Juan Felipe De Jesus Nakpil

Juan F. Nakpil was a Filipino architect, teacher and a community leader. He was born on May 26, 1899, the eldest child of Philippine Revolution veterans Julio Nakpil and Gregoria de Jesus (who married the former after

the death of her first husband Andrés Bonifacio). He finished his high school at the Manila High School on 1917 He then took Civil Engineering at the University of the Philippines, Diliman While at UP Diliman, he took freehand drawing, painting, and decorative arts under Fabian de la Rosa and Fernando Amorsolo. He also took

sculpture under Maestro Ocampo After two years in UP Diliman, he went to the United States to finish his degree despite the disapproval of his parents. It was told that he pawned

his watch for a steerage ticket to the US He attended University of Kansas where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1922 In 1925, he went to France and took Architecture at the Fountainbleau School of Fine Arts He then took his Masters Degree in architecture at the Harvard University under the Joseph Evelynth fellowship When he got back in the Philippines in 1926, he became an assistant architect of the Bureau of Public Works He eventually worked with Andres Luna de San Pedro (son of Juan Luna) and was part in the design of the Luis-Perez-Samanlilio Building. Two

years later he bacame a Junior Partner of the firm Among Nakpil's famous projects under Luna were the Perez-Samanillo building, the Crystal Arcade and residences like those of Jacobo and

Alfonso Zobel Nakpil also worked for Gonzalo Puyat and Sons as a furniture designer from 1928 to 1931. He eventually started his firm in 1930. At this time he also began teaching. He joined the Mapua Institute of Technology from 1927 to 1931,

teaching history of architecture, theory of architecture and design for the junior and senior years. In 1931 to 1938 he taught at the University of Sto. Tomas College of Architecture. He helped educate a generation of architects, such that during a

certain period, all six deans of architecture of different schools had been his students. In 1933, he had established with other top architects the Philippine Architects Society (later renamed Philippine Institute of Architects) and served

as its first president In 1941, Nakpil founded the Philippine College of Design with many of the leading architects like Andres Luna de San Pedro, Juan Arellano, Pablo

Antonio and others, until World War II interrupted this project After his sons  Ariston, Francisco, and Eulogio graduated, Nakpil established Juan F. Nakpil & Sons in 1953 Nakpil proposed concept for the Greenhills Shopping Center, modern in every aspect and suited to local conditions. The concept included a

supermarket, a movie house, variety stores, a bowling alley, service shops and restaurants Juan Nakpil died on May 7, 1986 at the age of 87 and he was burried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani The wife of Juan F. Nakpil was Anita Agoncillo Noble of Batangas, who had been crowned the first Miss Philippines in 1926

Awards

Architect of the Year, 1939, 1940, 1946 Philippine Institute of Architects Gold Medal of Merit Award, 1950 Most Outstanding Professional in Architecture, 1951 (from the Philippine Association of Board Examiners) Honorary correspondent member ng Societe de Architectes par le Gouvernement Francais, 1952 Chevalier de la legion d'Honneur, 1955 Presidential Medal of Merit from President Ramon Magsaysay, 1955 Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award, 1968 Republic Cultural Heritage Award, 1971 Rizal Pro Patria Award, 1972 The first National Artists for Architecture, 1973 Dean of Filipino Architects. 1973

Luis-Perez-Samanlilio Building

Quiapo Church

Quezon Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman

Quezon Hall is the frontmost building of UP Diliman. It is located behind the Oblation statue as an arch, with three columns supporting the arch. Quezon Hall also hosts the UP Board of Regents as well as other administrative functions and

positions in the university.

Capitol Theater

The Capitol Theater, situated in Escolta was built in the 1930s with an approximate seating capacity

of 800.

This theater had a double balcony, which is a rare architectural design.

With an art deco style by the architect, the theater's facade has reliefs of 2 muses done by

Francesco Monti.

The theater is now closed, its location serving as a venue for a few commercial establishments and

restaurants in the said area.

Avenue Theater

The theater had a 1,000 seating capacity, with its lobby bearing a marble finish flooring. At one point, the building housed a hotel and also served as office space. In 2006, it was demolished to make way for a parking lot, as realty costs were too expensive

for it to be maintained.

Philippine Trust Co. Building

State Theater

Among the theaters that lined up in Rizal Avenue during the American colonial period.

It was demolished in the 1990s.

The State Theater, Rizal Avenue and Bustos Street, Manila, Philippines, 1945-1946. It was located Rizal Avenue and Bustos Street, north of the Pasig River in the city of Manila. There was heavy fighting between the Americans and the Japanese in this part of Manila during the 1945 WWII Battle for Manila. The sign under the theaters marquee says “A P Reyes Optical. To the right is the New Yorker Bar and Restaurant. This picture was in an American serviceman's photo album. It is a snapshot the soldier took while in the Philippines after WWII.

Manila Jockey Club

Rizal Theater

Commercial Bank & Trust Building (now Allied Bank