Palawan State University (PalawanSU) alumni Justine L. Palasigue and Kimberly D. Lolong earned the People’s Choice Award – Graduate Category at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Haligi ng Dangal Awards 2026 during the awarding ceremony held on October 3, 2026, at Costa Palawan Resort in Puerto Princesa City.

Palasigue and Lolong were recognized under the Citation of Merit in Architecture and the Allied Arts for their conceptual design study, “PIÑARAZA: Bataraza’s Terraced Pineapple Community Demo Farm.”

Completed in July 2026, the study demonstrates how architectural design can support sustainable agriculture, strengthen local livelihoods, and promote regional heritage. The proposed development is set in Barangay Bulalacao, Bataraza, a municipality prominent for pineapple production.

Rather than significantly altering the landscape, the design adopts a terraced, contour-sensitive plan tailored to the site’s sloping terrain to support soil conservation. The framework also incorporates a zero-waste strategy that explores the utilization of pineapple by-products for secondary livelihood opportunities.

Beyond agricultural production and post-harvest processing, PIÑARAZA integrates learning facilities, walkways, and recreational spaces. Grounded in the practices of local farmers, the proposal connects farming with education, tourism, and community engagement to make agricultural spaces accessible to residents and visitors alike.

The achievement underscores the capacity of PalawanSU alumni to address local development challenges through research, design, and innovation while placing community knowledge at the center of sustainable growth.

Photo courtesy of Haligi ng Dangal Awards