COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

Research on the
Historical, Cultural
Background &
Commerce of Suyo,
Ilocos Sur

SUBMITTED BY:
MADRID, JAY-ANN B.
MUTIA, SHAIRA MAE
PADRON, VERONICA MAE B.
BS ARCHITECTURE 4D

A Research Work
Submitted to Ar. John Derick Dasugo
College of Architecture & Environmental Planning
University of Northern Philippines
In Fulfilment of Requirements for the Subject
DES-141 Architectural Design 7
(MWF-7:00-12:00 AM)

I. INTRODUCTION

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Suyo, Ilocos Sur is a picturesque municipality located in the northern

part of the Philippines. Known for its rich cultural heritage and scenic
landscapes, Suyo offers visitors a glimpse into traditional Filipino rural life.
The town is characterized by its historical landmarks, local festivals, and
the beautiful natural surroundings that include rolling hills and lush
greenery. It serves as a tranquil destination for those seeking to explore
the authentic charm of Ilocos Sur.

Suyo Municipality has a mountainous terrain; it has adequate arable

lands where the people could grow productive agro- agri-cultural crops.
Suyo community has a cold and healthy climate because of its pine and
broadleaf forest cover. Although limited, the presence of an irrigation
system enables the people to plant rice thrice a year in Barangay
Baringcucurong, and limited area of Poblacion and Suyo Proper. Suyo is a
4th class municipality in the province of Ilocos Sur, Philippines. According
to the 2020 census, it has a population of 10,766 people.

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Suyo is a “Watershed Municipality” like no other is also a natural “Water

Provider.” Suyo is a fourth class Municipality composed of eight (8)
Barangays and forty five (45) Sitios.

II. HISTORY

The earliest inhabitants of Suyo are usually found staying on the

river banks or at the foot of its hills and mountains. The original
inhabitants of Suyo were mostly engaged in natural trade or barter much
just like most of the highlands in the interior mountains. In the pre-colonial
period, there was no concept of socio-political territorial boundaries. In
brief, there was no idea of private land ownership. Suyo has an egalitarian
social organization, cohesive, harmonizing among them. They still practice
group sharing of resources through community feasting called “gamal,”
“peshit” or “kanyaw”.

Suyo’s pre-generational society was naturally endowed with abundance

and natural beauty. It’s a land of wealth and honey, a mountain haven for
all seafarers and travelers to dwell and take refuge or replenish their ships
with goods for a long hard journey to the open seas.

The colonization of Suyo and the whole of the Amburayan river

valley started only after (80) eighty years started after the colonization of
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the Philippine Archipelago by a Portuguese Navigator named Ferdinand

Magellan in 1521 under the Spanish Flag. Spanish conquistadores from
Juan de Salcedo, Admiral Pedro Duran de Monforte, and Lieutenant Col.
Guillermo Galvey made various military expeditions in the whole of the
Amburayan river valley areas and its interior river mountain including
Suyo.

The town got its name SUYO from one Barangay named Suyo
Proper because it was in this Barangay where the first seat of government
was established under Wyet Infiel, the first township President. Suyo was
derived from the Ilocano word “NAISUYO” meaning, thrown because
according to the old folks; said Barangays were formed by soil that
accumulated at the river bank when the river overflowed its banks.

As of the projected population of 2015, the Municipality has a

population of 11,100 with the majority composed of those who originally
settled in the place and the rest are those coming from other towns and
Provinces because of affinity and employment. Some of its inhabitants,
however, have migrated to other places like Mindoro, Mindanao, Palawan,
Bicol Region, Baguio and Manila. Some have also gone abroad in search
for greener pasture.

III. CULTURAL BACKGROUND

SUYO, Ilocos Sur - To attract more local and foreign tourists to the
4th Namunganayan Festival, the Bago tribe in this upland
municipality displayed eight life-size animal emblems constructed of
bamboo and rice hay.

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CULTURAL DAY - The Bago tribe of the Suyo highland municipality in

Ilocos Sur performed cultural dances to commemorate the 4th
Namunganayan Festival.

Namunganayan, which mean ‘beginning’ is a traditional practice

that showcases the good relationships among the people.

Suyo boasts numerous natural tourism attractions. Among these are

eco-tourism regions and trekking in the highlands of Tapao,
Balungabing, and Tibek, Vagina Falls, 'Sangbay ni Ragsak Falls',
Darawa Falls, Burayok Falls, Talino Falls, and Kumanibe Falls.

Historic features include Angalo's left foot print, "Bantay"

(mountain) Calvario, the Church Cave, the Kinapian Shrine,
Cumyeng Young Mountain, and the Besang Pass Memorial Park.

IV. COMMERCE & INDUSTRIES

Suyo, Ilocos Sur’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, with

rice, corn, and vegetables being major crop. The area also supports
livestock and poultry farming. Besides agriculture, local industries include
small-scale businesses such as food processing, handicrafts, and trade
services. Efforts to promote tourism and infrastructure development are
gradually diversifying economic activities in the region.

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Crop production in the locality is estimated at 2.518 metric tons in

1995. The leading crop is rice with Barangay Baringcucurong as the top
producer. The vase mountainous areas are planted with bananas,
camote, bamboo and bolo, mango, ipil-ipil, ginger, rambutan, coffee,
pineapple, cacao and tiger grass which is the material used for broom
making. Other crops produced are Virginia Tobacco, corn and
vegetables. These products are being produced in commercial scale. The
industry that is prevailing in the province is “basi making”. Other small
scale industries include vinegar making and broom making. Commercial
establishments such as sari-sari stores abound at most of the barangays
in the locality. The public market at SitioButac, Barangay Manatong which
was constructed in 1989 has turned the place into a trade and commerce
center where lowland traders sell their wares and buy products of the
highlanders as they go back in the lowland.

V. PAVILION CASE STUDY

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Serpentine Pavilion 2005: Alvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura's

Architectural Marvel

The Serpentine Pavilion is a prestigious annual architectural

commission in London's Kensington Gardens that has served as a platform
for some of the most prominent architects worldwide to showcase their
creative vision. In 2005, the renowned Portuguese architects Alvaro Siza
and Eduardo Souto de Moura joined forces to design a remarkable
structure for this esteemed project. Their collaboration on the Serpentine
Pavilion 2005 merged their unique architectural philosophies and
expertise, giving an extraordinary architectural wonder.
International architects Alvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura aimed
to create a simple structure that blended with Kensington Gardens'
natural beauty, providing visitors with a peaceful and immersive
experience. By emphasizing clean lines, minimalism, and tranquility and
removing unnecessary ornamentation, they allowed the design’s form to
use the play between light and shadows to take center stage.

Buchan Designs Australian Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka

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The designs for the Australian Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka,

Japan, have been unveiled by Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism.
Designed by global firm Buchan, the scheme celebrates Australia’s natural
beauty. Under the theme “Chasing the Sun,” the pavilion is aligned with
Expo's larger theme: developing and adopting the best practices to drive
sustainable co-creation. In essence, the theme is meant to capture the
confident optimism the nation possesses, inspiring creative solutions and
international cooperation.
Australia will participate in the next World Expo in Osaka from 13
April 2025 to 13 October 2025. Many other countries have announced
their participation at the Expo under the overarching theme “Designing
Future Society for our Lives,” with a master plan led by architect Sou
Fujimoto. The Nordic Countries Pavilion at Expo Osaka has revealed its
proposal designed by AMDL Circle. Their proposal takes a sustainable and
circular approach, as the structure is purposely designed for disassembly
and reuse. Mario Cucinella Architects has recently revealed images of the
proposed Italian Pavilion, imagined as a collaborative repository of Italian
expertise, artistic and scientific works. Finally, Apropos Architects won the
competition to design the Czech Republic Pavilion at the Universal World
Expo 2025 in Osaka. Their design encourages the visitor to preserve
his/her physical health.

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The Architecture and Design of the ZCB Bamboo Pavilion

The ZCB Bamboo Pavilion in Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong, is a good

example that was designed with this intent. A combined effort between
the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the Chinese University of Hong
Kong (CUHK), the design was led by Prof. Kristof Crolla at CUHK’s School
of Architecture along with a research team, working in conjunction with
different contractors. With a focus to promote the dying craftsmanship of
Bamboo Scaffolding Construction in Hong Kong, the project presented an
opportunity to consciously integrate bamboo as a primary material of
construction using modern-day tools of digital form-finding and real-time
physics simulation.

Additionally, the ZCB Bamboo Pavilion incorporates sustainable design

features that enhance the structure’s functional efficiency. The pavilion
integrates solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and natural
ventilation to minimize its environmental impact. These elements not only
contribute to the pavilion's eco-friendliness but also serve as educational
tools, inspiring visitors to adopt environmentally conscious practices.

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Philippine pavilion in Dubai Expo 2020 inspired by coral reefs,

diaspora, and dedicated to OFWs

The interiors of Bangkota will feature galleries showcasing Filipino

culture — our history, promise and progress, using online portals to
channel live updates through the pavilion exhibits. “This way, the pavilion
acts like a scope to the reality of Filipino culture today: fast-paced and
constantly moving; transforming the exhibit into a continuously changing
information hub. The past, present and future of the Philippines transition
chronologically and seamlessly, guided by design.”
Like the forms of bangkota, the pavilion is fluid, transparent (mesh
makes up the walls), open and flowing. It is divided into several areas that
include exhibits that showcase our ecosystem, local products, an artisanal
cafe and performances.

VI. REFERENCE

Wikipedia: Suyo, Ilocos Sur

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suyo,_Ilocos_Sur
Bago tribe of Ilocos Sur’s Namunganayan Festival
https://mb.com.ph/2018/12/13/bago-tribe-of-ilocos-surs-
namunganayan-festival/
Municipality of Suyo Ilocos Sur
https://www.suyoilocossur.gov.ph/history-of-suyo/

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Serpentine Pavilion 2005: Alvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura's

Architectural Marvel.
https://www.novatr.com/blog/serpentine-pavilion-2005

The Architecture and Design of the ZCB Bamboo Pavilion

https://www.novatr.com/blog/zcb-bamboo-pavilion-case-study

Buchan Designs Australian Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka

https://www.archdaily.com/1008978/buchan-designs-australian-
pavilion-at-expo-2025-in-osaka

Philippine pavilion in Dubai Expo 2020 inspired by coral reefs, diaspora,

and dedicated to OFWs by Tanya T. Lara - The Philippine Star
https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/modern-living/
2019/06/22/1928399/philippine-pavilion-dubai-expo-2020-inspired-
coral-reefs-diaspora-and-dedicated-ofws

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