Jose Siao Ling: An Architectural Legacy Founded on Integrity

As the built environment evolves, the role of the architect demands reconsideration. For Jose Siao Ling, Co-Founder and Principal Architect of Jose Siao Ling & Associates (JSLA Architects), the role extends far beyond being a licensed professional who designs and oversees construction. By championing ethical practice, ISO-certified systems, and mentorship-driven leadership, he built a firm that has shaped nearly four decades of commercial and institutional architecture in the Philippines.

In this month’s BluPrint Perspective, BluPrint sat down with Arch. Siao Ling to discuss the vital role of honesty, integrity, and ethics in architecture. His journey, marked by a tumultuous start and decades of hard work, has blossomed into a legacy that is actively shaping the future leaders of Philippine architecture.

From Hong Kong to Manila: Founding JSLA in the 1980s

In July 1983, Siao Ling and his wife and co-founder, Ana Mangalino, moved to the Philippines to establish their own firm. Using savings earned as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Hong Kong, Siao Ling launched his practice on shaky ground amid a time of political and social unrest.

Just one month after establishing his firm, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was assassinated. “We started in July; he was killed in August. We didn’t know [what was coming]. Finally, our budget was depleted. The money Ana and I had earned was exhausted,” Siao Ling recounts. The firm’s turning point came after completing a project for a client who would become a lifelong and multigenerational partner. This was the relationship that eventually saw JSLA design 40 of the client’s 85 malls. 

In the early ‘80s, the local architectural landscape was fraught with misconduct. “A lot of the practice of architecture [was] unethical. We have to sign a contract before we start a scheme, but many practiced without a contract. It was difficult to break these practices,” Siao Ling explains. 

From the outset, he sought to challenge these norms, maintaining strict firm policies and insisting that every project begin through proper, ethical channels. This principled approach—now known as the “Siao Ling Way”—earned him enduring credibility in the field.

The Siao Ling Way: A Framework for Ethical Architectural Practice

With four decades of experience in architecture, Siao Ling developed his architectural philosophy. Founded on honesty and integrity, he calls this the Jose Siao Ling Way, or the “JSL” Way. Drawing from Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon, Siao Ling created his own iteration of the 5Fs: focus, flexible, firm, fast, and friendly. 

This requires the architect to demonstrate complete dedication to the task at hand; to translate complex processes into the client’s language; to stand by one’s professional word and expertise; to maximize efficiency for both the firm and its clients; and to maintain an approachable and kind demeanor.

“As a professional, [the clients] don’t know what you’re doing. You have to be flexible enough to go to their level and explain to them in their language, and [be] firm on whatever you said. Don’t be scared that they’ll get mad that you end up hesitating,” Siao Ling says. 

Today, JSLA is composed of over 150 staff members. As the principal architect, he imparts this philosophy to his architects and staff—all of whom he views as his children. “We always hire or get staff from new graduates [from] any university because they will be trained in our office as an architectural assistant. From there, we can train them to be honest, to be efficient, and to be a person [who] is ready to be a very respectable and reputable architect.”

To become a credible architect, Siao Ling also pushes a wider range of knowledge to his architects. He requires his architects to have a minimum of eight to fourteen projects each. Siao Ling shares, “The architect should be versatile enough to know all the different design capabilities.”

Setting the Standard: ISO 9001 Certification and Sustainable Building Practices

What began as a small firm has evolved into a corporate family practice with an ISO 9001:2015 certification in Quality Management Systems (QMS). In their 35th year, they applied for an ISO certification to ensure that the firm meets international standards. This certification laid down a standard procedure that streamlined the firm’s processes for each of its projects. 

“In some projects, if the principal is present, the supervision is great; if they are gone, the quality suffers. This is unacceptable,” Siao Ling remarks. His established procedure manuals ensure that every project reaches the highest standard, regardless of his physical presence.

With this certification, Siao Ling is confident in his firm’s work. From the cost of printer ink and electricity bills to the design and planning of each project, he is aware of every detail. “We see to it that the building will be sustainable. I can proudly say that, to date, for about forty-two years, we have already built about 878 projects. Only one building has been demolished,” he says proudly.

Situated in Nuvali, a prime example of this standard is the LHK South. The project features double-glazed windows to reduce HVAC stress, bicycle parking with shower facilities to encourage green commuting, and a sewage treatment plant that recycles water from the septic system to reduce freshwater consumption. A green rooftop further mitigates heat gain and pollution.

These features ensure that the building is sustainable and built for the local tropical climate. The procedure manual provides the guidelines for such matters. “Even if the principal architects leave in the near future, the others can continue our legacy,” Siao Ling states. 

Breaking Barriers: Diversity and Professional Mentorship in Philippine Architecture

Reflecting on his career as an architect, he remembers being discriminated against due to his Chinese ethnicity. “During my time, when I applied, they didn’t like my Chinese eyes. Maybe they are insecure that I might get their client. I make it a promise [that I shall return], but I will never follow what they were doing. There will be no discrimination,” Siao Ling affirms. 

JSLA maintains a strict no-discrimination policy regarding ethnicity and academic background. With this policy in mind, Siao Ling shares that many Filipino-Chinese architects have come from his firm. This is a full-circle moment for him. As someone who had been discriminated against, Siao Ling assures his firm is a safe space for those who come from a similar background.

Even after employees move on to start their own firms—which 85% to 90% of his former staff eventually do—the mentor-mentee bond remains. “If they have a problem, they call me. I give them a sketch; I teach them,” Siao Ling says.

Elevating Philippine Architecture: Talent, Standards, and Industry Reform

Siao Ling is a staunch believer in the world-class versatility of Filipino architects. However, he acknowledges that systemic issues—such as inconsistent fee structures and corruption—hinder the industry’s growth. “Too often, the price dives after the commissions. I removed that. I always teach my staff to not do that. I am proud that they are following in our JSLA small way,” he states.

Jose Siao Ling’s career is a testament to the fact that an architectural legacy isn’t just about what is built, but also how it is built. Through mentorship, standardized excellence, and a refusal to participate in unethical shortcuts, he has transformed his firm into a sanctuary for talent and a bastion of integrity. Forty-two years later, the “Siao Ling Way” has evolved from a personal philosophy into a professional standard for architects.

Read More: How Inclusive Design Promotes Community and Social Integration

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