Philippine 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.