National Artist for Architecture and Allied Arts IP Santos passes away

(Updated 10 a.m., Jan. 31) Ildefonso Paez Santos Jr., who pioneered landscape architecture in the Philippines, passed away on January 29, 2014, at 10 a.m. He was 84.

Better known as IP Santos, the architect in his 40-year career created a wide array of parks, gardens, plazas, and other outdoor leisure venues that are very much a part of the Philippine landscape today. Some of his works include the landscaped areas of Paco Park, the Tagaytay Highland Resort, and the Makati Commercial Center.

He also worked on Loyola Memorial Park in Manila, Eternal Gardens Memorial Park in Caloocan City, Caliraya Lake Resort in Laguna, and the town plaza in Imus, Cavite, said a post on the website of Philippine Information Agency. 

Santos was also part of the design team behind Batulao Village Club in Batangas and Rain Tree Sports Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The son of Filipino poet and educator Ildefonso Santos, the younger IP was born in Malabon in 1929 and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Architecture at the University of Sto. Tomas in 1954. He obtained both a second architecture degree as well as a Master's in the same field at the University of Southern California School of Architecture in Los Angeles.

He earned the title of National Artist in 2006.

A necrological ceremony will be held at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo lobby of the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 9 a.m., PIA said.

It added interment will follow at the Magallanes Crypt. — Vida Cruz/BM/KG, GMA News