Before there was Panaad, there was Paglaum—a word that means hope in Hiligaynon. For generations of Negrense athletes, the Paglaum Sports Complex was not just a venue; it was a symbol of dreams, pride, and perseverance. It was where history was made: the first Palarong Pambansa in 1974, the PSIAA Games in 1971—pioneering moments that placed Negros Occidental on the national sports map.
Today, that legacy risks being forgotten. But Hazel Kristy D. Catague, an athlete turned architecture student, is determined to change that.
Her thesis, “A Relocation Project for Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City,” is not simply a design proposal—it is a mission to reclaim what was lost, and to build something even greater.
A Personal Journey of Hope and Purpose
“As a competitive athlete for over 13 years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the sacrifice and passion it takes to compete,” Hazel shares. “Yet I’ve also seen how many of us trained in outdated, inadequate spaces. We’re called the ‘Home of Champions,’ but our champions don’t always get the support they deserve.”
This contradiction—of excellence without infrastructure—inspired Hazel to reimagine Paglaum not as a relic, but as a renewed promise. Her goal: to restore the complex’s historic identity while creating a modern, inclusive hub for athletic development, public engagement, and cultural expression.
Designing with Memory, Movement, and Meaning
Rooted in the theme “Pagdumdom. Paghandom. Paglaum.” (To remember. To dream. To hope.), the design is anchored in participatory architecture—crafted with input from athletes, coaches, and the local community.
The complex honors its legacy through thoughtfully curated spaces:
A Heritage Exhibit Hall showcasing memorabilia from record-holding Negrense athletes
A Torch Tower and Mural Walk narrating the stories of past champions
A People’s Park designed around the Olympic rings, featuring an amphitheater, play areas, and artistic installations
But the project doesn’t stop at remembrance. It’s also a leap forward.
The New Paglaum Stadium, inspired by the sway of sugarcane fields, and the Multi-Sport Building, echoing the contours of Negros’ mountain ranges, fuse local symbolism with international sports standards. The result is a space that feels deeply Negrense—but world-class in form and function.
A Hub for Growth and Equity
Strategically located along the Alijis-Circumferential Road, near the future MassKara Coliseum Museum and South Ceres Terminal, the proposed complex strengthens Bacolod’s southern development and forms part of a growing “sports corridor” alongside Panaad.
Built with barrier-free access, green architecture, and sustainable features like natural ventilation and energy-generating Aureus panels, the design aligns with Bacolod’s vision for resilient, inclusive urban growth.
“It’s not just about having a big venue,” Hazel explains. “It’s about accessibility. It’s about designing for daily training, for all athletes—not just the elite. It’s about public ownership and long-term impact.”
More Than a Complex—A Cultural Movement
Hazel envisions the new Paglaum as more than infrastructure. It’s a living space—one that revives community pride, supports emerging talent, and reminds everyone that sport is not just about winning medals; it’s about identity, unity, and the power of collective dreams.
“Inspired by Francis Kéré’s words, ‘Architecture is about people,’ this design is not mine alone,” she says. “It belongs to every Negrense who ever ran a lap, kicked a ball, or cheered from the stands. It’s a call to remember what we were, and to believe in what we still can become.”
In reviving Paglaum, Hazel doesn’t just relocate a sports complex— She returns hope to where it first began.
#ThesisFeature#ArchitectureForAthletes#HomeOfChampions#LCCianExcellence#DesignWithPurpose#BacolodSports#NegrensePride#FutureArchitectPH