Pinoy architect finalist in Guggenheim art shelter tilt

A Filipino architect is one of the top 10 finalists in the prestigious Guggenheim Art Shelter Competition, the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. said Tuesday. In its report to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the embassy said Gonzalo “Jun" Raymundo Jr. was chosen from some 600 contestants from 68 countries. “Submissions were received from nearly 600 contestants in 68 countries around the world. Ten finalists were then drawn from this pool of contestants for the People’s Prize Award, which will be chosen through an online public voting. Mr. Raymundo, based in Quezon City, Philippines, is leading the voting polls," the DFA said in its website (www.dfa.gov.ph). The Guggenheim Art Shelter Competition is an exhibition contest sponsored by the Guggenheim Museum and Google SketchUp. It is open to both amateur and professional designers challenged to come up with various 3D designs inspired from different shelters in any part of the world using Google SketchUp and Google Earth. Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy Gaa said Raymundo has exhibited exceptional skill in design and architecture. “Truly, his work best reflects ingenuity, workmanship and culture that the Filipino people can be proud of. I encourage members of the Filipino community to extend their support to Mr. Raymundo by casting their votes for his meritorious piece of art," he said. Raymundo’s work entitled, “A Bamboo Shelter in a Garbage Dump City," is a bamboo design shelter built on a concrete base situated at a garbage dump in the Philippines. The bamboo wall represents a strong sense camaraderie or “bayanihan" to signify that “where there is unity there is strength." His work collectively symbolizes “sustainability and hope." Voting will run until October 10. Internet users can access the voting page at http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/education/sackler-center/design-it-shelter/vote-for-shelters. - GMANews.TV