PAMPANGA - In a major milestone for Central Luzon's design industry, InnovArc Design & Construction, a Pampanga-based firm, won prestigious recognition at the 2026 Haligi ng Dangal Awards. The firm's breakthrough project, "The Capital Commons," was awarded the Citation of Merit under the Architecture and Allied Arts - People's Choice Award (Professional Category) . The grand awards ceremony was organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through the National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts (NCAAA) and took place on October 3, 2026, in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
Designing with Cultural Identity
The award-winning "The Capital Commons" project was spearheaded by Principal Architect Justine Amor Garcia of Bacolor, Pampanga, alongside Chief Operating Architect Paul Soliman. The Haligi ng Dangal Awards serve as a premier state recognition honoring completed architectural and design works that seamlessly blend modern infrastructure with Filipino cultural values, national identity, and community connection. According to Ar. Garcia, "The Capital Commons" was intentionally designed to create meaningful, culturally integrated public spaces that resonate deeply with the local community. "The Capital Commons aims to create spaces that are full of meaning, deeply connected to our local culture, and built to foster a strong sense of community," shared Ar. Garcia in October 2026.
Sustaining the Kapampangan Creative Wave
This landmark victory further solidifies Pampanga's reputation as a booming hub for world-class design talent. The firm's win highlights a growing group of Kapampangan visionaries shaping contemporary Philippine architecture. By securing the People's Choice Award through public voting, InnovArc's creation proved to be a popular everyday built space that directly touches the hearts of Filipinos while maintaining elite professional design standards. Following their national win, the InnovArc team expressed deep gratitude to their fellow Kabubayan (provincial mates) for the outpouring of support, using the achievement to advocate for more community-centric and collaborative spaces across Central Luzon. The NCCA Haligi ng Dangal Awards are conferred annually upon licensed Filipino professionals in fields including Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Design, and Urban and Environmental Planning. It honors spaces that dramatically improve the built environment while showcasing the ingenuity of the Filipino spirit.
