August 2008
Anna Reyes encountered a ruggedly handsome man, whom she thought was their professor, in one of her architecture courses in the College of Architecture when he entered their classroom and went to the rostrum.
The young man spoke up, “Good morning, everyone. I am Noah Espina. I am not your professor. He could not come today. So he asked me to discuss with you the course outline, and course requirements for Architectural Communication I, which is Mechanical Drawing. But first, let us check the student list so I can distribute the class cards as we do the roll call.”
During the roll call, the students could not contain their curiosity towards the man in the rostrum and so they asked questions one at a time.
The first student in the roll call asked, “Sir, are you a professor too?”
Noah answered, “No. I am a student like all of you here.”
The next student then asked, “What is your degree program, sir?”
His reply was, “Architecture and Civil Engineering.”
The ones who knew about the dual degree programs offered by the College of Architecture in coordination with other colleges at the university were quite impressed, because only the best students in the country could qualify for that program. And even if one qualified, some found it difficult to stay in the program because they had to maintain a GPA requirement to move on to the next year level. Some of the famous graduates of the dual degree program in Architecture and Civil Engineering were: Philip Cojuangco of Filipinas Realty and Development Corporation (FRDC); Francis Luvienco of Luvienco Architecture and Construction Firm; and Daniel Cardenas of Cardenas Realty and Development Firm (CRDF) and also a recent board passer for both Architecture and Civil Engineering ranking 3rd and 8th respectively.
The question of the next student, a female, was, “Can I ask you out on a romantic date, sir?”
Noah smiled and replied casually, “Of course you can ask, but it does not mean that you will get a positive answer. You can ask me again when I am already 30.”
The question of the next student, a female again, went like this, “Are you already spoken of? So you won’t say yes on a romantic date.”
Noah answered, “No, but I just prefer focusing on my studies for now and then my career afterwards. Then, by the age of 30, I can already accommodate the idea of settling down and having my own family with a woman whom I choose to love for the rest of my life.”
Most students were female and so their questions were more on the personal side.
As the roll came to an end, and he had already collected back the duly accomplished class cards, he already discussed the course outline and course requirements. Later on, he allowed the students to ask him questions strictly about the course.
A beautiful female student asked first, “Good morning. I am Anna. I just want to ask why we need mechanical drawings in Interior Design.”
His answer was, “Mechanical drawings can also be called engineering drawings, manufacturing blueprints, drawings, etc. You will need it in your future career as an interior designer to make technical drawings that show the shape, structure, dimensions, tolerances, accuracy, and other requirements of a part in the form of your interior design plan. So you must be able to draw, read and edit blueprints for your task of making indoor spaces functional, safe, and beautiful through the determination of space requirements and selection of essential decorative items.”
When their session ended, Noah had already gone to the classroom where he had to take his architectural design course. After sometime, he heard two female students talking about him.
The first female student, whom he recalled as Anna, said, “I must say I am not the only one who had a crush on him at first sight. Noah seems to be very smart and energetic, yet he does not seem to be interested in dating while he is studying. He even set a limit for himself just to consider settling down and getting married by the age of 30. He seems quite easy to get along with because he is a good conversationalist, but he seems to be very honest to the point of being a little blunt.”
The second female student agreed, “Yeah. I also got a crush at first sight on him to the point of asking him out on a romantic date only to be declined.”
Anna then responded, “You can wait until he is 30. As for me, if I am still single by the time he is already 30 and then he pursues me then I won’t say no to him.”
This last statement of hers registered in his mind – If I am already 30 and you are still single, then I might consider pursuing you. You are the prettiest girl in your class. You also seem to be smart. But we shall see if you would like to live on a remote farm. If not, then you might not be the one for me. You seem to be a typical city girl – bold, eccentric, and effervescent. You seem to be from a well-off family by the way you dress up. I just hope you are not materialistic. You wear less cosmetics on your face. So, it seems you might just be fine as well if you did not wear any cosmetics on your face.
Then one time, Noah saw Anna being fetched at the College of Architecture by her father, who was driving an SUV. Alex Reyes, quite a well-known architect, used to work for FRDC of the Cojuangcos in Maunni City, Missi. But when Philip Cojuangco joined the corporation, Anna’s father opted to resign and establish his own architectural firm. Anna’s father was also an alumni of UF – Vienburg College of Architecture.
Noah heard them talking as he passed.
Anna asked cheerfully, “Are you here to fetch me, Pa?”
Alex Reyes answered cheerfully and he helped out his daughter with the stuff she was carrying and put it in the backseat of the SUV, “Yes and no, sweetheart. I came to meet a former colleague. So I also decided to stay for a while longer to fetch you so we can go home together.”
Anna then sweetly asked, “Can I drive then? I have my driver’s license already.”
Her father affirmed, “Sure, sweetheart.”
In his mind – So her father is Alex Reyes. They seem to have a very close father and daughter bond. It appears that she might have inherited her interest in Design from her father.
But Noah did not hear the conversation of the father and daughter when they were already inside the SUV which went like …
Alex told her daughter, “You seem to be looking at that young handsome man who just passed by, sweetheart. Do you have a crush on him?”
Anna replied to her father, teasing, “Jealous?!” Then she added, “He is an architecture student under the dual degree program.”
Her father became curious, “What is his second degree then?”
Anna answered and as she started maneuvering the vehicle out of the parking area, focusing her eyes on the street, “Civil engineering.”
Her father’s reaction was, “Same as Philip Cojuangco, Francis Luvienco and Daniel Cardenas. They had all passed the two board exams and had ranked on the top ten roster,” and then asked, “Is he doing well with his studies? Where is he from? Is he from a rich family?”
Anna answered the questions one by one, “From what I heard from my classmates, who also have a crush on him, he has been consistently on the Dean’s List since his freshman year both in the College of Architecture and in the College of Engineering. He is from the State of Harsenos where his family own a farm in a remote barangay in a certain town south of Marbay City. So, he is possibly not from a rich family.”
Her father then said, “If they own a large parcel of land, then go for it, sweetheart, but if not, then just choose someone else.”
Anna replied, “Well, even if I like him, I won’t pursue him. I kind of like the career plan he set for himself. No love life while studying. He even said that he would just consider settling down when he reached 30.”
Her father commented, “That is quite a plan indeed, sweetheart. He seemed to be a young man with great aspirations. But is there a possibility that he is gay?”
Anna’s response was, “Well, he seems not because he can freely express his admiration for a girl according to the information gathered by my classmates. But he doesn’t get into any commitment.”
Her father assumed, “So he is keeping things casual when it comes to interacting with girls, just flirting without committing.”
Anna somehow agreed, “Yeah, it appears like that except for the fact that he does not take advantage of a girl’s attraction towards him.”
Her father reacted, “Then he is a gentleman. It seems that his parents had raised him very well.”
Anna responded, “Yeah, perhaps. Anyway, just like him, I want to focus first on my studies.”
Her father remarked, “That is nice to know, sweetheart. But should someone suddenly just knock on your heart, when it comes to a relationship, you should also use your mind. I am not telling you to choose a very wealthy guy for a husband, but at least your future husband must be able to provide for you and children the way I do, even if you have a job or not. Your Mama quit her job for a while when we had you. She just resumed working when you were already schooling. And then, when Nico came, we already had a trustworthy household helper, so she didn’t quit working anymore after her maternity leave.”
Anna acknowledged, “Yes, Pa. I would be wise in choosing a lifetime partner. And I will help you out at the firm once I graduate.”
Her father said, “Or you could also establish your own interior design firm. You can achieve whatever you put your mind to, sweetheart. And I and your Mama will always just be around to support you until the day we die.”
Anna casually replied, “Let’s not talk about death. It won’t happen yet anyway.”
Her father answered, “Of course! I still want to see my grandchildren with you.”
Anna laughed and then said, “Perhaps you still have to wait for ten years to experience that, Pa. I don’t plan on getting married young. Perhaps settling down in my late twenties will be a nice plan. Even if my husband preferred that I not work and just focus on raising our children, at least I have already enjoyed years of being a career woman.”
Then her father reverted their topic to the young man, “So what do you like about this young man, sweetheart?”
Anna answered openly, “Well…first, he is handsome. He is also intelligent. Even if he is from a remote rural area, he seems not.”
Her father then asked, “How did you actually meet this guy?”
Anna responded, “He was asked by our professor in mechanical drawing to take charge of the first class meeting. He did distribute the class cards, collected them, discussed the course outline, course requirements and the likes, and then he answered our questions pertaining to the course. But most of our female classmates asked him personal questions as we made the roll call and distributed the class cards.”
Her father inquired, “You did not ask him a question?”
Anna answered, “I did, but not a personal question.”
Her father was curious, “What did you ask him?”
Anna replied, “I asked him why we need mechanical drawing in interior design.”
Her father said, “Well. You need to know the floor plan and the measurements and structures so you can effectively manage the space in your design.”
She told her father, “He had almost the same answer, but with more details.”
Her father expounded, “Architecture and interior design are two separate but linked fields. Although the design process is often the same. Architecture focuses more on the technical aspects of building, direction, materials, space, safety issues, and codes. Whereas, interior design focuses more on aspects like human wants and needs, space functionality, and aesthetics.”
And then she asked, “And so how is civil engineering different from architecture?”
Her father explained, “Architects are responsible for the design and planning of structures ranging from houses, factories, skyscrapers, and museums, while civil engineers oversee the entire design-to-completion process for buildings, roads, dams, bridges, water systems, and other major construction works. So civil engineering is much broader than architecture. Architects are more involved in pre-construction phases whereas the civil engineers directly oversee all phases of construction work.”
She asked her father further, “So why did you choose architecture rather than civil engineering? Why did you not choose to take both?”
He said, “The dual degree program wasn’t offered yet during my time. I am more interested in the design and structure of buildings and so I opted to take architecture. I also wasn't that keen on civil engineering back then. Take, for example, you. You preferred interior design rather than architecture. Plus, you already know that I was orphaned at the age of 18. Although I didn’t have to pay tuition, I needed to work while studying to support my living expenses. It was the same thing for your Mama. She grew up in an orphanage and got emancipated at the age of 18. She was also a working student back then.”
She realized, “Nico and I are indeed very lucky to have you and Mama to support us. You love us very much.”
Her father states, “It is the parent’s duty to provide for their children.”
She said, “But I am not a minor anymore.”
Her father sweetly replied, “You will always be my baby girl, sweetheart.”
She teased her father, “Even if I already have a baby too?”
Her father bantered, “Not too soon. Finish your studies first, sweetheart.”
She replied, “Of course, I will finish my studies first. I will make you proud of me.”
Anna Reyes was born on May 31, 1990, to parents Alex Reyes and Nadia Dasig. Her father worked as a licensed architect while her mother worked as a licensed librarian. She and her younger brother, Nico, had lived a very comfortable life, both having parents with professional jobs.
Anna’s interest in interior design started when her father established his own architectural firm after working for quite some time in one of the biggest real estate and development corporations in Missi. During her junior and senior high school years, she got to visit some of her father’s projects whenever possible. She also got to see architecture magazines in her father’s office. She loved seeing the different interior designs of the houses and buildings. So, her father advised her to pursue a degree in Interior Design. Her mother also reinforced her interest in Interior Design by bringing home a borrowed Arts and Design book for her from the library of the private all-girls university where she worked when a book was available and bringing it back for return the following morning.
And so she did. She qualified to study at UF – Vienburg and then decided to pursue Interior Design among the degree programs she could possibly take.
Little did they know that days of pain and suffering would come to their happy family. By the end of the first semester, Anna’s mother was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. It was just a few days after her mother turned 50. She had to undergo mastectomy, radiation therapy and further medication.
From then on, Anna had become even more responsible. She even avoided hanging out anymore with her classmates after class hours. There were also times when she had to drive her mother to the hospital for chemotherapy if her father could not cancel his appointments at work.
At one point, she and her mother had a touching talk.
Nadia told her daughter, “You look sad, sweetheart. I know that you are affected by my health condition. But you should still not forget to enjoy life. You should also not let my condition affect your good performance at school.”
Anna assured her mother, “I am trying my best in my studies, Ma. You have nothing to worry about. But you cannot stop me from being so sad. You are sick. And it is not just a sickness that will go away right away.”
Nadia shed light on her daughter, “It is just on the second stage, sweetheart. My cancer can still be fought. There is a higher percentage that I will be cancer-free. We will all still live longer together. I will still see you graduate, get married, and have kids.”
Anna responded, “I really hope for that, Ma. I love you so much. I don’t like seeing you sick.”
Nadia told her daughter, “We will all fight together. We will all beat my cancer together. So please cheer up. I already miss seeing your beautiful smile. You have always had that serious face since we found out that I am sick. Nico is also sad. Pa is also sad. We must still do happy things together. I miss you cracking jokes, being silly.”
Anna replied, “Of course we are sad, because we are worried about you.”
Nadia always prayed – Oh God please heal me. My children are still very young. They would be the ones most affected the most if you already took me. Alex might be showing a brave face whenever we are together, but I know that he feels so low. Please do not let this cancer take me away from my family. I love them so much.
The cancer of Anna’s mother had responded to the treatment and was under control. Their hopes had been somehow renewed. But they hoped for complete remission, when all the signs and symptoms of cancer had gone away, and cancer cells could not be found by any tests.