Introduction
About Anthology
Anthology Architecture and Design Festival is an annual three-day event that showcases architecture and design within the Philippines and the Southeast Asian region. This year, the festival is transformed into a 3-day virtual event that will reach an even wider public with free online accessibility. The festival serves as a platform to bring together various practitioners and stakeholders to increase awareness about the relevance of architecture and design in our urban societies. The Festival Founder is Ar. William TI, UAP.

BL. Good afternoon, Architect Arvin Pangilinan. First of all, thanks to all organizers, in particular Ar. William Ti and You, for establishing Anthology Festival. Moreover, we are very grateful that you have accepted Lantawan Magazine as one of your media partners. In 2020, we had even a Lantawan Booth at the Festival in Intramuros. This time we are online media partners for you. Is it easy for you to look back on Anthology?
AP. I’m glad to have this conversation with you. It makes me realize the things that Anthology Festival and WTA Architecture and Design Studio have taught me.
BL. Is your title, “OUR CITY”, an entity? A project? A theoretical orientation? I formerly thought that it is just a title—but when I started recalling the very rich experience of Anthology 2021, I noticed that it is something much more tangible than “just a fitting theme.”
AP Our City is a manifesto that highlights the continuous redefinition of architecture in the city that challenges us to explore different fields in hopes to create a more cohesive and collaborative community.
BL. Would you spell out the Manifesto?
AP. (quotes)
“ Anthology Festival 2021 brings together leading practitioners in architecture and the arts to lead lectures and discussions that aim to form ideas to build a better city. The theme, “Our City” reminds us of the shape we once thought Our City would take, and speculates what new form it is now actually coming to. It is an avenue for appreciating the new reforms we have already adopted and improved them for a better future. As Architects, we have a place in making decisions for Our City. But, even more than that, so does EVERYONE else.
We think is relevant with all of the things that are happening not just in the Philippines, but around the world. Having the festival online made us reached different people from different cities to share their unique experiences in their own city.”
BL. How could you summarize the significance of the Manifesto?
AP. It forces us to express our ideas of a better tomorrow. The festival aims to inspire the individual to affect change in the face of adversity. It acts as a point of engagement to share experiences and address our challenges together.
Anthology Festival 2021, Photo Wall
BL. How did you select the speakers? Is there a procedure?
AP. When it comes to speakers selection, we made sure that the invited speakers fit in our theme and discussion topics. The goal of Anthology Festival is to create a diverse group of Architects, Designers, City Planners, Public and Private Developers, Editorial directors, Cultural directors, University Professors, and Students around the globe to have different perspectives. When it comes to Shelter Dialogues, we give as much diversity as possible and try to create a unique dynamic within the panelists.
BL. Does the invitation of particular speakers come from a love for their architecture/advocacy? Or do rather practical aspects prevail in selecting people? For example, those who have already been your contact persons (through WTA, embassies, etc.).
AP. A lot of our speakers came with their passion and their current roles within Our City. One of the significant speakers we had was Sou Fujimoto of Sou Fujimoto Architects as our keynote speaker. Carlo Calma, as part of Anthology Festival community, played a vital role by having a good relationship with Sou and introducing Anthology Festival to him.
BL. What is common in the Anthology 2021 speakers’ architectural understanding?
AP. There are three common understandings with Anthology Festival 2021 speakers. First, their knowledge and experience in their field which has a huge impact on Our City. Second, with the given circumstances we have today, our speakers have a great understanding of the things that we have to focus on and to open the topics and challenges that really matter. Lastly, the passion they bring to Our City. They bring inspiration, motivation, and share their unique perspectives with our viewers.
Anthology Talks Day 1 with Martijn de Geus and Han Zhang of Maison H. They love China.
BL. Several Westerners spoke who have discovered their future in the People’s Republic of China. Does this attitude signalize a trend? Is this the perspective for the next decades?
AP. At the discussion we had at Anthology Festival – Shelter Dialogues, they’ve pointed out that when China was starting to grow, they’ve invited a lot of western designers to practice in their country. Today, the roles have flipped. Westerners chose to practice in China because of the opportunities that are obtainable within their reach. With the current rate of development China has, it should be a balance of both. Adding their local Architects and Designers that bring designs that are rooted in their culture and traditions. BL. A comparison (or cooperation, even a merge) of East and West in architecture was a frequent topic in the recent Anthology festivals. Do you see this as a vision of the declining West and the upcoming East? AP. In general, Western designs have been well published around the international architecture website community. Thus, most of the design inspirations often have a western influence. With the goal of Anthology Festival bringing awareness to the Filipino community, architects and their designs from our neighboring countries have been given their well-deserved spotlight. Having almost the same climate as our neighbouring countries, we’ve learned a lot from their design. This allowed us to create designs that are more suitable for our climate.
Anthology Talks Day 2 with Tiffany Dahlen of MAD Architects
BL. For the Philippines, does the legacy of this Anthology Festival resemble I.M. Pei’s dream (going to the West and returning from the West to the East)—or rather the traditional colonial/postcolonial attitude? AP. The purpose is to bring different perspectives from around the world to this distinct platform. We want Anthology Festival to be a humbling experience where we create a smaller world for our speakers and audience to meet for a discourse. We want to create an atmosphere and environment where both sides can have the same ground on where they interact with each other and share ideas. BL. During Anthology Festival, foreign students recommended student exchange programs for Filipino students. However, the fact is that relatively few “really foreigner” (=not from here working/living families) students are enrolled in Philippine architectural educational institutions. How could Philippine schools attract more foreign students? AP. Philippine Universities have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to being competitive and improving the education system. There are a lot of ways to have a better architecture education experience. Few ways are the following. First, professors who have background and experience in real-life practice. Second, providing tools and machinery that can unlock the potential of the students. Third, inviting local and international speakers who can inspire our students. In the way how we organize it, Anthology Festival makes an effort to give our architecture industry, from students to professionals, an experience where they can learn from different people across the world.
Anthony Nazareno scale model, The House at Makiling Reserve at the Anthology Festival Our City Scale Model Exhibit
BL. How do you comment on the trend that many Filipino architecture graduates go abroad to work? I heard that many students attended Anthology with the intention to lay foundations for their success abroad, in order to know what is going on abroad.
AP. Those various reasons to work and practice abroad show that Filipino Architects have a competitive edge outside the Philippines. There’s a lot to experience working abroad— but young professionals should always be mindful to keep rooted in their origins. This will set them apart from other designers they encounter.
BL. What is the message of Anthology Festival for design students and teachers who suffer from COVID?
AP. Everything is on the internet! Software tutorials, recorded lectures, architectural forums, everything is just a click away. Universities surely suffer from the effect of the pandemic but they should turn the negative side of this happening into a positive one. As our profession always seeks, never stop innovating. Challenges will always come but it is our persistence as a designer to always innovate and create new things that can help us conquer.
BL. What is the impact of Anthology Festival on the organizers, WTA Architecture and Design Studio? Event organizing is not a usual field of architectural studios. Did Anthology enhance your work or was it rather a burden?
AP. It is not every day that we see an Architectural Studio organize an event, it is really a unique experience. Organizing Anthology Festival made the studio closer, unlocked unknown talents, and created connections with mutual respect to one another. From my first-hand experience, organizing Anthology Festival annually is a mind-opening, heart-warming, and humbling experience. Becoming friends with our speakers and audience is the most rewarding thing I could possibly have. The conversation and discussions go on even after the festival.
Anthology Core Team (left to right, top) Rochelle Ong, Arvin Pangilinan, Berly Locsin, William Ti Jr., Alexa Aranaz, Faith Muir, (left to right bottom) Pauline Morales, Matthew Sarmiento, April Daffon, and Dee Sanchez
BL. Who of your team gave you the strongest support?
AP. I would like to thank everyone in my team that made Anthology Festival 2021 possible! Will, Berly, Alexa, Roch, Matt, April, Dee, Pauline, and Faith, I will forever be grateful for having worked with you on this project. To you and Lantawan Magazine, my team and I would like to thank for your unending support for Anthology Festival. We are excited to have you again next year! Thank you for sharing our Festival with your community.
BL. Dear Ar. Arvin, Thank you for the interview.
BL = Br. Bela Lanyi SVD, Lantawan Editor-in-Chief, University of San Carlos, Cebu
AP = Ar. Arvin Pangilinana,UAP, William Ti Architecture and Design Studio, Manila
Photos: Courtesy of Ar. Arvin Pangilinan and Anthology Festival 2021 organizers