Philippine Architecture

POST-COLONIAL
Architecture
(Post war) 1946
 History
• 1901  to  1935  
INSULAR GOVERNMENT
Governor General William Howard Taft
• 1935  
COMMONWEALTH
President Manuel Luis Quezon
• 1941  to  1944  
WW2 + JAPANESE OCCUPATION
President Sergio Osmena
 Maestro de Obra
• Arcadio De  Guzman  Arellano
– member  of  the  City  Council  of  Manila  and  
helped  codify  the  city’s  Building  Code

• Tomas  Fernandez  Arguelles

– Inspector  for  street  car  company
– Commander  of  Filipino  Engineers
– Manila  councilor  (1902  to  1907,  1917  to  
1919)
– 1950  PIA  fellow
– BOD  Arquitectura y  Agrimensura de  
Filipinas
 1ST GENERATION
ARCHITECTS (Pensionados)
• Juan  Marcos  de  Guzman  Arellano
– Ohio  State,  Pennsylvania  State,  Drexel  
Institute  
– Pioneer  professor  MIT

• Tomas  Bautista  Mapua

– Cornell  University  (1911)
– first  registered  architect  in  the  Philippines
– Founded  MIT  (1925)
– Founded  PIA
– PIA  Gold  Medal  of  Merit,  1954  
 1ST GENERATION
ARCHITECTS (Pensionados)
• Antonio  Manalac Toledo
– Ohio  State  (1911)
– Youngest  pensionado (16)
– Pioneer  professor  MIT
– PIA  Gold  Medal  of  Merit  (1961)

• Carlos  Alejandro  Barretto

– Drexel  Institute  (1908)
– second  registered  architect  in  the  
Philippines
 2nd GENERATION
ARCHITECTS
• Pablo  Sebero Antonio
– National  Artist  of  Architecture  (1976)
– MIT  dropout
– University  of  London  (1924  to  1927)

• Andres  Luna  de  San  Pedro

– Son  of  Juan  Luna
– PIA  Gold  Medal  of  Merit  (1949)
 2nd GENERATION
ARCHITECTS
• Juan  Felipe  de  Jesus  Nakpil
– National  Artist  of  Architecture  (1973)
– Engineering:  UP  &  University  of  Kansas
– Architecture:  Fontainebleau  School  of  
Fine  Arts,  France
– Dean  of  Filipino  Architects
 2nd GENERATION
ARCHITECTS
• Fernando  Hizon Ocampo
– Founded  UST  School  of  Fine  Arts  &  
Architecture  (1930)
– Engineering:  UST  (1919)
– Architecture:  University  of  
Pennsylvania  (1921)
– PRBOA  (1929  to  1930)
– PIA  Gold  Medal  of  Merit  (1953)
– Father  of  Modern  Philippine  
Architecture
 3rd GENERATION
ARCHITECTS
• Carlos  Arguelles,  FUAP
– UST  Dean  (1954  to  1959)
– AIA,  PIA
• Otillo Arellano,  FUAP
– Son  of  Arcadio Arellano
– PRC  Outstanding  Architect  of  the  
Year  (1977)
• Cesar  Concio,  FUAP
– First  university  architect  of  UP
 3rd GENERATION
ARCHITECTS
• Gabriel  Formoso,  FUAP
– PRC  Outstanding  Architect  of  the  Year    
(1979)
– UAP  Likha Awardee  (1990)

• Alfredo  Luz
– Brother  of  Arturo  Luz
 3rd GENERATION
ARCHITECTS
• Felipe  Mendoza
– PRC  Outstanding  Architect  of  the  Year  
(1982)
– UAP  Likha Awardee  (1982)

• Angel  Nakpil
– Nephew  of  Juan  Nakpil
– Charter  member  of  UAP
 3rd GENERATION
ARCHITECTS
• Francisco  Fajardo
– Hexagon  Architect

• Manuel  T.  Mañosa Jr.  ,  FUAP

– PROS  (1976  to  1997)
– PRC  Outstanding  Architect  of  the  Year  
(1981)
– UAP  Likha Awardee  (1996)
 Angel  Nakpil
Gabriel  Formoso Manuel  Mañosa Luis  Ma.  Araneta
Alfredo  J.  Luz Francisco  Fajardo
Carlos  D.  Arguelles
 Philippine Modern
Architecture
• Simplicity  over  complexity
• Cubic  forms  
• Geometric  shapes
• Absence  of  applied  decoration
• Reinforced  concrete
• Steel
• Glass
 History
• 04  July  1946  
The Philippines became an independent Republic in
accordance with the terms of the Tydings-­McDuffie Act
with Manuel Roxas as duly elected president
US Senator Millard E. Tydings enacted the Philippine
Rehabilitaion Act which appropriated $620 M on war
damage
It came with the condition that the Philippines grant parity
rights to Americans.
Parity rights granted U.S. citizens and Filipinos equal
rights in regard to using the natural resources of the
Philippines.
 POST-WAR
• US  War  Damage  Rehabilitation  Fund
– Manila  City  Hall
– Post  Office  Building
– Agriculture  Building
– Finance  Building
– Legislative  Building
– UP  Manila  Buildings
 History
• 23  July  1946  
Roxas formed a Capitol Site Committee with the
responsibility of choosing a new site for the capitol of the
new Republic
Quezon City was chosen

• 1947  
Roxas dispatched a group of Filipino architects and
engineers to study abroad
The mission returned with ideas influenced by modernist
architecture and urban planning
History
• 18 March 1949

Juan Arellano (chairman of Capitol City Planning

Commission) submitted “The Master Plan for the
New Capitol City”

It included a zone called the “Constitution Hill” that

would serve as the imposing centerpiece of the
city
 Capital City Planning
Commission
• Juan  Marcos  Arellano  -­ chair
• Juan  Nakpil
• Cesar  Concio
• Manuel  Manosa
Juan Marcos Arellano
 Juan Marcos Arellano
• Cebu  Provincial
Capitol
• Center  for  West  
Visayan  Studies  
and  Museum,  
UP  Visayas
• Jones  Bridge
• Manila  Central  
Post  Office
• Manila  
Metropolitan  
Theater
• National  
Museum  of  the  
Philippines
 Juan Marcos Arellano
• Cebu  Provincial
Capitol
• Center  for  West  
Visayan  Studies  
and  Museum,  
UP  Visayas
• Jones  Bridge
• Manila  Central  
Post  Office
• Manila  
Metropolitan  
Theater
• National  
Museum  of  the  
Philippines
Juan Felipe De Jesus Nakpil
 Juan Felipe De Jesus Nakpil

Avenue  Theatre
Capitol  Theater
Carillon  Tower
Gonzalez  Hall,  UP  
Diliman
Luis-­‐Perez-­‐
Samanlilio  
Building
Manila  Jockey  
Club
Philippine  Trust  
Co.  Building
Quezon  Hall,  UP  
Diliman
Cesar Concio
 Cesar Concio

• Baclaran  
Church
• Church  of  the  
Risen  Lord
• Insular  Life  
Building
• Melchor  Hall,  
University  of  
the  Philippines,  
Diliman
• Palma  Hall,  
University  of  
the  Philippines,  
Diliman
 Cesar Concio

• Baclaran  
Church
• Church  of  the  
Risen  Lord
• Insular  Life  
Building
• Melchor  Hall,  
University  of  
the  Philippines,  
Diliman
• Palma  Hall,  
University  of  
the  Philippines,  
Diliman
Manuel Mañosa
Manuel Mañosa
History
Federico Ilustre, consulting architect of the Bureau of
Public Works, prepared the plans and models of the
proposed Legislative Center (a part of Constitution Hill).
Ilustre’s design met several criticisms because of his
excessive use of building height for monumental effect
that had no practical value and the expression of style
was purely artificial in nature.
In spite controversies, the project began its construction
phase in 1958.
But the construction had to stop in August 1960 due to
insufficient funds. The project (the whole Master Plan)
was later abandoned.
 Federico Ilustre
• Received his degree in architecture from
the Mapua Institute of Technology and
secured his license from the Board of
Architecture in 1937
• Prior to his employment at the Bureau of
Public Works, he worked as draftsman in
the office of Juan Nakpil in 1935 and as an
interior and furniture designer for Puyat and
Sons in 1936
• During the Japanese occupation he was
promoted as consulting architect at the
Bureau
• He joined the AFWESPAC of the US Army
as supervising architect, assisting in the
infrastructural aspect of postwar
rehabilitation
 Federico Ilustre
• By 1947, he assumed the position of supervising architect for
the National Housing Commission
• In 1949, he rejoined the Bureau as supervising architect
Major Works
• Quezon Memorial
monument
• GSIS Building
• Philippine Veterans
Memorial Building
(in Aroceros)
• Quirino Grandstand
• Planetarium in
Luneta
• Department of
Agriculture
• National Housing
Authority
• Old Manila
International Airport
 Sarcophagus  housing  the  
remains  of  President  Quezon
 Modernism
• Leading movement of 20th century
• movement grounded in the rejection of
classical precedent and style
• said to coincide with “modern history” (a
period including the present but excluding
the Greek and Roman epochs)
• characterized by the deliberate divergence
from tradition and the use of innovative
forms of expressions
 Modernism
• Positivistic
knowledge and truth systems could be
verified by way of scientific inquiry

• Technocentric
progress in knowledge is achieved through
advances in technology
 Modernism
• Rationalistic
knowledge is achieved by the application of
reason

• marked by strongly held beliefs in

universal progress, the possibility of
absolute truth, rational planning of ideal
social orders
 Modernism
• use of reinforced concrete, steel, and
glass
• primacy of cubic forms, geometric shapes,
and cartesian grids
• absence of decoration, stylistic motifs,
traditional roofs, and ornamental details
TROPICAL MODERNISM
 Tropical Modernism
• Brise soleil
• Glass  walls
• Pierced  screens
• Thin  concrete  shells
• “form  follows  function”
 Tropical Modernism
• simple
• clean  lines
• smooth  finished
• cylinders  and  unusually  shaped  buildings
• slanted  or  curved  roofs
• unadorned  façade
• minimal  surface  modeling
Veterans Memorial
Medical Center
 Bonifacio Monument

Juan Nakpil

Guillermo Tolentino
Ruperto Gaite
 Jorge Ramos

GSIS Building
History
• 1950s  and  1960s  
Architecture drew its imagery from science and technology
and the space age
Buildings became sculptures with the use of advanced
building technologies and materials such as reinforced
concrete, plastics, and steel
New and exciting architectural shapes were now possible
through new and advanced building techniques
Juan Nakpil introduced the use of folded plate as a
structural shell
Most  of  the  structures  were  derived  from  science  fiction  
with  their  domes  and  other  playful  
shapes  and  patterns
SPACE AGE
Cresenciano De Castro
Dominador Lugtu
Mañosa Brothers
FOLDED PLATE
Victor Tiotuyco
Juan Felipe De Jesus Nakpil
Jose Maria V. Zaragoza
1912  to  1994

• Studied  at  the  Institute  of  Liturgical  

Art  (ILA)  in  Rome

Major  Works:
• Santo  Domingo  Church
• Our  Lady  of  the  Rosary
• Don  Bosco  Church
• Convent  of  the  Pink  Sisters
• San  Beda  Convent
• Pius  XII  Center
• Union  Church
• Quiapo  Church  Restoration
 Jose Maria V. Zaragoza

Commercial  Bank  and  Trust  

Company  Building  

Virra  Mall Meralco Building

Jose Maria V. Zaragoza
Jose Maria V. Zaragoza
Leandro Locsin
Carlos Santos=Viola
Angel Nakpil
Angel Nakpil
Julio Victor Rocha
Alfredo Luz
Alfredo Luz
Carlos Arguelles
Mañosa Brothers
Felipe Mendoza
Cresenciano De Castro
History
• 1950s  and  1960s  
Brutalism also appeared during this period
Brutalism is derived from the French word beton brut,
meaning rough concrete
Brutalist structures are massive and unrefined with
coarsely formed surfaces, usually of raw and exposed
concrete
Pre-­cast construction and pre-­fabrication was
introduced to industrialize building methods
 Leandro Locsin

Benguet Corporation  Building

Leandro Locsin
 SUBDIVISION
DEVELOPMENT

TWIN  OR  DUPLEX  TYPE

SINGLE  DETACHEDTYPE

TWO  STOREY  ROW  TYPE

Neo Vernacular
Architecture
History
• Vernacular  Renaissance
Architects grafted modern architecture with local
architectural traditions and cultural contexts

Traditional forms, colors, motifs, and other elements of

nationalism were merely applied to facades

Traditional non-­western architecture began to be studied

in the late 60s
History
• Vernacular  Renaissance
An approach to recreate a style for the past or
vernacular traditions where the citizenry can share a
collective memory and from which the “national essence”
can be distilled
Folk architecture and bahay kubo became architectural
archetypes
Orientalism also became a profound design route
Mañosa Brothers
Francisco Fajardo
Felipe Mendoza
Felipe Mendoza
1917  to  2000

• Advocate  of  tropicalism

Major  Works:
• Ministry  of  Education  and  Culture
• Ministry  of  Foreign  Affairs
• Development  Academy  of  the  Philippines
• Church  of  Jesus  of  Latter  Day  Saints
• Bicol  University
• Central  Mindanao  University
• UP  Los  Baños
• College  of  the  Holy  Spirit
Felipe Mendoza

Development  Academy  
of  the  Philippines  

International  Rice  
Research  Institute  
PHILIPPINE PAVILIONS
BAGONG LIPUNAN
History

• 30  December  1965
President  Ferdinand  E.  
Marcos  

• 21  September  1972
MARTIAL  LAW

“conjugal  dictatorship”
History
• 1970s
Vernacular renaissance in Philippine architecture was to
reach its pinnacle during the 70s when Marcos launched
its “New Society” (Bagong Lipunan) and cultural
revivification program
During the Marcos regime, it was mandatory that a national
culture must be fostered and preserved
The regime’s manipulation of art and architecture entails
the reincarnation of vernacular civilization, fashioned from
a synthesis of indigenous and cosmopolitan aspirations of
modernism
History
• 1970s
The regime’s filtration with monumental modern
architecture imagery signified the modernizing thrust of the
government
The First Lady built the Cultural Center of the Philippines
(CCP) Complex to assert the nationalist identity and
promote the image of the nation (as a progressive third-­
world country)
She called the CCP, the sanctuary of the Filipino soul
Leandro Locsin
 Bagong Lipunan

• Imelda Marcos instilled the role of architecture

in building the New Society (Bagong Lipunan
• 1970 Architecture: The Social Art
1975 Architecture for the Common Man
Leandro Locsin
1928  to  1994
• “poet  of  space”
Works  include:
• 75  residences
• 88  buildings
• A  sultanate’s  palace

Major  Works:
• Theater  of  Performing  Arts
• Manila  International  Airport
• Ayala  Tower  One
• Makati  Stock  Exchange
• Istana  Nurul Iman
 Leandro Locsin

Istana  Nurul Iman

Benguet Corporation  Building

Leandro Locsin
 Folk Architecture
• Bagong  Lipunan  Modernity
• Invention  of  National  
Architecture
CCP

Folk  Arts  Theater

Leandro  Locsin PHILCITE

 Folk Architecture

PICC   Leandro  Locsin

Folk Architecture

National  Arts  Center   Leandro  Locsin

 Folk Architecture

Manila  Film  Center  Froilan  L.  Hong

Froilan L. Hong
• FUAP
• Dean,  UP  College  of  
Architecture
• Likha Awardee

Works  include:
• Manila  Film  Center
 1975 Imelda  initiated  unification  of  the  three  (3)  
architectural  organizations
1.  Philippine  Institute  of  Architects  (PIA)
2.  League  of  Philippine  Architects  (LPA)
3.  Association  of  Philippine  Government  Architects   (APGA)
-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­-­
United  Architects  of  the  Philippines  (UAP)
• November 1975
Metropolitan Manila
Commission created
with Imelda Marcos as
governor

• 1979
Imelda Marcos as First
Honorary Member of
the UAP
Ar. NORBERTO MANDANAS
NUKE fuap, aa, apec arch.,
Likha Awardee

13 October 1930 to 07
February 2017
 Bagong Lipunan
PALINGENESIS
Revival  of  the  alibata.
• “Great Malayan culture”
• Utopian idea of rebirth or
spiritual regeneration
• Recreation of national identity

“Kulay  Anyo  ng  Lahi”  public  murals

Osaka  World  Exposition
Folk Architecture

Batasang
Pambansa
Complex
Felipe Mendoza
Folk Architecture
Bagong Lipunan
Improvement of Sites
and Services (BLISS)

• A model community of
self-­reliant and self-­
sufficient settlement
designed for fifty to a
hundred families
Folk Architecture

Kapitbahayan  Housing  
Project  
Tondo,  Manila
Felipe  Mendoza
Folk Architecture

Lungsod  Silangan,  Infanta,  Quezon  

Folk Architecture

Government  Service  Insurance  System  (GSIS)    

Jorge  Ramos  and  the  Architects  Collaborative
Folk Architecture

Lung  Center  of  the  Philippines Philippine  Heart  Center  for  Asia  

National  
Kidney  
and  
Transplan
Folk Architecture

Baguio  Convention  Center

Jorge  Ramos

Zamboanga  International
Airport
 Folk Architecture
Coconut Utilization Program
• Project funded by UNIDO
(United Nations Industrial
Development Organization)
• Imelda Madera coconut-­
based lumber used for
construction

Coconut  Palace    Francisco  Mañosa

Folk Architecture

PHILTRADE    Planning  Resources  Operations  System  (PROS)

Folk Architecture

Passively  Cooled  Urban  House   Geronimo  V.  Manahan

 Geronimo V. Manahan
Dean,  UP  College  of  Architecture
• 1981
Collaboration  with  Ministry  of  Energy  
for  design  of  Passively  cooled  urban  
house  to  support  energy  conservation
• 1989
PRC  Outstanding  Architect  of  the  year
• UAP  8th  Likha Awardee
Geronimo V. Manahan
Francisco Mañosa
1931
• Advocate  of  the  Neo-­vernacular  
architecture  

Major  Works:
• Tahanang Filipino  (Coconut  Palace)
• Shrine  of  Our  Lady  of  Queen  of  
Peace
• Pearl  Farm  Resort
• Mary  Immaculate  Parish
• Ateneo Professional  Schools
• Bamboo  Mansion
• Aquino  Center  
• Lanao  Provincial  Capitol
 Francisco Mañosa

San  Miguel  Headquarters  Building

Ateneo Professional  School

Pearl  Farm
Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa
 Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa

Ateneo  Professional  School

 Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa

Pearl  Farm  Resort

Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa
Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa
Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa
Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa
Salamat po!
References
Alarcon,  NI.  (1991).  Philippine  Architecture  During  The  Pre-­spanish And  
Spanish  Periods. University  of  Santo  Tomas  Press

Alarcon,  NI.  (2008).  The  Imperial  Tapestry  :  the  American  Colonial  Architecture  
in  the  Philippines. University  of  Santo  Tomas  Publishing  House
Cabalfin,  EG.  (2015).  What  Kids  Should  Know  About  Philippine  Architecture.  
Adarna House  Inc.
Fernandez,  RDA.  (2015).  Diksiyonaryong Biswal ng  Arkitekturang Filipino.  
University  of  Santo  Tomas  Publishing  House
Galende PG  &  Javellana RB.  (1993).  Great  Churches  of  the  Philippines.  
Bookmark  Publication.
Laya JC  &  Turalba,  MCV  &  Tinio Jr.  MI.  (2013).  Philippine  Heritage  Homes:  A  
Guildebook.  Anvil  Publishing  Inc.
Lico G.  (2008).  Arkitekturang Filipino:  A  History  of  Architecture  and  Urbanism  in  
the  Philippines.  UP  Press.
References
Lico,  G.  (2009).  Audio  Visual  Textbook  of  Philippine  Architecture.  National  
Commission  for  Culture  and  the  Arts.
Lico,  G.  (2013)  Istilo:  Pocket  Guide  to  Architecture  Styles  in  the  Philippines.  
National  Commission  for  Culture  and  the  Arts
Lico,  G.  (2014)  Masjid  /  Mosque  Architecture:  Jewels  of  Philippine  Islamic  
Faith.  National  Commission  for  Culture  and  the  Arts
Luca,  T.  &  Reyes,  EV.  (2013) Philippine  Style:  Design  and  Architecture.  Anvil  
Publishing  Inc.
Noche,  MML.  (2011). Puentes de  España en  las Filipinas:  The  Colonial  Bridges  
In  the  Philippines.  University  of  Santo  Tomas  Publishing  House.
Nolasco B.  (2013).  National  Treasures:  A  Journey  Through  History.  National  
Commission  for  Culture  and  the  Arts.
Morales  MV.  (2012)  Balay Ukit:  Tropical  Architecture  in  Pre-­WWII  Filipino  
Houses.  Anvil  Publishing
Zialcita,  FN.  &  Martin  Jr.  IT.  (1980)  Philippine  Ancestral  Houses  1810  -­1930.  
GCF  Books.