In the heart of Mindanao, five young architecture students from Ateneo de Davao University imagined more than just an airport. They envisioned a gateway that tells the story of an island, its history, its mystique and its future.
What began as a final project in Architectural Design has now become an internationally recognized concept: the “Siquijor Domestic Airport,” a visionary proposal that earned recognition at the TFT Global Student Competition 2026.
For Katelin Shane Baguio and Jeanne Gionzon, who represented their team composed of Jahzara Andoy, Chelsea Romano, and Kenneth Fujinaka, the achievement still feels surreal.
“We are beyond grateful for this achievement and opportunity. Our group takes pride and honor in representing both Ateneo de Davao and the Filipino drive to innovate a better space for the people,” they said.
Guiding them throughout the process was mentor John Paul Aloy, whose encouragement pushed the students to submit their work beyond the classroom.
Their proposed airport design is a cultural landmark rooted deeply in the identity of Siquijor, an island long known for its white-sand beaches, folklore, healing traditions, and quiet enchantment.
While many travelers reach Siquijor only by sea, the students saw an opportunity to transform accessibility without sacrificing the island’s soul.
“Our project aims to improve convenience, sustainable growth, and design a gateway that reflects the local identity of Siquijor,” the team explained.
Their inspiration came from the ancient ceramic fragments discovered in the island during the 1920s by American anthropologist Carl E. Guthe during a University of Michigan expedition.
“At first, we were inspired by airport architecture in Bhutan,” the students recalled. “However, as the design process progressed, the concept evolved into a much more deeper exploration of local identity and its history.”
The airport’s spatial organization also carries symbolic meaning. Drawing from the Filipino concepts of Kaitaasan (sky), Lupa (earth), and Kailaliman (underworld), the structure was designed as a journey through realms. Service and parking areas ground the building below, public terminal spaces occupy the middle plane where people gather and connect, while the upper levels represent ascent.
Yet beyond aesthetics, the proposal addresses a real challenge.
Despite Siquijor’s growing popularity among tourists, limited air connectivity continues to hinder access. The island’s existing airport accommodates small commercial flights each week, leaving most visitors dependent on ferry travel.
The students believed better connectivity could unlock economic opportunities for the province.
“Unlocking Siquijor’s potential by distributing tourism more evenly across the archipelago and contributing to a broader appreciation of the Philippines’ diverse island culture,” they added.
Their story is proof that innovation does not always begin in massive studios or global capitals. Sometimes, it starts inside a university classroom, with students daring to imagine what their country could become.
And somewhere between the mountains and seas of Siquijor, five young architects have already built the blueprint of that future.
