PINAMALAYAN CULTURAL AND CONVENTION CENTER COMPLEX:

Engaging Human Experience through Multi-sensory Architecture

I. INTRODUCTION

a. Background of the Study

Lack of Anchoring Assembly

The creation of MIMAROPA or Administrative Region IV-B was an affirmative
action on the appeal of the local chief executives of the island provinces of then Southern
Tagalog Region for a separate region to be composed of the island provinces of Oriental
and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.
Having an archipelagic character and farther from the metro and access to
technology, the region gained difficulty in establishing a unifying structure that will
showcase their culture and arts and produce a number of tourist and investors as part of
the regions economic and tourism development. There are programs and council that
are established in many municipalities which conduct cultural events that promotes their
culture, heritage, arts, and tourism. But those programs are temporary and occasional
only. When the program is held there is the awareness but after the events, the
awareness diminishes. There is no existing structure in region of MIMAROPA that can
permanently showcase their unified culture and arts and that can held not only regional
but also national events. There are no major structure that may possibly invite tourist to
explore the region. Although there are small convention centers scattered in the region,
they can only accommodate small number of people. Unfortunately, some of these
structures are private-owned and commonly part of a resort.

Lack of Connectivity
MIMAROPA faces the challenge of physically interconnecting its five provinces
and island municipalities to the regional seat in Calapan City, as well as interconnecting
MIMAROPA to the rest of the Philippines. The lack of connectivity of MIMAROPAs
production areas and tourism destinations has been obstructing the regions economic
integration and marketing efficiencies. Although Mindoro Island serves as the link of
Luzon to the Visayas-Mindanao regions through the nautical highway, the regions island
provinces and municipalities have not been served by this trunk line.
b. Justification

Urbanization Trend
The region recorded a continuing rural-to-urban migration between 1980 and 2000.
Except for Calapan City, all provinces and cities exhibited an increasing urban population
during the period. With the establishment of Calapan City as the Regional Government
Center of MIMAROPA in 2008, the city is expected to follow the same trend. This rural-
to-urban migration could be attributed to market conditions, employment opportunities,
and accessibility of the urban areas due to the existence of sea transport facilities.

Regionalism and Economic Integration

Even before the creation of the Region, the five island provinces of then
MIMAROPA sub-region already advanced the principle of physical integration as the
operational imperative to achieve growth and development of the five-island economy. It
was for this conviction that then sub-regional MIMAROPA Council pushed for
regionalization and called upon its stakeholders to embrace regionalism-- the term the
Council coined for the shared aspiration for economic integration of the five island
economies.

Exposure of Cultural and Tourism Potentials

In the context of MIMAROPA as a destination for enriching experience of nature,
biodiversity, adventure, health and wellness, rest and recreation, the Regions natural
land and seascapes offer world class attractions of ecological, cultural and historical
significance. Famous natural attractions in MIMAROPA are the El Nido Marine Reserve,
Underground River, Coron in Palawan, Naujan Lake and Mt. Halcon in Oriental Mindoro,
Apo Reef in Occidental Mindoro, Mt. Guiting-Guiting in Romblon and the Tres Reyes
Islands in Marinduque. In terms of type of tourism attractions, natural tourism sites
dominate the landscape of the region. Regional Development Plan 2011-2016 A 19.
The region is also home to many sites of historic and cultural significance,
namely, Pulang Lupa Battle Shrine in Marinduque, Mangyan Settlements in Oriental
Mindoro, Parola Park in Occidental Mindoro, Fort San Andres and Fort Santiago in
Romblon, and Batac Tribal Community and Cuyo Fort in Palawan. Yet, many of these
existing sites are either under-maintained or not realizing their full potential as tourism
destinations, or both. Investments in these assets are needed for their preservation and
their promotion to the public.

c. Research Topic Background

It is mentioned in the Comprehensive Land Use Plan of Pinamalayan in Oriental
Mindoro that the Southern Tagalog Regional Tourism Master Plan has a long-term
recommendation for the first-class municipality and soon-to-be city (only waiting for the
population to reach 100, 000) to be the site for a Convention Center in the region
MIMAROPA. Among the five provinces, Oriental Mindoro is chosen for the convention
center location for several reasons. Oriental Mindoro is the gateway of Luzon to the
southern part of the Philippines. The said province is almost the center of the region in
terms of geography. It is also one of the economically blooming province and is also
where many regional offices are located.
Preservation of culture, showcase of craftsmanship and artistry, and tourism plays
a big part of the identity of Oriental Mindoro. Their culture is reflected by different towns
celebrated festivals and the Mangyan community villages. The Mangyans are also the
source of the unique arts and crafts in the province. Oriental Mindoro also offers variety
of tourism destination, from water-oriented to upland tourism. Most of the towns and the
city are doing development programs that will promote its pride.
Below shows photos of Mangyan culture and arts.
 The image below shows one of the most celebrated festivals in Oriental Mindoro,
the Pinamalayans Bahaghari Festival, which is celebrated every April. The yearly
Bahaghari Festival is a colorful commemoration of the importance of the rainbow in the
history of the town of Pinamalayan. The celebration includes a street dancing competition,
cultural presentations, religious & cultural activities, and products & trade fair.

The image below shows a beach resort in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro having
white sand and crystal clear sea.
d. Envisioned Development/Development Proposal
The Pinamalayan Cultural and Convention Center Complex is envisioned to cater
cultural events not just in provincial and regional but also national scale. Various sizes of
convention halls, conference and meeting rooms, and auditoriums will be provided for the
conventions and exhibitions. Library and museum will also be provided to give information
about the culture and arts of the region. Amphitheater and workshops will be realized to
showcase cultural preservation through performing arts and crafts and arts
demonstrations. Accommodation and commercial areas are also provided to support the
complex.
This complex will demonstrate architecture through the manipulation of space,
material, and light and shadow to create a memorable encounter through an impact on
the human senses. This theory promotes the integration of sensory perception as a
function of a built form. This creates an experience that is beyond tangible, but rather
abstract, observed and perceived.

II. OBJECTIVES
a. To design a major structure and be the center of culture and tourism in Region
IV. A major structure for the region is needed in order to attract tourist to explore
more the diversity of tourism in the region ranging from cultural, natural, and
built heritage.
b. To showcase local artistry and craftsmanship of the region. A permanent and
single place for the regions arts and crafts is to be provided to give tourists a
glimpse of what the region can offer them if they explore the provinces.
c. To house cultural events for a provincial, regional and even national scale. To
boost its economy, supplementing a development that will create jobs for the
locals, invite investors, and attract tourists has a positive value for the province
and the region. It may be costly in construction but it will eventually help the lift
the economy.
III. REFERENCES
Pinamalayan CLUP
MIMAROPA Regional Development Plan 2011-2016
The Mangyan Heritage Center (MHC)
An Architecture on Seven Senses by Juhani Pallasmaa
Understanding Multisensory Architecture by Sona C.N. and Shallaja Nair
Theory of Phenomenology
http://www.ormindoro.gov.ph
http://marinduquegov.blogspot.com/2010/02/gintong -binhi-and-arts-culture-
in.html