Imagine standing at the crossroads of your career, filled with dreams of shaping skylines and crafting spaces that breathe life into communities. For many aspiring architects, this journey often feels like a distant goal, clouded by the challenges of bridging academic knowledge with real-world experience. But now, the Angat Buhay Foundation is extending a lifeline to these dreamers through its Angat Sining Arkitektura Internship Program for 2024-2025 – a program that nurtures talent and builds a foundation rooted in ethical practice and social responsibility.

This initiative isn't just another internship; it’s a transformative experience designed to mold the next generation of architects into catalysts for positive change. “This internship program is designed to equip future architects to become positive contributors to their communities and the environment by emphasizing ethical practice, collaboration, and social responsibility in their profession. Through mentorship, workshops, lectures, and developmental activities, it aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, culminating in a collective project intended to uplift marginalized communities by the end of the program,” shared on its Facebook page.

The program’s official launch was marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with Atty. Leni Robredo and key partners: C.C. Buencamino Architect, the UST College of Architecture Alumni Association, Inc., and the National University Philippines College of Architecture. This collaboration underscores the program’s commitment to excellence and community impact, promising a rich learning environment for the 20 interns who will be selected.

From Sept. 2024 to Apr. 2025, these interns will embark on a journey that will take them beyond the confines of the classroom. Through exposure trips, developmental activities, and real-world projects, they’ll gain invaluable experience that will not only sharpen their skills but also deepen their understanding of architecture’s role in society.

The application process is as thorough and comprehensive as the program itself. Aspiring interns are required to submit a completed application form, a personal statement, a portfolio showcasing eight to ten of their best works, and a recommendation letter. Submissions are open from Aug. 10 to Aug. 23, with interviews and final evaluations scheduled from Sept. 2 to 12. The much-anticipated announcement of the chosen 20 will be made on Sept. 13, followed by the program’s launch and intern induction on Sept. 20.

Selection criteria are carefully designed to identify the most promising candidates, with academic achievement, portfolio quality, and interview performance each weighing heavily in the decision-making process. For those who make the cut, this internship promises not just professional growth but a chance to make a meaningful impact – both on their future careers and on the communities they’ll serve.

The Angat Sining Arkitektura Internship Program is more than just a stepping stone; it’s an invitation to become part of something bigger, to turn aspirations into action, and to help shape a future where architecture serves as a force for good.