To Rey Clarence M. Salgado, Pulupandan isn’t just a dot on the map—it’s home. It’s memory, identity, and untapped potential.
That’s why, for his architectural thesis, he imagined a future where Pulupandan doesn’t just survive—it thrives. His project, “A Marine Ecotourism Complex in Pulupandan,” is more than a destination. It’s a statement: that small coastal towns can be models of sustainability, conservation, and community empowerment.
“Pulupandan has so much beauty to offer,” Rey shares. “But I didn’t just want to showcase it—I wanted to protect it.”
His design is rooted in the principles of ecotourism, where ecology and travel intersect to foster awareness, advocacy, and local livelihood. By weaving together architecture, education, and environmental science, Rey proposes a space where people can experience the richness of the marine ecosystem without exploiting it.
Think marine rescue centers. Spaces for mangrove education. Facilities that culture plastic-eating microbes. Wetlands that filter water naturally. And design strategies that embrace organic architecture—where buildings respond to the land, not the other way around.
But what makes the project truly unique is its cultural soul.
Rey doesn’t separate people from the ecosystem—he includes them in it. The complex gives space for local traditions to shine: pandan weaving, shrimp paste production, and salt harvesting are given platforms alongside coral rehabilitation zones and biodiversity tours. The result? A place where livelihood and conservation coexist, where tourism becomes an act of learning and giving back.
“In a nutshell,” Rey says, “it hits two birds with one stone—empowering the local community while prioritizing environmental education and conservation.”
This thesis isn’t just architecture. It’s a love letter to Pulupandan. And more than that, it’s a blueprint for how communities can reclaim their identity, protect their environment, and shape a future where nature and people thrive—together.
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