Architecture

Jun Palafox builds memories of Dubai, Paris and New York
CITIZEN OF THE WORLD By Edu Jarque (The Philippine Star) Updated September 18, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0)


Captive bonding: The Palafox family — Jun, Wilma, Katrina and Philip — that cruises together, stays together aboard a cruise liner, Celebrity Eclipse.
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As a young, raring-to-go sacristan, Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr. would rise at the break of dawn to ring the Spanish iron bells of the historic church of Sarrat in Ilocos Norte, where he would serve the parish priest in the first celebration of the Holy Eucharist of the day.

He studied at Christ the King Seminary in preparation for the priesthood. But he soon realized it was not his calling. He enrolled and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture at the University of Santo Tomas, followed by a master’s degree at the University of the Philippines, as a United Nations Development Program scholar in Environment Planning.

Together with his young wife, whom he met at a Mendiola rally, and their eldest daughter, he found himself packing their bags and headed for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where as a Filipino he joined other nationals that helped dramatically transform the once- traditionally-bound desert country into the modern, bustling metropolis we know and emulate today.

From then on, there was simply no stopping Palafox, the architect and urban planner, environmental planner and development consultant.

A Palafox is a Palafox is a Palafox: The Palafox couple in their late 20s with their preschool daughter Katrina in front of Cine Palafox along Calle Palafox in Madrid, Spain.
Rich in experiences money couldn’t buy, Jun looked forward to returning to our shores upon the invitation of mall tycoon Henry Sy, and became the leading consultant for several real estate projects of epic proportions.

He likewise joined Ayala Land Incorporated, where as an architect and urban planner he handled projects such as Ayala Alabang, Ayala Heights and the Cebu Business Park.

Just before he turned 40 years old and found himself at life’s crossroads, he decided to establish his very own company, Palafox Associates.

Achieving the goals he set through the years, the firm became the number-one architectural company in the country within 10 years. Within the next three years, it became the top firm in Southeast Asia. Recently, Palafox Associates ranked 94 in the much-coveted roster of the leading 100 global architectural offices.

Among his works are commercial and retail projects such as SM and Robinsons Malls, residential estates such as the Las Casas de Cola Buena in Cavite, the real estate development of Rockwell Center, and high-rise buildings like Rizal Tower and Amorsolo Square in Makati City. He is likewise responsible for the planning of environmental parks, golf communities, and the conceptual master plans for towers, urban centers, provinces, and even islands. Believe me, the list goes on and on, not to mention what the firm has achieved in countries like the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and the United States.

In an earlier interview, the hands-on Palafox, who continues to work close to 20 hours a day, 24/7, admits he is “passionate about his advocacy for a well-planned Philippines, thus making it a more safe and secure, more livable place to be.”

Inspire the inspired: The then up-and-coming architect and urban planner soaking it all in within the ruins of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.
However, he laments that his vision “remains out of reach.” But he is not one to give up for he truly believes in the Filipino.

PHILIPPINE STAR: After traveling for 35 years, what do you remember most about your first trip abroad?

JUN PALAFOX: I was 27 years old when I left for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where I was hired and named urban planner for the Municipality of Dubai. I initially stayed at the Carlton Hotel for two weeks before eventually transferring to an apartment building together with engineers from the UK. Since my wife Wilma and daughter Katrina didn’t follow for another five weeks, naturally I had to do the household chores. I remember being watched by my officemates — all residents in the same building — going over the manual on how to operate the washing machine.

What won’t you leave home without?

My rosary, eyeglasses, mobile phone, and camera.

Describe your present passport photograph.

I look a bit older in my new passport photograph.

How do you pass time at airports?

I read the books that I usually bring with me every time I travel. I likewise visit airport bookstores, browse through books and magazines. I purchase those I find useful and informative to add to my office library for my staff.

Who are your ideal traveling companions?

My wife Wilma and my children Katrina, Karina and Philip.

Architect’s dream: June and Wilma across the iconic Burj Al-Arab, the world’s only seven-star hotel.
What is the first thing you do upon checking in at a hotel or resort?

I immediately request for hotel and destination brochures. I thoroughly review how best to see the city comprehensively in the shortest time possible.

What would you consider a must-do activity in every foreign destination you visit?

Study how the area was planned and how it evolved, taking into consideration the history and architecture, the arts and culture, the cuisine and its tourist attractions.

Describe your most memorable trip.

A number of trips come to mind. One would be the first around-the-world tour with my wife in 1978. Starting from Dubai, our itinerary included exciting stopovers in Athens, Amsterdam, Paris, London, New York, San Francisco and Honolulu. By the time we landed in Manila, we had flown over the two huge bodies of water: the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Our final destination was our temporary base in Dubai.

The other memorable trip was when I took my wife and the children — the first time we were all complete on an European holiday — to a 14-night Scandinavia and Russia cruise, which was truly unforgettable. Before embarking at Southampton in the United Kingdom we took a side trip to Paris, which I consider to be an “almost perfect” city. We were also impressed by Lyon due to its rich history and significant role during the medieval ages in Europe. The cruise took us to Bruges, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, Helsinki, Copenhagen and Stockholm. Oh, yes, from St. Petersburg we joined the group that toured Moscow. The cruise was a great family bonding time. It provided us time to relax, discover new places and everything that it offered. After the cruise, we found time to visit Stonehenge and enjoyed London for another two days before finally going back home.

What a dish: A younger Jun in an Arba dishdash in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
What do you miss most when you’re away from home?

I miss my family when I travel alone. Now that all our children are adults, I bring my wife on three-day or longer trips, most especially where visas are not hard to acquire. Believe it or not, I do miss the day-to-day activity of work.

What is the best travel advice you were given?

I always plan to travel as light as possible for you don’t know what awaits you — delayed or cancelled flights. But I guess that seldom happens, for upon my return from seminars and site visits, I end up bringing home books and brochures.

What is the strangest thing you’ve done on a trip?

I took the Air France Concorde from Paris to New York, where I arrived at 9 a.m. before I had to rush to a meeting at 11 a.m. And yet my hotel room was not ready until 1 p.m., so I attended the conference without freshening up after a flight.

Let’s talk favorites now. Name your favorite city abroad.

It’s hard to single out a particular city. I would say, Paris, for it’s architecture, fashion and food. New York for the many things it offers — a city that never sleeps. I also love Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Name your favorite spot in the Philippines.

Boracay for the beaches, Palawan for the natural beauty and the Ilocos region for heritage, architecture and sand dunes.

Mortarboard moment: Proud parents at Karmi’s graduation from Oxford Brookes University in Oxford, England.
Favorite airline?

Emirates Airlines has never ceased to amaze me on every flight.

Favorite airport?

Without a doubt Dubai, because it has huge business-class and first-class lounges with amenities beyond compare. It’s my favorite hub where I connect to other destinations.

Favorite museum?

The Louvre.

And if you could take home a piece of art, which one would it be?

The Mona Lisa.

Favorite hotel?

The Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco, California, and The Grand Hyatt in Macau, China.

Favorite landmark, building or park?

The Guggenheim in New York City. The Burj Al Arab. It’s the only seven-star hotel in the world. It stands magnificently on the Persian Gulf.

Favorite musical or play?

Meeting of minds: Jack Nicklaus, one of the world’s renowned golfers and topnotch golf course designers, shares his latest project plans with the visiting leading Filipino urban designer at the Nicklaus family home in Florida.
Broadway and West End musicals such as the Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and Cats.

Favorite mall?

The new malls in Dubai.

Favorite store?

My favorite store is The Sharper Image, as it houses “cool toys for the big boys.”

Favorite restaurant or bar?

Any favorite restaurants or bars frequented by the locals.

Name an event anywhere in the world you would like to participate in?

The Mardi Gras in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

What are your pasalubongs — inbound and outbound?

Outbound: several. As an example, whenever I go to Ho Chi Minh, our clients and friends would always request Magnolia Ice Cream.

Inbound: I usually bring home books and magazines.

What is the worst souvenir you’ve ever bought back from a trip?

I feel bad when I find things purchased abroad that are available in our own local markets.

Ole! Ole! Ole!: Jun happily dances the night away in an over-eight-hour wedding celebration in Alicante, Spain.
Aside from unpacking your suitcase, what is the first thing you do upon returning home?

I check on my family and then take a long, warm shower.

Name a city you have never visited but would like to someday.

The city closest to Mount Everest and many others, including Cairo, Egypt; Petra, Jordan; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Prague, Czech Republic.

Name a country you wish to explore?

It would be Tibet.

What would you say is the best part of travel?

Being in an event, place or city without getting a backgrounder on it, then experiencing what comes your way, like running into an acquaintance or expecting the unexpected.

What is the worst part of travel?

It’s really sad to say, but it would be departing from and arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It’s an obstacle course, pure and simple. The airport has continued to deteriorate for the past 35 years of my frequent-flying days, while other airports elsewhere in the world continue to improve, expand and modernize.

Global doers and movers: Jun with his classmates at their graduation from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.
If you could reside anywhere in the world aside from the Philippines, where would it be?

It would be Nancy, pronounced “nasi” in French, a city in the northeastern part of France, where the weather is very pleasant. The average temperature is about 10ºC with a high of 24ºC in the summer months of July and August.

By the early 18th century, Nancy had gained a reputation for the arts. Talented French and Italian artists and architects of the Renaissance, such as Jacques Callot, Hieronimo Citoni and Orfeo Galeani not only brought with them their exceptional talents but also served as inspirations for future generations. In 1901, the Ecole de Nancy, a group of artists and architects founded by the glass master and furniture maker Emile Galle, worked in the Art Nouveau style. It was principally their work that made Nancy a center of art and architecture that rivaled Paris.





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