09/10/2026
PH'S FIRST REGISTERED ARCHITECT ๐๐ต๐ญ
Before Mapรบa University became one of the Philippines' established institutions for engineering, architecture, and technology education, its founder had already secured a place in the country's architectural history.
Don Tomรกs Bautista Mapรบa, the founder of Mapรบa Institute of Technology, is recognized as the first registered architect in the Philippines, holding Architect License No. 00001.
His journey into architecture began long before he established the institution that would carry his name.
In 1911, Mapรบa earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University in the United States. A decade later, in 1921, he became the country's first registered architect, marking an important milestone in the development of the architectural profession in the Philippines.
But his contributions extended beyond architectural practice.
On January 25, 1925, he founded the Mapรบa Institute of Technology, establishing an institution dedicated to technical and professional education.
When the school first opened, it offered only two academic programs: Architecture and Civil Engineering.
These programs reflected Mapรบa's commitment to preparing future generations of professionals who would contribute to the country's infrastructure, buildings, and built environment.
What began as a technical institution eventually developed into Mapรบa University, continuing its legacy in architecture, engineering, and other academic disciplines.
More than a century after Mapรบa obtained his architectural license, his name remains closely associated with Philippine technical education and the professional development of Filipino architects.
From becoming the country's first registered architect to establishing a school that would educate generations of professionals, Don Tomรกs Mapรบa left a legacy that extends far beyond the buildings he designed. ๐๐
