Biala, Christine Joyce G. 2 September 2015

ARCH 173

Reaction Paper:

BALAY-BALAY Ta!

“BALAY-BALAY Ta!” (Let’s Play

House!) is an exhibit in Abreeza Mall

Davao which showcases the BALAY-

BALAY 3D Architecture Puzzles which are

inspired by Maranao Torogan, one of the

richest forms of Mindanao Architecture.

Running from 28th of August to 5th

of September, this week-long exhibit

became possible with the partnership of

National Commission for Culture and the

Arts and Swito Designs.

Through the exhibit, the BALAY-

BALAY 3D Architecture Puzzles became

an interactive medium for kids to

subconsciously learn various ideas from

the toy, including what a torogan looks

like and how it is constructed, along with

the understanding of its different parts

and how they are connected to each

other. Targeted to the very young age

bracket, these children will also

subconsciously have initial ideas on how

building construction is sequenced. More

importantly, it may also help in fostering

young ones’ creativity derived and

inspired from the torogan form.

Although I have not attended

other schedules of the exhibit, I believe

of its success and that the prototype is

already one big step towards fostering of

children’s education on Mindanao

architecture while it encourages on

further development as an educational

material.