eskwela, escuela, school
In a church complex, a building intended for
educational studies especially of kids.
baptisteryo, baptisterio, baptistery
An independent structure or a space near
the church's entrance, or at the first level of
the bell tower, which is dedicated for
baptism.
kumbento, convento,
convent
A building, either attached or beside a
church, that serves as residence of the
parish priest.
patyo ng simbahan, plaza iglesia, church
plaza
is
The huge open space in front of the church
intended for religious activities or
ceremonies. The church plaza is usually
enclosed with a low perimeter stone wall
and sometimes has via crucis (way of the
cross) carved on the perimeter wall.
simbahan, iglesia, church
An edifice or place of Christian worship.
kampanaryo, campanario, belltower
A tower that is either attached or at a
distance from the church; supports one or
more bells.
katedral, catedral, cathedral
The principal church of a diocese housing
the cathedra or bishop's throne.
edipisyo, edificio, edifice
A building, usually large in size, with
massive structure and an
imposing appearance.
torre del reloj, tower clock
A term used to refer to the tower or
belltower with a clock.
alkoba, alcove, alcove
A small room, often as transition space of a
much larger room.
apse
The semi-circular space adjacent to the
church's altar.
gitnang pasilyo, nave central, central
nave
Originated from the Latin word "navis,"
meaning "ship," it is the central aisle of the
church flankea by rows of pews. It probably
symbolizes the faithful journey in life
through the direction of the church and
guidance of God.
pangunahing pasukan, portal principal,
main
entrance
The huge, often richly carved with
ornamentation, front door... of a church. It is
provided with a secondary small door along
its leaf called "postigo" that serves as
service door.
arkada, arcada, arcade
The row of columns with arches which
separate the side aisle from the nave.
kapilya, capilla, chapel
A room in a church containing an altar
intended for private prayer and small
religious services.
altar, altar mayor, main altar
A raised structure, usually a rectangular
table or stone slab, for religious rites. The
main altar is located at the end of the nave
and is the visual focus during worship.

altar colateral, side altar
A secondary altar located on both sides or
beside the main altar.
fortress church
A church built with fortification for defensive
purposes in times of strife.
kampanaryo, campanario, bell tower
A tower that is either attached or at a
distance from the church supporting one or
more bells.
balon, poso, well
A hole dug into the ground serving as fresh
groundwater collector used for drinking and
other purposes.
parapeto, parapeto, parapet/embrasure
The low protective wall above the fort's
rampart with regular alteration of merlons
and crenels as opening for canon's fire and
defense.
muro cortina, curtain wall
The fortified perimeter wall of a fort between
bastions or towers.
depensang pader, enceinte, defensive
wall
The defensive fortified wall that protects a
church or town.
balwarte, baluarte, bastion
A projecting part of the fortification, round or
polygonal in plan, intended to have a
number of firing direction for both cannon
and other weapons to defend the adjacent
perimeter.
Parish Church
A church strategically built at the heart of
the town and plaza. It is intended for a
particular ecclesiastical unit, such as city or
town, and under the jurisdiction of the
resident priest assigned by the bishop.
parokya, parroquia, parish
The place, usually the siyudad (ciudad, city)
or bayan (pueblos, town) including its
adjoining baryos (barrios, barrios) and
bisitas (visitas, remote areas) that is under
the religious jurisdiction of a resident priest.
baptisteryo, baptisterio, baptistry
A space near the church's entrance or at the
first level of the bell tower which is
dedicated for baptism.
pasilyo, pasillo, aisle
The longitudinal secondary corridor
between the church's pews that flank the
nave.
pulpito, pulpito, pulpit
An elevated enclosed stand : attached to a
wall along the congregation area with
accessible flight of steps intended for the
priest's sermon.
dawdawan, pila de agua bendita, stoup
A basin for holy water located near the
entrance either in freestanding structure,
attached or carved out in a wall or pillar.
benditahan, pila bautismal, baptismal
font
A stone vessel at the baptistry which
contains holy water used in baptism.
The following are usually found inside a
Roman Catholic Church:
aranya, araña, chandelier atril, atril, lectern
badaho, badajo, bell clapper
bangko, banco, bench
blandon, blandon, large church candlestick
blandonsilyo, blandoncillo, small church
candlestick rebulto,
rebulto, carved religious image
canojeria, chest to keep vestment in the
sacristy
kalis, caliz, chalice
kandelero, candelero, candlestick
komoda, comoda, cabinet with drawers
kumpisalan, confesionario, confessional
krusipiho, crucifijo, crucifix
custodia, monstrance
facistol, a stand
kontrapuwerte, contrafuerte, buttress
A vertical mass of masonry built on the
exterior side of the wall for support and
stability.
templete, urn
The vase-shaped ornament in bricks or
stone, placed above an entablature or in a
belltower as a crowning element.
sakristiya, sacristia, sacristy
A room near the presbytery or behind the
altar where the sacred vessels, ornaments
and robes including the priest's vest and
other paraphernalia used in liturgical
services are kept.
kumbento, convento/casa parroquial,
rectory
A structure adjacent or adjoining a Parish
Church with offices for religious function on
the lower floor and place of residence for
the priests on the upper floor.
Kuta, Fuerte, Fort
A strong defensive place, intended for
military troops, enclosed with ditches and
ramparts and protected by bastions and
bartizans
Puerta de Santiago, Fort Santiago Gate
The imposing ornamental entrance gate of
Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila
bodega ng pulbura, almacen de polvora,
gunpowder storage
A structure for the storage of gunpowder,
which is often near the main terreplein.
kalsadang pang-patrolya, camino de
ronda, gangway
A continuous passageway along the
perimeter of the fortified wall used for
patrolling and communicating
garita, garita, bartizan
A small tower at the upper corner of the
fortified wall or bastion as
Lookout.
balwarte, baluarte, bastion
A projecting part of the
fortification, round or polygonal in plan,
intended to have a number of firing direction
for both cannon and other weapons to
defend the adjacent perimeter.
crenel
The opening between merlons along the
parapet that allows a cannon to fire through
it.
parapeto, parapeto, parapet/embrasure
The fortified parapet wall with alternate
merlons and crenels intended for defense
and as wall decorative motif.
cara, face
The two outer sides of the bastions or
minibastion that meet to form a V-shaped
outwork.
\
merlon, merlon
The thick solid part of the parapet between
crenels or embrasures.
terreplein
The levelled, top platform of a bastion or
semibastion where cannons are mounted.
flanco, flank
s The portion of the bastion or a minibastion
that protrudes beyond the curtain.
epaule
The corner of a bastion or semi bastion
where the face and flank
Meet.
escarpa, escarp
The outer slope of a rampart or fortified wall.
mowt, foso, moat A wide, deep trench
surrounding the rampart of a fortified place
that is usually filled with water.
plasa ng militar, plaza de armas, military
plaza
An open space within the fortified walls for
military activities such as drills and
formations.
Intramuros, fortress city
The center of civic and ecclesiastic rule
during the Spanish period with the capital
city surrounded by a strong, defensive wall
for protection and a military fort at the mouth
of the Pasig River.
ilog, rio, river
A natural stream of water collected from the
precipitation of hills and uplands towards
thesea.
beaterio, beaterio, orphanage
A structure under a religious order which
provides care for the orphans.
ospital, hospital, hospital
A building used to give medical and surgical
care to the sick and
Injured.
tulay, puente, bridge
A structure built above an obstacle or
depression, enabling passage of a pathway
or roadway.
balwarte, baluarte, bastion
A projecting part of the fortification, round or
polygonal in plan, intended to have a
number of firing direction for both cannon
and other weapons to defend the adjacent
perimeter.
eskwela, escuela, school
A building or complex devoted for
educational studies at differentiated levels.
Schools in Intramuros during the Hispanic
Period reached to a total of ten and were all
managed by religious groups.
monasteryo, monasterio, monastery
A building where religious people, monks or
nuns, retire from the world for prayer and
contemplation.
adwana, aduana, custom house
A building designated for the payment of
customs and duties and where vessels are
entered and cleared.
embarcadero, embarcadero,
embarcadero
An area used as a landing place for ships
and other water vessels.
ayuntamyento, ayuntamiento/cabildo,
city hall
The chief administrative building with offices
for both the gobernador-heneral (head of
the country) and the alcalde (head of the
city) with their regidores (councilors).
Ayuntamiento of Manila has also space for
the prison.
almasenes, almacenes, storehouse
A building constructed near a port for
storing goods or a space inside civic
building, like casa real, to store tributes in
form of goods.
bodega ng armas, maestranza, arsenal
A building for both manufacturing and
storing weapons and ammunitions.
- kumbento, convento,
convent A building, either attached or
beside a church, that serves as residence of
the parish priest.
simbahan, iglesia, church
An edifice or place of Christian worship. In
Intramuros, a total of eight churches were
built, namely: Capuchino, San Francisco,
Venerable Orden Tercera, Sagrario,
Recoletos, San Agustin and San Ignacio
Churches
Parian
Originally refers to a Chinese ghetto, a
place of residence, business and trade for
the Chinese settlers or merchants.
maliit na balwarte, baluartillo,
minibastion
A smaller bastion distributed along the
ramparts.
muralya, muralla, rampart
The elevated fortified wall, usually with
sloping facing wall, parapet and gangway,
connected to the fort and bastions.
arsobispado, arzobispado,
The official residence of the Roman Catholic
Archbishop of Manila.
katedral, catedral, cathedral
The principal church of a diocese containing
a "cathedra" or bishop's throne
plasa mayor, plaza mayor, main plaza
An open public square that is
adjacent to both
major roads and prestigious civic and
religious buildings. The plaza mayor of
Intramuros is called Plaza Roma
kuta, fuerte, fort
A strong, defensive place intended for
military troops. It is enclosed with ditches
and ramparts and protected by bastions and
bartizans.
mowt, foso, moat
A wide, deep trench surrounding the
rampart of a fortified place that is usually
filled with water.
baryo, barrio, barrio
A district, containing a neighborhood or area
that
forms a relatively self-contained social unit.
Intramuros, Manila has four barrios, namely:
San Antonio, San Carlos, San Gabriel and
San Luis.
rebelin, revellin, ravelin
A V-shaped defensive elevated structure,
detached from the rampart and provided
with its own ammunition serving as outside
protection of rampart and main gate/portal.
puerta, puerta, portal
An imposing entrance, often ornamental,
wide enough as passage for both
pedestrian and wheeled vehicles. The
fortified wall of Intramuros has eight main
portals which include Real, Sta. Lucia,
Almacenes, Aduana, Sto. Domingo, Isabell
II, Postigo, and Parian.

SPANISH COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE

BAHAY-NA-BATO
The bahay na bato is a Filipino structure developed during the Spanish colonial era, adapted
from the vernacular bahay kubo as evidenced by its skeletal structure being a house on stilts.
It is one of the many architecture throughout the Spanish Empire known as Arquitectura
mestiza.

ARQUITECTURA MESTIZA
The style is a hybrid of Austronesian, Spanish, and Chinese; and later, with early 20th-century
American architecture.

BAHAY-NA-BATO
Unique to with the house is the use of the bintanang capis (capiz windows) and extensive use of
sustainable elements such as double facade, wide eaves and awnings, louvers, floor to ceiling
operable walls and partitions to maximize natural daylighting and ventilation, cross and stack
ventilation systems, an open courtyard as sun and wind catchers.

FEATURES
Protective Elements
● Hipped roof pitched steeply from 30° to 60° with ceiling height from 3.00m to 4.50m
● Clay tile and nipa but later revised by GI sheets
● Overhang eaves surround the house
● Roof vent are provided for air ventilation

Circulatory Elements
● Approach to 2nd floor is through a grand stairway of 2.00m wide. First 3 is made of
marble and rest of wood with handrails of carved wooden baluster (barandillas)
● Window - sliding panels with capiz shells or wooden jalousies (persianas)
● Smaller ventanillas are placed below the large window sill and often with grilles
● Window awnings (tapancos or media aguas) were placed over the window openings for
additional protection
● Tracery (calados) – continuous air circulation in the interior found in the upper wall above
the window
Ground Floor Plan

Zaguan - carriages and saint’s float (andas) are kept

Bodega - a storage room for keeping old furniture and play bins
Aljibe - water cistern found underneath the azotea
Cuadra - the horse stable
Entresuelo - mezzanine elevates at about a meter from the ground and found underneath the
master bedroom
Patio - an enclosed courtyard open to the sky and adjacent to the zaguan

Second Floor Plan

Caida - the most immediate room from the stairs used for entertaining guests
Sala - the living room where balls and dances are held during special occasions
Cuarto, Alcoba, Dormitorio - bedroom
Volada, Balcony - overhanging balcony
Comedor - kitchen
Dispensa - pantry; adjacent to the kitchen for food storage
Comun, Latrina - toilet that is adjacent to the service area
Banyo, Paliguan - bathroom built separately
Azotea - open terrace

REGIONAL VARIANTS

Manila - has some of the most diverse styles and materials of bahay na bato, ranging from the
early period of Spanish colonization to the American era
North Luzon - Northern Luzon has some of the best preserved bahay na bato in the whole
Philippines.
Calabarzon - region with some of the most thoroughly- preserved heritage houses, built mostly
using adobe stones.
Central Luzon - Bahay na bato in Bulacan and many in Central Luzon are famous for their
carvings
Visayan - Most bahay na bato in Visayas uses coral stone material though many are still adobe
and bricks. Cebu, Bohol, Negros and Iloilo are famous for their bahay na bato houses.

CHURCHES
Spanish Colonial Architecture
Characteristics
Simple, patterned after early Christian types
Linear Plan,Latin Cross, Plan Greek Cross
Thick walls reinforced with heavy buttresses for earthquakes protection Materials used include:
volcanic tuff (adobe), hardened lava, volcanic ejecta, sandstone, river boulders, clay, corals,
limestone, oyster shells, eggs
Basic Parts

Iglesia - simbahan, church. An edifice or place of Christian worship

Baptisterio - independent structure or a space near the church entrance, or at the fist level of the bell tower
Plaza Iglesia - a huge open space in front of the church intended for religious activities or ceremonies
Campanario - a tower that is either attached or at a distance from the church; supports one or more bell.
Escuela, school - in a church complex, a building intended for educational studies especially for kids.
Convento - building attached or beside a church that serves as residence of the parish priest

Catedral - Principal church of the diocese housing the cathedra or bishop's throne.
Fortress Church - A church built with fortification for defensive purposes in times of strife.
Funerary Chapel - a chapel, conspicuously built inside a campo santo (cemetery) for the funeral
ceremony or service.
Monastic Church - The principal church of a religious order built beside their monastery complex
Parish Church - A church strategically built at the heart of town and plaza. It is intended for a
particular ecclesiastical unit, such as city or town, and under the jurisdiction of the resident
priest assigned by the bishop.
Pilgrim Church - A church built to house a miraculous image with a passageway behind the altar
for the veneration of the image of the devotees.

CHURCH ARCHITECTURAL STYLE

Earthquake Baroque - An architectural style coined to refer to the massive Filipino Churches
with thick walls and elements of Baroque style such as scrolled buttress, volute, plain facade
with pilasters and ornamental urns.

Filipino-Hispanic Rococo - An architectural style in Filpina Churches which combine fanciful and
elegant designs of shellework and foliage of Rococo Architecture with scrolls, rocaille and
Philippine flora and fauna ornamental motiffs
Gothic Revival - An architectural style in Philippine churches reviving the spirt and form of
Gothic Architecture, late 12th to mid of 16th century, characterized by pointed arch, ribbed vault,
flying buttress, tracery windows, slender pier and column, and lofty steeple

High Renaissance - An architectural style based on Italian Renaissance Architecture, late 15th
to early 16th century, typified by heavy rustification, facade filled with classical elements and
illusion of sculptural volume in design.

Romanesque Revival - An architectural style in the late 19th century applying the elements of
the Romanesque style including round arch, thick wall, small window and division of interiors
into compartment bays.

EXAMPLES
BARASOAIN CHURCH, BULACAN - Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish Early builders:
Augustinians (1859) Stone church was constructed to replace wooden structure

BINONDO CHURCH, MANILA - Early builders: Dominicans (1596) Supervision of the dome by
Domingo Cruz y Gonzalez (1781) In 1596, Dominican priests founded Binondo church to serve
their Chinese converts to Christianity as well as to the native Filipinos.

LAOAG CHURCH, ILOCOS NORTE - St. William’s Cathedral Designed by Fr. Joseph Ruiz
Famous for its sinking bell tower

MORONG CHURCH, RIZAL - St. Jerome Parish Church Designed by Fr. Blas dela Madre
Exquisite Spanish Baroque style

PANAY CHURCH, ROXAS CITY - Santa Monica Parish Church Has the largest bell in the
country, from 30 sacks of coins donated by towns people. The bell was cast by Juan Reina in
about 1884

SAN SEBASTIAN CHURCH - Basilica Minore de San Sebastian. The 1st to be recognized as
the “all iron church in the World” (1991) Early builders by Augustinian Recollects then Engr. Don
Genaro Palacios y Guerra designed the present

CALASIAO CHURCH, PANGASINAN - Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul Designed by
Fr.Ramon Dalinao Known to have the 2nd best bell tower. Its massive bricks or "ladrillo"

LOBOC CHURCH, BOHOL - St. Peter the Apostle Parish Church. One of the oldest structures
in stone in Bohol. Known to have the biggest number of murals on walls and ceilings. Built by
the Jesuits in the 17th century
MALATE CHURCH, MANILA - Our Lady of Remedies Parish Mexican Baroque-style church
Early builders: Augustinians (1591) Rebuilding of the church by Columban fathers after it was
burned down during the Japanese occupation (1950)
VIGAN CHURCH, ILOCOS SUR - St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral Located within the grid iron
planned streets of a colonial town Baroque style: protruding columns & solid frames; three
arched doorways leading to three naves at the first level, guarded by ionic pillars with Chinese
Fu dogs Urn-like finial at pediment

TAAL CHURCH, BATANGAS - Basilica de St. Martin de Tours Fr.Diego Espinar led the
construction of the church 1575 - 1858: Fr. Marcos Anton, with the help of the architect Don
Luciano Oliver, started construction; the church was completed in 1878 - Façade: arched
windows alternate with Ionic columns at first level, Corinthian at upper level; projected cornices
and moldings; three pediments "Asia's Largest Catholic Church"

DARAGA CHURCH, ALBAY - Our Lady of the Gate Parish Church the Franciscan wanted a
church with the best features of Romanesque and Gothic, but it was executed by the carvers in
Baroque Façade : a whole tablet without columns and cornices, only symmetrically positioned
fenestrations, apertures and niches; whorls, twisted columns, foliage, medallions, statues and
reliefs

SANTO NINO DE CEBU BASILICA, CEBU - Built by Fray Juan de Albarran about 400 years
ago. Convent was founded in 1565, making it the first to be built in the country Constructed with
stones from Panay and Capiz - Façade : blending of Moorish, Romanesque and NeoClassical
elements; trefoils on the doorways; two levels divided into three segments and topped by
pediment; retablo at the center - Bellower has four-sided balustraded dome

ANGAT CHURCH, BULACAN - Santa Monica Parish Church begun 1756-1773 by Augustinian
Gregorio Giner; completed in 1802 by Fray Joaquin Calvo - Baroque style : coupled Corinthian
and Doric columns divide façade into levels or segments, statues ringed with wreath-like
ornaments flank niches, windows with bas- relief "curtains" Plain three-storey belltower with
balustered top

TUMAUINI CHURCH, ISABELA - San Matias Parish Church

begun 1783-1788 by Dominican Domingo Forto and town mayor Pablo Sason; 1803-1808 -
circular bell tower was completed - Ultra-baroque : unique for its extensive use of baked clay
both for wall finishes and ornamentation Ornamental details : serpentine reliefs, spiral curves,
flowers, foliage, sunfaces, cherubs and saints

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST

Churches: Spanish Colonial Architecture
● San Agustin Church,
● Intramuros Paoay Church,
● Ilocos Norte Santa Maria Church,
● Ilocos Sur Miagao Church, Iloilo