Re-curation of The Poet of Concrete Opens at UST, Celebrating the Legacy of National Artist Leandro V. Locsin 

Re-curation of The Poet of Concrete Opens at UST, Celebrating the Legacy of National Artist Leandro V. Locsin | Manila, Philippines — April 27, 2026. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Architecture, in partnership with the Center for Campus Art of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLSU-CSB), Leandro V. Locsin Partners (LVLP), and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), formally opened the re-curation of The Poet of Concrete: The Architecture of National Artist Leandro V. Locsin at the UST Beato Angelico Gallery. The exhibition, originally mounted in 2024 and curated by Ar. Gerry Torres, returns in a meaningful “homecoming” to UST, where Locsin completed his architectural education. 

Locsin, who passed away in 1994, remains one of the most influential figures in Filipino modern architecture. His work, celebrated for its masterful use of concrete as both a structural material and a poetic, interpretative medium, continues to inspire generations of architects. The exhibit revisits his legacy through archival materials, drawings, models, and critical interpretations of his work. 

Driven by a shared academic lineage, Ar. Gerry Torres, who himself is an alumnus of the UST College of Architecture and Fine Arts, envisioned bringing the exhibit “home” to España. In collaboration with Ar. Caryn Paredes-Santillan, UST College of Architecture International Relations Coordinator, and Ar. Noel Cruz, Beato Angelico Gallery Coordinator, the dynamic re-staging retains much of the original exhibition material while incorporating new interpretations from UST architecture students. 

A key feature of the exhibit is the inclusion of second- and third-year student works produced in the Theory of Architecture 2 course. This is an important component that looks toward the future of architectural practice. By engaging with Locsin’s design principles, such as the floating quality, the interplay of light and shadow, and contrasting material expression, students are, in many ways, given the opportunity to stand on the shoulders of giants, building upon and reinterpreting the legacy of a National Artist. These outputs move beyond replication, offering critical and thoughtful explorations of Locsin’s architectural language. The top ten student entries are showcased within the gallery, while additional works are displayed along the third-floor corridor, extending the exhibition experience beyond the main space. 

The opening program, held at the Beato Angelico AVR, gathered a distinguished audience that included members of the Locsin family, UST and CSB faculty, university administrators, students, and representatives from key cultural and professional institutions such as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), ICOMOS Philippines, the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and Leandro V. Locsin Partners (LVLP). 

The exhibition is organized in celebration of National Heritage Month and underscores the continuing relevance of Locsin’s work in contemporary architectural discourse. It also highlights the role of academic institutions in documenting, conserving, interpreting, and reimagining cultural heritage through design education. The organizers likewise express their sincere gratitude to corporate sponsors such as Bilrey Construction and Guanco Development Corporation, as well as the support of the UST Facilities Management Office, the UST Museum, the UST College of Architecture Dean’s Office, and the staff, maintenance, and security personnel who contributed to the successful mounting of the exhibit. 

The Poet of Concrete will be open to the public at the Beato Angelico Gallery, UST, until May 22, 2026