Nurturing Spaces in the Fight Against Hunger
Published October 23, 2024
When people talk about malnutrition, they talk about the rising food inflation and increasing hunger rate. In the face of these looming statistics, BS Architecture student Raphaelle Roei Legaspi approached the problem differently: There are not enough spaces in the Philippines where nutrition interventions and programs can occur.
“Sa research ko, wala masyadong nutrition centers na sobrang buhay pa, tulad ng National Nutrition Council na nag-coconduct talaga ng nutrition interventions,” Raphaelle shared.
Instead of feeling discouraged, this lack of nutrition centers is what pushed Raphaelle to create NUTRIMOVE: A Regional Nutrition Learning and Resilience Hub for CALABARZON.
Bridging Healthcare and Food Technology
Anchoring on the Learning Hub on Enhanced and Revitalized Nutrition (LHEARN) Program in CALABARZON, she designed a space equipped with malnutrition health care services, a fitness-lifestyle hub, and a food technology and research facility.
In a thirst to prove her topic’s worth, she consulted various agencies like Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), National Nutrition Council, Tagaytay City Nutrition Office, and the non-profit organization Gota De Leche to gather empirical data.
Afterwards, she found out that a proper nutrition facility should have a wide kitchen space, a food storage area with freezers, and a bigger area per room. These key findings shaped Nutrimove, which catered to two user groups: nutrition officers and their beneficiaries—children, their guardians, and lactating mothers.
“Kailangan ding i-educate yong nutrition officers and dahil may available naman na batas para doon,” she said, attributing the Philippine Nutrition Act of 1974.
Overcoming Challenges with Purpose
However, her design remains incomplete without a prospective lot. Raphaelle needed to find a lot that remains unclaimed by theses of previous Adamson University architectural students. Raphaelle considers herself fortunate in finding a location at Tagaytay, a high-performing LGU on nutrition intervention and programs.
Despite her seemingly iron-clad plans, she had her own set of thesis defense jitters. But Raphaelle was firm– she saw her vision early on. “Itong project na to, hindi lang siya masasabing hanggang Pilipinas lang siya, hanggang sa Tagaytay lang siya. I think pwede ‘tong maging standard ng nutrition centers na may learning hubs, fitness centers and healthcare research. Makakatulong siya sa maraming tao.”
Triumph Beyond Recognition
True to her words, Raphaelle’s professors saw her project’s potential, leading her to win the Best Thesis award in her batch. “Ito ‘yong dahilan kung bakit ko minahal ang architecture– to build dreams, to build something na makakatulong talaga sa tao with the use of my knowledge and ability,” she shared.
For Raphaelle, her thesis remains close to her heart. If given the chance, she would like to design a similar facility in the future.
“I’m very fond of children, especially sa personal life ko na nag-vo-volunteer din ako sa mga outreach,” Raphaelle reminisced. “I think that’s part of the concept, it’s really my passion to help children.”
Raphaelle is currently employed at a design firm in Quezon City, working on actual projects under the mentorship of licensed architects. She aims to gain more field experience and plans to take the Architecture Licensure Exam (ALE) next year.
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY
College of Architecture
San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY
College of Architecture
San Marcelino St., Ermita, Manila
LEGASPI, RAPHAELLE ROEI P.
BS Architecture
Raph is a graduate of BS Architecture at Adamson University who garnered an Outstanding Thesis of the Year Award and Academic Merit Award in Batch 2024.
This architect aspirant from Caloocan City has retained a strong interest in designing spaces that are functional, aesthetic, and sustainable.
Architecture is the endeavor that built her passion for pursuing her beloved journey with excellence.
Despite numerous failings, she managed to strive further and received another award for Best Thesis in the UAPSA National Excellency Awards 2024.
Beyond her academic career, she also possesses leadership skills and had the opportunity to share them with the UAPSA-AdU chapter, as their term ended with flying colors.
She also gained the Outstanding Vice President Award in the AdU Student Awards 2022 where she led a team tasked with planning and organizing events that covered academic and research, community development, religious, and outreach events.
Her passion for architecture and her love for serving people merged to make a way for less fortunate children and families as her thesis topic.
She believes that this thesis is significant for the Philippines and might contribute to the country’s better future.
AR. JERMEL DICHOSO-GRULLA
Dean, College of Architecture
Arch Sylvester took up his Master’s Degree at Technological University of the Philippines and one of the youngest professors turned college dean in Adamson University.
He was recently inducted as 000151 Philippine ASEAN Architect by the ASEAN Architects Council.
As the National Chairperson of Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines, his passion and expertise in this field plays a valuable contribution in the practice of Architecture in the country and abroad.
Arch Sylvester is also the longest-serving UAP Balangkasan Committee Chair.
PROJECT BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The world is still far from a world without malnutrition,” is a statement from World Health Organization (2020) that depicts the universal issue that is consistently at the top of the worldwide problems list. And according to the National Nutrition Council (2022), CALABARZON, one of the Philippines’ major regions, has one of the highest rates of prevalent malnutrition in its population. Thus, this problem must be addressed immediately, especially when the NNC’s mission to revitalize the nutrition program is now present.
NUTRIMOVE: A Proposed Regional Nutrition Learning and Resilience Hub for CALABARZON aims to provide an educational facility under the Executive Order 356, incorporated with a resilience hub that offers malnutrition health care service, fitness-lifestyle hub, and a food technology and research facility.
This interactive development will empower the region’s nutrition officers and allow the unfortunate number of infants and children, lactating women, and other nutrition beneficiaries in Region 4A to press on the highest attainment of nutrition for an empowered community.
