A Filipino Role Model for Family and Career

11/1/2006

We have idolized architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan for their impressive body of work, their talent, and their vision. However, if you read on about their lives, you will discover that it was never always smooth sailing for them. Some of the greatest builders focused so much on their careers that they neglected the other important aspects of their lives, like family, health, and soul. They experienced their share of difficulties: family problems, broken marriages, loneliness, and criticism. Many times, these failings came because they overlooked a part of their persona in the pursuit of their craft. Obviously, this is not the ideal way to go. Sacrificing family for one’s career, for example, is never a perfect trade off.

Carving out a name in your profession and nurturing a family life is always a balancing act. You cannot devote a hundred percent to one without allowing the other to suffer. The challenge is to be good in your chosen career while being a good spouse, parent, or friend. We can easily get caught up with work and miss out on what really matters in life. We must always remember that our talents are only ever a means to

make a living, to do good, and to help others.

To this end, we need more and more role models to inspire us each day. One contemporary role model that comes to mind is the Grand Prize winner of the recently concluded Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Awards for Architecture, Archt. Michael T. Peňa.

I have known Mike since our first school day in the UST College of Architecture. Even then, he had been very easy to get along with and always had a ready, dimpled smile stamped on his face that makes him ultra-approachable. He has been married to the very lovely Marlene for the past 21 years, is proud father of three wonderful kids, and is on his fourth term as deacon of the Greenhills Christian Fellowship, where he also serves as principal architect (of South Metro, Alabang) and project architect (of Ortigas). 

Mike is an Architect/Builder by profession and a Filipino design proponent by avocation. With the award-winning design of his own residence, he showcased the elegance and purity of line of a contemporary Filipino home. The design elements employed, while at par with prevailing trends, are still very natural and simple.  He has updated the usual local decorative pieces to appear classier and new. The over-all effect is an atmosphere that is clean, welcoming, and relaxed, all positive Filipino traits. It is a space that, despite its sophistication, is still livable and warm. It is an expression of inherent Filipino artistry and a sample of his panache. The architect has chosen to create his abode within a milieu he understands and prefers.  He opted to live within very Filipino surroundings, but during very contemporary times. He proves to all that Filipino design can definitely be contemporary and world-class.

Despite his success, being good in his profession never took his focus away from his family and his service. The contribution he brings to the development of our local architecture only reinforces the real value he offers his family and his community, which is being a modern day hero, a role model, an inspiration to us all. Congratulations, Mike!