Pride of place: Clark as a showcase of Modern Filipino Ingenuity

The Philippines was at the center of the world stage when the Duterte administration recently hosted and chaired the successful 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, which also coincided with the 50th founding anniversary of the

ASEAN.  Yes, government can!

When Clark was identified as the venue for some ASEAN events including the 11th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting, and the Clark International Airport was chosen as the main airport for the arrival of the world leaders, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), steward of the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, which includes the Clark Civil Aviation Complex—together with its subsidiaries, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC)—did not waste any time to build the much-needed facilities in Clark that will show the best of the modern Philippines.

Besides, it is not everyday that a country is given the honor of hosting a major meeting of world leaders. This world event provided an enormous opportunity for the host country to put its best foot forward and showcase its culture, talents, history and art, not to mention its virtues and values as a people, for all the world to see.

The government, through BCDA, took on the challenge to build quality and cost-efficient facilities in a short span of time to show the Filipino people, and the world, that, yes, the Philippine government can deliver.

5-month miracle

The 2.5 ton woven steel chandelier centerpiece at the newly renovated ASEAN Convention Center

The marching orders for BCDA was to build and deliver quality structures and facilities, at par with the world’s best, which will showcase the talent of the Filipino within budget and on time.

Fueled by pride of place, BCDA, CDC, and CIAC, along with its pool of Filipino talents including Architect Dan Lichauco, Architect Royal Pineda of Budji+Royal Architecture Design, and commissioned national and Kapampangan designers like Andy Alviz, Philip Torres, Bea Valdes and Jude Tiotuico worked incessantly on the ASEAN projects—composed of the 21-unit ASEAN villas and its road network, the ASEAN Convention Center and the ASEAN VIP airport lounge—to ensure that the Philippines would leave a lasting impression on its foreign guests, and the rest of the world.

The development of the ASEAN structures and facilities in Clark is now being touted as a 5-month miracle, as the projects were completed in 5 months or less. e government addressed the need for world-class facilities in accordance with Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act, procuring all the necessary services within the period mandated by law. e process was transparent as BCDA employed Facebook livestreaming to inform the public on developments in the procurement process. Once awarded, the project management and construction teams went full blast and worked 24/7 to meet the October deadline.

The country can expect the same e ort and vigor in all infrastructure and development projects of BCDA and the Duterte government as it embarks on the most ambitious infrastructure program in history--Build Build Build.

Clark International Airport Vip Lounge

Masterpieces of international designer Bea Vales adorn the walls at the receiving area of the Clark International Airport's VIP lounge

The VIP lounge was the first structure that welcomed the foreign dignitaries upon arrival in the Philippines, thus it was designed to leave a lasting impression in the minds of our foreign guests.

Consistent with the modern Filipino theme of the ASEAN facilities, the newly constructed VIP lounge at the Clark Civil Aviation Complex boasts of features that enhance passenger comfort. Distinguished architect Dan Lichauco designed the structure with the comfort and convenience of guests in mind with two VIP lounges, three conference rooms, and a media lounge.

It is a showcase of Filipino talent as its roof is made by artisans from Banawe and the furnishings are products of Kapampangan artists. Art pieces were especially created by world-renowned designer Bea Panlilio Valdes and are prominently displayed at the main receiving area of the lounge.

The second level houses the state-of-the-art command center where the air side and the gates to the airport can be closely monitored. There are more than 40 new cameras in the vicinity.

The VIP lounge is designed to give comfort and convenience to passengers

ASEAN Convention Center

Classy, sophisticated, elegant—that’s how the newly renovated ASEAN Convention Center looked as it welcomed ASEAN ministers and delegates of the ASEAN Summit. It was the offcial venue for the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meetings.

Design firm Budji+Royal Architects renovated and refurbished the old Fontana Convention Center to showcase modern Filipino sensibilities. e centerpieces are the majestic 2.5 ton woven steel chandeliers that resemble an inverted traditional Filipino wide-brimmed hat or “salakot” designed and built by renowned furniture maker Jude Tiotuico.

The complete renovation of the 5,300-sq.m. structure took only four months to complete. It has a lobby, four banquet halls, and four Presidential rooms. What makes it more special is that it will be made available as an event center to those who wish to have events and memorable celebrations in Clark.

Budji+Royal raised the convention center to a new level of sophistication. Improvements were made on its exterior, giving it a touch of modernity compared to its old yellow walls.

Four beautiful and huge artworks inspired by “pidayit” adorn the lobby of the convention center. “Pidayit” is a Kapampangan word which means “sewn together.” A collaboration of prolific Kapampangan artists and designers Philip Torres, Derick Maniego, Manuel Madrid, and Andy Alviz, the “pidayit” art pieces are a manifestation of Kapampangan history and culture.

ASEAN Villas

The open concept gives a bright and airy feel to the villas

The construction of the accommodation facilities for the ASEAN dignitaries include both horizontal and vertical developments, which consist of the 21 villas and the corresponding road network. e project took thousands of manpower hours on a 24/7 cycle to complete in time for the ASEAN Summit.

Looking at them from the outside, the rows of modern Filipino structures look splendid and impressive. e beautiful “barandillas” on the villa’s exterior provide an elegant architectural detail.

Each of the 21 villas has four bedrooms with toilet and bath, a spacious living area, a study den, a private dining area, a kitchen, and a sunroom where one can spend early mornings sipping coffee with a great view. e villas have glass doors and windows to let light flow freely. There are no tall buildings to cover one’s view of the sky, enough to give that laid-back vibe with tranquil and green surroundings.

e villas also showcase Filipino ingenuity with furniture and furnishings sourced from Kapampangan craftsmen and artists. The unique furniture designs and various artworks made by Kapampangans give the interiors of each villa a different feel and look.

Environmental advocates would be pleased to know that not a single tree was cut and green spaces were maximized in the design of the land development and in the construction of the villas.

The BCDA, which funded the project, says that part of the long-term plan for the ASEAN villas is for it to become an income generating asset after the ASEAN Summit. With the lack of executive housing in Clark, the villas will be leased out to top executives and expatriates of companies staying in Clark. As soon as word got out about BCDA’s plan, the state-owned agency has been receiving expressions of interest from various global companies and individuals. More than half of the villas have already been reserved as of this writing.

BCDA will recoup investment on the ASEAN facilities from the lease of the ASEAN villas. In the future, the BCDA is planning to build more villas to meet demand, while maintaining green spaces.

The ASEAN villas are just 10 minutes away from the Clark International Airport (CRK) and 5 minutes away from different facilities such as the Hilton resort, the newly opened Aqua Planet, and the Mimosa Leisure Estate and Golf Course.

It’s a housing project built from scratch and it’s nothing less than world-class.

The future is Clark

Interiors of the villas are adorned with furnitures made by kapampangan desigers

Fulfilling the vision for Clark to be the symbol of the modern Philippines, key infrastructure projects are in the pipeline to provide interconnectivity and better logistics in the region through BCDA’s big-ticket projects such as the expansion of the Clark International Airport to accommodate an additional 8 million passengers annually, the Subic-Clark Cargo Railway, and the 9,450-hectare New Clark City, which will be complemented by the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) Manila to Clark Railway Project and various road projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Under the Build Build Build Program of the Duterte administration, government will invest in high-impact legacy projects that will serve as the long-term solution to the country’s lack of infrastructure and address the growing problem of urban congestion in Metro Manila. The program also aims to significantly spread growth and investments to the countryside to generate jobs for Filipinos. All of these projects are targeted for completion, whether in phases or in full, within the Duterte administration.

The BCDA, CDC and CIAC are taking on a holistic approach to promote Clark and its components—including the Clark Freeport Zone, the Clark International Airport and the New Clark City—as the next premier economic hub in the Asia Pacific region. With all these developments and with the investments pouring into Clark, it is definitely poised to be the city of the future.