Project Title & Location
SITE OF THE CRY OF PUGAD LAWIN: START OF THE REVOLUTION
Barangay Bahay Toro, Project 8, Quezon City

Client
THE NATIONAL CENTENNIAL COMMISSION
Centerpoint Building, Garnet Road cor. Julia Vargas Ave., Pasig City

Project Completion
1998

Associated Firms
PROS A&E
ECT Engineers
Araña- Espina, LA

Services Provided
- Site development plan
- Community dialogues
- A&E services
- Landscaping services

Tearing one's cedula or identity card, which the Katipuneros did in a rainy day of August 1896, is not only a symbol of defiance. It is mainly an act of resolve to break out from the shackles of social bondage. The Katipuneros, in massing during those uncertain times not only sought their leaders to lead, but also, among themselves, looked forward to a changed future through social reforms. This is the underlying theme at Pugad Lawin. This is how the Cry at Pugad Lawin is seen one hundred years after the event.

Today the historic site is difficult to find from the main roads of Quezon City even if several institutions are in the vicinity. One will not see a huge open park. In the past, rice fields dominate the area with the Dario River clearly defining the place. It is said that the congregation area is marked by several Dapdap (Erythrina variegata) trees. There is one old Dapdap tree beside the river and west of the marked site.

To continue the motives of the historic event's reforms for social change, a program for urban renewal is included in the project. The city's socialized housing project in the area and the improvements at the Quezon City General Hospital besides the integration of the Ismael Mathay High School grounds with the historic park are the beginnings of the physical change. A civic group, the Pugad Lawin Foundation and the barangays around the site are leading in the socio-economic change of the community.

For the 1300-square meter park, over 30 life-size sculptures by the National Artist Abueva depict the actions during that memorable day. Other elements of the park include a ceremonial area with a 33-meter high flagpole, a storage for both school and commemorate activities and landscaped areas to clearly mark the place.