Art forms and Practices in the Plains and Valleys of Luzon

The plains and valleys of Luzon – with a concentration of Kapampangan, Tagalog, and Bicol groups – are
collectively called lowland culture in many anthropological essays and textbooks.
Tagalog Region or Katagalugan- Tagalog comes from the word taga-ilog or by the river. Under this is an even
more specific cluster called Southern Tagalog. Region IV-A, is also known as CALABARZON which
comprises Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
ARCHITECTURE AND SCULPTURE
Churches were built at a time when the archipelago was under Spanish control.
During the Spanish colonial period, the church became the zero-kilometer or center of the town. Activities
became oriented around the church and the Christian calendar.
Through time, the church ceased to be foreign and is now completely integrated in folk life.
Churches represent a deeply embedded faith-based affinity among kapuwa.
In Laguna, some churches include:
-National Cultural Treasure San Gregorio Magno in Majayjay.
-National Historical Landmark Santiago in Paete
-San Agustin Bay
-San Isidro Labrador in Biñan
-San Juan Bautista in Liliw
-San Pedro de Alcantara in Pakil
-San Antonio De Padua in Pila
-Immaculada Concepcion in Sta. Cruz
Churches in general featured the finest examples of sculpture with sacred themes.
Even the altar details such as hachas, sacred vessels such as ciborium and pyx, relief sculptures, mesa altar
or altar table, confessionals, pulpits would all be richly described in primary and secondary accounts.
Batangas is also home to many architectural feats:
-National Cultural Treasure Balayan
-San Martin de Tours or Taal Basilica
Relevant sites in Quezon include:
-National Cultural Treasure San Miguel Arcangel in Tayabas
-San Francisco de Asis in Sariaya
-San Luis Obispo in Baler
According to Trota Jose, for inland towns, churches were some distance from the plaza so that it could
command respect and be seen from all sides. The church had to be built on high grounds and reached by a flight
of steps to increase its impressiveness.
Church building was also called earthquake baroque because European elements have been recontextualized in
a tropical archipelago susceptible to earthquakes, typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and other disasters.
-San Agustin Church is one of the oldest baroque churches and was declared a national treasure by the National
Museum under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Program for Built Heritage, which is
responsible for conserving colonial and indigenous architecture.