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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Feb 12, 2012 5:01:24 GMT 9
As posted by bahamut_zero... Thumbs up for new UST gym by Quinito Henson... Thumbs up for new UST gym By Joaquin Henson The Philippine Star Updated February 12, 2012 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - PBA special assistant to the commissioner Willie Marcial and Blackwater Elite PBA D-League team owner Dioceldo Sy recently visited the new 5,792-seat P800 Million UST gym, called the Quadricentennial Pavilion, to assess its suitability as a venue for PBA and PBA D-League games. Both gave their unconditional thumbs-up.
“It’s a state-of-the-art facility,” said Marcial. “We will surely bring it up to the Board of Governors as a possible alternative venue for future games.” Aside from offering high-quality playing conditions, the venue is situated in a main hub of commuters so that if the PBA plays games in the arena, it will mean bringing the league closer to a mass demographic. The Pavilion is located on an 12,000 square meter property at the UST campus that used to be an open field for tennis, football and basketball.
Sy, a former PBL chairman, said if UST officials allow, the four-level Pavilion will be the new practice home of Blackwater Elite which is suiting up six Growling Tigers in the coming D-League third conference. The Tigers in coach Leo Isaac’s roster are 6-4 Chris Camus, 5-10 Jeric Fortuna, 5-11 Clark Bautista, 6-4 Melo Apuang, 6-4 Aljohn Mariano and 6-5 Paolo Pe.
There is still no formal project turnover to UST but a spiritual retreat has already been scheduled on Feb. 22. The Porter basketball goals are installed but the nets are covered. The Robbins maplewood hardcourt is in place. A four-sided electronic scoreboard from a specialist Kentucky supplier Sportable will be delivered soon by Millenium Sports Universal Co., the local distributor owned by Eugene and Julie Eugenio.
What makes the Pavilion unique is the retractable rows of polyprothylene chairs with arm and back rests. Millenium has provided retractable rows for Brent School and Colegio de San Agustin but none with the same type of chairs. “It’s the first of its kind in the country,” said Eugene Eugenio. “At the Smart Araneta Coliseum, there are retractable platforms without seats. But at the Pavilion, our retractable rows come with 1,562 seats. Outside of the playing court, we used engineered wood, also by Robbins, so that if you take out the retractable rows, you get a wide space with wooden flooring for other events.” Hussey, a supplier from Maine, provided the retractable rows and chairs up to the fourth level.
On the third level, the Pavilion features a two-lane overall track surrounding the building. On the ground floor, Millenium installed 2,985 square meters of resilient rubberized flooring for badminton, volleyball, gymnastics, table tennis, judo, fencing, dancing and other sports. The ground level also has classrooms, a physical fitness center and administrative offices.
Internationally-renowned architect Meloy Casas, a UST graduate, undertook the project. “It’s an honor to be part of your alma mater,” said Casas who also provided the interior design of the building. “We are looking forward to the official opening.” Casas said all classrooms are on the ground floor while some offices are on the second floor with locker rooms as it is where the court is.
Eugenio said he coordinated closely with Casas and his staff for three years in the planning and design stage before the groundbreaking in July 2008. “The objective was to build a seating capacity of at least 5,000 so we looked for the right dimensions of seats and retractable rows to fit the size of the building,” said Eugenio. “We worked closely with Architect Casas and because of our performance, we were asked to provide the sports equipment for the new Alphaland project in Makati. We also supplied the improved Robbins portable flooring and new Spalding goals as the NBA standard for the Mall of Asia arena.”
Sy has sponsored the Blackwater team in the first two D-League conferences. So far, the squad has advanced only up to the quarterfinals. In the recently concluded conference, Blackwater suited up only two holdovers, Gio Ciria Cruz and Rocky Asidre, four UST cagers, Neil Pascual, Ice Ciria Cruz and La Salle recruits Sam Marata and Maui Villanueva.
“We’re happy in the D-League,” said Sy. “We’re not rushing to enter the PBA. Our goal is always to win the championship. This conference, we’re hoping to be more competitive with our six UST players, A. J. Mandani, Kelly Nabong, Mark Jeffries, John Semira, Rob Celis, Choy Ignacio, Paul Zamar, John Montemayor and Mark Bringas.”
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Feb 25, 2012 3:57:07 GMT 9
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Feb 27, 2012 5:18:22 GMT 9
COCOPEA holds congress at UST Campus Beat February 27, 2012, 3:50am
MANILA, Philippines — The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) will hold its 4th National COCOPEA Congress on Feb. 28 and 29, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.
COCOPEA is comprised of the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ACSCU), Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAPSCU), and the Technical-Vocational School Associations of the Philippines (TEVSAPHIL).
The confab themed “Reforming Philippine Education: Issues, Challenges and Solutions,” aims to examine the current reform initiatives in Philippine education, scrutinize the legislative agenda of the 15th Congress; and identify priority issues and challenges of this reforms. The members will also develop actions and strategies to effectively respond to these priority issues and challenges.
President Benigno Aquino III will deliver the keynote address.
mb.com.ph/articles/352646/cocopea-holds-congress-ustAs posted by citrus bean
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Mar 3, 2012 6:25:58 GMT 9
As posted by bahamut zero
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Mar 11, 2012 20:28:02 GMT 9
Courtesy of xavierdude
Drinking fountain
Dancing Hall
Signage
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Apr 21, 2012 11:36:42 GMT 9
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on May 11, 2012 6:19:38 GMT 9
The Quadricentennial Pavilion A closer look at the new ‘Tigers’ lair’
FINALLY, a home befitting the school with arguably the most accomplished collegiate sports program in the country.
Located on an 11,784.33-square-meter lot at the former Engineering sports field is the Quadricentennial Pavilion, the 5,000-seat arena that is said to be the most advanced sports stadium in any Philippine university.
The structure, designed by chief architect Carmelo Casas, is now the home court of UST athletes whose proud history boasts of 38 overall titles in 74 UAAP seasons.
“The site and the client are very close to my heart. I practically grew up in that place,” said Casas, who also designed the multi-level car park that houses the AMV-College of Accountancy.
The four-story coliseum has an elevated ground floor, a design strategy to keep flood waters at bay.
Standing proud at the center of the Pavilion’s lobby is the steel sculpture, “Campeone” (champion) by Thomasian artist Joe Datuin. The sculpture won in the Olympic Committee Sports and Arts contest in 2008, the year after the first architectural plan for the Pavilion was designed.
Located on the first level is a dance hall for the Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT), as well as training halls for the fencing, table tennis, badminton, judo, and taekwondo teams. It also has a two-level fitness gym, a gymnastics room, and five lecture rooms for the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA).
The Pavilion’s side facing the Benavides Park is apportioned for retail spaces like banks and restaurants.
The second floor will contain offices for guidance counselors, sports science, and for IPEA administrators. Two dug-outs and two lounges for coaches are also located on this level.
At the heart of the Pavilion is a maple wood court, which, according to Casas, is similar to those used by the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States. It is adorned with a tiger-striped border and a hand-painted tiger’s head, surrounded by red, orange, and yellow seats.
An indoor track is located on the third floor, whose windows will hold posters of memorable sporting moments and outstanding Thomasian athletes. There are also walkways to the mid-level seats of the basketball court, while on the topmost floor are the entrance ways for the seats in the last rows of the court.
Closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) are positioned around the Pavilion and are controlled from an Information Technology Data room located on the second floor.
“All corners have CCTV cameras, with motion detectors,” said Vingie Maitam, one of the architects who worked on the Pavilion.
Casas utilized a double-wall design (two walls with a space between them) on the interior walls for noise insulation, while louvers are installed on the façade to accentuate the building’s exterior as well as minimize solar exposure to the interior.
Toilets and faucets in lavatories and comfort rooms are automated and air circulation is controlled by a centralized air-conditioning system.
Good but lacking
Despite these awesome features, not everyone is awed by the new structure. Architect Manuel Noche cited lapses concerning the pavilion’s location. For him, it lacks that “wow” factor “that tells the world that ‘Hey, this is the home of the Growling Tigers.’”
Located too near the walls, the Pavilion is blocked in plain view from the outside by trees in front of it.
“Coming from the outside, there is no sign that immediately shows the sports complex or a direct view to it,” Noche said. “Unlike the Main Building with the cross on top, which can be seen from almost anywhere in Manila, only one corner of the sports complex can be seen from the outside and not the façade itself.”
Noche hopes that the new stadium would inspire UST athletes to work harder.
“I also hope that this building will renew an extended rigor in our sporting prowess, especially our [men’s] basketball team, which last held the crown in 2006,” he said.
Stretching the dynasty
IPEA Director Fr. Ermito De Sagon, O.P. said the Pavilion would now provide a good venue for the varsity teams’ training, especially as the school guns for its 39th general championship.
“The new gym will affect us positively. When our old gym was demolished, the performances of our athletes declined,” he said.
Still, he said UST’s sports dominance would depend on the athletes.
“There’s no magic with the new gym. It does not mean that we have a new gym, and then we automatically win the overall crown. It still depends on the players on how they will perform. We are just giving what the athletes need to improve their performance,” he said.
De Sagon also debunked rumors that the Pavilion would be hosting games of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCA).
“The gym can only accommodate our own athletes. We need a gymnasium for practice,” he said. “The athletes are still the priority for the UST sports complex. The capacity of the gymnasium on account of the audience increased but the space is just enough for the athletes.”
Lady Spikers chief tactician Odjie Mamon said that the new gym could strengthen the teams’ skills and conditioning for upcoming sporting event. He noted that the absence of a permanent training venue this season decreased the team’s conditioning to about 40 percent (seven and a half hours per week), a far cry from the recommended 16 to 18 hours training per week.
“We were not able to develop our serving and receiving skills due to lack of a permanent training spot. Also, our current practice venue, the seminary gym, has a low ceiling so it greatly affected our attack and serving drills,” he said.
SDT president Adams Bernabe said that the new gymnasium was “more cheering friendly” with its higher ceiling and bigger space, compared to the old gymnasium’s Annex building.
“With a higher ceiling, we can practice our lifts. Moreover, its floor material is suitable for dancing, so it is comfortable for us to rehearse,” he said.
For Lady Judokas coach Gerard Arce, the new sports gymnasium can encourage the team’s recruitment of new players.
“The new gym can strengthen the recruitment [since] we will have the space and time for try-outs of new athletes. It will be a great help for us to have a permanent place to train because we don’t need to think about the distraction like PE,” he said.
However, Dindo Simpao, coach of the perennial taekwondo champion, said the training venue is not really a big deal because snatching another title falls in the hands of persevering players mentored by their coaches.
“There are standard things that you need to provide for a team to excel. Take us anywhere and there’s no difference, we will still be champions,” he said.
www.varsitarian.net/supplement/neo_centennial_supplement/20120507/the_quadricentennial_pavilion
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Jun 15, 2012 2:30:14 GMT 9
Courtesy of theroyalchaster
Courtesy of billy_d_kidd
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Jun 29, 2012 4:14:21 GMT 9
The Quadricentennial Pavilion (originally UST Sports Complex) is a 5,792-seat multi-purpose gymnasium of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) located at the old Engineering Complex and adjacent football field in front of the Roque Ruaño Building.
The Quadricentennial Pavilion is one of the building construction projects of the University for its celebration of 400th year of foundation in 2011.[2] The new sports complex will replace the old UST Gymnasium which was built in 1933.[3]
History
Since 1933, the university only had the old UST Gymnasium, which was considered then as the biggest gymnasium during its time, as venue to hold practices for its athletes, as well as to hold non-sporting events.
In recent years, the student population increased to 40,000, prompting university officials to recognize the need for a new sporting facility within the campus.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 29, 2008 after the Vatican gave its "blessing" to the project as UST is a pontifical university, directly under the supervision of the Holy See.[4] Construction is still ongoing with interiors nearing completion.
The location of the sports complex lies on the former site of the Engineering Sports Complex that has an open field for softball and football, outdoor basketball courts, a tennis court, a covered basketball court with bleachers, and a canteen.
It was originally named as the UST Sports Complex, but the Council of Regents announced on October 18, 2011 that the new building will be called the Quadricentennial Pavilion.[5]
Features and usage
The four-storey sports complex mainly features a basketball court on the second floor with rows of seats rising up to the fourth level of the building. It has a total capacity of 5,792 seats. The main court has basketball hoops and maplewood hardcourt. It will also feature a four-sided electronic scoreboard. Its court-side sections consist of retractable rows of 1,562 polyprothylene chairs with arm and back rests. Its toilets and faucets inside lavatories and restrooms are automated and the entire vicinity is controlled by a centralized air-conditioning system. It is also surrounded by closed circuit television (CCTV) system for security.[6] Outside the playing court, the flooring is made up of engineered wood.[1]
The main lobby of the facility features a steel sculpture named Campione (Spanish word for champion), designed by Thomasian artist Joe Datuin. The sculpture won in the 2008 Olympic Committee Sports and Arts contest.[6]
The ground floor, which is intentionally elevated to keep flood at bay, features the dance hall for the Salinggawi Dance Troupe, training halls for fencing, table tennis, badminton, judo, and taekwondo.[4] There is also a two-level fitness center on this floor and a gymnastics room. Five lecture rooms for IPEA is also located on this floor.[6]
On one side facing the Roque Ruano Building will have retail spaces for banks and restaurants.
The second floor holds the offices of Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA), guidance counselors, and sports science.[6] The institute will have a faculty room and other multimedia rooms for students.[1] This floor also has two dug-outs and two lounges for coaches, and the Information Technology Data room that controls the CCTV network in the sports complex.[6]
On the third level, it features a two-lane overall track surrounding the building.[1] Its windows will hold posters/memorabilia to display sporting events and outstanding Thomasian athletes. The entrance to middle section of the seats is located on this level.[6]
The fourth level holds the entrance doors going to the top-most section of the seats.[6]
A parking space, as well as a covered court, is being constructed at the back of the complex.[7]
According to Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, the former Rector of the University, the new gym will be more than just a place for events and ceremonies as it will serve as a monument to the unique and unparalleled holistic sports development program of the university. It will become part of the Quadricentennial Pavilion, and will become the home of the UST varsity players and the Growling Tigers starting academic year of 2012.[7]
The new gym will also serve as a museum that will enshrine all the trophies, medals and other memorabilia of various UAAP championships the university has won throughout the years. Championship banners will also hang from the rafters of the gymnasium.[7]
Non-athletic events like concerts, graduation ceremonies, conferences, University mass, etc. will also be hosted by the new arena.
Taking into consideration of students having classes near the complex, it will also be equipped with sound-proof technology to keep nearby classes regulated from noise.
Capacity
The 65.98 x 76 square-meter structure has bleachers to accommodate 5,792 patrons, divided into three levels (lower box, upper box, and bleachers).[2][4]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadricentennial_Pavilion
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Jul 3, 2012 2:55:48 GMT 9
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Jul 4, 2012 4:20:16 GMT 9
Dahil NU ang host, pagkakataon ng mga Sy na i-showcase ang MOA Arena... Bilib nga ako kasi ilan Juniors at Womens games sa MOA lalaruin... Balak nga din nilang gamitin ang MOA bilabg venue ng volleyball finals...
Sa pagkakaalam ko may press release ang Santo Tomas na gagamitin for training ng Thomasian athletes ang Quadri Pav, sa ngayon... nakapanghihinayang naman ang 5792 seats kung hindi gagamitin for UAAP games... kung magkaroon man ng official games sa Quadri Pav, siguro the soonest na mangyayari yan ay sa 2nd sem...
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Post by USteg on Jul 4, 2012 16:30:33 GMT 9
TAS thanks, vacant/almost empty seats "WILL not look good on TV", just observe the other collegiate league on TV and its 'ho-hum' effect on the viewers, even if the game being played is truly nerve-wracking and not only to its loyal student based fans.
I totally agree, as host let NU make the most of it, their investment after all. And, to be fair to the juniors and women's basketball teams, let them play a game (per round) there, let them feel how it is to play at the MOA Arena, this manner way they won't be in awe [maninibago] of the venue anymore should their own play-offs, more so, the Jrs. championship series be held there. BTW, the Pups are to defend Jrs. title, and the Dogs might be gunning for a second UAAP title, the first was when UK Queen Elizabeth II was crowned 60 years ago. Don't get me wrong, I am proud that the Sys put up a world class venue we, as Filipinos can truly be proud.
In the meantime, let us observe how the professional league will fill in the MOA Arena, well within reach of the moneyed people of Makati, Pasay, Pasig and neighboring cities and towns...
Though, I still have to congratulate that other collegiate league for biting the bullet, faced some hard facts/realities and held their opening game at the 'old' coliseum which is, by the way, undergoing extensive renovations, a smart move!
Quadri Pavilion will have its day, medjo pag napag-sawaan na nang mga-Thomasino, he....he...he....!
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Jul 12, 2012 5:17:46 GMT 9
Tigers thwart 2006 UST UAAP Champs
Team captain Jeric Fortuna humbled by the presence of forward Mark Canlas, who is a member of the 2006 UST champion team, prior to the exhbition game. Photo by Jaime T. Campos
THE UST Growling Tigers halted a late-game surge of the Tigers’ Alumni All-Star team, 93-84, to pull off an abbreviated victory over their basketball ancestors in their exhibition game at the new Quadricentennial Pavilion Tuesday afternoon.
Aljon Mariano led the Tigers with 19 points, but it was Kevin Ferrer’s three charity shots that allowed them to gain back a comfortable seven-point lead, 87-80, and pull away in the closing minutes of the payoff period.
Allein Maliksi topscored for the Alumni squad with 16 markers, sparking a comeback in the fourth quarter that cut the deficit to four, 80-84.
Jojo Duncil, the 2006 UAAP Finals Most Valuable Player, scored key baskets in the last seven minutes of the game. During that stretch, UST four-peat coach Aric Del Rosario, who called the shots for the Alumni squad, fielded the 2006 champion team's Dylan Ababou, Jervy Cruz, Duncil, Mark Canlas, and Japs Cuan.
Incumbent coach Pido Jarencio said team cohesion was key to the victory.
“The team has been practicing together for a long time now and we have a structured system, compared to them (alumni) who just recently practiced and organized their line-up,” he said.
The Alumni team was composed mostly of players from the 2006 champion team such as Cuan, Ababou, Cruz, Duncil, Francis Allera, and Canlas. They were joined by former UAAP Rookie of the Year Gerard Francisco, Richard Yee, Nino Gelig, Lester Del Rosario, and secretary Joel Villanueva. Carla Patricia S. Perez
Former UST forward Allein Maliksi elevates for a two-hand slam in the third quarter to catch up with the rallying Growling Tigers. Photo by Jaime T. Campos
Former UST pointguard Japs Cuan loses the ball in the closing seconds of the 4th quarter. Photo by Jaime T. Campos
Cameroonian bigman Karim Abdul muscles his way against the stiff defense of former UST standouts Khasim Mirza and Dylan Ababou. Photo by Jaime T. Camposvarsitarian.net/breaking_news/20120710/tigers_thwart_2006_ust_uaap_champs
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Jul 12, 2012 5:33:22 GMT 9
Growling Tigers vs Alumni Tigers, July 10, 2012Courtesy of nonsense021
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Jul 13, 2012 6:13:09 GMT 9
Courtesy of jangkebin
Courtesy of celinarae tumblr
Courtesy of kadalasanminsan
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Jul 15, 2012 8:46:39 GMT 9
Courtesy of pinakapogingcpa
Q Pavilion not 'tailor-fit' for some teams By ALEXIS U. CERADO
UST ATHLETES now have a new home in the state-of-the-art Quadricentennial Pavilion. But not everyone is happy with the P800-million, four-story complex now serving both as a training facility and playing venue for the varsity teams.
Some coaches have complained of what they called “architectural flaws” that purportedly bother training sessions, particularly in judo and badminton.
But others like coach Dindo Simpao of the taekwondo team are nonetheless thankful for the new facility.
“You might hear plenty of complaints about its inadequacies but those things are rubbish. We should be grateful that we have a new usable gym,” Simpao said.
Badminton coach Noli Cajefe said the ceiling in the playing hall located on the first floor was “too low,” making it difficult for his wards to practice key attacks such as lobs.
He said it was also hard to see the shuttlecock because of the white-painted walls.
“(The ceiling height) is not ideal compared to the standard 10 meters,” he told the Varsitarian.
The Lady Judokas are also not entirely sold to the new training facility. Coach Gerard Arce said his players were experiencing breathing problems during drills due to the room’s poor ventilation.
“It’s really difficult to breathe especially during practice because the room is not ventilated. In judo, (ventilation) is important,” he said.
Fr. Ermito de Sagon, O.P., director of the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA), admitted certain shortcomings in the Quadricentennial Pavilion’s design. But he said the teams and their coaches should be thankful for having such a facility, especially in time for the new UAAP season.
“The architects [in a way] were at fault for not consulting the coaches of their ideal training venues,” he said.
“For now we’re just using the first floor [of the complex] because you cannot put a training area above the basketball court,” he added.
With the Quadricentennial Pavilion now available, most UST athletes no longer have to move elsewhere for training, a problem that beset their previous UAAP campaign.
“Training is easier now because we’re back in UST,” Cajefe said.
Last year, some training sessions had to be held outside the University following the demolition of the 78-year-old UST gymnasium to give way for the construction of the Thomasian Alumni Center.
The Quadricentennial Pavilion, which began construction in 2009, was completed last April. The IPEA office, faculty room, and classes were transferred to the second floor last June.
Still homeless
While almost all of the indoor varsity squads—including basketball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, judo, and fencing—had already transferred to their new training hubs in the Pavilion, the UST Woodpushers remained homeless.
The chess trains every afternoon at the pavilion in front of the soon-to-rise Thomasian Alumni Center, where the players have to endure the noise of the ongoing construction.
Coach Ronald Dableo said he was still awaiting word on when his team could transfer to the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
“Last summer, it was very hot that’s why we couldn’t practice properly. When it’s raining, we also couldn’t train well because we would get wet,” he said.
www.varsitarian.net/special_reports/20120707/q_pavilion_not_tailor_fit_for_some_teams
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Jul 23, 2012 16:47:20 GMT 9
More of Growling Tigers vs Alumni Tigers game...
Courtesy of booyeabianca
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Aug 4, 2012 13:01:09 GMT 9
Growling Tigers vs UPH scrimmage
Courtesy of kadalasanminsan
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Sept 8, 2012 7:17:56 GMT 9
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Sept 27, 2012 3:04:50 GMT 9
Courtesy of bahamut zero
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Nov 24, 2012 22:11:13 GMT 9
Quadri sports pavilion builder a wanna-be boxer By JUAN CARLOS D. MORENO
ONE OF the biggest names in Philippine architecture is a Thomasian.
Known to his friends as Meloy, architect Carmelo Casa founded the architectural firm CASAS+Architects, which has done some of the buildings of Ayalaland, Robinsons Land, and Megaworld Corp., among others.
As a child, Meloy initially wanted to become a boxer, but his parents never allowed him to move past this“crazy” idea.
“At first I wanted to become a boxer because at that time my idol was Flash Elorde,” said Meloy, who is also a big fan of Manny Pacquiao.
Meloy grew up in a family of artists in Sampaloc, Manila, and dabbled early with caricatures.
“Ever since I was young, I loved to draw. I remember sitting outside our house and drawing its façade,” he said. “I wanted to become an architect because I was encouraged by my father and was exposed to my uncle and aunt who are an architect and an interior designer, respectively.”
Meloy went on to enroll at the old UST College of Architecture and Fine Arts, and later worked as an apprentice for an architect.
“It actually helped me in college and confirmed my passion to be an architect,” he recalled.
In 1978, he landed in the Top 10 in the architecture board exam. Hong Kong was soon his destination where he worked at Eric Cummin & Asso. Ten years later, he partnered with architect Jose Pedro Recio to form the Recio+Casas HK Ltd. They opened their Manila office two years later. Their first project: The Pacific Plaza in Ayala Avenue, the tallest building in the country at that time.
His partnership with Recio, whom he fondly calls Bong, paved the way to the construction of a number of skyscrapers and establishments now dotting the urban landscape. They include the Bellagio Towers, The Icon, The Infinity, Eastwood City, St. Francis Towers, and The Shang Grand Tower.
After 20 years, Meloy went on his own and put up CASAS+Architects (C+A).
Building complexities
Meloy began with an initial crop of 70 people. His workforce grew to 140 in four years.
Their projects include Resorts World Newport City, UP Law Center in Fort Bonifacio, Grand Hyatt Metrobank Center and The Hyatt Residences, both in Bonifacio Global City, and One Shangri-la Place and Mall.
Meloy’s clients are the biggest real estate firms operating in the country: Metro Pacific, Megaworld Corp., Ayalaland, Alphaland, Vistaland, Federalnd, Nuvoland, Shang Properties, and Robinsons Land.
“We have just embarked on a five-year program due to our long ranged projects on hand,” he said.
Meloy is also the man behind the design of the Quadricentennial Pavillion, UST’s new sports complex.
According to him, the architectural planning of the pavilion was designed with multi-point entries for the convenience of students. They also elevated the structure to avoid the perennial flooding of the vicinity, being close to España Boulevard.
“It was elevated to fit 5,000 sitting capacity primarily for the university’s use and other sports activities such as the UAAP or the NCAA games,” Meloy said.
C+A’s involvement with UST projects started during the term of former Rector Tamerlane Lana, O.P., who initiated a master plan for a more “organized campus.”
“At that time, there was a plan for the construction of the car park building in front of the UST hospital,” he said. “Before it was constructed, we were commissioned to relocate the entire AMV-College of Accountancy above this structure and we successfully executed this undertaking.”
Strength, utility, and beauty
Meloy sees to it that he would always practice “green architecture” as a highlight of his designs. He looks at the right orientation and planning to maximize the need of an environment-friendly structure.
“We always respect the existing trees or natural springs within the site,” he said. “Nowadays, we are always encouraged to practice water conservation, less use of energy, especially electricity, and the use of recycled materials in all our projects.”
A lot of the structures raised at this age and time have exposed modernity and minimalism which have become trends in architecture, which Meloy said he considers in his designs.
“With the high cost of living, modern minimalism is not only a trend but more of a reality nowadays,”he said. “I have learned to accept that changes in architectural designs have to be accepted and embraced due to the major contributions of modern technology in architecture and engineering.”
Meloy believes that architecture is never a solitary pursuit. An architect, he says, needs to help other professionals such as engineers, interior designers, and landscape architects.
His vision as an architect is to leave a legacy to his partners and associates, and to continue practicing good architecture even when he is not around anymore.
“The thing that stays in my mind is the saying, ‘You’re only as good as your last project’,” he said. “This keeps me to strive even harder to be a better architect, realizing the importance of continuous education, even at my age, that’s why I always believe that we have to see the world to be a good architect.”
With the country’s developing economy and with architecture being at the forefront, Meloy said the architects have a huge responsibility to practice their profession in the best way they can.
“To be a good architect, you really have to love your profession. You always have to think and live architecture at all times,” he said. “You have to see the world and never stop learning. And don’t forget to pray and offer your work to our Master Architect.”
www.varsitarian.net/features/20121110/quadri_sports_pavilion_builder_a_wanna_be_boxer
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Nov 20, 2013 12:04:15 GMT 9
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Post by Tom A. Saiyan on Dec 15, 2013 15:14:33 GMT 9
UST Quadricentennial Pavilion main courtThomasian athletes find new lair By Ralph Joshua D.R. Hernandez
ASIDE from the Quadricentennial Pavilion, a new lair will soon be available for Thomasian athletes.
Temporarily known as the “Practice court with Mezzanine,” the new three-story building just beside the state-of-the-art Quadricentennial Pavilion will house facilities that could better cater to the needs of Thomasian athletes.
Fr. Roberto Pinto, O.P., director of the Facilities Management Office, said the construction of the arena was intended mainly to “utilize” the available space.
“We wanted to utilize the space through elevation rather than put up just three covered courts, which was the original plan,” he said.
The structure’s blueprint shows the variety of courts that could back the services of the Quadricentennial Pavilion, which is used in various events aside athletic purposes such as graduation rites and conferences.
“There will be three courts on the ground floor: a covered basketball court, which is already there; a volleyball court will be built on the side near the Roque Ruaño building and badminton and sepak takraw courts will be in the middle of the basketball and volleyball courts,” architect Eric Sta. Maria said.
“On the second floor, there will be tennis and basketball courts and an open basketball court on the third and last floor.”
Unlike the larger Quadricentennial Pavilion, the practice court, which is expected to be finished by January next year, will not house commercial establishments.
“Its purpose will be entirely for sports,” Pinto said.
After years of training in the seminary’s tennis courts, the UST Tennisters are delighted with the construction of their eventual home.
“We’re really happy to have our own practice court,” coach Dennis Sta. Cruz said. “We’re also thankful to UST because it is giving importance to other [sporting] events.”
The tennis squads are recuperating from their runner-up finishes both in the men’s and women’s divisions last season.
The UST Shuttlers, meanwhile, will stay and still conduct training at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
varsitarian.net/sports/20131201/thomasian_athletes_find_new_lair
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