Philippine Military Architecture

Historical Houses

• The Sanson-Montinola House is also known as the Antillan House.
• The Grand Ledesma Mansion is located in Jaro, Iloilo.
• Nelly's Garden is a famous location in Iloilo.

Military Architecture

• The Spanish colonizers made many enemies while colonizing the Philippines, including the British, Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese, Igorots, and Muslims.
• In 1565, Legaspi and his men erected a triangular fort near the coast of the city, known as Fort San Pedro.
• Fort San Pedro was the first in a chain of fortifications erected by the Spanish.
• In 1571, Fort Nuestra Señora De Guia was built in Manila by Fr. Antonio Sedeño.
• Fort Nuestra Señora De Guia was located at one corner of the walled city (Intramuros) facing what is now Rizal Park.
• Fort Santiago was built in the 1590s.

Exploration and Colonization

• In 1565, Legazpi reached Samar and then sailed to Leyte.
• The first mass was held by Urdaneta at Limasawa.
• Legazpi forcefully took food from the natives for the success of their mission.
• Legazpi made a pact with the chief of Bohol.
• On April 27, 1565, Rajah Tupas failed to meet with Legazpi, leading to the Spaniards opening fire from their ships.

Spanish Influences in Architecture

• The Spanish introduced various architectural styles, including Iglesia/Simbahan (church), Campanario (bell tower), Convento (residence of parish priest), Escuela (school), Fuerza or Fortaleza (fortifications), and Civic Buildings like Casa Real, Tribunal, and Farola (lighthouse).

• Bahay na Bato is a type of house that was influenced by Spanish architecture.### Fortifications in the Philippines

• Fort Santiago (Intramuros) was built in 1571 and is the citadel of the walled city of Intramuros.

• Gen. Gomez Perez ordered the construction of stone walls enclosing Manila, built over the ruins of the previous ruler Soliman's fortifications.

• The fortifications were named after Spain's patron saint, Santiago, and guarded the mouth of the Pasig River.

Fort San Felipe (1609)

• Located in Sangley Point, Cavite, as a naval base.
• Became the port of call for galleons.
• Made from granite blocks with walls approximately 30 feet high.

Cortinas and Outwards

• Cortinas were stone platforms with cannons and artillery aimed outwards.
• Balluartes/Bastiones were flanking cortinas on both ends.
• Goritas were little turrets on the other corners.
• Turrets were used for sentinels to keep watch.

Other Features of Fortifications

• Foso (Moat) often surrounded the entire fortification.
• Falsabraga was a low wall providing another line of defense.
• Revellin was a heavy structure erected on one side of the main entrance for added protection.
• Alojamientos were living quarters for soldiers.
• Calabozo was a jail.
• Herreria was a foundry.
• Almacenes was a warehouse for powder, provisions, and ammunition.
• Pozo was a well.
• Chapel was a church that was sometimes used as a fortress.

Other Fortifications

• Corregidor (Bataan) was a fortress of defense, penal institution, and signal outpost to warn Manila.
• Fort Santa Isabelle (Palawan) was built by Augustinian recollects in 1667-1738.
• San Diego de Alcala (Quezon) was constructed under Franciscan father coste to help guard against pirates.

Domestic Architecture

• The hot and humid tropical climate called for plenty of ventilation inside houses.
• Earthquake and fires led to the use of fireproof materials like stone, brick, and tile.
• Social cultural considerations influenced the development of domestic architecture.

Stages of Development

• First stage: Spaniards built houses in the native manner of Caña y Nipa, but later changed to fireproof materials due to fire hazards.
• Second stage: The exterior wall was reinforced with a structural frame, and the bricks or masonry wall became non-bearing.
• Third stage: The wooden supporting structure was retained, but the use of bricks and stone was restricted to the lower level.

Features of Domestic Architecture

• Main door was treated with pilasters capped with cornice and pediments.
• Ventanillas were below the window sill for ventilation.
• The upper floor projected over the lower wall for protection from the rain and shade.
• A large ceremonial stairway was sometimes the focal point of the house.
• Windows were made from capiz shells.
• Layout of the Bahay na Bato was rectangular in plan, with a lower level containing stable, servant's quarters, and storage spaces, and an upper level (Piano Nobile) consisting of living spaces.

Civic Architecture

• Palacio del Gobernador (Palace of the Governor-General) was a state residence of the governor-general of the Philippines, built in 1599 in Fort Santiago.
• Cabildo Building (The City Government Building) was the seat of the city government, facing the Palacio Real.
• Teatro Comico (1790), Tondo Theatre (1841), Teatro Castellano (Teatro Binondo) (1846), and Teatro del Principe Alfonso (1862) were cultural buildings.

Schools

• Real Colegio De Santa Potenciana (founded in 1589) was an orphanage for girls and became one of Manila's most important colleges for girls.
• Santa Isabel Manila (started as a school for orphans of Spanish military personnel) became one of Manila's most important colleges for girls.

American Architecture in the Philippines

• 300 years of Spanish rule came to an end, followed by 5 decades of American rule.
• The Philippines declared independence on June 12, 1898, but it was not recognized by Spain and America.
• The Treaty of Paris was signed on December 10, 1898, ceding the Philippines to the United States for 20 million dollars.
• A civil government was established in 1901 after 3 years of military rule.
• The landscape was transformed with the development of highways, bridges, ports, markets, schools, hospitals, and government office buildings.
• Arcadio Arellano, a Filipino architect, was appointed consulting architect by the first American civil governor, William Howard Taft, in 1901.