Dr. Grace C. Ramos was the editor-in-chief of Muhon volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4. As she steps down from her post (to be replaced by Dr. Nappy Navarra), she shares the story of how Muhon started, the challenges of cultivating the culture of research in a design centered field,  and her hopes for future Muhon issues.

Q: How did Muhon start?
GCR: (In) 1998, when I assumed the position of college secretary, this was one of the flagship projects of the C. P. Espina administration because during that time, the UP administration was already promoting the “publish or perish” slogan. Because even that early, we were already after internationalization and UP Architecture was among the colleges with no venues for disseminating—formally disseminating— research output. We were always branded by the rest of the university as a group of faculty that do not engage in any form of research so we had to prove or show that even while designing, we’re creating new bodies of knowledge that are worthy of sharing to the academic community. The word “Muhon” was suggested by Professor Edson Cabalfin. I think it was the title of a travelling exhibit organized by Gerard Lico at that time. So, that’s it.

Q: Who were your first editorial staff?
GCR: The CEB (College Executive Board) then. 

• Managing Editor: Emilio U. Ozaeta
  
• Editorial Board: Christopher S.P. Espina, Mary Ann A. Espina, Zeny C. Galingan
  
• Editorial Staff: Nicolo del Castillo, Amillah S. Rodil
  
• Cover Design: William O. Moraga
  

Q: What were the challenges that you have encountered during your term as editor-in-chief?
GCR: It’s not easy for architects or landscape architects to write. We talk a lot during meetings, but (it is) difficult to put our thoughts in black and white. Wala masyadong motivation. It was not that attractive to sit down and really devote some time out of your practice. People would rather work on professional projects.

Q:  What do you usually look for in papers before you decide to publish them in Muhon? Do you accept based on the topic first, or do you look at the depth of the research? 
GCR: As long as it adheres to the basic principle of research—very methodical processes. You don’t just end with a conclusion that’s based on nothing. It has to be supported by a very systematic process of analyzing data based on the generally accepted rules. 

Q: Now that you have turned over your position as editor-in-chief, what are your hopes for future Muhon issues?
GCR: That we really develop the culture of research. It should come up naturally. Walang pilitan. People should naturally want to discover things, organize knowledge, be very inquisitive, be very curious and be eager to share knowledge to other people not just to the architecture or landscape architecture community.