Filipino Architecture

Module 3
Spanish Colonial Architecture
• Establish the importance of revisiting the Architectural character
of Spanish colonial architecture in the Philippines
• See the difference between Spanish colonial Architecture to
that of other Architectural style of a different era.
• The Spaniards discovered the Philippines in search for Spices
• The Spaniards established the first city in the Philippines
• In 1543 Ruy Lopez de Villalobos renamed the archipelago Las
Islas Filipinas in honor of King Phillip II of Spain
• In 1565, the first Hispanic settlement in the archipelago was
established
• Introduced Catholicism to Filipinos
• In 1571 The Spaniards established Manila at what is now
Intramuros, as the capital of the Spanish East Indies.
• Trade flourished because of the Manila – Acapulco Galleon
Trade.
• Literally translates to “within the walls”
• Was the seat of power during the Spanish occupation
• Houses important government buildings
• Attacks from Chinese and local pirates in Manila prompted the
construction of the citadel
• Construction began under Governor General Santiago De Vera
• The walls are designed and executed by Jesuit Priest Antonio
Sedeno
• Leonardo Iturriano, a Spanish military engineer specializing in
fortifications, headed the project
• The perimeter of the city is filled with defensive structures
• As some historians have suggested, religious or strategic reasons
may have been more important.
• Some assert that Spain kept the Philippines with the hope of
spreading Christianity into China
• while others argue that the Philippines’ central location in the
Pacific, near the colonies of other European powers, gave Spain
a naval advantage.
• Architecture in the Philippines is the result of natural
development enriched with the absorption of varied social,
cultural and religious influences. From the Spanish period to the
contemporary times, its development has been interwoven with
foreign features
As a result, Philippine architecture has acquired various definition
as follows;
1. A conglomeration of various architectures as a result of the
country’s cultural relationship with her neighbours and various
colonizers from the West;
As a result, Philippine architecture has acquired various definition
as follows;
2. Regionalized, due to its geographical condition and location;
As a result, Philippine architecture has acquired various definition
as follows;
2. Ethnic, due to the affinity it has with the Asian type of culture;
As a result, Philippine architecture has acquired various definition
as follows;
2. Folk, because of the mixture of pre-Western culture and
Western culture brought from Spain and America.

Folk architecture is the living environment

people have created for themselves
As a result, Philippine architecture has acquired various definition
as follows;
2. Folk, because of the mixture of pre-Western culture and
Western culture brought from Spain and America.

Folk architecture is the living environment

people have created for themselves
• Spanish Renaissance architecture
• Spanish Baroque architecture
• Spanish Colonial architecture
• Neoclassical Style
• Spanish Renaissance architecture
• Spanish Baroque architecture
• Spanish Colonial architecture
• Neoclassical Style
• Use of “human scale” (part of humanism)
Fear of blank spaces
• Churrigueresque
refers to a Spanish Baroque style of
elaborate sculptural
architectural ornament which emerged as a
manner of stucco
decoration in Spain in the late 17th century
and was used up to
about 1750, marked by extreme,
expressive and florid
decorative detailing, normally found above
the entrance on the main facade of a
building.
Named after the architect and sculptor,
José Benito de Churriguera (1665–1725)
Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church Daraga, Albay
Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva Miag-ao, Iloilo City
• The combination of the Native American and Moorish
decorative influences with an extremely expressive
interpretation of the Churrigueresque idiom may
account for the full-bodied and varied character of
the Baroque in the American colonies of Spain.
• Spanish Mission Architecture
• Spanish Mission Architecture
Danao City Church, Cebu
The structure is made from coral stones.
Neo classical Architecture
Basilica of Saint Martin of Tours, a.k.a. “Taal Basilica
Neo classical Architecture
Manila post office.
• Who designed/ planned/ construct churches before
“maestro de obras” or “architects” became the norm in
the Philippines?
• Generally, planning and construction of churches in the
Philipines were undertaken by the Spanish friars.
• In the book, THE FILIPINO HERITAGE, Fr. Pedro G.
Galende, OSA wrote in his article “Angelus in Stone”
that the reason for professional architects in assisting
the friars is explained by the following:
1. Distance of the Philippines from their country;
2. Uncertainty of the job;
3. Legends and stories about the Philippines;
4. Low salary
With the provisions set forth by the Laws of the Indies
clearly stated and with experiences learned from their
previous undertakings, the friars, armed with the desire
to convert the Filipinos to Christianity took the task of
building the imprints of the Catholic religion.
According to Fr. Pablo Fernandez, O.P. in his book, “History of the
Church in the Philippines”, funding for the construction of the
churches came from the following sources:
1. occasional funds from the government;
2. encomenderos who are residents of the area;
3. priest’s savings; and,
4. monetary tribute or contribution and manual labor of the town
people
The encomienda was a
labor system, rewarding
conquerors with the labor
of particular groups of
people.
Furthermore, according to Fr. Fernandez, the king of Spain, on his
part, provided a new church with;
- sacred furnishings;
- a chalice with its paten;
- a bell
- mass wine
- aciete (oil) for the sanctuary
- support services (repair of the churches, conventos, and
cemeteries)
References:

https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/the-history-of-
manilas-walled-city-of-intramuros/

http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com/2012/01/colonial-
architecture-in-philippines-1.html