In a city that dances to the beat of drum lines and MassKara masks, Kayll Androh Mercado saw a missing piece: a space where athletes could thrive, communities could gather, and Bacolod’s rhythm could echo year-round—not just during festivals.
His thesis, “A Sports Facility Complex in Bacolod City,” is less about concrete and steel, and more about vision. A vision of a space where sports, culture, and wellness intersect. Where training meets celebration. Where the identity of a city is built into every corner, curve, and canopy.
“As a sports enthusiast and someone who’s lived Bacolod’s urban energy, I saw a real need,” Kayll shares. “We have passionate athletes, but they train in scattered, sometimes substandard places. And yet, we have this potential—to create something that reflects who we are.”
That “something” became a concept that pulses with Bacolod’s cultural DNA. Drawing from vernacular forms like the payag and iconic MassKara motifs, Kayll’s design is both grounded and expressive. Feathers, woven textures, and mask-inspired forms shape the building’s skin, turning it into a landmark as much as a facility.
But this isn’t just an arena. It’s an ecosystem.
The layout follows a clustered planning model, zoning out athletic areas, wellness hubs, and commercial spaces that support both professional events and everyday community use. It’s meant to hum with activity—not just during game day, but all day, every day.
“I wanted it to be inclusive, accessible, and sustainable,” he says. That meant barrier-free design, passive cooling, green roofing, solar energy, and rainwater harvesting—thoughtful touches that make this complex not only functional, but future-proof.
Beyond the courts and training zones lies the heart of the vision: belonging.
It’s a space where children discover their first sport. Where families gather under shaded paths. Where weekend markets and wellness workshops share space with tournaments and concerts. Where Bacolod’s identity isn’t just preserved—it’s lived.
“More than anything,” Kayll says, “I wanted to design a place that reflects who we are—resilient, vibrant, united. A space that helps move Bacolod forward.”
And that’s exactly what this complex is: not just a facility, but a cultural anchor. A celebration of movement, expression, and life.
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