For many young athletes in Negros Occidental, talent is not the issue—opportunity is.
Inspired by her own love for watching sports with her father and moved by the struggles she observed among local athletes, architecture student Patricia Juliah Juntanuelo set out to design more than just a facility. Her thesis, “A Provincial Academy of Sports,” is a bold and compassionate proposal for an institution that nurtures both athletic excellence and academic growth.
“My dad and I love going to basketball meets. We also watch a lot of tennis competitions online,” Patricia shares. “Even though I am not an athlete myself, I saw the lack of a sports facility that is up to par with neighboring provinces. I saw that we have so many athletes with so much potential but lack the money and facilities to hone these skills.”
Seeing this gap, Patricia looked to the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City as inspiration, envisioning a version designed specifically for the unique needs of her home province. A place, she says, “where athletes from different backgrounds can hone their skills and at the same time be equipped with an education that can help them succeed not only in sports but in life.”
Built for Balance: Training and Education Side by Side
What makes Patricia’s design stand out is its clear recognition of balance. She didn’t just design a training facility—she designed a campus for growth.
“The PAS was also divided into two buildings to clearly establish the separation of training and education,” she explains. “The need for these athletes to excel in both. The need for the balance in their young careers.”
The facility includes:
Multiple courts and training grounds for the top 7 in-demand sports in the province
A full educational wing with classrooms, laboratories, and a modern library
An in-house dormitory and canteen designed to meet the nutritional and daily needs of student-athletes
Elevated walkways across campus to promote mobility and enjoyment
A park and open spaces for reflection, relaxation, and social interaction
“These walkways were not only designed with their active lifestyle in mind, but their enjoyment as well,” she says.
The entire campus follows the NAS educational model, providing holistic support that empowers student-athletes to thrive in both their chosen sport and their academic pursuits.
A Vision Rooted in Equity and Hope
More than design, Patricia’s work is driven by a deeper hope: that no student-athlete is left behind.
“With talent overflowing in the province, my dream for this academy is for student-athletes coming from various economic backgrounds to have a place for them to hone their skills,” she says. “I believe talent can come from anywhere, even from the smallest barangay in Negros Occidental.”
Through her vision, she hopes to shape not just world-class athletes, but citizens prepared for whatever future lies ahead—whether in professional sports or in careers beyond the court.
“This facility aims to create athletes ready to take whatever is ahead of them… to produce only the best, world-class athletes and citizens.”
In a world where so many dreams are cut short by barriers to access, Patricia Juliah Juntanuelo’s Provincial Academy of Sports is a blueprint for something better—a future where talent, hard work, and heart have a home to grow, no matter where they come from.
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