MSEUF opens public-facing art and heritage spaces to foster inclusive city life

Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation advanced Sustainable Cities and Communities by activating open, publicly accessible venues for culture and learning, from CAFA’s open-air and studio exhibits to the relocation of Casa Segunda inside the University Village, giving students, faculty, and visitors easy ways to engage with art, design, and local heritage on campus in Lucena City.

On Feb. 12, 2024, the College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) staged Disenyo Debuho as an outdoor, walk-through gallery at the CAFA Building grounds, turning circulation spaces into a vibrant showcase of student architecture, painting, sculpture, and multimedia, an inclusive format that invited passersby to linger and learn. Dean Ar. Jennifer Sanchez and Foundation Anniversary chair Dr. Rosario Villamater led the opening with support from academic leaders and student government.

CAFA also keeps an on-campus Art Studio that routinely transforms into an exhibition space during foundation week, letting the public view curated student works and giving learners hands-on practice in curation, installation, critique, and public presentation, skills that connect creative production with community dialogue.

On Oct. 4, 2024, MSEUF unveiled Casa Segunda—one of Lucena’s most iconic ancestral homes—relocated and restored within the University Village along Enverga Boulevard. Designed as a living heritage hub, Casa Segunda now hosts classes, performances, and community events that celebrate Filipino identity and make culture easy to reach for campus guests and city residents.

Why this demonstrates commitment to SDG 11

The University's efforts emphasizes convenient access to the systems and places that enable inclusive urban life. By opening outdoor galleries, maintaining public-facing studios, and curating a heritage venue at the campus core, MSEUF lowers physical and social barriers to culture, supports walkable engagement along Enverga Boulevard, and builds the city’s shared capacity for learning, creativity, and civic participation.

MSEUF’s activation of arts and heritage spaces embodies the values of Mindfulness, Service, Excellence, Unity, and Fortitude: mindful reuse of spaces, service to the community through accessible programming, excellence in student outputs, unity with city heritage, and fortitude in preserving culture for future generations.