^{Arch. Joseph Requilme}

Arch. Joseph Requilme, without the knowledge of most Filipinos, is the architect behind the Al Murooj Hotel in Dubai.  The hotel is considered as one of the landmark projects at the Emirates.  It has a very unique design that has been admired by travelers around the world.    

He was a fresh graduate when he worked in Kuwait in 1983 alongside top American designers of SOM the group known for skyscrapers and the contractor for Burj Dubai, acknowledged as the world's tallest building.  “It was my first brush with real quality architecture.  When I moved to a different company, I took a senior designer status.” says Joseph.

Joseph went back to the Philippines seven years later when the Gulf war broke off.  “It was timely that my family stayed behind in the Philippines after our vacation or they would have been caught in the war.  It was indeed a terrible experience.  More so for those Filipinos whose children didn't even have milk to drink when we went through that long journey on a convoy to Baghdad en route to Jordan where we would catch a plane going back home.”

In the Philippines, Joseph was interviewed by a Chinese who eventually hired him for Singapore.  He resigned after a year because he disliked how his employer intimidated the staff.  He secured another job before he resigned.  He found a really nice boss this time and so, he brought his family.

“My projects in Singapore were not as big as those in Kuwait but it was a good career move because there was a good variety in the projects.  I became better-rounded as a designer.  After my stint in Singapore and learning that Dubai was in a construction boom, I went there in 1998 to look for a job through my sister.”   

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY

He tried a year alone in Dubai and then he brought his family.  “That's always been my strategy.  When I see that things are okay, I bring them.  A man's decisions are affected when he already has his family.  There's not much option left even when the boss turns out to be rude.  It's important that me and my family are together.” says Mr. Requilme.

^{Arch. Joseph Requilme with his family}

SEEK FOR THE BEST POSSIBLE EMPLOYMENT

You don't have to sell yourself short when you know what you're good at.  Here in the gulf, there are a lot of slave drivers.  You need to set boundaries or you'll get taken advantaged of.  You need to communicate that you have other priorities beside work.  My boss knows that my priority is my family and that's why I don't do overtime.  So much so, that when he sees me working after office hours, he's delightfully surprised. 

You can see if your employer is good or not.  There are patterns to observe in the office.  When despite your excellent services, the employer cannot still serve your purpose, quit.  If after 10 years of selling peanuts you concluded that you won't hit the jackpot, think of another “gimmick” for your own success.

Many of our graduates just settle.  They accept salaries of 2000 to 3000 Dirham for designing buildings.  But you know how much the employers earn from their designs?  You wouldn't want to know.  Believe that there are good employers and seek them out.

EXCELLENCE IS THE WAY TO GO

“I do my best at work”, says Joseph.  The efforts he put in designing a building is the same with what he put into designing a toilet.  Even what others consider as insignificant requires your best.  Excellence is difficult but it pays off.  Even when others don't take notice, excellence always results to something… eventually.

Excellence connotes reliability.  “When my boss comes to me for a project, he knows I will produce the result.  He doesn't doubt that.  If my boss wants things done, he comes to me.”

“I buy a lot of books and research on the latest architectural trends.  People can design but it's important for designs to go with the times and market demand.  Architecture in Dubai is more lavish and dominant in features.  In Singapore, they go for practicality and functionality.”

GREAT PRESENTATION COUNTS

People know that Filipinos are great architects.  We have the “gift of eye”.  We know aesthetics by nature.  But most of the Filipino architects who have made it internationally are those who have studied in the states.  They came out of school skilled, bold and aggressive.  They could speak well and are able to sell themselves.  Other Filipino architects don't dress up well nor possess the confidence needed for client presentations.  Even when you're good but “papolo-polo” lang, it's hard to break through, according to Arch. Requilme.  Power dressing makes a difference.    “One of my mistakes is not having cultivated my skills with clients.  I got stuck to this attitude of minding only my designs and leaving presentations to my boss.  It would have been good if I could do both.” he adds.

LOVE WHAT YOU DO, DO WHAT YOU LOVE

My boss initiated if I would be interested with management.  I said it's useless to work in an area where I am not effective.  I have to be where I am an expert.  I say that as long as I can still hold a pencil, I will continue to design.  I have reached a certain acceptance in my field that designing is enough for me.  I don't need to have my own firm, I enjoy what I do. 

Arch. Requilme consider Al Murooj as his signature project.  From initial concept, its interior as well as the landscape, he poured himself out in this project.  Even with details assigned to others, he got involved. 

^{The Al Murooj Rotana Hotel, a landmark in Dubai}

SET YOUR PRIORITIES

In life, one should set priorities.  To Joseph, it has to be God first, family and work.  “If you want a great career, be strong in your relationship with God.  If you leave out God, what can your boss give you?” he says.

God is our source of strength.  To Him alone we can really cling.  That's why we all need to have our time with Him, praying and reading the scripture.  I am just fortunate to have a wife to remind me of this.  The church too, can help.  I can't imagine myself being alone and not have a church to confide to about my problems.

Arch. Joseph continues to design landmarks.  Aside from his countless projects in Dubai, he has designed yet another breakthrough building in Bahrain, the Trust building located at the Diplomatic Area.  We can draw inspiration from this man who designs landmark projects… but allows God to design his life.  Arch. Joseph Requilme, a Filipino… World-Class Filipino.

World Class Filipino came to existence because of the solid belief of the people behind this project on its subject … the Filipino and most especially because God has allowed this to happen.

We are first hand witnesses on how competent Filipinos are in any trade or profession, in any country and against any nationality as most of us are currently occupying job positions which could have been easily occupied by another race had we not been capable.

The idea of setting up this website first came up at a time when we were always being asked by foreign employers if we know of a Filipino who would like to work with them.  When asked why they prefer Filipinos… they site Filipino qualities such as the following: honest, loyal, friendly, fun-loving, honors commitments, good communicator, hardworking, creative and among others.  If you just happen to have the privilege of hearing these adjectives from people other than your “kababayan”… you would probably ask yourself why these people believe in us and why can't we?  Why other nationalities are appreciating us while we ourselves, at times, are still downgrading our capacities? 

As Filipinos working abroad, we believe we are representatives of our country.  Our performances today will have a direct effect on others who will choose to follow this route and to the image of Filipinos in general.  That's why we are always asking God for guidance at work and in everything we do.  That we may continue to do His will for His greater glory and thereby preserve the legacy of the Filipinos who came before us. In relation to this, please allow us to use this space to salute them.  They made lasting impressions internationally which practically paved the way and have opened up windows of opportunities for millions of Filipinos.

And lastly, we believe that everything we have, were just given.  Our strength, beauty, intelligence… everything.  We should therefore not be boastful and proud.  Instead, we should be thankful to the one who made you and me and share these gifts to everyone.   We may be small as people, we may be under-developed as a country and we are not perfect. But we are perfectly us… just the way God had designed us to be. 

Love.  Care.  Share.

Love God above all.  Care for others.  Share ourselves.