The Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium redefines the role of a civic stadium, transforming it from a venue used only during sporting events into a vibrant public destination woven into the everyday life of Laoag City. With a capacity of 12,000, the track and field stadium occupies a prominent site at the city's civic core, beside Mariano Marcos State University and directly across from Rizal Park. More than an athletic facility, it is conceived as an open, inclusive landscape where sports, recreation, culture, and community come together.

Its most distinctive feature is the open southern edge, where the stadium unfolds into an amphitheater and gently sloping lawn that seamlessly connect to Rizal Park. Rather than enclosing activity behind gates, the design removes physical and visual barriers, extending the public realm and increasing the city's accessible open space by nearly 200 percent. The result is a place that remains active beyond sporting events—serving as an extension of the park, a social commons for the city, and an everyday destination for students, residents, and visitors alike.

The project marks a remarkable story of urban regeneration. Once an aging and underutilized facility, the stadium has been transformed into one of Ilocos Norte's most active civic spaces, revitalizing both the site and its surrounding neighborhood. The former roadway along the eastern edge has been converted into a pedestrian promenade that strengthens the connection to Mariano Marcos State University, allowing students to move freely between campus and stadium. Beneath the grandstands, covered warm-up tracks remain open to the public, ensuring the facility serves athletes and casual users alike. On weekdays, students gather before and after classes to exercise, meet friends, or simply relax. On weekends, families, joggers, and visitors fill the grounds with picnics, leisurely walks, and community activities. The stadium has become more than a sports venue—it is a catalyst for everyday social life and a powerful example of how public architecture can reconnect communities.

Architecturally, the stadium embraces a restrained yet expressive language rooted in local identity. Its iconic open-bowl form is wrapped in a corrugated PVC façade and canopy that reinterpret the familiar rhythm of corrugated metal roofs found throughout Ilocos Norte. Slender, curving steel columns rise gracefully before tapering into the roof structure, giving the building a sense of lightness and movement while framing a distinctive silhouette on the city's skyline.

The façade also serves as a contemporary tribute to Abel Iloko, the region's celebrated handwoven textile tradition. Inspired by the Binakol weave, its layered geometric pattern translates the textile's distinctive optical illusion into architecture, creating a façade that is both culturally meaningful and visually dynamic. Abel accompanies the Ilokano people throughout life's milestones—from birth and marriage to death—making it a powerful symbol of heritage, craftsmanship, and continuity. By reinterpreting this enduring tradition at an architectural scale, the stadium becomes not only a place for sport, but also a celebration of Ilocano identity.

The Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium demonstrates how architecture can extend beyond function to become a lasting civic landmark. By merging sport, public life, and cultural heritage into a single destination, it transforms a once-forgotten site into an inclusive urban space that reflects the character of Ilocos Norte while enriching the daily lives of its community.