MEET Malaysia-based Thomasian architect Emmanuel “Manny” Canlas.
Manny was one of the architects who designed the iconic Petronas Twin Towers of Malaysia. His works also include parts of the Platinum Park in Kuala Lumpur, Queen’s Bay Complex in Penang and The Istana NurulIman in Brunei Darussalam.
Manny said joining the industry was not a piece of cake.
“Being a Thomasian architect always makes me feel I have the edge. I cannot explain that in technical details, but just the feeling of it,” he said.
“I’m very proud to be a Thomasian as I know, there was something special about being one.”
Looking back
Manny grew up in an artistically-inclined family. Painting was his first love, he said.
He wanted to take it up in college, but for some reason, he found himself standing in the queue for architecture enrollees. This "mistake" eventually led to his success.
When he graduated from then the College of Architecture and Fine Arts and passed the architecture licensure exam in 1981, he immediately worked for Leandro V. Locsin, a National Artist for architecture, whom he fondly calls “tatay.”
“During my early career days, tatay was a mentor and inspiration to each one of us. My direct mentor was his nephew, architect Ed Ledesma, Jr.”
Building a name
In 1983, he arrived in Kuala Lumpur where a good number of Filipino architects had made a name.
“I have met most of [the Filipino architects] after we have formed United Architects of the Philippines Kuala Lumpur Chapter,” said Manny, who leads the organization.
As an architect, he said that he never settled for any type of brand in designing, rather, he continues to explore the vast architectural design possibilities.
“[Each architect] has his or her own design approach and design principles that I respect,” he said.
Aside from being in the architecture industry, Manny also works as a lecturer at Taylor’s University, one of Malaysia’s higher learning facilities and at the same time designing bungalows for selected clients.
