Leandro Locsin was a prominent Filipino architect born in 1928. Some of his most notable works include the Church of the Holy Sacrifice commissioned in 1955, the Cultural Center of the Philippines main theater building completed in 1969, and the Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei. Locsin received numerous commissions from the Ayala family and designed several of their buildings. He was a pioneering Filipino architect who incorporated Philippine culture and traditions into his distinctive modern designs.

1. Yabyabin, Iris Joy C.
IV - St. Peter
Research
Arts IV
Mr. Allan Christian Maandal
Leandro Locsin
Leandro V. Locsin, born August 15, 1928 in Silay City, Negros Occidental, was a grandson of the
first governor of the province. He later studied at the De La Salle Brothers in 1935 before returning to
Negros due to the Second World War. He returned to Manila to study Pre-Law, before shifting to pursue
a Bachelor's Degree in Music at the University of Santo Tomas. Although he was a talented pianist, he
later shifted again to Architecture, just a year before graduating. He was married to Cecilia Yulo, to
which he had two children, one of whom is also an architect.
An art lover, he frequented the Philippine Art Gallery, where he met the curator, Fernando
Zóbel de Ayala y Montojo, who recommended Locsin to the Ossorio family, who was planning to build a
chapel in Negros, but was unfortunately canceled. However, in 1955, then University of the Philippines,
Diliman Catholic Chaplain, Fr. John Delaney, S.J. commissioned Locsin to design a chapel that is open and
can easily accommodate 1,000 people. The Church of the Holy Sacrifice is the first round chapel in the
Philippines with the altar in the middle, and the first to have a thin shell concrete dome. Today, the
church is recognized as a National Historical Landmark and a Cultural Treasure by the National Historical
Institute and the National Museum respectively.
In 1969, he completed what is to be his most recognizable work, the Theater of Performing
Arts (Now the Tanghalang Pambansa) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The building houses four
theaters, a museum of ethnographic and other temporary exhibits, galleries, and a library on Philippine
art and culture. In 1974, Locsin designed the Folk Arts Theater, which is one of the largest single span
buildings in the Philippines with a span of 60 meters. It was completed in only seventy-seven days, in
time for the Miss Universe Pageant. Locsin was also commissioned to build the Philippine International
Convention Center, the country's premiere international conference building and the seat of the Vice
Presidency.
Locsin was a close friend of the Ayalas. Before taking the board examination, he took his
apprenticeship at Ayala and Company (Now the Ayala Corporation) and was even asked to design the
first building in Ayala Avenue, and several of their residences. In 1974, he was commissioned to design
the Ayala Museum, which housed the Ayala's art collection. When the collection of the Ayala Museum
was moved to its current location, the original was demolished, with Locsin's permission.
Most of Locsin's work has been inside the country, but in 1970, he designed the Philippine
Pavilion of the World Expo in Osaka, Japan. His largest single work is the Istana Nurul Iman, the official
residence of the Sultan of Brunei. Locsin also designed some of the buildings at the UP Los Baños
campus. The Dioscoro Umali Hall, the main auditorium, is clearly an example of his distinct architecture,
with its large canopy that makes it resemble the main theatre of the CCP. Most of his work is
concentrated on the Freedom Park, with the Student Union Building, once damaged by a fire,
the Carillon, the Continuing Education Center and the auditorium. He also designed UPLB's Main Library,

2. SEARCA Residences, and several structures at the National Arts Center (housing the Philippine High
School for the Arts) situated at Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna. In 1992, he received the Fukuoka Asian
Culture Prize from Fukuoka City.
Locsin's last work, ironically, was also a church in Malaybalay, Bukidnon. Leandro V. Locsin died
November 15, 1994 in Makati City. The campus of De La Salle-Canlubang, built in 2003 on a land
donated by his family, was named after him.
Juan Nakpil
Juan F. Nakpil, architect, teacher, and civic leader, is a pioneer and innovator in Philippine
architecture. He has shared his outstanding talents and services in creating edifices, both private and
public, which are conceptually well-designed and conscientiously executed. While mindful of
contemporary design, Nakpil has always advocated a distinctive architecture reflective of Philippine
traditions and culture.
He designed the-1937 International Eucharistic Congress altar, rebuilt and enlarged the Quiapo
Church, and restored the national shrine that is Dr. Jose Rizal's home in Calamba. He has invested in
each of the edifices he designed the proud spirit of creativity which integrates strength, function, and
beauty in the large or small buildings that are the country's architectural heritage.
With the persistence of inspriation and genuine concern, he has led' his colleagues in upgrading
the standards of competence and practice in the profession and in the betterment of the educational
courses for architecture; it is largely due to his zealous representation and efforts that private Filipino
architects and engineers, by law, may now participate in the design and execution of government
projects.
His firm, Juan F.Nokpil and Sons, is indicative of the creative Filipino family guided by a strong
sense of cultural nationalism and generous participation in helping build an environment that is native
to the temperament of the people, but at the same time embracing the demands of change from the
rural to the urban way of life.
Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1144,dated 15 May 1973, and in recognition of his rare excellence
and significant contribution to architecture, Juan F. Nakpil is conferred on June 12, 1973, Independence
Day, as National Artist.
Stamps and First Day Covers will be available starting 25 May 1999 at the Philatelic Division,
Money Order Building, Liwasang Bonifacio, 1000 Manila and all Regional Offices of the Philippine Postal
Corporation.