Ilocos Norte’s new Marcos Stadium a triumph of public space
IWAS invited by Ilocos Norte Tourism to judge the 2024 Tan-ok ni Ilocano Festival of Festivals. Though I would have wanted to stay long enough to visit the sand dunes, churches, museums and beaches and eat Batac empanada in Batac again, my 24-hour stay gave me enough beauty and culture to tide me over. The six-hour-long cultural competition took place in the newly built Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium in Laoag. I describe it as a happy public space.
The new 12,000-seater stadium was inaugurated by President Bongbong Marcos and Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc in February 2023. There was an old 2,000-seat stadium on the same site adjacent to the Mariano Marcos University. When Typhoon “Ompong” devastated the site in 2018, plans to build a new stadium were made under the administration of thenIlocos Norte governor, now senator Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos. They broke ground in 2019 and constructed through the pandemic.
The FEM Stadium is one of Ilocos Norte’s Big 3 infrastructure projects identified in the 2020 Ilocos Norte Development Masterplan, including the expansion of the Provincial Capitol and redevelopment of the Dap-ayan Center. The consulting architect of the FEM Stadium, William Ti, principal of WTA Architecture and Design Studio, built an open and inviting stadium that remains accessible to athletes and the general public. It serves its primary function well for sports with a state-ofthe-art running pad for track and field and a center green space for football, soccer, baseball and other sports. The stadium was also conceptualized as a public space for social and cultural occasions, such as the Tan-ok festival. The FEM Stadium was nominated in the 2023 World Architecture Awards, receiving the Highly Commended award in the sports category.
Despite its size, the FEM stadium does not feel imposing or intimidating. It looks very well made using simple materials. Upon approaching, one notices the curved exterior wall with geometrical patterns of white, silver blue and gray. This pattern mimics the famous inabel fabric weaves of Ilocos Norte. The structural beams over the perimeter corridor are exposed, creating a repetitive lattice-work-like web under the exterior skin. The long stretch of corridor is walkable, accessible from many sides, and exposed to the outside greenery. The stadium is part of a sports complex with different facilities within walking distance. There is no disconnection between the structure of the stadium and the park and people. It felt like a village.
The openness of the FEM Stadium brings back the concept of stadiums as public spaces not just for athletes but for the whole citizenry. This, by no means, is a new idea. The Roman amphitheater was a multi-purpose public space that switched between gladiator fights and theater production. I had a conversation with a senior Ilocos Norte businessman. I told him he must be so proud of their new stadium; it’s beautiful. He said, “Yes. Very much. I come here to jog. The turf is good on my feet and knees.” I was surprised it was open to everyone. He said, “Of course. This is our money. We funded this. So, we should all enjoy it.”
I had the feeling that the FEM Stadium gave the people of Ilocos Norte a strong sense of pride and ownership. But then again, as a people, the Ilocanos were already all that. The Tan-ok festival is an example of the strong identity and pride of the Ilocanos. Created in 2011, the Tan-ok Festival has evolved into a bigger production, with 24 LGUs competing for the grand prize of P1 million and an entire year’s worth of bragging rights. The competition required a sevenminute original musical production that represented each town’s story, with 30 to 50 performers and up to 150 props and support staff. The production design with movable sets and fantastic costumes was of high quality.
The winner of Tan-Ok was Batac. They told the story of the ingredients of the Batac empanada with good humor and great musical numbers. The second placer was Pinili, which celebrated the life and legacy of National Living Treasure Magdalena Gamayo, the inabel weaver. Coming in third was Vintar, which is about overcoming agricultural challenges brought by harsh environmental issues through faith, community, and investment in technology. Very Bagong Pilipinas.
It was enriching to experience a musical and cultural competition in a new, comfortable and impressive public space surrounded by the cheering crowd from all municipalities in Ilocos Norte. For one night, the Ilocanos paraded their own local community and village pride, but they had a common identity enveloped by the brand-new stadium’s inabel-patterned walls.