‘Makabayan’ fuels Bacolod BJMP park construction
ONE of the greatest qualities that unites Filipinos is their deep-rooted sense of community, or what is colloquially known as “makabayan.” This communal spirit was manifested through a collaborative effort orchestrated by the Bacolod Azucar Chapter of the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) in the design and construction of the Park and Playground for Families of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) at the Metro Bacolod District Jail (MBDJ) Male Dormitory Annex in Barangay Handumanan, Bacolod City.
Spearheaded by its dedicated Chapter President Glenn Ymballa, the chapter partnered with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in undertaking the project. On Dec. 1, 2023, a momentous event transpired as the park and playground were finally inaugurated.
Gracing the inauguration were UAP national president, Ar. Richard Garcia; Jail Superintendent Abner Zamora, DSC of BJMP; Councilor Pao Sy, representing the mayor of Bacolod City, Hon. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez; Ar. Jennifer Gasambelo, executive council member of the UAP National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts, representing Western Visayas; Ar. Jonathan Iral, deputy District C2 director; Ar. Francis de Los Reyes, past District C2 director and former Center for Filipino Architecture Coordinator for the Visayas; and Ar. Rafael Tan, UAP Bacolod Azucar Charter president, along with other officers and members of the UAP Bacolod Azucar Chapter.
Tapping the imaginative minds of the architects and combined with the unwavering support from the MBDJ team, the chapter and BJMP collaboratively embarked on a meaningful initiative: the creation of the said park and playground. The facility made use of discarded tires from tractors, cars and bicycles, utilizing them as aesthetic design accents as well as exercise and play obstacles for individuals to use.
This project is aligned with BJMP’s “My Jail My Home,” which aims to provide humane safekeeping and reformative development of PDLs, while restoring and improving family ties and personal support systems through holistic, child-friendly and safe areas during a PDL’s exercise of his or her visitation rights.
Inmate creativity
Moreover, the project’s implementation seeks to harness the creativity of the inmates. By engaging them in activities such as craftsmanship and building works, they can positively contribute to society and therefore minimize the risk of their reversion back to their old unpleasant habits.
The project’s completion involved two fundamental aspects that require consideration: theory and execution. Theory was provided by the members of the UAP Bacolod Azucar Chapter, who came up with a concept of beautiful designs and an innovative approach to sustainability.
On the other hand, the team from the MBDJ took charge of the execution by harnessing the manpower of the PDLs to implement the key designs made by the architects.
The project could not have been achieved without the combination of these two factors. Without the creativity of the architects, the beauty of the project would not be conceptualized. Likewise, without the strength and workmanship of the inmates, the design and planning of the project would only remain on paper.
The Parks and Playgrounds for Families of Persons Deprived of Liberty project highlighted the capabilities of individuals from different strata of society, from inmates to architects. The UAP Bacolod Azucar-BJMP collaborative initiative shows that there is strength in solidarity and compassion. It is the definition of community, the very definition of “Makabayan.”
Architect Aeriel Mariz S. Isulat is a university architect at Carlos Hilado Memorial State University in Talisay City, Negros Occidental. She was one of the board of directors of the first batch of officers of UAP Bacolod Azucar when it was chartered in 2019. Currently, she is the chapter’s vice president of Programs and Development.