UNIVERSITY OF BATANGAS

AMLAT MAGALEÑO: INTERWEAVING PEOPLE AND PLACE IN THE

DESIGN OF MAGALANG CIVIC CENTER THROUGH CRITICAL
REGIONALISM

A Topic Proposal

Presented to

Ar. Gerelson Ray Bernardino, UAP

Ar. Mharren C.Castro

Bachelor of Science in Architecture

University of Batangas – Lipa Campus

By

Exconde, Mae Gelline J.

BS Architecture 5A

August 17, 2023

INTRODUCTION

With the rise in global complexity and development of public

involvement, community engagement has become essential for efficient twenty-
first-century democracies. Positive relationships between communities and
government institutions make involvement from the community not only beneficial,
but also necessary and viable, as it is likely to lead to more proportionate,
sustainable public decisions and improve the living standards of local communities.
This is why community engagement is so essential for individuals, public groups,
and governments alike.

Establishing a long standing, efficient collaborations between government

organizations and the publics bring about a higher sense of community ownership
and improved adoption of services since they correspond to the community's
distinct aspirations. Individual wellness depends on meaningful participation in
every element of their lives, which builds on the concepts of empowerment and
participation. Therefore, community engagement ensures that the members of the
community have access to substantial social settings and activities, feel that they
may contribute significant improvements in such activities, and acquire functional
abilities that allow them to participate completely. By including a broad range of
perspectives, usually marginalized or neglected voices are given an opportunity to
take part in the community decision-making that affects their daily life.

Effective public spaces foster a healthy community on any scale, whether

socially, economically, culturally, and environmentally. They strengthen the civic
realm not only visually but also by giving it personality and by acting as the center
for community activities. They may function as focal points for recognizing and as
the building foundations for sustainable development, serving as anchor points for
downtowns and communities. Enhanced community livability reflects all of those
assets as well as the opportunities for individuals to loosen up by participating in
recreation that such places provide.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Magalang, officially the Municipality of Magalang, is a 1st class municipality

in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. Magalang is one of the most ancient
towns of Pampanga, established in 1605 at the western side of majestic Mount
Arayat, under the governorship of Pedro Bravo de Acuña. Its original site was a
place called Macapsa, which was later transferred to San Bartolome. Early in its
history, Magalang figured in some of the most tumultuous moments in the
Kapampangan region. The town’s society life flourished with the influx of wealth
and several social clubs like Mountainside, were organized in the 1930s.

Even in the middle of modern advancement, Magalang has managed to

retain its classic beauty. Many of its streets are lined with historic homes. It is still
well-known for its sweet delicacies, the local favorite pastillas de leche are famed
for their incomparable creaminess which is made even more delightful by
carabao's milk. Following the Pinatubo explosion, several inland fishponds, pig
farms, and poultry farms were relocated to Magalang by proprietors of small
enterprises, providing the town with necessary money and revitalizing these local
industries. Magalang may be old, but it has a youthful, positive mentality in
pursuing its goals, a forward-thinking vision that keeps generating benefits for its
27 barangays and citizens. With that, Magalang has gained the admiration of its
people.

The project was proposed in order to enhance the campaign for

development of the town of magalang. The proposed development would act as
the main catalyst for development and utilization of Magalang town's potential. The
primary goal of the municipality is to develop establishments in the town proper
and envision them as heritage like, in accordance to the style of the town's patio
or plaza. Through this Approach, all establishments of the town will eventually
resemble a heritage sites since the town serves as a sanctuary for the past and a
preserver of history. The proposed project will not only provide essential services
to a community, but it will additionally serve as an avenue for people in Magalang
to gather together as one.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The proposed project aims to provide solutions for several

impending insufficiency in the town of magalang. The high demand of
establishing facilities in the town is highly needed in order to contribute to the
municipality's economy by promoting tourism and commercial developments. The
community will not only benefit to the project but also the neighboring communities
of the town.

According to the various research findings and data analysis that have been
presented above, a civic center that would address the insufficiencies of Magalang
town and fulfill the demands of surrounding communities is vitally needed. The
research proposal intends to provide solutions for the following concerns that will
arise in order to achieve these goals:

a) Would this be functional for the users as a complex?

b) Are there enough spaces that can cater the need of users within the town
and other neighboring communities?
c) Will this kind of approach can help the community maintain the better
foundation and attracts more people or tourists?
d) Can the materials used survive when natural calamity appears?
e) Will the project be PWD friendly since this was planned for community use?

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The goal of the project is to provide an establishment that will be able to

adapt to the modern spaces while preserving the heritage design of the town and
to enhance the potential of Magalang in terms of tourism and business aspects
through the idea of architecture. The study objectives include:

1. To revive the town of Magalang, not just in aspect of maintaining and

preserving the old heritage structures but also in the field of tourism and
business.
 2. To fulfill the demand and provide insufficiencies of the community by
establishing a complex design.
3. To assist users by developing a more accessible pattern.
4. To establish and provide an environment that will build better relationship
and creating an avenue for people to come together as one.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter contains local literature & studies showing the relation of its
problems and solutions to the main research and synthesis to compare their
similarities in terms of strength and weakness.

Foreign Literature

Daly City Civic Center

The Daly City Community Service Center is one of 8 Core San Mateo
County agencies that addresses homelessness and provides basic safety-net
services for those needing temporary assistance. Caring case workers assess
each individual’s situation and connect residents, primarily from Daly City, Colma,
Broadmoor, to emergency shelter, food, clothing, diapers, home goods, and urgent
utility and housing assistance programs. Eligibility requirements and income
guidelines apply to all programs. Seasonal support programs, such as back-to-
school backpacks for students, Operation Santa Claus toy deliveries for families
with young children round out the center’s features. The goal is to help participant’s
gain stable housing and self-sufficiency. Annually over 1,500 households and
3,000 individuals are served.

Local Literature

Danao City Civic Center

The Danao Civic Center is Danao City’s new multi-purpose gym. It has a
huge court and a classy interior. The gym’s facade was all glassy that this new
project totally stood out among all other older structures in Danao City. It is a great
structure, but Danao is known for its classy, laid-back, ancestral feel with all its
countless old buildings, old streets, and old plazas. The structure is a bit out of
place.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design (Data Gathering Procedure)

 This is a step-by-step approach conducted by the researcher for the project
proposal. Pragmatic organization of the research study will result into a basis of
facts and ideas throughout the design process.

Figure. Research Paradigm

Research Generation

The researcher was able to gather data about the project's profile and
space requirements from a variety of people and organizations. In order to
assess the location's viability for the project as well as its physical condition,
a google map assessment of the site was done. In order to learn more about
the place, the researcher also conducted interviews with local government
officials.
Library Research

The researcher conducted research through some books that are related to
the project. These are published reference related to the proposed project. Several
case studies, related articles, theses and magazines for available data and
information assist the researcher in mitigating the proposed project.

Internet

The use of the internet which is the most innovative and modern way of
searching has been a great help to the researcher to find especially the related
literature and case study for the proposed project. The researcher visited
numerous websites which is related to the proposed Civic Center.

SITE SELECTION CRITERIA

Listed below are the general and specific site characteristics that will aid the
Researcher in selecting the most suitable location for the proposed project.

1. Accessibility – It is defined as easily reached or entered physically, refers to

the public transportation.

2. Availability – This term deals with presence of important utilities such as water
supply, power and community lines, telephones and drainage.

3. Flexibility – It is described with sufficient space and can adapt changes for
future expansion.

4. Geographical Location – It is the point of view in the area.

5. Good Surrounding – will attract users and must be located near certain areas.

6. Proximity – refers to the closeness to users.

7. Visibility – having a clear view and ability to be seen easily; place may be well-
known by the public.
8. Zoning – It should be permitted to be used as a civic center or community used
complex.

SITE

Magalang, Pampanga

Magalang is a landlocked municipality in the coastal province of

Pampanga. The municipality has a land area of 97.32 square kilometers or 37.58
square miles which constitutes 4.86% of Pampanga's total area. Its population as
determined by the 2020 Census was 124,188. Magalang contains the majestic Mt.
Arayat, a 1,026-meter high mountain stretching to our neighboring provinces in our
region. The agricultural town of Magalang, Pampanga is one of the oldest towns
found in Pampanga.

The name Magalang originated from the word ‘Magalo’ which means a way of
moving and waving from one place to another. The Town was famous for its well-
known festival that they celebrate yearly which is the Kamaru or Camaru Festival.

The Municipality of Magalang is subdivided into 27 barangays.

References

Magalang, pampanga profile – PhilAtlas. (1990, May 1).

https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/r03/pampanga/magalang.html

Bartolo, L. a. L. (n.d.). 49. PLAZA DE LA LIBERTAD OF MAGALANG.

https://amlatmagaleno.blogspot.com/2018/03/49-plaza-de-la-libertad-of-
magalang.html

Inspire change through empathic landscape architecture. (2020, November 20).

AJM PLANNING AND DESIGN.

https://ajmladesign.com/2020/11/20/inspire-change-through-empathic-landscape-
architecture/

MasterClass. (2022, November 23). The Importance of Community: Why

Community Matters - 2023 - MasterClass.

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/importance-of-community

Community Civic Center | Manila Architecture Workshop | Archello. (n.d.).

Archello.
https://archello.com/project/community-civic-center

A HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE - CRITICAL REGIONALISM. (n.d.).

https://www.historiasztuki.com.pl/kodowane/003-02-05-ARCHWSP-
REGIONALIZM-eng.php

Pairman, E. (2023). Why is Community Engagement Important? Granicus.

https://granicus.com/blog/why-is-community-engagement-important/

Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index | CMCI. (n.d.). CMCI.

https://cmci.dti.gov.ph/lgu-profile.php?lgu=Magalang

Magalang leaping to progress with Camaru Festival. (2017, August 26).

SUNSTAR.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/160729/magalang-leaping-to-progress-with-
camaru-festival

Pairman, E. (2023c). The psychology of citizenship and civic engagement.

Granicus.

https://granicus.com/blog/psychology-of-citizenship-and-civic-engagement