The City who Had Two Navels

"Inspired by Filipino National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin's novel, "The Woman Who Had Two Navels," published in 1961, the Philippine Pavilion confronts the tension between the vicissitudes of the past and the challenges of constructing contemporary subjectivity. It highlights two "navels" that are in constant dialogue: the forces of colonialism and neoliberalism. The pavilion explores this relationship between the past and the future by focusing on the built environment as expression of self-determination and as setting for global and transnational revolution. The Philippine contribution to the Biennale seeks to interrogate architecture and urbanism's ability to empower and transform people's lives."