BANGKOTA Explained by Royal Pineda, Philippine Pavilion, World Expo, Dubai 2020

The Philippines@Expo 2020 Dubai: BANG - KÓ - TA
Bangkóta, the Philippines Pavilion at the 2020 Expo in Dubai is more than just an architectural masterpiece showcasing the Philippines. Woven within its undulating and free-flowing form is the 4,000-year journey and history of the Filipino people.
Designed by visionary architect Royal Pineda, the “Bangkóta is a living coral reef, pulsating with people, movement, activities, flora and water features, all functioning as one global ecosystem.” Measuring a total outdoor area of 1,268 square meters and 385 square meters of winding path, with a total landscaped area of 676 meters that includes water features, the Bangkóta is surrounded by a see-through and free-form wire mesh exoskeleton that shelters visitors from morning and afternoon sun.
In the same vein, the Bangkóta is a celebration of the Filipino creativity. This is the reason why an entire network of collaborators such as National Artist for Music Dr. Ramon Santos, visual maverick Avid Liongoren, and 10 of the country’s most prominent artists have been called upon to contribute their own interpretation of the Bangkota’s overarching theme of permeability, connectivity, and sustainability. With artists, designers, and creators lending their skills and talents, the Bangkóta is truly a product of the bayanihan spirit and a genuine example of design thinking that Filipinos can call their own.
The Bangkóta will open in Dubai on October 20, 2020.
FAQ:
1). What does bangkóta mean?
The Philippines’ participation revolves around the thematic concept: “bang-kó-ta” - the ancient Tagalog word for coral reef. The Philippines as coral reef is presented as a metaphorical microcosm of the Philippines - a glimpse of Filipinos as a creative, caring, and compassionate nation, connected by migration, technology, and travel.
2). How is your Pavilion connected to the identity of Expo and where is it located?
Located at the Sustainability District of the EXPO 2020 Dubai under the theme: “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” the Philippines Pavilion is not about grandiosity or spectacle. It is about exploration of a country’s untold history and deep culture that will immerse visitors in an enriching experience that will leave them, and the world, with a deeper understanding of who is The Global Filipino.
3). Why is the Philippines Pavilion represented as a Coral Reef?
The Philippines Pavilion was designed to resemble a coral reef or ‘bangkóta’ to reflect how Filipinos around the world are like polyps…they start as one polyp then connect with another until they form a bigger polyp creating communities in different parts of the world. This representation is most significant in the Middle East and UAE (where the Expo will happen) since this region has the biggest Filipino overseas population.
The natural, organic shape of the coral reef, or bangkóta will draw visitors to the Philippines Pavilion into defined, free-flowing, open spaces, reflecting how permeable Filipino culture is, embracing openness and meaningful encounters in any mileau or environment Filipinos find themselves in.
The multi-level structure is built on the philosophy of authenticity and the precept that Man is Nature, enabling visitors to experience the interaction of nature and man.
4). What is the national message of the Philippines Pavilion?
That Filipinos are the world’s most caring, compassionate, and deeply connected people
5). What can people expect to experience in your country pavilion?
There are four (4) reasons people should visit the Philippines Pavilion:

• Authentic architecture and pavilion design inspired by Nature
• A symphony of culture and technology expressed in multiple creative genres where Filipinos excel
• A delightful shopping adventure for traditional, contemporary, and practical luxury Philippine products
• An authentic Filipino food experience at the Mangrove Café
6). What message do you have for people planning to visit Expo 2020?
That the Philippines is a:
• Country of creative people with a compassionate and caring nature deeply connected in communities worldwide
• Beautiful country of panoramic destinations with a proud culture and heritage spanning 4,000 years
• Progressive nation rich in natural resources and skilled manpower
• Modern, vibrant and economy ready and open for business
7). What makes the Philippines Expo 2020 Dubai special among all the Expos the country has participated in the past years?
• The biggest Philippines Pavilion in Expo history at 3,163.25 sq. meters
• The first Design and Build Philippines Pavilion in Expo
 Natural audience base of 700,000 Filipinos in the UAE AND 1.2 M in the Middle East
• An outstanding representation of the Philippines Creative Industry Sector:
- Arts & Design
- Architecture
- Animation and Game Development
- Comics and Illustration
- Gastronomy
- Music and Photography
- Film & Performing Arts
- Fashion
- Advertising
- Object Design

[@sandrafefabicon6828]

Inspiring po Arch . Royal Pineda! Congratulations to all Filipino Architects UAP! OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BLESS YOU AND YOUR WHOLE FAMILY MORE PROSPERITY AND LONG LIFE GOOD HEALTH BOUNTIFUL FINANCIAL AND SPIRITUAL GRACES! 🇵🇬🇸🇽👍🏻🙏🙏🙏 MABUHAY!

[@jelamaepadilla7542]

im architecrture student , very awesome and congratulation po nakaka inspire maging pinoy. 🧡❤ napaka malalim na idea sana ganon din ako,pero kakayanin dahil napanood kita architect PINEDA 😍

[@LEARNINGSPACES]

Great sa galing..

[@ianph1518]

They should also promote Filipinos in Science and Technology, Innovations, Research and Development, AI and others to attract investments and create jobs. I like the concept though. It shows the journey of Filipinos and how far our history goes. I like the architecture and design. It just lacks the lighting show at night and design outside that was shown to look more like waves and colorful coral reefs in person based on the vlogs I watched. Expectation vs Reality.

[@michellegunda8910]

Wow Congratulations proud 🇵🇭🧡❤

[@bluenonix]

Interesting..!

[@jhesvermoi9537]

Nkaka inspire maging Filipino. 😍🇵🇭 More to see from you royal Pineda .galing ng concept. 👏

[@bennyeracho3923]

Why Bangkota? Sounds like Bangkok, Thailand!

[@junardsalvador9067]

Ang init jan.

[@theblessedone2731]

Grave kinawawa nyo lng Ph pavillion ..nakakaiyak at nakakaawa lalo na pag mapuntahan mo na ibang pavillion....huli ka na naman pilipinas

[@ferhan202]

D ko ma connect na nasa Pilipinas ako.

[@YowKona]

Bangkota is nothing compare to other pavilions 🤣😂

[@gyoboytoinks]

I think Filipinos should stop trying to prove our worthiness with other race. We are who we are and we should learn to first defeat our very own enemy - ourselves. Bad traits like jealousy and envy, crab mentality, being too proud and too loud. We should learn to Love our own people and our very own products more . Be united and help our government by supporting it instead of going against it regardless of whoever is in power. Love our own products. i think Bangkota is a good idea i hope it will give justice in representing the Filipinos to the world. I have to be there to see it myself then.

[@ritadominguez9588]

Why Pilipino folks dances not part of your cultural art to offer to the world?

[@abrahamjrgarcia7266]

Congratulations Royal at lahat ng kasama mo dito ! Malipat ba ito dito sa Pilipinas?

[@abrahamjrgarcia7266]

Yehey! This is going back to Clark pala. Sana mayroon din sa Visayas at sa Mindanao.

[@gyoboytoinks]

Yung interviewer- kapag nagtatanong ka dapat ang gesture mo hindi dapat kung saan saan nakatuon.

[@richardosorio8096]

Kung ito ay cultural talaga ,tutal ang nakapaligid ay holographic dapat ipakita ang mga native culture natin like banawe rice terraces or our island taga events ako mas magaganda pa din kami maicontribute jan na video

[@chloekeirsteenecamalig1236]

It’s not totally what I saw! Aatakihin ka sa puso don sa loob. It’s literally dark. I cannot even move my feet. It’s like a horror. Sorry but I was not happy to get inside. I was really disappointed 😢

[@ermabernal1383]

Hahahaha atakihin ka sa pagod din tas ang dilim pa

[@jaylucot8781]

I’m disappointed with the actual outcome of the 3d design …the lightning’s was not properly maintained, unswept floor, the materials used was not properly fit to what the 3d presented…pavilions should be a promotions of our country but not the designer itself.make it simple but more on highlighting the Philippine culture coz you can’t describe everything in just one big towering futuristic design.

[@dreamboy375]

Wait mga kabayan bago tayo mag comment about Dyan sa Pavillion nayan recently napanood ko Yung ibang pavilion ng Ibang bansa halos walang sinabi satin,talagang masasasabi ko Kung ano kalagayan ng sitwasyon ng ating bansa ay halos sumabasabay Lang sa pgiging simple ng pagawa nito sa pavilion kumbaga ang budget sa pagawa ay hindi masydong bongga,na hindi katulad sa mga Ibang bansa na halos mapapakibit balikat kanalang sa Ganda at kulay ng bawat style ng kanilang pavilion. Pasensya napo ang Akin ay opinión lamang sa pagkukumpara.✌️

[@ad5844]

Agree po. Ung design nya lang sa labas ung mejo ok. Saka ang ganda lang sa presentation dito pero sa personal sobrang kulang tlga. Hndi ka mapapawow. Apat or lima lang ujg main feature nya sa loob.

[@pamugasmusic4259]

Napaka sama ng itsura napaka walang kuwenta. Pati bilihin ang mahal pati pagkain. Hayyyy nalang pati ba naman diyan sa bangkota. Sayang talaga ang space ang panget talaga. Sorry opinyon ko lang. alam mo yung exited ka na makita ang pinag mamalaki ng Pinas tapos horor house sa pasig pala napasok mo. 😱😫😩

[@jaylucot8781]

The 3d render is too good but the actual itself were no longer attractive,…….

[@ferhan202]

D ako masyadong na impress, dko rin naintindihan kung ano yung nasa taas mahahaba ang lalakarin at maynaka hang na superhero 🤔

[@ermabernal1383]

Diko din na gets yon

[@pamugasmusic4259]

Anyare sa plano? Nawala yung budget? Napaka sama ng itsura compare sa presentation na ito. Nakakahiya sayang ang space sana maliit na pavilion nalang ginawa nyo. Wala naman pilipino creativity na lumabas diyan. 🧐

[@iskongbisaya]

hesosmaryosep, magaling lang kayo sa salita pero sa actual naku parang mosquito net yung porma at saka sa loob oarang haunted house... madilim ... expectation vs reality, napakalayo...

[@medeiapsyche]

Kulang na kulang. Hindi naipakita ang diversity ng Pilipinas. Ang yaman yaman ng Pilipinas sa kultura pero hindi niyo pinakita. Hindi namin ma-feel yung ganda ng Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Hindi niyo pinakita yung mismong culture. I mean, maganda rin naman yung mga artworks pero yung authenticity and uniqueness ng Filipino culture ay wala.

[@mhavz13]

Before I visited the Pavilion, i have heard a lot of negative feedbacks about the bangkota. YET i gave the benefit of the doubt and even asked my friends (different nationalities) maybe, in their point of you, they could appreciate it. Unfortunately, the same feedback from most of the filipinos who visited bangkota. UNDERWHELMED was the exact term! I visted last week and was very excited and positive that in some point, there will be something that could change the way I anticipated it. Sadly, to my dismay it was worst. All the plans and the explanation Architect, nasaan? it was a disaster. Unorganized, unwelcoming, and a waste of time! a Business Development Manager of one of the Biggest Travel Agencies in UAE even told us that, their brochures and tourism videos about how beautiful the Philippines were so much better than what the Bangkota made. The people incharged just wasted the millions of budget, with the flying Mascots and a blue pregnant alien outside the bangkota. Anong pinapakita ng bangkota sa buntis na yun? kung pano magbuntis ang mga Pilipino sa UAE at kung ilan ang nagagastos ng Pamahalaan para pauwiin cla o bayaran ang hospital bills nla bago cla ideport? The pathway to the imaginarium was really an imaginary path kasi wala kang makikita. you just have to imagine na ang napakahabang dinadaanan mo pataas ay road to ilocos, pikit ka lang hahahah with the smallest capiz shells on it na halos di mo namalita sa liit. Very Sad and disappointing! Saan na kaya napunta ang bilyon na budget? Added to the insult were the ushers and usherettes who cant even explain to you kung ano ang mga yun, saan makikita ang ganito at kung ano ang kahulugan ng mga to. They will just answer you HINDI KO PO ALAM. Madami lang pong tao, pressured lng kami. I'm sorry, pero napaka unprofessional. this is a global expo, not just a palengke. An honest option, Ikinayaman lang ni Architect to.

[@jmarquez3385]

Sorry pero nakakahiya yang pavillion natin,halatang tinipid parang kulungan ng manok ,

[@mhavz13]

Before I visited the Pavilion, i have heard a lot of negative feedbacks about the bangkota. YET i gave the benefit of the doubt and even asked my friends (different nationalities) maybe, in their point of you, they could appreciate it. Unfortunately, the same feedback from most of the filipinos who visited bangkota. UNDERWHELMED was the exact term! I visted last week and was very excited and positive that in some point, there will be something that could change the way I anticipated it. Sadly, to my dismay it was worst. All the plans and the explanation Architect, nasaan? it was a disaster. Unorganized, unwelcoming, and a waste of time! a Business Development Manager of one of the Biggest Travel Agencies in UAE even told us that, their brochures and tourism videos about how beautiful the Philippines were so much better than what the Bangkota made. The people incharged just wasted the millions of budget, with the flying Mascots and a blue pregnant alien outside the bangkota. Anong pinapakita ng bangkota sa buntis na yun? kung pano magbuntis ang mga Pilipino sa UAE at kung ilan ang nagagastos ng Pamahalaan para pauwiin cla o bayaran ang hospital bills nla bago cla ideport? The pathway to the imaginarium was really an imaginary path kasi wala kang makikita. you just have to imagine na ang napakahabang dinadaanan mo pataas ay road to ilocos, pikit ka lang hahahah with the smallest capiz shells on it na halos di mo namalita sa liit. Very Sad and disappointing! Saan na kaya napunta ang bilyon na budget? Added to the insult were the ushers and usherettes who cant even explain to you kung ano ang mga yun, saan makikita ang ganito at kung ano ang kahulugan ng mga to. They will just answer you HINDI KO PO ALAM. Madami lang pong tao, pressured lng kami. I'm sorry, pero napaka unprofessional. this is a global expo, not just a palengke. An honest option, Ikinayaman lang ni Architect to.