28 of the Most Beautiful Buildings in the

Philippines
BY Lamudi 26 March 2016 Architecture and Design

We list some of the most beautiful man-made structures in the Philippines

The Philippines has had its share of cultural diversity, having been exposed to at least four foreign
powers in the past millennia or so. These foreign powers influenced more than just the lifestyle of the
native Filipinos, and in essence, changed the way Filipinos appreciated beauty, in pretty much all aspects
of the word.
Here, we list some of the most beautiful structures in Metro Manila and beyond, from commercial and
government buildings and malls to educational institutions and churches.
Main Building, University of Santo Tomas
España Avenue, Manila

Photo by Tristantamayo via Wikimedia Commons

Perhaps one of the most iconic and most beautiful buildings in the Philippines, the Main Building in the
University of Santo Tomas has been standing since 1924. Having been used as an internment camp by
the Japanese during the Second World War, there have been numerous claims of ghost sightings and
other supernatural occurrences. The Main Building was designed by Rev. Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., and was
one of the first buildings in the country capable of withstanding earthquakes. Today, it stands as a
landmark in the heart of the esteemed university, often as the background for wedding photo shoots or
mistaken for the University’s Church.

The building, designed by Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., is the first earthquake-resistant building in the
Philippines.Ruaño was influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel, Tokyo.
Henry Sy, Sr. Hall, De La Salle University
Taft Avenue, Manila

Photo by Patrickroque01 via Wikimedia Commons

One of the newer buildings in the De La Salle University’s Manila campus, the Henry Sy, Sr. Hall was
completed in 2012, and boasts an eco-friendly design adhering to the university’s commitment to
environmental responsibility. The building was donated by the business tycoon and was designed by the
architectural firm of Leandro V. Locsin. While the upper floors hold the university’s library and the other
administration offices, the ground floor, which is pretty much an open field, is used as an event venue.
Quezon Hall, University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City

Photo by Ramon FVelasquez via Wikimedia Commons

The Quezon Hall, formerly called the Administration Hall, in the University of the Philippines, Diliman, is
home to the famous “Oblation” by the equally famous Fernando Amorsolo. Designed by National Artist,
Juan Nakpil, and built in the 1950s after the university transferred from Padre Faura Street in downtown
Manila, it was one of the four initial buildings on the site of the university today. It was renamed Quezon
Hall in honor of former President Manuel L. Quezon. Today, it houses the university’s seat of
administration.
National Arts Center
Los Baños, Laguna

Photo by Nickrds09 via Wikimedia Commons

Sitting on the northeastern slopes of Mount Makiling, the National Arts Center, built in 1977, houses the
Philippine High culture. The institution is currently partnered with the Cultural Center of the Philippines
for policy and program implementation School for the Arts, and serves to train the artistically inclined, in
line with the nation’s law on the dynamic evolution of art and pertaining to the arts.
Ar: Leandro Valencia Locsin (August 15, 1928 – November 15, 1994) was a Filipino architect, artist, and
interior designer known for his use of concrete, floating volume and simplistic design in his various
projects.
Malcolm Hall, University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City

Photo by Ramon FVelasquez via Wikimedia Commons

More commonly known to its residents as Malcolm Hell, Malcolm Hall houses the University’s College of
Law. It was designed by Juan Arellano, and named after one of the former Justices of the Supreme
Court, Associate Justice George A. Malcolm, who initially proposed the idea of the university instituting a
law school. Although the law school was instituted in 1911, it was only in 1948 when Malcolm Hall was
used by the university as home to its College of Law. It now houses one of the biggest and most
important law libraries in the country, and with it, some of the most coffee-driven and sleep-deprived
students one would meet.

Cultural Center of the Philippines

CCP Complex, Pasay
 Photo via Shutterstock

Designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin and built in 1966, the Cultural Center of the Philippines was
one of the cultural projects commission by the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos. This particular project,
however, was spearheaded by First Lady Imelda Marcos, for the promotion and development of the
Filipino arts and culture. Since its foundation, the CCP has been host to a great number of local and
international events, and has served as a stage for world-renowned plays and artists.

Philippine International Convention Center

CCP Complex, Pasay
 Photo by Michael Francis McCarthy via Flickr

Also designed by Leandro Locsin, the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) was built in
1976 and situated just west of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The PICC was built to host
conferences in line with former president Marcos’s attempt to make Manila one of Southeast Asia’s
financial centers. Over the years, it has hosted, among others, beauty pageants and awarding
ceremonies, but has still been used for international meetings and conventions.

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

 Photo by Philipjoel via Wikimedia Commons

One of the many interesting places to go to in The Fort is the Mind Museum. Since its official opening in
2012, the Mind Museum has enticed people from all ages and all walks of life. On the outside, it features
eco-friendly facilities, while, on the inside, a diverse selection of what some people might refer to as art,
and to the rest, science.

Architect: Ed Calma

National Museum of the Philippines

Taft Avenue, Manila
 Photo via Shutterstock

One of the most beautiful buildings in downtown Manila, the National Museum of the Philippines is
actually composed of four museums, but let’s focus on the building housing the Museum of Fine Arts,
which is, admittedly, what comes into the common person’s mind when one mentions the National
Museum. The National Museum of Fine Arts was built in 1921, and houses a number of important works
of art. The most prominent, perhaps, would be Juan Luna’s “Spoliarium.” It houses, as well, other forms
of anthropological and scientific exhibits. Recently, the museum has been empowered by the
government to declare, restore, and protect certain cultural sites.
Architect: Juan Luna

Manila Metropolitan Theater

Padre Burgos Avenue corner Arroceros Street,
Manila
 Photo by Ree Dexter via Flickr

The Manila Metropolitan Theater was built in 1931, and has housed different performances from
zarzuelas and dramas to translation of foreign classics. It was designed by Juan Arellano, and continued
to remain open until 2012 when it was closed down for rehabilitation (due to decades of decay). Today,
this Philippine building for performing arts stands as a shadow of its once-glorious history, and hopefully
will soon open to entertain Filipinos once again.

San Miguel Corporation Building

Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong
 Photo by Nix222 via Flickr

Inspired by the rice terraces of the Cordilleras, the Mañosa brothers designed the San Miguel Building
and incorporated environment-friendly concepts into its design. Built in 1984, it has served as the head
office of the San Miguel Corporation, one of Southeast Asia’s largest food and beverage conglomerates.

Landscape Ar: Ildefonso P Santos

Zuellig Building
Makati Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati
 Photo via Shutterstock

One of the few office buildings in the Makati central business district that opened after 2010, the Zuellig
Group had the building designed by renowned architectural firms Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill and
W.V. Coscolluela and Associates to blend in with the sky. Aside from the aesthetic feature of the
building, it is also one of the few LEED-certified buildings in the Philippines.

GT International Tower
Ayala Avenue corner H.V. Dela Costa Street,
Makati
 Photo via Shutterstock

One of the most recognizable buildings in Makati, the GT International Tower was named after George
Ty, Metrobank owner and one of the Philippines’ wealthiest businessmen. This office block on the
corner of Ayala Avenue and H.V. de la Costa Street was built in 2001 and is crowned with a 10-story
vertical fin that serves as its visual signature.

It is currently the 3rd-tallest building in the country( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.T._International_Tower). The

building's design was made by local architectural firms GF & Partners Architects and Gozar Planners
Philippines, in cooperation with renowned international architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox
Associates as its design consultant. Structural design was provided by Aromin & Sy + Associates, while
the general contractor for the project was C-E Construction.

Ayala Tower One and Exchange Plaza

Ayala Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati
 Photo via Shutterstock

Originally built in 1996 to entice the Philippine Stock Exchange to relocate to Makati after they decided
to transfer to Ortigas, it is currently being used as offices with one floor being used as trading floors by
the Philippine Stock Exchange. It was built adjacent to the Ayala Triangle and on the Exchange Plaza.

Architect: Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, LLP

The Enterprise Center

Ayala Avenue corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati
 Photo via Shutterstock

Yet another beautiful building in Makati, the two-tower Enterprise Center is located across the Ayala
Triangle, right on the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Avenue. It was built in 1999, and remains to be
one of the landmark buildings along the famed CBD.

Architect: Wong & Tung International Limited - Hong Kong; ARADS & Associates - Manila

Manila City Hall

Ermita, Manila
 Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The City Hall of Manila serves as the seat of power in the nation’s capital city. It was originally intended
by American urban planner Daniel Burnham to be a part of a national government center in 1939, but
right now is used exclusively by the city of Manila. The building, which coincidentally is shaped like a
coffin when viewed from the sky, has been a known site for the supernatural.
Architect: Antonio Manalac Toledo

Sulu Provincial Capitol

Jolo, Sulu
 Photo by Agtillah via Wikimedia Commons

There are many beautiful buildings in the Philippines found outside the capital. One such building is the
Sulu Provincial Capitol, which was designed in consonance with Islamic architecture. Its prominent
domes resemble those of the Taj Mahal in India.

Cebu Provincial Capitol

Osmeña Boulevard, Cebu City
 Photo by By Mike Gonzalez via Wikimedia Commons

When it comes to designing government buildings in the Philippines, Juan Arellano was one of the
country’s most prominent. One of his most lauded works is the Provincial Capitol of Cebu, which was
inaugurated in 1938. Having been built to replace the old Casa Provincial in the city’s Spanish quarter,
the capitol building is a grand illustration of power, it being a fortress of sorts.

Leyte Provincial Capitol

Magsaysay Boulevard, Tacloban City, Leyte
 Photo by Ustadz via Wikimedia Commons

Once upon a time, it was the seat of the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines when former
President Sergio Osmeña returned in 1944 along with the Liberation Forces. Built in 1907, it is now being
used as the seat of the provincial government of Leyte.

Supreme Court of the Philippines

Taft Avenue corner Padre Faura Street, Manila
 Photo by Mike Gonzalez via Wikimedia Commons

The Supreme Court of the Philippines was instituted in 1901 during the American period, and was
composed of a majority of American justices, but in time, started to include Filipino justices among its
ranks. It is currently located on the corner of Padre Faura and Taft in Manila, serving as the highest
tribunal in the land.

Manila Central Post Office

Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila
 Photo via Wikimedia Commons

One of the most iconic buildings in downtown Manila, the Manila Central Post Office was designed by
Juan Arellano and Tomas Mapúa, and built in 1926. It was severely damaged during the Second World
War, and was rebuilt after liberation. The building today is fronted by a plaza, Liwasang Bonifacio, where
rallies are often held.

Architect: Juan M. Arellano

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

The Coconut Palace

CCP Complex, Pasay City
 Photo by Michael via Flickr

The Coconut Palace was built in 1978, and serves as the official residence and workplace of the Vice
President of the Philippines. It was designed by Francisco Mañosa, and was commissioned by former
first Lady Imelda Marcos, supposedly as a tribute to the local coconut industry. Marcos also offered it as
a guest house for Pope John Paul II for the pontiff’s 1981 visit to the Philippines, who declined, saying
that the place is too opulent given the level of poverty in the country.

The Manila Cathedral

Intramuros, Manila
 Photo via Shutterstock

It was originally referred to the Church of Manila when it was first established in 1571, but the structure
as it is today was built only in 1958 after it was demolished in 1945 during the Battle of Manila. It has
been a venue for important religious ceremonies such as weddings and papal masses, the latest one was
the mass celebrated by Pope Francis.

Architect: Fernando Ocampo

Style: Neo-Romanesque

Palacio Del Gobernador

Intramuros, Manila
 Photo via Shutterstock

The former official residence of the Spanish governor general, Palacio Real or Palacio Del Gobernador is
now the office of the Commission of Elections. The structure was turned into a bomb shelter by the
Japanese during World War II and story has it that after the 1945 Battle of Manila, American soldiers
found several dead bodies inside the shelters.

Iglesia Ni Cristo Commonwealth

Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City
Built in 1984, and one of the grandest structures along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, the
Iglesia Ni Cristo Church is a bigger and more beautiful version of the other smaller churches in the
country. It was designed by Carlos Antonio Santos-Viola and is uniquely identified, along with its other
churches to be of Gothic architecture.
INC Central Temple
Architect: Carlos A. Santos-Viola

Carlos Antonio Santos-Viola (April 8, 1912 – July 31, 1994) was an architect in the Philippines. He is
best known for designing and building churches for the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) religious group.

Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, University of the

Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City
 Photo by Ramon FVelasquez via Wikimedia Commons

More commonly known as the UP Chapel, the church was designed by Leandro Locsin and was built in
1955, commissioned by Fr. John Delaney. It is the only structure in the country where works of four
National Artists can be found.

Luneta Hotel
Kalaw Avenue, Manila
 Photo by Lawrence Ruiz via Wikimedia Commons

One of the beautiful old buildings in Manila along Kalaw Avenue, the Luneta Hotel was completed in
1919, but was closed down in 1987. It was designed by Salvador Farre, and remains as one of the most
beautiful French-inspired buildings, if not the only one, in the area. It reopened in 2014 with the
installation of a historical marker by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Designed by Spanish architect Salvador Farre, the Luneta Hotel on Kalaw Avenue was built in 1919. The
six-storey building towered at an undefined T.M. Kalaw street upon its completion. It faced an unfenced
Bermuda plane of the Luneta. Its neighbors were blocks of "stone houses" (bahay na bato) and
"storerooms" (bodegas). It stood out because of its distinct architectural style. It symbolized the new
influence that the Americans brought to the country. As once described by cultural writer and
conservationist Bambi Harper, its "Mansard roof, French windows, carved details, attractive grilles and
studied proportions" are reminiscent of French Renaissance architecture.

The Manila Hotel

Rizal Park, Manila
 Photo via Shutterstock

Perhaps the most iconic and historic five-star hotel in the country, the Manila Hotel has stood since its
opening in 1912 to serve some of the most prominent and important international figures, from heads
of state to pop icons. Also designed by William Parsons, it was built on a reclaimed area along Bonifacio
Drive in Ermita, Manila.
Architect: William E. Parsons

William E. Parsons (1872-1939) was an architect and city planner known for his works in
the Philippines during the early period of American colonization in the country.