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Submitted
July 18, 2024
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October 23, 2025
Published
November 30, 2025
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Abstract

The Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, holds religious monumental architecture (RMA) as a vital part of its cultural and spiritual heritage. This notwithstanding, little academic focus has been given to the meanings conveyed through such structures. This study examines the Porta Mariae in Naga City using Greimassian semiotics, a framework built upon structuralist semiotics for decoding architectural communication. This neoclassical arch, built a little over a decade ago to commemorate 300 years of Bikolano devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia and inspired by Roman triumphal arches and Catholic holy doors, has become a prominent city landmark and integral to Catholic rituals in Naga. This paper interprets the structure as a symbolic communication system, uncovering layers of meaning conveyed to pilgrims, devotees, and visitors that extend beyond its visual and architectural appeal. The investigation ultimately reveals the Porta Mariae as a dynamically communicative artifact embodying profound religious, cultural, and historical meanings, serving as a living symbol of Bicolano faith, heritage, and enduring identity.

Keywords

Bicol Peñafrancia Porta Mariae religious monumental architecture semiotics

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Copyright (c) 2025 Manuel Jr Diaz

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Author Biography

Manuel Jr Diaz, College of Computer Studies, Ateneo de Naga University, Philippines

The author is currently an adjunct faculty in the Graduate School, Ateneo de Naga University, in Naga City, Philippines, where he also served as Dean, College of Computer Studies; Director, ICT Center; and taught in the computer science, information technology, information management, and the digital arts and computer animation programs. He earned his BSc in Physics and BSc in Computer Engineering at the Ateneo de Manila University (Quezon City, Philippines), Master in Information Technology at Charles Sturt University (NSW Australia), Juris Doctor at University of Nueva Caceres (Naga City, Philippines), Graduate Certificate in Research Methods and Design at University of Canberra (ACT Australia), and Graduate Certificate in Data Science at the University of Newcastle (NSW Australia).

How to Cite
Diaz, M. J. (2025). A Semiotic Investigation of the Porta Mariae as a Religious Monumental Architecture. Journal of Architectural Research and Design Studies, 9(2), 201–220. https://doi.org/10.20885/jars.vol9.iss2.art8
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