CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Island resorts have come a long way from the olden days when resorts were small

and modest in size and luxury. According to Malabay (nd), historically, ancient Romans

created a public leisure facility known as baths that could be used by both men and women

separately. Gradually, the baths evolved from their modest structure to include more

extravagant facilities. Evidence of hotels and hospitality industry have been recorded as far

back as biblical times when Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem during the census. The

first hotels were nothing more than private homes opened to the public.1

The nineteenth century saw the development of exclusive resort facilities offering

more privacy to the visitors. The wealthy people wished for private resort facilities and

Switzerland’s resort industry realized the lucrative business prospects of this idea. The first

resorts are created in Virginia and New York. Soon afterward, the concept of beach resorts

became immensely popular. The sea became a great place of recreation and beautiful beach

resorts mushroomed all over North America and the Carribean (Malabay, nd).

Many island nations depend on tourism and upswing in worldwide tourism can only

mean good news on the economic front in small, tourism-dependent island countries (Ashe,

2005). Hence, the more tourists that visit small island countries, there is pressure to develop
more resources to meet the increased demand. Most of these island nations comprise of

small islands with a very fragile environment (Jamal, 2007).

Philippines’ resort varies from place to place and what it may offer. But nowadays,

resorts also vary from what people need. People from overcrowded urban areas are

attracted by the relaxing and intact landscape of resorts. With this given, different Local

Government Units (LGUs) in the Philippines invest in hotels and resort projects resulting

to increase in the number of resorts in the Philippines. But thinking about how resorts can

evolve into something that will give new experience cannot be ignored (Malabay, nd).

The town of Matalom comprises only a small percentage of land area on a regional

scale but is endowed with disproportionately rich diversity of flora and fauna; heart-seizing

scenic beauty; diverse culture; ethnic etiquettes. The Canigao Island Resort serves as a

major source of the town’s income. The island serves both the local townsfolks and the

foreign and provides nature’s finest sights (Pamogas, 2019). The acting Tourism Officer

of the town said that it needs new accommodations as its demand is increasing rapidly.

Local and foreign tourists’ arrival demands urgent hotel accommodations though the

people in charge of the island still want to conserve their natural resources. With this

problem in hand, the researchers propose to improve a portion of the island’s land for the

construction of new structures.

The researchers have come up with a project that will take the island resort into a

higher level of design- a combination of accommodation structures, leisure amenities,

function halls, camping sites, landscape and lastly biomimicry that will contribute to the

eco-tourism of Matalom Leyte and also the socio-economic condition of the city. Because
of technological progress and the advancement of construction in biomimicry building and

resort designing, thorough research will be needed.

Biomimicry originally started in ancient times. People observed animals and

mimicked their shelter, survival behaviors, and hunting. Biomimicry became a field of

study in the late 20th century (Francesca, 2008). Though biomimicry has inspired human

innovations for decades, better technology and more nuanced research have enabled

increasingly complex adaptations.2

Biomimicry is somewhat unusual in the Philippines in terms of buildings. Filipinos

don’t notice that biomimicry is a part of their daily lives, for example, the airplanes, the

flippers used in scuba diving, etc. Now is the time to let people; especially the commoners

know that these little things can be applied to a building that results in a more

environmentally friendly movement (Malabay, nd). This thesis research proposal will be

an island resort that mimics nature and functions as one.

The proposal ELISII CAMPI: Redevelopment of Canigao Island Resort in Matalom

Leyte will be located on an island within the jurisdiction of the town of Matalom. The town

has experienced economic growth, evidenced by the presence of tourist destinations such

as waterfalls, caves, commercial banks, a variety of restaurants, Spanish-colonial old

structures and the Canigao Island Resort.

As stated, the Canigao Island Resort serves as the main source of income in the

town, the research seeks to enhance the existing amenities and facilities the island resort is

currently offering. It will give job opportunities for the unemployed people of the town and
those tourism-related graduates or professionals. The researchers believe that a chance to

redevelop the island resort in Matalom Leyte through biomimetic architecture will highly

attract tourists and will improve the local economy and tourism industry of the town.

The research will be conducted for the fulfillment of the course syllabus as well as

to satisfy the researchers’ proposal through biomimetic architecture that will cater to

tourists and lower class to upper-class Filipinos. One of the purposes of the research paper

is to study the doctrine and standard for the preparation of a biomimicry island resort. To

contribute to the redevelopment of not just the social but economic status of Matalom Leyte

through the evolution of Canigao Island Resort. Also, this paper will give

recommendations to encourage investors, businessmen, capital to invest in such projects.

Consequently, the researchers will limit the proposal in the town of Matalom. Therefore,

this research aims to identify the practices, policies and institutional forms used in

developing tourism consisting of resorts in public lands on uninhabited islands.

1.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The most common problem in the island includes limited availability of the

cottages; lack of clean water and electricity; non-existent of a clinic within the island; and

also the unattended scattered garbage found around the island and sometimes in the sea

.The LGU who is in charge in maintaining and regulating policies does not have a limit on

the number of tourists who are allowed to visit the island resulting to inadequacy of

facilities due to the large number of visitors. The purpose of the proposal is to find suitable
and sustainable approach to the existing problems in the Island. To aid in the design

formulation, the research study specifically aims to:

1. To analyse the site, study the topography, climate and the existing biodiversity in

Canigao Island.

2. To study the relevant laws on designing an island beach resort.

3. To study innovative methods in achieving sustainable design and management

solution suitable to the island habitation and existing biodiversity.

4. To study and incorporate the proper sanitation and waste disposal in our design.

5. To create a recreational environment within the island through variety of facilities

and functions for the enjoyment of the tourist controlled by the local management.

6. To create an interactive ground for locals and visitors so that there may be

interchangeable of ideas and cultural demonstration.

7. To create a sustainable design approach in redeveloping the Canigao Island Beach

Resort that can accommodate the needs and demands and also optimize the living

experience of tourists with the locals and nature without inflicting further damage

to the existing biodiversity within the islands and its surrounding waters.

1.2 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The town of Matalom is one of the few towns in Leyte that has inviting tourist

destinations. The Canigao Island Resort have been the major source of income in the town

over the years. Raising the economy of the town by enhancing the services of the island
while preserving the natural resource as well as providing job opportunities to the

unemployed are the primary goals of the study. The proposal seeks to enhance the different

types of accommodations by engaging innovative but sustainable design approaches. The

research study also aims to gather tourists as well as to encourage people to help promote

sustainable design solutions to lessen the impact of carbon footprints.

The research study also aims to promote Biomimetic architecture in the design and

construction of the buildings. Biomimetic architecture approaches are identified to be eco-

friendly and cost saving as they do not require installation and use of overpriced

mechanical systems due to them being self-sustaining. This in fact reduces significantly on

the environmental impacts ass less harmful refrigerants such as chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)

and greenhouse gases are being released into the atmosphere. Despite of its numerous

advantages, biomimetic design is not prominent to modern users and contemporary

architecture. Specifically, the outcome of the study will be beneficial to the following:

To the Society. One of the direct recipients of the output of the research study is

the general public itself. It will spark an interest in learning the importance of using

sustainable design approaches. Also, the proposal will accommodate the increasing

demands of the target end-users. Furthermore, it will increase the economy of Matalom

Leyte, hence, having enough or more than enough budget for future redevelopment,

development or other programs of the local government.

To the Government/LGU’s. The outcome of the research study will benefit the

local government involved. There are professionals and groups of people who are
authorized in promoting the sustainable design solutions. This would also serve as the

significance of the redevelopment of Canigao Island Resort in Matalom Leyte.

To the Researchers and Scientist. The research study of the redevelopment of

Canigao Island Resort using biomimetic architecture and its impact which will give insight

to the community regarding sustainable designs can become an inspiration for present

researchers and to the aspiring ones to pursue studies regarding natural sciences, marine

biology, forestry research and modern but sustainable innovations.

To the Architects. The research study will be beneficial to planners and designers

especially to those who find interest in designing structures that promote awareness and

knowledge towards modern innovations that are self-sustaining. Furthermore, this research

study can be used as a reference tool for the architects to obtain important planning and

design considerations regarding island beach resorts or any projects related to it.

To the Architecture students. This research study will serve as a guide in

replanning and redesigning an island beach resort or any associated projects and may as

well serve as a reference source in their future thesis research writing and applications.

This may also serve as an inspiration to them as future designers and planners.

To the Students in General. One of the direct recipients of the output of the

research study are students with special requirements related to natural sciences, marine

biology and forestry research.