Professional Staff

The professional staff of A. J. Luz Associates was well qualified and experienced in basic and applied design in the fields of planning, architecture and engineering. Emphasis in building a capable staff was placed on a balance between academic training, technical experience and the practical aspects of project performance and management. The staff, supplemented by diverse group of selected consultants, worked as a coordinated team in providing each client with the full range of professional architectural and engineering services.

Alfredo J. Luz – Head of Firm

Alfredo J. Luz, the founder of the firm, was a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. He as a registered professional architect since 1950. He devoted his entire adult lifetime to the architectural profession and was engaged in numerous civic and business activities. He taught basic design and was a lecturer on architecture on numerous occasions. Mr. Luz was also the Chairman and President of the First Ermita Corporation, an investment company, and Chairman of the Board of the Citizens Bank & Trust Company.

A. J. Luz Associates derived a strong and progressive attitude towards professional practice from his energy and guiding influence.

Francis L. Arcenas – Executive Assistant and Chief, Administration Division

Francis L. Arcenas was a licensed architect and a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree. He also held a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Ateneo de Manila. He spent his early working life with A. J. Luz Associates in various capacities and headed the Administration Division, where he played an important role in the development of a project from its very inception to final turnover.

His professional affiliations included the Philippine Institute of Architects and the Architectural Centre Club.

Maurillo L. Garcia – Chief, Architectural Division

Maurillo L. Garcia was a graduate of the College of Architecture of the University of Santo Tomas and a registered professional architect. He was one of the original staff members of A. J. Luz Associates and devoted some 14 years to all phases of architectural work in the firm. He became the Chief of the Architectural Division and contributed his extensive background and experience to the development of project studies, working drawings and actual construction.

Mr. Garcia was professionally affiliated with the Philippine Institute of Architects and Architectural Centre Club.

Ruben R. Payumo – Architect

Ruben R. Payumo had a degree of Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas and was a registered professional architect. His background included a wide range of technical and creative positions and his work developed significant contributions to design and planning. With special skills in the area of basic architectural design and project coordination, Mr. Payumo played a key role in all the firm's activities.

Mr. Payumo was professionally affiliated with the Philippine Institute of Architects.

Juan M. Garcia – Chief, Engineering Division

Juan M. Garcia had a Civil Engineering degree from the University of the Philippines and was a registered professional engineer. He began his association with the firm as design engineer and contributed years of experience in commercial and industrial buildings, military installations, as well as residential, institutional and civic projects. He became head of the Engineering Division.

Among Mr. Garcia’s professional affiliations were the Philippine Association of Civil Engineers. The American Society of Civil Engineers, The American Concrete Institute, and The Prestressed Concrete Institute.

Cesario T. Floro – Mechanical Engineer

A registered professional mechanical engineer, Cesario T. Floro had an impressive educational and training background. He held a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois where he later obtained his Masters degree in mechanical engineering. He had varied experience as a technical consultant and also as a professor and board reviewer at the Mapua Institute of Technology. He became head of the Mechanical Engineering Section where he made important contributions in the mechanical design of projects.

He was professionally affiliated with the Philippine Association of Refrigeration Engineers.

Abundio Q. De la Cruz – Electrical Engineer

A registered electrical engineer, Abundio Q. De la Cruz was a graduate of the Mapua Institute of Technology. He was associated with various engineering firms and has performed the electrical design of other sixty building projects. His training in electrical engineering is augmented by an inventive flair in the practical application of theory.

He headed the Electrical Engineering Section of the firm and made important contributions to the electrical design of buildings.

Leon S. Directo – Sanitary Engineer

Leon S. Directo brought to the firm a wide and extensive educational background. After obtaining a Civil Engineering degree at the University of the Philippines, he worked for his Masters degree in Sanitary Engineering at the Ohio State University and finally acquired a Ph.D. major in Sanitary Engineering at the same university. He was a registered sanitary engineer and headed the Sanitary Engineering Section of A. J. Luz Associates. He was professionally affiliated with the Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Teresita E. Guzman – Office Manager

Teresita E. Guzman began with the firm as a secretary and then assumed the duties of an office manager. She was mainly responsible for the many day to day operations of the firm such as keeping accounting records, supplies, secretarial and other support services. A key member of the organization, Teresita Guzman contributed a keen understanding of what it takes to run a professional office.

Aside from these principal members of our staff, the firm counts on the assistance of architectural and engineering designers and draftsmen, administrative assistants, engineering clerks, estimators, secretaries, and service personnel.