Reviving the City’s Legacy: Enverga University Reimagines Lucena Diorama for Museo de Lucena

In a meaningful collaboration that bridges art, heritage, and education, the City Government of Lucena—through the Lucena Council for Culture and the Arts (LCCA)—has partnered with the Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) to restore and revitalize the iconic Lucena City Scale Model (Diorama), a beloved exhibit centerpiece of the soon-to-reopen Museo de Lucena.

At the heart of this initiative is the College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA), led by Dean Ar. Jennifer S.A. Sanchez. Together with a select group of student-artists and architecture majors, the college has taken on the task of updating and enhancing the diorama to mirror the city’s present-day identity while retaining the craftsmanship and cultural value of the original model.

This project draws from a rich legacy—one that began with a team of CAFA alumni who designed and built the first iteration of the Lucena diorama several years ago. Today, three generations of CAFA graduates and students converge in this intergenerational creative effort, showcasing not only their technical skill but their deep connection to the city they call home.

The LCCA has entrusted MSEUF with a curated list of updated and emerging landmarks for incorporation into the model, ensuring the new version accurately reflects Lucena’s growth, development, and shifting cultural landscape. Housed within the refurbished Museo de Lucena, the updated diorama will offer residents and visitors an artistic and educational lens into the city’s evolution.

This community-based cultural investment exemplifies MSEUF’s role in championing local heritage through interdisciplinary collaboration. It is a powerful testament to the University’s commitment to civic engagement, cultural preservation, and transformative education—empowering students not just to learn within classrooms, but to help shape their city’s legacy through art and design.