The University of Northern Philippines College of Architecture and Built Environment (UNP-CArBE) earned national recognition at the Philippine Architecture and Allied Arts Festival 2026, with two of its representatives securing honors in the prestigious national event and bringing distinction to the University’s architecture program.
Held from September 30 to October 3, 2026 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, the festival convened practitioners, educators, students, and creatives in architecture and the allied arts for a four-day exchange featuring plenary talks, workshops, curated tours, research presentations, and competitions. Organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the event served as a national venue for advancing architectural practice, research, creative expression, and academic collaboration.
UNP earned distinction at the Philippine Architecture and Allied Arts Festival 2026 with two representatives bringing home top national honors. Jovi Anne Haduca was named an Architecture Honoree – Graduate Category at the Haligi ng Dangal Awards 2026, while Al B. Estrada captured two championship titles in the festival’s Urban Sketching and Photo Essay competitions.
A graduate of UNP-CArBE, Haduca earned national recognition after being named Architecture Honoree – Graduate Category at the Haligi ng Dangal Awards 2026 held on October 3, 2026, at Costa Palawan Resort. The honor recognized her academic work titled “An Integrated Barangay Resource Center for the Coastal Community of Puro, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur: A Design Response to Spatial Stagnation.”
Organized biennially by the NCCA through the National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts, the Haligi ng Dangal Awards recognizes outstanding works and professionals whose contributions advance Philippine architecture and the built environment while reflecting Filipino cultural identity, values, and aspirations.
Haduca’s recognized study proposes an integrated barangay resource center designed to address the spatial constraints and evolving needs of the coastal community of Puro, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur. The proposed facility integrates spaces for governance, livelihood, cultural activities, and disaster preparedness, with adaptable arrangements that allow it to serve both everyday community functions and emergency situations.
Completed in April 2026 as part of her academic work at UNP-CArBE, the study demonstrates how architecture can respond to the realities of coastal communities by creating spaces that are functional, adaptable, and responsive to local needs.
Also representing UNP-CArBE at the national festival, Estrada secured two championship titles, emerging as Champion in both the Urban Sketching Competition and the Photo Essay Competition.
In the Urban Sketching Competition, Estrada demonstrated his skill in observing and interpreting the built environment through on-site sketching, translating architectural spaces into compelling visual compositions. He likewise topped the Photo Essay Competition where he used architectural photography to create a cohesive visual narrative.
Adding to the College’s national presence, UNP-CArBE faculty members also presented research during the festival, contributing to the academic discussions on architecture and the allied arts while complementing the College’s participation in the design and creative competitions.
The accomplishments of Haduca and Estrada showcase the diverse strengths of UNP-CArBE on the national stage, spanning architectural research and design, urban sketching, photography, and visual communication, and reflecting the College’s active contribution to the broader architecture and allied arts community.
