Organized by the Benilde Architecture Program (BenArch) and the Social and Academic Guild for Architecture (SAGA), the annual Portfolio Review (PO.RE) is a showcase of the most outstanding works by students of BenArch. From Nov. 8 to 22, PO.RE 2024 delves into the future of architecture, featuring significant projects, unique perspectives, and emerging talents from the BenArch community, all showcased on the 7th and 14th floors of the Design and Arts (D+A) Campus.
Celebrating 15 years of BenArch innovation and excellence—and marking the 10th anniversary of PO.RE— PO.RE 2024 was a momentous milestone for the program, reviving the excitement and nostalgia of pre-pandemic showcases with its largest exhibition to date. Dubbed the renaissance of BenArch, a comeback from the dark ages of the pandemic, PO.RE 2024 proudly displayed the innovative prowess of Benildeans, highlighting their creative and groundbreaking works.
An evening of creativity and innovation
School of Environment and Design (SED) Dean Ar. Harvey Vasquez commenced the opening ceremony on Nov. 8 with words of gratitude, reminiscing the journey of BenArch since its founding and how far the program has come today. From starting with just 33 students, BenArch has now grown to over 500 students.
“As you explore the works on the 7th and 14th floors, you will witness our students' journey in realizing their projects,” Ar. Vasquez shared, encouraging everyone to engage with the exhibits and each other—embodying the spirit of PO.RE as a bridge for collaboration, a platform for inspiration, and a window into the future. Following his remarks, former SAGA President Albert Villanueva expressed gratitude to the community, organization, mentors, and faculty for making the event possible.
This year’s SAGA President, ID122 Architecture student Ysabel Reyes, shared her reflections on the culmination of their efforts: “In celebration of Benilde Architecture’s 15th anniversary, months of hard work, dedication, and collaboration have brought us to this moment. As president, I am proud to say that our team has excelled.” Reyes went on to thank the guests, sponsors, and advisors for their support, adding, “Here’s to what we have achieved—thank you.”
In honor of tradition, Villanueva inaugurated Reyes with SAGA’s heirloom, the golden T-square, as a symbol of trust for the new generation of SAGA executive officers. To officially start the showcase, Ar. Vasquez, alongside BenArch Chairperson Ar. Ven Quizon, SAGA President Reyes, and SAGA advisors Ar. Jojo Gutierrez and Ar. Inigo Tiosejo facilitated the ribbon-cutting ceremony, opening the doors to the public.
Stepping through a portal to the future
Brimming with anticipation and excitement, the community and guests eagerly explored the exhibit together, from the hallways of the 7th floor to the Architecture hall on the 14th floor. Works from the past year, ranging from frosh subjects to thesis projects, were presented side by side as a unified BenArch community. This year’s Polaroid Wall added a fun, interactive element, featuring photos of PO.RE 2024 participants. Unlike previous years, where photos accompanied individual projects, this collective display fostered a sense of unity and celebration within the community.
In an official interview with The Benildean, Ar. Tiosejo expressed that the biggest challenge they have encountered in preparation for this event is bringing together the 15 years of Benilde Architecture and improving it from last year’s. “We're also coming from, you would say the ‘Dark Ages’- pandemic. You're dealing with a crew who came from online class, so they have no idea what the previous PO.RE was. So the biggest challenge overall was to make people understand what PO.RE is,” he remarked.
With the overwhelming amount of works featured in the exhibit, Ar. Gutierrez discussed with The Benildean that there will come a time that PO.RE will be very competitive. “I think there is no choice because we have to select, eventually we have to iron out works that might not be as good as others. [...] since this year was bigger than last year, and we anticipate that next year will be bigger than this year [...] it's both exciting and scary that it will be competitive,” he expressed.
Ar. Tiosejo added that one of the goals is to promote quality and greatness “It's basically [...] to showcase what we can do as a school. [...] The next is to promote, you know, competitiveness. [...] we'd want to feel that so-called inggit na ‘uy na feature next year, I want to be better.’ It's more to promote people being better as well. And then, eventually, it becomes a lifestyle where sanay ka na being good, you take it to your career. Always want to be the best, always want to be featured, want to be appreciated by your clients [...] that's the end goal in the big picture,” he stated.
Continuing Benilde Architecture’s legacy
As the program drew to a close, the exhibition moved on to the Gala night at the 12th floor D+A Cafeteria, where VizCode, a platform designed to enhance the process of learning for the Architectural codes and standards in the Philippines was presented to the audience by developer and BS-ARCH alumnus ID116 Ar. Bernard Gabriel Bernardo Berberabe. It was then followed by the introduction of Re.Po, a reuse hub proposal set to be launched for the D+A Campus soon. It is planned to have it functional by the next school year as an initiative to lessen the amount of discarded materials from studio works by repurposing, renewing, and reusing them for future projects.
The awarding segment then concluded the event, recognizing the works that stood out among a hundred entries. Awards included chairperson’s choice, people’s choice, dean’s choice, mentor’s choice, and best studio award. Regardless of having an award or not, Ar. Gutierrez imparted that PO.RE is a celebration of the best works, “To be featured, it means a lot. So it's already an affirmation that you did something good.”
As a former Benildean himself, Ar. Tiosejo emphasized how Benilde is a learner-centered institution. “If you’re learner-centered, mas prone ka maging leader. Benilde taught us really well how to be leaders.” When asked what the College imparted to him, he responded; “I only have one word; it's greatness. Because greatness, as the saying goes, Benilde's slogan; ‘do ordinary things extraordinarily well. This is an example of it. [...] Give it your best, small or big, that's what Benilde taught me,” he remarked. Overall, PO.RE is more than just an exhibition, it is a culmination of hard work, grit, and creativity, and a testament to Benilde’s capabilities of producing quality Architects in the profession.
For more updates on PO.RE 2024 and the BenArch community, visit SAGA’s Facebook and Instagram.
