAP MAGS received the Best Chapter and Meritorious Awards (Group 3) at the 42nd UAP National Convention.
