Architects for a cause

Three designers show the spirit of giving by devoting themselves full time to building houses for the poor




Architects Bien Padua, Jomari Badilla and Acel Libed at the GK Baseco site in Tondo.



Less for self, more for others, enough for all—this is the motto of Gawad Kalinga, a poverty alleviation program initiated by the Couples for Christ around five years ago. It has an ambitious vision: a Philippines with no more slums. Its battle cry is to build 700,000 houses in 7,000 communities in 7 years. As of Novermber 4, 2004, they have built 8,645 homes in 338 communities.

Jomari Badilla, 24, and Acel Libed, 25, are architecture graduates who have taken this slogan to heart. Right after his graduation last March, Jomari committed himself full time to the Shelter Team, the core of volunteers who provide technical support for the various GK communities. Acel, who passed the architecture board exam last year, is thinking of doing the same thing.

Bien Padua , an architect who worked in construction, decided to volunteer full time for Gawad Kalinga last March. He was assigned to work as the site architect for Baseco, Tondo, a slum community near the Port Area which burned down earlier this year. Two weeks after his assignment, he decided to move into a 20sqm house in the community to be able to supervise the work better. So far he has managed the building of 208 houses; the construction of 280 more is due to be finished this December.

Get to know why these three have sacrificed a stable job and income in the name of service:

Why did you decide to volunteer full-time?

JOMARI: I had a conviction that this was where I was being led to help, especially since I’m an architecture graduate. I was a youth leader before, but it was mostly talk, and no action. I’m also attracted to mission work because members of my family are missionaries. This is my life.

ACEL: Jomari and I used to volunteer our design services for YFC (Youth for Christ) and CFC events, like stage design. Like him, I was also a youth leader, but we were just leading—we weren’t doing anything concrete. This is a higher form of service. Also, certain events in my life—like getting into the UST College of Architecture, and winning an Urban Housing Competition for the Urban Poor—helped me discern what I was supposed to do.

BIEN: In December 2003, I saw Gawad Kalinga’s work in Payatas on TV. I was touched with the spirit of bayanihan that GK promoted. Naisip ko, may kakayahan naman ako. I wanted to do my part in building the nation. So I promised to myself I would volunteer. But construction projects came and I got busy. But every time I received my pay, I remembered my promise. So in March, I called the GK office, and got assigned to Baseco. Frustrated ako sa buhay ko nun, pero nabuhayan ako.

What’s a typical day or week for you?

J: On Mondays, we report to the head office to talk about what needs to be done for the week. From Tuesday to Friday we check the various GK sites, if they are up to standard. We do quality control—checking the houses, the site development, and landscaping. We’re also the ones who recruit volunteers from schools. On weekends, we visit the site with them. Sometimes we also entertain foreigners who want to see the site.

A: Each GK community has its own design team, but we also submit designs and concepts for special projects. We have to meet deadlines. For example, if a project needs a concept right away, we have to draw it, scan and email. Nagpupuyat din kami. We also coordinate with companies and local government units who are our partners for the project.

B: My day starts with a short prayer. Then I look over the scope of work for the day. Then I call the lead foremen and discuss their specific assignments. Then I go around the site, to see if there are any materials that are lacking. I work here 25 hours a day, 8 days a week.

What are the challenges that you face?

J: Being a full-time volunteer is not easily understood by other people, especially our families. I don’t have money in the bank. We’re given an allowance that’s just enough for our needs. Pero hindi naman siya nagkukulang. May naghahatid, or may nagpapakain. I’m not worried about my future. In seven years, uunlad na rin ang Pilipinas, aangat na rin tayo.

A: Friends and family don’t accept it so easily. Sometimes I don’t know if I should feel proud or embarrassed about it. But so far the reception has been positive. The good thing is our network has widened with GK. Hindi kami nag-aalala kung saan kami pupulutin pagkatapos nito.

B: Working with the people. Yung ibang tao, reklamador. Pero pag nakikita ko yung ngiti ng tinutulungan ko, masaya na ako.

J: Sometimes the people in the community are suspicious. We have to prove to them that we are helping them wholeheartedly.

How has your life changed?

J: It has made my life simpler. I focus more on other people more than myself. It’s become our life. We talk, eat, live GK.

A: We have less gimmicks. I’m also less career-oriented now. Before I was really focused on it; I thought that at age 28, I would already have my own architectural office. Now I think less for myself, and more for others. I’m more blessed than them—I went to college; they didn’t.

B: Dati iniisip ko lang yung yumaman ako at magkaroon ako ng magandang trabaho, o kaya lumabas ng Pilipinas kung bumabagsak na. Pero nung nakita ko yung taong tutulungan ko, sabi ko, dito na ako.

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A shorter version of this article appears in Real Living's December 2004 issue. Interview by Amillah Rodil. Photo by Bahaghari MFI.

For more information, visit www.gawadkalinga.org.
The GK National Secretariat is located in 349 Ortigas Ave., East Greenhills, Mandaluyong City, Tel. Nos. 727-0681, 726-7261, or 723-1603, ask for Jomari or Acel if you're interested to volunteer.