JOSE SIAO LING

Principal Architect, fuap, APEC Architect, FRIA

INTRODUCTION:

One of the exponents of idealism in the practice of architecture, Architect Jose Siao Ling was regarded in the Filipino-Chinese community during the late 1980’s as the youngest and dependable professional in his field.

A graduate of  B. S. Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas in 1980, he worked until 1983 in Hongkong, where he was exposed to various problems in design for institution, residential, recreational complexes, and where he specialized in space budget planning due to limited space and high construction cost on the islands. Every inch of space must be put to use without sacrificing light and ventilation.

With his own firm bearing his name,  which dates back to 1983 when he did his first project: the five-storey Benson Apartelle in San Juan, Metro Manila, he has completed well over 350 projects, ranging from renovation work, residential buildings, townhouse developments, commercial buildings and complexes, institutional and industrial buildings, hotels, resthouses and resorts, leisure parks, and subdivision developments to multi-storey residential and mixed-used condominium buildings.

Jose Siao Ling was among the pioneers in application of Feng Shui in the country and one of the advocates of Post-Modernist ideas in architectural design in the Philippines. For him, idealism means not compromising excellence for profit, having been quoted as saying “ I’d rather not get the project if I would not be allowed enough space to work on my concept and the client’s. Giving in to the whims of misguided clients can cause the demise of architecture”.

Rather than compete with other Filipino Architects, he did collaborative work with them and go global through MOS ARCHITECTS doing their most challenging projects such as the Fontana Leisure Parks in Clark Field, Angeles City, where they were able to bring back life from the ashes of Mount Pinatubo.

In the National Accredited Professional Organization of Architects  the United Architects of the Philippines, he became the youngest member to be bestowed the title FELLOW in April 11, 1996. He was later to be a material figure in the generation of funds for the purchase of the lot on which now stands the UAP National Headquarters Building for which he also headed the Task Force UAP National Headquarters Building Implementation and Resources Committee.

On the personal light, he has not allowed career get in the way of being a good family man, he believes in quality time spent rather than just being able to provide well for his family with his architect associate wife Ana and 6 children. He also emphasizes that he got lucky that he was never asked to compromise his integrity with illicit money, in a profession with immense opportunities for graft and shady deals.

After more than 20 years of architectural practice, he has been striving to move on, never resting on his laurels, working harder than ever before, a work attitude that truly deserves emulation.

Personal Information

Jose Siao Ling and Associates

409 H. Lozada Street, San Juan, Metro Manila

Educational Background

Elementary: 1971
Grace Christian High School

High School: 1971-75

            Gold Medal: Graphics Award, Graduated Salutatorian 1974-75
            Gold Medal: Meritorious Award, 1974-75
            Gold Medal: Meritorious Award, 1974-75
            Silver Medal: Graphics Award, 1973-74
            Bronze Medal: Academic Award, 1973-74
            Bronze Medal: Academic Award, 1972-73

College:  1975-80
University of Santo Tomas, Espana, Manila :  Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Work Experience

Service Record in the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)

VICE CHANCELLOR, College of Fellows 2006-2007

TREASURER, UA P Foundation, Inc.

CHAIRMAN, Implementation and Resources, Task Force UAP Headquarters Building, 1998-present

BURSAR, College of Fellows 2003-2004.

ADVISER, 30TH National Convention, Manila Hotel, April 15-17, 2004.

ADVISER, Nationwide Architecture Week, December 2003.

SCRIBE, College of Fellows 2002-2003.

ADVISER, 11TH National Conference of Architects, October 2002.

ADVISER, Nationwide Architecture Week, December 2002.

CHAIRMAN, Special Committee on Land Acquisition.

ADVISER, UAP 26TH National Convention, Manila Hotel, April 2000.

ADVISER, UAP 25TH National Convention, Manila Hotel, April 1999.

ADVISER, UAP 24TH National Convention, Manila Midtown Hotel, April 1998.

CONVENTION DIRECTOR, UAP 23rd National Convention, Manila Midtown Hotel

ADVISER, NCA-6 (Subic), 1997  

DIRECTOR, UAP Manila Metro Chapter, 1996-97
WAYS AND MEANS, Internal Affairs, UAP National  1995-1996

CHAIRMAN for Marketing and Exhibits, ACA-6,  1994