A blog entry from Tukhbatulin Anatoliy of Russia

Anatoly shares his thoughts....

“PACIFIC RIM SALINLAHI PARK”

Целый месяц команда преподавателей и студентов Института архитектуры искусства и дизайна провела на Филиппинах. С 5 по 30 мая 2009 года в г. Пуэрто-Принцеса международный коллектив из пяти стран (Россия, США, Китай, Филиппины, Южная Корея) возводил парк дружбы и сотрудничества народов тихоокеанского региона “Pacific Rim Salinlahi Park”. Россию представляла группа из 5 человек - преподаватели Анатолий Николаевич Тухбатулин и Алексей Валерьевич Парняков, студентки Ольга Зверева и Александра Моторина, а также выпускница ВУЗа архитектор Елена Гончарова.
Это уже пятый парк, в воплощении которого ДВГТУ принимает непосредственное участие. Ранее были построены парки в г.Владивостоке, 1994 г.; в г.Сан-Диего, США, 1998 г.; в г.Янтай, 2001 г.; в г.Тихуана, Мексика, 2004 г.
Во Владивостоке парк «Души и земли», первый из серии парков, располагается на территории Дальневосточного государственного технического университета, рядом с видовой площадкой у Молодёжного центра ДВГТУ.
Филиппинский парк представляет собой композицию из малых архитектурных форм. Главным элементом композиции является шестиметровая сферическая арка – символ ворот или окна в океан. Одна из стен арки словно волна обнимает жемчужину, выполненную в мозаике. Уровни террас и ступени отделаны природными камнями разного цвета и формы, создавая на поверхности своеобразный орнамент. Другими элементами парка являются пергала, скамьи для отдыха и тропа, связывающая парк с береговой зоной. Фрагменты цветной мозаики присутствуют на различных элементах парка. Территория озеленена плетущимися и другими декоративными посадками, а высаженные деревья создадут приятную тень в местах отдыха посетителей.
Немало трудностей поджидало участников в процессе строительства – это и тропический климат с палящим солнцем и проливными дождями, и назойливые москиты, и трудовые мозоли. Тем не менее, парк был построен в срок. Даже дождь не омрачил церемонию открытия монумента, на которой присутствовал сам мэр города.
Строительство следующего парка запланировано в Южной Корее уже в 2010 году.

Приглашаем посетить наш сайт: www.prppearl.blogspot.com

MEMORIES of the 5th Pacific Rim Friendship Park

More unseen photos of the group :)














To Jim and Kyle and to all the participants, I just want to say that its a big privilege to be your photographer and to document every single aspect of the Pacific Rim Salinlahi Park. Its not only the photographs that matters but the friendship I made with you all. Your dedication and enthusiasm will inspire me always.

Cheers to all your hardwork and for the job well done. :)
-SARAH

To see more photos of Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan click HERE

(photos taken using the Horizon Kompakt camera)

A blog entry from Patrick Manlangit of the Philippines

Patrick shares his thoughts.....

The Salinlahi Park of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines was true to its name in uniting different countries into one Pacific Rim. Salinlahi, is a Filipino word, which means, “One Race”, which is used in the Philippines for its diverse culture and influences that seeks to establish as one Filipino nation. It also fits in a broader perspective of the Pacific Rim countries, for it expressed the need for mutual friendship and shared cultural experiences among each nation.

The whole activity had provided us a new perspective in thinking and building ideas. In the design process, it gave us a different outlook in design unlike what we are used to do in the architectural school. It had taught us in broadening our creativity and searching for the “genius loci” or “feel of the place” that would best expressed the nature of Palawan, the Philippines and the Pacific Rim countries. Creativity and imagination came first and then the technical and scientific aspects followed which made our design much more creative and enriching. Moreover, the use of clay, as a tool in expressing our design in 3 dimensional, makes our design flexible and dynamic in the sense that both drawing and model interrelates with each other. In this way, it became an interactive way of learning and appreciation of the design in a scaled model.

The building process was the most challenging part of the program. It was my first time to experience real construction wherein we will be the one to build the design that we have made up. I also learned a lot from the experiences that goes beyond what the four-cornered classroom taught us. I appreciate the materials like the metal bars, level tool, the cement mixer and many other things that are necessary for the completion of the structure. I remembered what James Hubbell told us that, “The metal bars are the natural French curves in construction. They formed natural smooth curves.” I realized that in construction, it does not need to be rigid in the sense that, it will strictly follow what the plan said, but it is dynamic and flexible depending on what best suits the overall design.

It is not only the architectural knowledge and ideas that we have shared with one another, but also the richness of culture and mutual enjoyment we have experienced together as one Pacific. It gave me a fresh outlook on the different culture beyond the Philippines and learned to appreciate the diversity of different nations and build long-lasting friendship with our fellow Pacific rim countries.

Patrick Manlangit is a 3rd Year Bachelor of Landscape Architecture student of the University of the Philippines.

Day 28 - The BIG DAY!

The Pacific Rim Salinlahi Park was officially dedicated to the City of Puerto Prinsesa.

Cheers to all the hardwork, dedication and commitment to everyone involved.

A blog entry from Emilie Ledieu of America

It is said that to give is to receive, and at this very moment I believe that we, as a group, are all feeling this notion strongly. We are giving the gift of a park, a park which most of us will not be able to visit or use frequently. However, in exchange, we receive two of the greatest and most unique of gifts: this special time and each other.

We have strung yet another pearl onto this beautiful necklace surrounding the majestic Pacific Ocean. I know that whenever life brings us near this water again, we will look out onto its power and remember this remarkable time. It has been a time of learning on the highest of levels. In this classroom like no other we have gained knowledge not only from our teachers (Jim and Kyle), but from the materials we build with (the cement, the steel, the tiles, and all of the tools), the land we are building on (with its wonderfully diverse flora/fauna and enchanting view), the ocean (with its endlessly inspiring horizon), and, perhaps most importantly, we learn invaluable lessons from each other (as individuals and as representatives of our culture).

We may be giving a gift of a pearl and its park to Puerto Princesa, but I genuinely believe that we have become the clams, each with a newfound and stubborn piece of sand slowly and patiently growing into a pearl deep within. The Pacific Rim Parks house the physical pearls, but now our hearts and souls carry pearls as well. Therefore, we are receiving a gift; a gift which will stay with us for the rest of our lives. As we share the magic of our individual pearls with the world around us, the necklace continues to grow, change, and inspire. This is how the Pacific Rim Park project can bring a bit of peace to the world, as it has clearly already brought friendship. This wondrous strand of pearls reaches far beyond the pacific; it reaches the four corners of the world.

We have all struggled, at times, throughout the last month. There have been minor injuries, illness, some bruises, many aches, and maybe even a bit of homesickness. With this said, today when taking a moment to soak in this magnificent white arch that we have built, poised on a ridge and ready to take flight out onto the Pacific, any and all adversity melted away…flew away on its precious wings. The only feelings remaining were awe and complete peace. Today peace was made in the form of a park.

Emilie Ledieu is a mosaic artist from Philadelphia, USA.

Day 27 - Tomorrow is the BIG day!!!!!!

We have a name already!!!!
"Pacific Rim Salinlahi Park"

The Outdoor Banner Project of CANVAS was installed using the bamboo polls. Executive Director Gigo Alampay jumps for joy.


Then the rest of the day was spent doing the planting and landscaping of the park.

The staff of NCCC shopping Mall headed by Engineer Jusette Cortes were there for the day to help.


Then its time to celebrate the team's achievement. :)

Day 26 - The Last TWO Days :)

Two more days before the final launch and we are positive that we will FINISH everything on time.

They finished painting the arc with white paint.


The highlight of the park - the black blue pearl - was done using mosaic tiles.


Big trucks came to help bring more sand and level the land area.


Horticulturists from Puerto Prinsesa visited the site to check the soil condition and the delivery of plants also came.


In the afternoon they started doing the wood work for the trellis.

They put so much love and hardwork for this park and now that we are counting the days we are hoping that everything will fall into place. :)