Abstract

Philippines is one of the most visited countries during summer for vacation and

relaxation because of its rich biodiversity such as its rolling mountains and stunning beaches.

The unprecedented growth of demand in tourism has led to congestion of famous beaches that

has the facility to cater guests like resorts in Boracay and Palawan. Not all resorts in the

Philippines can cater and provide high quality services, but through careful and thorough

planning, a small and low budget resort can be at par with Philippines’ best. Thus, this project

aims to develop a resort, a recreational venue that would provide top of the line services.

The research is about the decongestion of the popular tourist destinations in the

Philippines specifically resorts by providing a new resort development that will provide

services at par or better than any other Philippine seaside resort. The researcher endeavors to

improve Pagbilao, Quezon’s economy by producing a Resort development that will be situated

at Lukang cove in Pagbilao Grande Island with the goal to complement the province’s rich

local history and industry.

As Pagbilao Grande Island becomes the center of tourism of Pagbilao, Quezon, locals

of the province will then become more empowered to work and do business. With the help of

modern technology alongside vernacular ones, the projet will give local and foreign tourists an

experience of a lifetime.

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 CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION

Introduction

Long ago, the Philippine islands were home to Indo-Malays and Chinese merchants.

Then in 1521, Spanish explorers led by Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan discovered them. They

named the archipelago “Felipinas” after Spain’s Philip II, and introduced Christianity to the

people.

The explorers saw the islands’ potential for commerce, with Manila and Cebu as

strategic trading ports. They established the seat of government in Cebu, later moving it to

Manila in 1571. The islands were a colony of Spain from the 16th to the 19th century, for a

total of 333 years.

The Filipinos waged Asia’s first nationalist revolution in 1896. On June 12, 1898, they

won their independence from Spain.

After the Spaniards left, the Americans came, introducing their educational and legal

systems, as well as their democratic form of government. They ruled for 48 years until World

War II broke out in 1941.

Japanese troops invaded the country on December 8, 1941 and stayed for four years.

The US forces returned to liberate the Filipinos and finally recognized Philippine independence

on July 4, 1946.

The Philippines has a great majority of touristic offerings, whether one is looking for

natural wonders, historical landmarks, culture and tradition, arts and crafts, shopping,

recreation and entertainment, and others. Tourism activities continue in the country’s different

regions, each with its own feature destinations and products to offer.

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 Our islands such as Boracay consistently cited by international travel publications as

one of the world’s best beaches, serve as a must destination for water sports activities,

enjoyment, and relaxation. Looking inland the country’s varied landscape also offers

breathtaking natural sights from the Chocolate hills of Bohol, the perfect cone-shaped mount

Mayon in Albay, the the world’s smallest volcano of Taal featured in the international bestseller

1000 Places to See Before You Die. While our 2000 year old Banaue Rice Terraces, a

UNESCO World Heritage Site, continue to be regarded by many global experts as a celebration

of our people’s genius and culture.

Tourist can also try an adventurous trek to Mt. Pinatubo in Pampanga or Mt. Apo in

Davao or swim with the gentle giant whale sharks in Donsol, Sorsogon, explore the Puerto

Princesa Underground River, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, or dive at the Tubbataha

Reef National Marine Park, another World Heritage Site is Palawan, There are also a number

of noteworthy museums and art galleries in Metro Manila and in the provinces, showcasing the

rich history and culture of the Philipines. Moreover, Metro Manila, Cebu, Boracay are some of

the places to be to enjoy the nightlife in the Philippines.

Philippines’ top destinations and product offerings remain intact and accessible.

Philippines is still the same beautiful country it ever was, it continues to be the same fun

destination that the worls has come to know, and the root of all that fun has always been

anchored on the Filipino people’s warmth, hospitality, strength, and indomitable spirit.

Background

According to Philippines’ Department of Tourism 2015, Tourism is a critical sector for

the Philippine economy contributing a 10.5% to its growth. Tourism makes an important part

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to the economy of the country. The growth of the economy had been into a major change since

the end of the People Power Revolution up until to the present time because of the Tourism

growth. Philippines is known for having its rich biodiversity and it is the main tourist attraction

in the country. Its beaches, mountains, rainforests, islands and diving spots are among the

country’s most popular tourist destinations. The country’s rich historical and cultural heritage

is also one of the attractions of the Philippines.

Due to this continuous and growing popular demand of tourists going to the Philippines

for its rich biodiversity, Filipinos take this as an opportunity and chance to make more income

by establishing resorts that would provide services which will cater the needs of tourists such

as food, drink, lodging, sports, entertainment and the likes during their vacation.

Nature of the Study

Resorts are establishments where people frequently or generally go for relaxation or

pleasure, specially one providing rest and recreation facilities for vacationers. As a tropical

country with 7,107 islands, the Philippines offer a wide range of sites that can be developed

into resorts which will cater tourists, both local and foreign. A seaside/ island resort is ideal to

be in the Philippines, maximizing it being an archipelago.

Statement of the Problem

There are famous Tourist destinations in the Philippines that are overcrowded and lack

the enough facilities and amenities to cater guests, both foreign and local. An example of it is

Boracay where numbers of tourists go to every year and it’s already congested. Most famous

tourist destinations in the Philippines are now able to provide accommodations for vacationers,

but not all. The main objective and goal of the thesis proposal at hand is to solve the lack of

tourism facilities specifically hotels and resorts around the country and to introduce a new

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tourist destination for a more affordable cost yet managing to produce the same experience and

to decongest the overpopulated famous beaches in the Phillipines.

As said by Romualdez, B. in his Philipine Star Article (Jan. 3, 2013) Last October,

Boracay received its one-millionth visitor, and there’s every possibility that the island achieved

its target of 1.2 million tourists for 2012, with locals accounting for 50 percent followed by

South Korean visitors. No question Boracay has emerged as the top tourist destination of the

Philippines, and one cannot discount its contribution to the local and national economy.

However, the influx of visitors continues to be a major concern for environmental groups who

despair at the degradation that has been happening in the past six years. As one local official

in Boracay averred, sustainability in terms of infrastructure and waste management is indeed a

problem.

(Department of Tourism, 2015)

(Department of Tourism, 2015)

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 (Department of Tourism, 2015)

Project Goals

As the proposed project is expected to affect the current state of tourism in the

Philippines, it aims to be a prime tourist destination for the country’s rich and developing state

of tourism. The main goal of the research is to provide a welcoming and sustainable resort

development for the Quezon Province. Moreover the proposed seaside resort also envisions

being a center of excellence in the fields of hotel and resort management which will be a model

for the country’s existing resort developments. As such, the following project objectives are

articulated to act as guidelines to achieve the goal of the project and aim to guide in the

development of the area as a paradigm in resort design:

Project Objectives

 To decongest Philippines’ overpopulated resorts (ex. Boracay, El Nido) by providing

a resort that would attract tourists and vacationers.

 To develop an able-bodied facility that will promote and enhance tourism in the

Philippines.

 To raise the Philippines’ standards in resort designing and planning.

 To promote Quezon Province as a prime tourist destination.

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  To enhance and provide livelihood for the province’s locals, specifically on Pagbilao,

Quezon.

 To comply with the vision mission and resort standards of the Department of Tourism.

Scope

As the complex is to be redeveloped as one of Pagbilao’s prime tourist destination; it

will be one of the Philippines best recreational seaside resort that will provide top of the line

services which will cater foreign and local vacationers. This new resort aims to serve locals

and foreign tourists but it would mostly cater locals of Luzon since it is situated within the

Quezon province.

The thesis project at hand will involve the overall site development plan of the complex

and the design of each structure within it including the administration, restaurant, amenities

and lodging. This aims to give quality service through high end and timely innovations.

The thesis project includes research and studies on resorts in the Philippines and other

countries especially the ones sharing the same tropical climate we have.

The proposed thesis project will only focus on the development and planning of resorts,

specifically seaside and island resorts. A study will be conducted by the researcher on proper

planning of resorts, including the capacity and functions of each facility, and traffic within the

site.

Current tourism statistics will be used by the researcher to be support the design that

will be provided. With proper consideration of current events and information, effective

solutions will be provided.

A study will be conducted about the existing sources around the site, both natural and

man-made. This will help with the careful design and planning of the whole development and

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its feasibility studies. An environmental impact assessment will be conducted to support the

thesis proposal.

Limitations

 The researcher should consider making an environmental impact assessment to

properly address and provide solutions on designing with the existing environ.

 Proper soil and storm surge analysis should be considered within the early stages of the

design due to the hazards of the site being on a seaside.

 The researcher should take into consideration the well-being of the natural resources

within the premises of the proposed site.

 A study on the existing resorts around the proposed site should be taken into

consideration and the effects of the future development on it.

Operational Definition of Terms

 Archipelago – a group of islands.

 Decongest – to relieve congestion

 Department of Tourism – Philippine Department of Tourism

 Environmental Impact Assessment – a process of evaluating the likely environmental

impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-

economic, cultural and human health impacts, both beneficiary and adverse.

 Hazard – a danger or risk

 Hotel – an establishment providing accommodations, meals, and other services for

travelers and tourists.

 Leisure – use of free time for enjoyment.

 Resort – a place where people can go for vacations to relax and unwind

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 Storm Surge – a rising of the sea as a result of atmospheric pressure changes and wind

associated with a storm

 Tourism – travel for pleasure; practice of touring, the business of attracting,

accommodating, and entertaining tourists.

 Tropical – pertaining to, characteristic of, occurring in, or inhabiting the tropics.

CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

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2.1 Tourism

According to Lomine, L. and Edmunds, J. (2007) Travel involves the physical

transportation of people. Tourism, on the contrary, involves mental transportation of people.

Tourism gives a new lease of life to the spirit of adventure and sustenance of a person. He, in

return, starts looking at life from a new angle. And that is because he had visited new (and

unknown) tourist destinations. Some tourist spots make a long lasting impression on the mind

of the person who travels to those spots. True, some others do not impress him. But the totality

if experiences is able to create a unique effect in the mind of the tourist. This unique effect

could last a lifetime of that tourist. Some people live only to cherish the memories of travel to

foreign lands and their experiences during their tours. Thus, tourism is a great motivator and

an ideal educator. It has been said that travel makes a man wiser and experienced. Tourism, on

the other hand, makes him relaxed, spiritual and full of salvation of

a unique kind.

“Tourism is travel for pleasure; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of
attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours.
Tourism may be international, or within the traveler's country.” – Merriam-Webster.com

Tourism is a significant part of modern life, community and society. It has gained more

and more importance, over the years. Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business

purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people, “travelling to and

staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for

leisure, business and other purposes”. Tourism is important, and in some cases, vital for many

countries. It was recognized in the Manila Declaration on World Tourism of 1980 as

“an activity essential to the life of nations because of its direct effects on the social, cultural,

educational and economic sectors of national societies and on their international relations.”

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 Tourism brings in large amounts of income in payment for goods and services available,

accounting for 30 percent of the world’s exports of services, and 6 percent of overall exports

of goods and services. It also creates opportunities for employment in the service sector of the

economy, associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services,

such as airlines, cruise ships and taxicabs; hospitality services, such as accommodations,

including hotels and resorts; and entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos,

shopping malls, music venues and theaters.

2.2 Authenticity

According to Ar. McCannell in his seminal book The Tourist, tourism is a quest of

authenticity. His thesis, widely accepted nowadays, is based on sociological analysis:

contemporary society is dominated by feelings of alienation, superficiality and disenchantment,

and as a consequence many people go travelling and sightseeing in order to find some authentic

experiences. They travel to rural areas (to reconnect with the past, with forgotten roots and

heritage) or to remote places (where locals’ lifestyles have not been “contaminated” by

modernity and western culture). Tom Selwyn further distinguishes

between authenticity as knowledge “cool authenticity” and authenticity as feeling “hot

authenticity”, but in both cases tourists are on a quest for genuine experiences. They want to

avoid the traps of staged authenticity and pseudo-events, such as the performances put on just

for tourists (flamenco dancers in Mallorca, whirling dervishes in Turkey, for example).

Rooted in this deep, quasi-spiritual desire for authenticity, tourism as a socio-cultural

phenomenon can then be interpreted as a form of secular pilgrimage, but this analogy does not

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mean that all tourists can be compared to pilgrims, whose motivation is primarily devotional.

The concept of authenticity is very important in tourism studies, especially in sociological and

anthropological perspectives; many authors have used it, along with the related concepts of

backstage and frontstage, in their analyses of specific tourist destinations

and of tourist motivations.

2.3 Tropical Architecture

In the year 2005, six thousand million human beings inhabited the earth of which five

thousand million live in the tropics and only one thousand million live in temperate regions of

the world. According to UNESCO population projection an estimated eight thousand million

people will live in the tropics in 2020, three thousand million in India and Africa alone. By

contrast, the number of people living in the temperate regions will remain constant at around

one thousand million, most in Europe and North America. (Lauber, 2005)

The increasing spread of urbanization – a result of industrial development, population

explosion and the flight from the country of large sectors of the population in search of a better

life – has wide – ranging consequences for the expansion of the megacities with dense urban

spaces for production, workplaces, administration buildings, health and community services.

2.4 Elements of Tropical Design

“The presence of water can undeniably provide the coolness in the surrounding area.
In the context of a room, the presence of the water feature both inside and outside of the room

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 can cool off hot and humid weather, which is a typical climate in a tropical region.” (De Reus,
2011)

Well-groomed landscape is an important key in erecting comfortable tropical houses in

the creation of well-ordered exterior. Yards filled with plants and trees will release higher

oxygen, supplying the vicinity with fresh air, which is extremely needed in the tropical

minimalist houses. The presence of tropical gardens has been strongly associated with the

tropical buildings and fortunately some of the houses own adequate lands to grow a tropical

garden.

“The tropical minimalist landscape has quite diverse elements ranging from the garden
paving, wooden deck to swimming pool. In harmony with the natural principle in the minimalist
style, the chosen design elements for the gardens are the simplest possible.” (Akmal, 2012)

Cross ventilation is one of essential principles in designing comfortable tropical

housings. The basic concept of cross ventilation is forcing exterior air into the buildings and

forcing interior air out of the buildings; the process creates airflow across the space. Fresh

breeze from outside will force warm air out of the building, cross ventilation works to bring in

fresh air and keep the entire house cool.

“Cross ventilation application is started with creation of big openings such as windows,
doors, and inlets. The large opening is common in the tropical housings, but, in the tropical
minimalist houses, the openings are designed functionally without additional decorative
elements. However, this does not necessarily mean the elements are poor in details. The detail
composition is very rich instead; It also requires neat and smooth installment, as the details will
be clearly seen. How to put these detail rich elements into the plain and quiet minimalist
buildings is the main challenge in composing tropical minimalist design.” (Akmal, 2012)

Waters are the most interesting object in landscape design. Water, a natural element can

be a prominent feature in the landscape. It may be used in the form of fountains or pools for its

reflective qualities, differences in sound or cooling effect.

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 “Whether modest or heroic, serene or dramatic in design, pools and elements seem to
be synonymous with living in hot climates close to the equator. No longer necessary to be an
independent landscape element, integrating pools into the architectural concept brings the
experiential benefit of water alongside and within living spaces. This integration more fully
accomplishes the merging of the natural and built environments toward a man’s appreciation
of natural elements.” (De Reus, 2012)

2.5 Hotel and Resort

“In North American English, the term "resort" is used for a self-contained commercial
establishment which attempts to provide for most of a vacationer's wants while remaining on
the premises, such as food, drink, lodging, sports, entertainment, and shopping. The term may
be used to identify a hotel property that provides an array of amenities and typically includes
entertainment and recreational activities. A hotel is frequently a central feature of a resort. Some
resorts are also timeshare or fractionally owned, or wholly owned condominium complexes. A
resort is not always a commercial establishment operated by a single company, although in the
late twentieth century this sort of facility became more common.” (Kunz, 2013)

In hotels the rooms are categorized and priced according to the type of bed, number of

occupants, number of bed, decor, specific furnishings or features and nowadays special even

the special theme available in the room.

Stated by Galindo, M. in her book Resort Design (2012) that travel is no longer just

about sightseeing anymore but also about rest and relaxation, a way to escape the city hustle

and bustle. Every travel destination is defined by a new approach in architecture, design, art

and adventure.

Designing resorts not only revolve on its aesthetically appealing physical appearance

but also its impact spiritually and emotionally; It’s very noticeable that there is a common

quality among great resorts, which is their impact on vacationers and how it gives them serenity

and relaxation. Resorts have their own ways of giving this relaxing sensation, it varies with

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each resort, some provide lush tropical gardens, a stunning view of the horizon, and others.

Some fascinate tourists and vacationers by giving them unique experiences of nature that would

only be found in their resort premises.

As told by Rubin, M. in his book 100 Hotels + Resorts (2012) Today, most of our leisure

time is given over to amusements, to a hiatus from the work-a-day world. Yet the longing for

good like, for personal renewal, for enrichment and discovery, has never been greater. In an

age in which every place is electronically accessible but remote from our touch, we seek remote

places that offer access to new perspectives, discoveries, and encounters.

“Creating a destination – a setting for leisure and renewal – is, therefore, a special kind
of place-making. The destination is first and foremost an imagined place, an ideal experience
we hope for in the future and cherish from the past. As an ideal place, the destination, transitory.
Physically and psychologically, the guest must leave a familiar world of routines to enter a
novel realm of discovery and renewal. It is inevitable that the guest will eventually return to
that world, but with the possibility that the place visited will provide a transformative
experience.” (Rubin, 2012)

Islands have been considered as ideal tourist destinations for centuries. They offer

authentic cultural and natural experiences in unique settings far from the urbanized and banal

locales that provide the source of island tourists. Islands often present the antithesis of

urbanized life, offering the perceived distance and difference from the normal routine necessary

to provide the basic ingredient for a holiday.

Islands have long help a place in the traveler’s psyche, representing a combined journey

over water and exploration of a bounded area that honds fascination, mystique and the unknown

(Baum, 1997). They are also often used to represent paradise.

2.6 Impact Assessment of Environment

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 “The quality of environment, both man-made and natural is essential to tourism.
However, the relationship of tourism with the environment is complicated. It involves
numerous activities that can have with the development of general infrastructure, for example,
road networks and airplane terminals, and of tourism offices, including resorts, restaurants, and
hotels. The negative effects of tourism advancement can slowly deplete the environmental
resources on which it depends.” (Chand, R., 2013)

“On the other hand, tourism has the potential to create beneficial effects on the
environment by contributing to environmental protection and conservation. It is a way to raise
awareness of environmental values and it can serve as a tool to finance protection of natural
areas and increase their economic importance.” (Chand, R., 2013)

Tourism has three main impact areas, namely: Natural Resources, Pollution, and

Physical Impact. Development of tourism facilities or tourist destinations such as resorts can

harm the existing natural resources when its consumption increases and depletes the resource.

Tourism may produce the similar forms of pollution made by different industries, from air

pollution, noise, waste, sewage and even architectural or visual pollution. Physical impacts

caused by tourism activities such as trekking through the same trail again and again that

tramples the vegetation and soul, causing damage that continues to loss of biodiversity.

“Sustainable tourism is envisaged as leading to management of all resources in such a

way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural
integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems.” (World
Tourism Organization)

Sustainable development implies “meeting the needs of the present without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (World Commission

on Environment and Development, 1987) Sustainable tourism is also known as Responsible

tourism, it is the concept of visiting a place as a tourist and trying to make only a positive

impact on the environment, society and economy. Proper management of resources is the key

to provide sustainable tourism. Man-made and natural environment can co-exist in harmony

if studied properly with proper planning and careful considerations. Both can complement and

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help each other.

2.7 Master Planning For Resorts

“Planning designers should review the materials for site evaluation, which includes
aerial photographs, environment information, topographic base maps, property surveys,
vegetation delineation maps, certified land boundaries, easements, local planning reports,
structure placement, engineering materials and other involving materials.” (Yu, A., 2013)

A list of evaluations are to be considered in designing and planning resorts, a planner

should be well equipped with information about the site and its vicinity, from the natural

elements to existing man-made infrastructure including resorts within the proximity that may

affect future developments. The design feature of a resort is determined by its structures and

master planning and form. Various arrangements or planning of spaces may be used to

distribute the resort infrastructures.

Designing with the environment is a critical consideration in resort planning, the

designer should maintain an aesthetically pleasing design whilst blending in with the

environment. Resort planning focuses on the operational infrastructure while staying in

harmony with nature.

Land use is one of the mist precious resources. The protection and utilization of land

resources is very important in a resort’s ecological design. Designers should aim to protect

existing land topography and landscape, keep the impact as minimal as possible.

2.8 Relaxation Psychology

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 As stated by British researcher Scott McCabe in his book (2009). Who needs a holiday?

Evaluating social tourism, "personal benefits have been found to include: rest and recuperation

from work; provision of new experiences leading to a broadening of horizons and the

opportunity for learning and intercultural communication; promotion of peace and

understanding; personal and social development; visiting friends and relatives; religious

pilgrimage and health; and, subjective wellbeing" avoiding stress through vacations and leisure

is natural to man.

In a 2009 study, Canadian researchers Joudrey and Wallace reported that "active"

leisure pursuits (such as golf) and taking vacations helped to buffer or ameliorate the job stress

among a sample of almost 900 lawyers. Humans resort to leisure and vacations as escape from

the regular stressful city life.

Mathew White, from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health in

Truro, Cornwall, said: “There is a lot of work on the beneficial effects of visiting natural

environments, but our findings suggest it is time to move beyond a simple "urban versus rural"

debate and start looking at the effect that different natural environments have on people's health

and wellbeing. Feelings of positivity people get when at the seaside may be 'hard-wired' into

their brains.”

2.9 Green Architecture

Stang, A. and Hawthorne, C. stated in the book Eco-Architecture (2011) “Greenness is

generally a question of two issues – energy efficiency and the eco friendliness of a building’s

18
materials – along with a broader sense of how a new house or apartment building ties into its

local, regional, and global context.” A building or structure’s greenness is does not only revolve

around the topic of greeneries covering or in the whole structure but how it blends in in its

environment. Architecture living in harmony with nature is the essence of green design or eco-

architecture.

“Green is the name of the game, no doubt about it. There has never been so much
interest in the ecological impact of buildings as there is today.” (Jodido, P., 2012)

Green architecture is now a trend due to the rising concern of the people; the ecological

impact of buildings today are now being considered in most countries because of the future

threats most people expect.

“Most designers tend to draw the locations for their projects as if they were a separate
item, making a distinction between architecture and nature. Both within and between
ecosystems, There is a network of mutual dependence, so that changes occurring in part of the
system affect the functioning of the whole, even when the degree of dependence may seem
somewhat remote. Given the inseparability of the interaction between eco-systems.” (Barba, J.,
2011)

“The Japanese, with such figures of Itsuko Hasegawa or Toyo Ito, have long posited
that architecture should engage in the creation of an artificial “nature” inspired by forms of the
natural world and yet decidedly manufacture in their aspect.” (Jodido, P., 2012)

Different architects have their own understanding and interpretation of green

architecture but one thing in common is for architecture and nature to be in harmony together.

Green design should be nature and architecture taking advantage of each other, one should

benefit the other.

Cited from the book Territory | Architecture Beyond Environment (2010) David, G.

stated “Territory advances a set of strategies for engaging with matter and a strategic category

of thought in dialogue with key post-second world war architectural debates. Of the dozen or

so concepts of postwar architectural theory that still appear in contemporary architectural

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writing, the concepts of the architectural environment and the concept of an autonomous

architecture remain at considerable loggerheads. The former can be typified by a building that

is sublimated into the mechanics of its setting; the latter by that architectural work that stands

as a distinct counterpoint to its givens. An environment-architecture attempts to emerge from

its environs – natural, social and technological – an autonomous architecture is answerable to

itself alone.” Site analysis or the study of territory is essential in the field of architecture design,

the site may offer various of resources that may help the designer in the project; the architect

or designer is the one to state if a certain factor of the site is a nuisance or an advantage.

Designing according to the nature of the site of the project is a standard practice in architecture

specially when considering the existing environ.

“The shift in architecture from holism to reductionism corresponded to the emergence

of the current environmental crisis. That exact cause-and-effect relationship between these two
phenomena may be subject to some question, but there is no doubt that a close connection
exists. The products of this distorted architectural practice damaged the environment in that the
structures that demand vast amounts of resources, energy and others, and in doing so, place a
tremendous burden on the planet.” (Stein, C., 2010)

The connection of the built and natural environment is now understood and accepted.

The increase in recognition of this issue is helping provide a greener environment for people

to live.

2.10 Resort Management

“Many people consider resorts represent the best vacation experiences because the term
is associated with luxury products and with destinations which cater specifically for the tourist.
When tourists see the prefix “resort” attached to a hotel the implication is they can expect
superior facilities and service at that hotel. Likewise when one visits a resort destination, it has
neem designed primarily for tourist needs rather than for general service and industrial
purposes.” (Arora, R.K., 2011)

A lot of factors should be considered in the process of designing a resort facility,

namely: Changing markets – the wide range of vacationers or tourists, Rest and Relaxation –

20
the pampering quality of relaxation of the resort facility, Governance of Resort – the authority

within the resort development, Resort Marketing – marketing the resort development to attract

tourists, Natural Disasters – a risk in the design of a resort development. One of the most

important factors in resort management is its eco-friendliness, the criteria to be followed:

Design and Construction, Water Conservation, Liquid waste management, solid waste

management, energy production and conservation, natural areas and conservation, landscape,

quality standards, and climate. Community relations should also be considered in designing

resorts, the resort development should complement its neighboring communities. Resort

Management is basically taking control of the resources of a site selected or making sure the

facility is sustainable to achieve the goals of the resort development.

2.11 Sustainable Design

“”Sustainability” covers a wide range of issues: choosing and sourcing materials, the
amount of energy needed to transport and finish them, building construction processes, their
thermal performance rating, the amount of energy needed to keep them running, maintenance
processes, durability, internal flexibility in terms of use, adaptability to new technologies in the
supply, disposal and telecommunications sectors, suitability for dismantling and possible re-
erection, the conservation and recycling possibilities; but of course in particular, suitability for
the use of solar energy for the purpose of heating, cooling, for using daylight, and generating
electricity. But I think that complete energy autonomy is required only in exceptional cases.
The amount of radiation this earth receives from the sun is many times higher than man kind’s
energy consumed to meet buildings’ thermal needs is already a quarter or a fifth of what was
achieved only a few years ago” (Herzog, T., 2009)

A lot of factors are to be considered in the design of a facility for it to be considered as

“Sustainable”. Sustainability should be an automatic consideration in designing structures. The

construction and management of structures are the main sources of demand for materials and

energy that results to producing greenhouse gases.

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 CHAPTER III: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

In order to acknowledge and support the current pursuit of gathering information at

hand, specific research methodologies are essential and necessary. To collect the necessary and

22
essential data, both qualitative and quantitative methodologies of research shall be used by the

researcher in order to gain a superior comprehension and dominance of the project problem at

hand. It is in this very procedure that the researcher can accumulate and arrive at the best

possible solution and organization to the project problem’s study. It is in this sense that in order

for the project to be envisioned and relevantly explained.

3.1.1 Historical Research

Research involving analysis of events that occurred in the remote or recent past will

strengthen historical aspects of the project. It may involve interpreting past events to predicting

future ones; it may also involve examining the reasons behind certain problems to prevent it

from happening again. This involves synthesizing data from many sources; the researcher may

resort to interviews, public records, and archives. Furthermore, a gathering of collective data

about the past records of tides and tourists shall be acquired by the researcher in order to gain

sufficient support for the architectural design.

3.1.2 Descriptive Research

This research will describe characteristics of the existing site and development. It will

not answer questions about how, when, why the characteristics occurred. Rather it addresses

the “what” question. This research will provide the current and existing conditions and state

given facts of the topic the subject conforms to establish and advance. It is through the

utilization of this research method that the proposed Lukang Cove Recreational Resort project

needs to be applicable and significantly achievable and practicable to in order to be realistic

and feasible.

3.1.3 Participatory Method

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 The study purely depends on the participation of the public, specifically those such as

travelers, tourists, backpackers, and resident locals since the development of the proposed

extension and expansion of the existing Lukang Cove Resort is solely for the improvement of

its services. The response and authentic insights of the general community will help the

researcher in obtaining the quality that majority of the tourists/resort-goers would want and

need to improve on in terms of overall resort experience and efficiency in its operations.

3.2 Research Method

3.2.1 Case Studies

Case studies of current projects that have the same objectives of the thesis

proposal will be relevant and will aid the researcher define the proper facilities,

activities and spaces that must be integrated in the Puting Buhangin Recreational Resort

project. Studying common trends and functions of contemporary resort developments,

hotels, and ecotourism facilities both local and international will provide the researcher

extensive knowledge to apply the studied technologies.

3.2.2 Archival Research

Laws and regulations applicable to the project should be observed carefully.

The researcher shall observe proper rules provided by the authorities in order to make

the process to acquire the design solution to the current study. The researcher must

focus on the environmental and ecological restrictions that the project must consider

very carefully in detail so as to make the proposal entirely feasible.

3.2.3 Photo Documentation

This instrument shall be applied and operated by the researcher for better

perception and assessment of site visits, architectural documentation, book profiling,

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 international studies of similar projects and sites. This may be applied to all the different

steps in the research method.

3.2.4 Resort Perceptions Survey

A survey will be conducted to support the ideals of majority of resort-goers. The

researcher can provide the necessities and wants of said customers by conducting a

survey that will cover their satisfaction and expectations on resorts.

3.3 Time Frame

2016
ACTIVITY DURATION
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jn Jl Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
1. Thesis 5 months
Proposal
1.1 Introduction 3 months
1.2 RRL 3 months
1.3 RM 1 month
1.4 SSP 1 month
2. D 9 5 months

2017
ACTIVITY DURATION
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jn Jl Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
3. D10 5 months

3.4 Methodological Framework

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 CHAPTER IV: SITE PROFILE AND ANALYSIS

Site Location: Lukang Cove, Pagbilao Grande Island, Pagbilao, Quezon, Philippines

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History of Pagbilao

It hardly seems possible that for thousands of years the place where the town of Pagbilao now

lies was unknown to other Filipinos. The people then in distant places went about their lives

unaware of a great place which lay on the northern part of Tayabas Bay and on the

northeastern part of the Sierra Madre mountain range. The accidental discovery of the place

was a result of the search for fortune, the trial of the braves and hardy pioneers who wanted

to build new homes in the wilderness to be called their own. The place was then thick jungle

where all wild native animals roamed. Travel in those days was so hard and dangerous that

most natives were content to stay at home. But there were some who wanted to explore and

learn more about the neighboring regions.

In the early part of the 17th century, a couple by the name of Pablo and Rita made a long

journey across the wilderness bringing with them a handful of rice seedlings and some other

useful provisions. Fortune seemed to be with them, they reached the place, the present site of

the poblacion of Pagbilao. After a brief stay and learning that the place was a very promising

region in the future, they reached their married children from their places of origin and live

together making the place their permanent settlement. A few years later the aboriginal

inhabitants began to increase in number including tribes from other distant places.

In the year 1725, a prominent man of the place in the name of Don Luis Felipe ruled the tiny

poblacion. His advises were considered by the inhabitants as laws. The people then lived in

peace and no sign of disorder existed. They lived in huts furnished with necessary provisions.

Native products such as bamboo beds (papag) and winnowing baskets (bilao) were common

in the place as their major products. Tagalog was the dialect spoken.

One bright day in the early part of 1725, while the natives were busy on their usual trade of

business making papag and bilao, a group of Spanish missionaries, mostly catholic priests

27
arrived in the village. It was a traditional belief of the natives that more often, by bad means

rather than good ones, the foreigners maltreated the natives and fearing that it may happen,

the natives tried to elude the strangers. Realizing that the natives were in panic and afraid,

The Spaniards made an excellent idea by raising their right hands wide open symbolizing that

they come to make friends with the Filipinos. The natives then became calm and settled in

their places in friendly manner. The missionaries tried to talk with the Filipinos using their

own language but were not understood. One of the missionaries however, asked a friendly

question, accidentally pointing to a bamboo bed. “What is the name of this village?”.

Assuming that the question was what the name of the object he was pointing at, one of the

villagers quickly replied “PAPAG” and immediately the missionary noted the word papag in

his record. Another missionary in the group asked the same question with the same manner

pointing to a winnowing basket. “What place is this? “BILAO”, readily answered one of the

natives and the word bilao was also noted on the record. After so many exchanges of strange

languages between the natives and the strangers, no proper understanding resulted. Then the

Spaniards proceed their course westward discussing as to what name they should call the

place. The question was resolved however, by calling the place a name derived from the

words spoken by the natives and referring to their records the phrase papag-bilao was soon

realized. Thinking that the word as too long to pronounce and to shorter the name, they

precisely omitted the first two letters from the word PAPAG – P and A – producing therefore

the PAG. With the combination of the word PAG and BILAO, the word PAGBILAO finally

originated and since then, the place was called PAGBILAO.

Geographic Location

The municipality is located eight (8) kilometers from Lucena City, the Provincial Capital of

Quezon. Its geographical coordinates are 14ᵒ0’0”N latitude and 121ᵒ45’0”E latitude.

28
It is bounded on the northeast by the City of Tayabas, northwest by Atimonan, southeast by

Padre Burgos and southwest by the City of Lucena. Pagbilao has a total land area of 17,760

hectares as per Bureau of Lands Records.

Political Subdivision

The municipality of Pagbilao is composed of 27 barangays which are further subdivided into

PUROKS in the six (6) urban/Poblacion barangays and SITIOS in the 21 rural barangays.

Shown in Table No. 1 is the land area by barangay and the corresponding Punong Barangays.

Natural and Physical Characteristics

Topography

29
Pagbilao is located generally on a hill side with a slope of 0-3%. The poblacion is surrounded

by agricultural crops like coconuts and rice paddies while a small percentage that of within

the boundary of Mauban, has 8-15% slope.

The highest elevation is found in the area of Silangang Malicboy and the lowest is Barangay

Bantigue. The area is within the range of Sierra Madre Mountain with nine (9) barangays

along the Pagbilao Bay area and two (2) barangays along the Tambak River.

It can be noted that there is seemingly four clusters which can best identify the area-the

poblacion barangays, the barangays along the Pagbilao Bay area, barangays along the

Maharlika Highway, and the forested barangays.

SLOPE MAP

Mountain Ranges

30
There are mountainous portions in the municipality that are situated at Barangays Binahaan,

Silangang Malicboy, Kanlurang Malicboy, part of Ilayang Palsabangon and Ilayang

Bagumbungan and in the island barangays of Ilaya and Ibabang Polo.

Hydrogeologic Features

Generally, there is no fault line within the area of Pagbilao. There is bountiful source of

ground water due to forest areas in the municipality aside from major rivers like the

Palsabangon , Tambak, and the Binahaan rivers.

Soil

Per records of the Bureau of Soils, Pagbilao has nine (9) types of soil, namely: Hydrosol,

Guadalupe Clay Loam, Bolinao Clay Loam, Macolod Clay Loam, Bantay Clay, Buguey

Loamy Sand, Ibaan Silty Clay Loam, Bruingan Sandy Clay Loam, and Sevilla Clay.

Soil Types and Location

BARANGAY SOIL TYPE
Guadalupe Clay Loam & Buquey
1. Alupaye
Loam
2. Antipolo Macolod Clay Loam
3. Añato Macolod Clay Loam
4. Bantigue Buquey Loamy Sand
Macolod Clay Loam & Bolinao
5. Iba. Bagumbungan
Clay Loam
6. Ila. Bagumbungan Bolinao Clay Loam
Macolod Clay Loam & Ibaan Silty
7. Bigo
Clay Loam
Bantay Clay & Quinga Sandy
8. Binahaan
Clay Loam
9. Bukal Macolod Clay Loam
10.Ikirin Macolod Clay Loam

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 BARANGAY SOIL TYPE
11.Mapagong Macolod Clay Loam & Hydrosol
Quinga Sandy Clay Loam &
12.Kan. Malicboy
Hydrosol
13.Sil. Malicboy Bantay Clay
14.Mayhay Macolod Caly Loam
15.Iba. Palsabangon Quinga Candy Loamy & Hydrosol
16.Ila. Palsabangon Bolinao Clay Loam
17.Pinagbayanan Macolod Clay Loam & Hydrosol
18.Ibabang Polo Sevilla Clay
19.Ilayang Polo Sevilla Clay
Guadalupe Clay Loam & Macolod
20.Talipan
Clay Loam
20.Tukalan Macolod Clay Loam
Source : Bureau of Soils, 1994

SOIL TYPES AREA IN HECTARES

SOIL TYPES AREA IN HECTARES
Bolinao Clay Loam 4000
Macolod Clay Loam 3600
Bantay Clay 2800
Hydrosol 1200
Quinga Sandy Clay Loam 1600
Guadalupe Clay Loam 1000
Sevilla Clay 1120
Buquey Loamy Sand 350
Ibaan Silty Clay Loam 150

TOTAL 15,820
Source : Bureau of Soils, 1994

SOIL MAP

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Mineral Resources

Limestone and industrial lime reserves are estimated at 256,438.000 M.T. and which can be

found in Barangays Ilayang Bagumbungan, Silangan Malicboy, Kanlurang Malicboy and

Ilayang Polo. It has an aggregate area of 27.0514 hectares. Only a portion of Ilayang

Bagumbungan is permitted for exploration for limestone manufacturing, eventually opening

job opportunities for the unemployed sector of the population and the development of the

surrounding area.

Water Resources

33
The main source of potable water of the people is the Quezon Metropolitan Water District

(QMWD with water schedule on rotation from 10 am to 10 pm. Other sources are rain water,

open well, natural springs scattered around the area, piped water and other watershed area in

the municipality.

Forest Resources

The municipality has a total of 1,433.9350 hectares of forest area located at Barangays

Malicboy, Binahaan, Ilayang Palsabangon, Ilayang Bagumbungan, Ilaya and Ibabang Polo.

The forest area within Silangang Malicboy is part of the Quezon National Forest Park

classified as a virgin dipterocarp forest.

A portion of the forest area within barangays Binahaan and Ilayang Palsabangon had been

subjected to timber licensing agreement but has been suspended since 1978. However it has

been observed that some portions are being utilized by Kaingeros.

Climate

The municipality of Pagbilao has two (2) types of climate – dry and wet seasons with a very

pronounced maximum rainfall from November to January. This is due to its nearness to the

eastern coast and are not sheltered from the northeast monsoon, trade winds and storm.

Accessibility

1. The island is accessible by boat from Padre Burgos, Quezon, and by private vehicles.

2. PUJ from Pagbilao City Proper to Pagbilao Grande Island - Drop-off at team

Energy’s gate - 15mins tricycle ride – 5mins boat ride – 10mins hike to lukang cove

3. Boats from nearby resorts offer transportation to Lukanc Cove

Vulnerability to Natural Hazards

34
 1. The site is flood free even under heavy rainfall. 2. Prone to Tropical depressions and

strong waves during storm surge.

Climate

1. The province enjoys mild tropical climate and has two pronounced seasons, the

drycold and dry-warm climate and the cold moist and cold dry climate. The lack of

higher mountainous barriers makes some coastal areas prone to the effects of tropical

depressions. (www.tourism.gov.ph) 2. Temperature typically varies from 23ºC to

38ºC.

Existing Vegetation

1. The site is undeveloped and resembles a tropical forest. 2. The entire Vicinity is

surrounded with trees and other vegetations.

Accessibility to Important Existing Facilities

1. 1km distance from Pagbilao Grande Island Airport (inoperable). 2. 1km away from

Team Energy’s Pagbilao Power Station.

Site Tourism Potential

1. The site is often visited by tourists and locals.

2. White sand beach and clear blue waters would attract tourists and vacationers.

3. Mount Mitra and Sibatiya cave is within the site vicinity that may also add to the

tourism potential of the site.

Socio – Economic Activity

35
 1. The site is currently occupied by locals who tend to the needs of tourists.

Quezon Province

GEOGRAPHY

In terms of land area, Quezon is one of the biggest provinces in the Southern Tagalog region.

It spreads over 870,660 hectares along the stretch of the Japan-Philippine Highway, which

links Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao. Its boundaries extend as far as the province of Aurora

in the north and Camarines Sur in the south. It is bounded on the west by the provinces of

Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Batangas and on the southeast by

Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.

CLIMATE

The province enjoys mild tropical climate and has two pronounced seasons, the dry-cold and

dry-warm climate and the cold moist and cold dry climate. The lack of higher mountainous

barriers makes some coastal areas prone to the effects of tropical depressions.

POPULATION

The province of Quezon has an estimated population of 1,679,030 as of May 2000, mostly

concentrated in the flat-south central portion, which includes Lucena, Sariaya, and

Candelaria. The people are characterized as friendly and hardworking.

INDUSTRIES

The people’s main sources of livelihood range from land and sea agricultural cultivation to

home industries which have lately taken a turn toward the export-oriented light to heavy

industries, with the planning and construction of economic zones.

LANGUAGE / DIALECTS

36
Tagalog is widely spoken by the populace, with the characteristic lilt common to the locate.

POLITICAL SUBDIVISION

The province is composed of 41 towns and one highly urbanized city, which is Lucena City.

The province has 1,248 barangays, which include the barangay of Lucena City.

Site: Lukang Cove, Pagbilao Grande Island

Site Selection Criteria Rating Site Rating

Location 30 20%

Lot Area 10 10%

Trasportation Accessibility 25 15%

Topography 5 2%

Climate Condition 5 5%

Nearby Facilities and Tourst Attractions 25 25%

Total Rating Results 77%

37
5km Radius

Lukang Cove, Pagbilao Grande Island, Pagbilao, Quezon

Site Hazards

38
39
40
41
Site Photos

42
43
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