Maestro de obras: Architecture in the Spanish Era

It was in the 16th century when Miguel de Lopez and the Spaniards claimed the Philippines as a colony of
their country. After being a colony of Spain within a span of 333 years. Many of their culture was
adapted here in our country, one if it was their architecture.

Spanish colonial architecture reflects Filipino identity mostly through the Religious Architecture. As what
the world knows, Philippines is the only Catholic country in Southeast Asia; thus, most of our structures
all over the archipelago were Catholic Churches due to the influence of Catholicism. Filipino Identity was
basically patterned from the Spanish.

During the late 16th century, Spaniards bordered the city with spiked log palacel, and built inside civic
and secular structures out of bamboo and fatch. After a while the stone walled metropolis, the Spanish
walled city, Intramuros, was erected.

Many of the structures that were built was heavily influenced by Spaniards. I think that one of the most
prominent are the Churches. We can see catholic churches in every corner of the Philippines. Most of
the colonial churches has parts like these: altar mayor; sagrario; altares menores; koro; and more.

Other than churches, many other architectural feats were adapted by our ancestors. One of this is
building houses or structures out of stone and tile. Another one is that one of the first building
regulations in the Philippines was implemented through a decree, made by King Philip II, called Law of
the Indes. I think that this also laid down the foundation for building codes here in the Philippines.

Another architectural advancement which I liked was the advancement from the bahay kubo to the
bahay bato. The bahay bato, which is an upgrade of the bahay kubo, was made out of adobe stone
bricks and wood. The bahay bato is safer and more resilient compared to the bahay kubo. I think that
most of the features of the bahay kubo was retained.

Many of the developments were made to establish the colony, improve the economy and protect the
territory. These are the forts and the railway

Structures for entertainment purposes are also built. The teatro and the sabungan was built for people
like illustrados to kill their time.

In the end, the legacy of Spanish colonialism gave Filipinos a trove of builtforms and architecture. I think
that if we were not colonized by Spain, Philippines and its architecture would have been very different
from what we have right now. I am also very thankful for the Spaniards for contributing such
monumental and beautiful edifices we have now.