^{Architecture... requires loooooong waking hours from students.}

As I am thinking of a topic to write about architecture, I found myself smiling. I started to reminisce the good ---not so old college days! Perhaps it is the first step to be totally immersed in Architecture.

We call ourselves Arki-students, as the name implies—it is a colloquial term for Architecture students. I am sure all Arkis have different stories to tell from their university or college days. I am also sure--- we all have the same attitude. I don't know how to call it. Maybe it is really innate or perhaps just brought about by the uncanny effect of us not having enough sleep.

Let me tell you my very first day at the university...

The professor was out, some students were in; some were loitering outside… it was packed with weirdos. The usual desk was out; drafting tables and high chairs were in. The classroom was entertaining, because vandals were all over it with unending conversation by bloggers. There were also artworks from fancy to sensual. The writings have reached the ceiling as if the spirit of Michelangelo was there, while doing the ceiling artworks is Sistine Chapel.

Stories from the past reached us; stories like drafting tables and trash cans would be thrown like pieces of papers in wars between Architecture and Engineering students.

^{Vandals.  A typical sight in campuses to which no one admits of putting.}

Coming from a conservative background, this was surely a culture shock! My friend shared the same sentiment that is why she wouldn't come to class feeling as if she will get herself burnt. But we have to face the music! After all we were there to study.

Slowly, we came to understand the follies of Arki students. We were no longer indifferent, and we have had our own ways of living our lives as Arkis. We've learned to be one of them.

At first glance, you can easily tell the difference of an Arki student. While some college students carry a typical hand bag, you will see an Arki student carrying his/her entire house! Just imagine, we carry t-squares,

our plates which were kept in a tube; or sometimes in 20” x 30” boards;  then some art and rendering materials; plus we have other subjects that require us to bring books and notebooks…

Arki students hate wearing uniforms. One instance, the guard was running after a student who refused to wear the uniform inside the campus. Good thing the student was fast enough to run. In the nature of our subjects, it is really hard to maintain a neat white polo or blouse because pencil or ink stain marks are inevitable to have. For the hairstyles, Long hair for guys and short hair for girls (you can even go bald!) are typical scenarios… and by the way, uncombed hair was also the “in” thing. :)

The professors!  We also have our fair share of stories regarding the different professors in Architecture. Of course, our minor subjects (Taxation, English, Economics) professors hated us, they always complain that we don't take their subjects seriously (we just know how to set our priorities). Architect Professors know the way we think, that's why our mischievous deeds were no good. One professor whom we used to call “bad boy,” would enter our room shouting. He will throw a mediocre design plate right on your face. If he sees you doodling around or even if you have a wrong stroke of brush – time to be wary of his fangs! One time, because of nervousness and fear of commiting a mistake, one classmate used a ruler in sketching the trunk of a tree.  I guess you know what happened next. Another professor (plumbing professor) loves to send us to different sewerage treatment plants. You know what? We started to love the septic tank after that semester!

If there were "terrors", there were also "knight in shining armor" professors… (Yeah, and there were quite a number of them).  They were so nice that's why we can never afford to fail their subjects.

“Think out of the box” is what they usually tell us to do… so Arki students are generally obedient… You will see students trying to see if they could pass through under the low level bench, or a bunch of guys walking in the same way, slouched, with a chain in the pants which could be mistaken as a gothic cult. A certain spot on the elevator door's painting became faded because students would usually scratch it while waiting for the next trip… Until now, I can't figure out what was really on that spot to deserve such  attention.

Arki students really love to be chased. Aside from the uniform incident,  one student during the enrollment (enrollment means an endless line), jumped on the wall like a burglar while the university was still closed.  He got what he wanted, he came first at the line but not without the hassle of guards chasing after him. Not only that; there were bunch of his comrades waiting at the entrance… a marathon was waiting for them once the gate opens.

Never bother an Arki student, if his eyes are far away…no, we are not into deep thoughts. We are just sleeping! It is a fact that we never sleep, even for a week, especially if deadline for submission of plates are fast approaching.  So now you know, why you can't talk to us in a perfect sense.

Group plates/project is another story. Loud music is a must. Each member has their own corner to work on but at the end, they wouldn't know their actual spots anymore. 

Unending phone calls till the wee hours are always there just to check other groups if they are way ahead of their group and if they could plan out a move to push the deadline.

Don't be afraid if you pass by an Arki corner by the bench, you will not be rated-- we are just keen on proportions… we love to see Vitruvian principles.

I know stories will be endless… there are so much to talk about being an Arki student. There are joys, hardships, disappointments and lots of laughters. All these were brought about by our long days in the drafting table… these are just ways to relax and unwind and by making life easy and enjoyable.  So join us--- these are the pre-requisites of becoming a genuine Architect.

Jeanette Cano or Jen as her friends would call her is an Architect by Profession. She completed BS Architecture in Far Eastern University. Her Passion for the arts has brought her to her profession. Jen is now working as an Interior Architect in LINEA Design (www.lineadesignbahrain.com) based in Bahrain, it is a firm which she started with a partner to showcase to the world the artistic talents of Filipino interior designers and architects by outsourcing works from the Philippines. She is looking also for the possibility of exporting Philippine made building materials to Bahrain Market. She said that there are lots of things that a Filipino could boast off; we just need persistence, determination and opportunity. Since she was given the opportunity to start a design firm, she used this to give opportunity to fellow Filipinos.