LESSON 4-Architecture in the Philippines

Architecture in the Philippines  Architecture Architecture is considered to be one of the most functional branches of the visual arts. We can freely see architecture in our surroundings because architecture involves designing the form of a building while allowing the building t...

Architecture in the Philippines  Architecture Architecture is considered to be one of the most functional branches of the visual arts. We can freely see architecture in our surroundings because architecture involves designing the form of a building while allowing the building to serve its function. It is considered to be the “art to inhabit.” The architecture of the Philippines is a reflection of the history and heritage of the country. The most prominent historic constructions in the archipelago are from the Spanish Colonial period, though much Philippine architecture is also influenced by Japanese, Malay, Hindu, Chinese, and American cultures.  Let me walk you through the development of Architecture in the Philippines  Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, the main form of dwelling for a family in the Philippines was the nipa hut, a single room house composed of wood, The pre- bamboo or other native materials. colonial Though the styles of the nipa hut varied throughout the country, most all architecture of of them shared similar characteristics the Philippines including having it raised slightly above ground on stilts and a steep roof. Aside from nipa huts, other small houses were built on top of trees to prevent animal as well as enemy attacks. IFUGAO HOUSE The Ifugao house is sturdily crafted of timber from amugawan trees raised on four posts, which was buried 50 centimeters below the ground and locked in with stones. Their houses were harmoniously located with the contour of the rice terraces. The exterior of the house seems to be nothing but a pyramid resting on four posts, while the interior space is enclosed by slanting walls and ceiling that appears to be spherical that are formed by the loft. What are your possible impressions why do Ifugao people design this kind of houses in the pre-colonial times?  FUNCTIONAL LEVELS The ground level the posts have wooden discs which was called oliang to prevent rats from entering the house. The second level or the living area was accessible through a removable ladder. The social affairs, eating, cooking and sleeping are all done in this area. At the third level there was the patie, it is a shelf that extends from the wallboards outwards to the underside of the roof. It serves as the storage area and as a structural support to the roof. Inside the house was embellished rows of skulls of animals offered to gods during their annual rituals and also as a source of pride to the homeowner.  TOROGAN Torogan is a traditional house of the Maranaos. Made of hard woods with post made up of whole tree-trunks and are known for intricately carved panolong (beam-ends) with okir designs, the torogan was once a symbol of high social status. It is said that these were the royal houses of a sultan or datu in the Maranaw community. In 2008, Kawayan Torogan in Lanao del Sur was declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines. TOROGAN HOUSE OF MARANAOS Torogan is an ancestral house of the upper class Maranaos. It is a reinder of the bygone days when carving is an art exclusive to sultans and young daughters were jewels to be hidden in secret rooms. Torogan has usually 9 to 12 posts, depending the size of the house. The roof of Torogan was originally made of cogon grass or bamboo but during the American occupation it was changed to G.I. sheets.  PANOLONG The Panolong is a house ornament fashioned by the Maranao people. It is a carved beam that protrudes in the front of the house and styled with okir motif. Okir refers to the folk motifs, usually of plants and geometric forms, that are prominent in Maranao art work. Maranao's principal okir designs is the sarimanok. The sarimanok is the stylized design of a bird holding a fish in its beak or standing on a base in the shape of fish. While its meaning derives from epics and myths, it also alludes to Lake Lanao with its fertile waters.  In this era, Spanish has contributed stone houses or "Bahay na Bato" in architecture.And this has become the typical houses of noble Filipinos. The Colonial Bahay na Bato was constructed out of brick and stone. Spanish Spanish has immensely contributed to our religious belief and thus they have constructed churches out of stones or dead corals available nearby.  BAHAY NA BATO IN VIGAN The famous Calle Crisologo in Vigan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia.  FORTRESSES Fort Santiago in Manila Cotta Fort in Ozamis, Misamis Occidental Fort Santiago (Fuerza de Santiago) is a Cotta Fort also known as Fuerte defense fortress built for Spanish de la Concepción y del Triunfo, a conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi. Fort of Misamis, is a citadel first built by Spanish Jesuit priest and The fort is part of the structures of the commander, José Ducos, as a walled city of Intramuros, in Manila, Spanish fortress in the old town Philippines.The location of Fort Santiago of Misamis was also once the site of the palace and kingdom of Rajah Suliman, chieftain of Manila of pre-Spanish era.  CHURCHES The Church of Saint John the Baptist is the oldest church in Mindanao built in the 19th century. The Century-old Spanish Catholic Church is nestled within the predominantly Catholic town of Jimenez. It is a Baroque architecture made from dead corals. It is declared a National Cultural Treasure in 200. And is managed directly by the National Museum of the St. John the Baptist Church in Philippines. Jimenez, Misamis Occidental St. John the Baptist Church interior and ceiling St. John the Baptist Church interior and ceiling  CHURCHES The Church of Saint James the Great is the one of oldest churches in Mindanao built in 1871. It has a Gothic-style fascade. As the church' s name, St. James is the patron saint of Dapitan City. It was originally built with galvanized iron walls and wooden floors in 1871 under Fr. Juan Gelabert, S.J. DuringRizal's exile from July 17, 1892 to July 31, 1896, national hero Jose Rizal painted a backdrop, inspired by a church in Barcelona, for the church altar. However, the painting was later destroyed by fire. A marker here, near the entrance, also marks the spot where Rizal usually stood when he heard Mass every Sunday. He could not go near the altar St. James the Great Church in during Mass because of his excommunication from the Catholic Church. Dapitan City, Zambonga del Norte  CHURCHES From 1904 to 1909, the church was repaired and renovated under the guidance of Fr. Antonio Obach, S.J. The original galvanized iron wall was replaced with the present solid masonry and the wooden floor changed to mortar. In 1915, the floor was concreted and the sanctuary was remodeled in 1921 by Fr. Eliseo Gil, S.J.. For about five days in 1944, Japanese soldiers used the church as a resting/sleeping area. The National Historical Commission of the St. James the Great Church in Philippines (NHCP) has declared Dapitan City as the country's first Heritage Zone. Dapitan City, Zambonga del Norte St. James the Great Church interior and ceiling St. James the Great Church interior and ceiling  Philippine After the Spanish American war in 1898 the Americans took over rule of Architecture the Philippines until after the second during world war. During this period the American Americans constructed many Art Deco buildings in Manila. And other several Colonization institutional buildings in the Philippines.  Manila Metropolitan Theater The Manila Metropolitan Theater is an art deco building designed by the Filipino architect Juan M. Arellano, and built in During the liberation of Manila by the Americans in 1945, the theatre we totally destroyed. After reconstruction by the Americans it gradually fell into disuse in the 1960s.  The National Monument to Dr. Jose Rizal The bronze and granite Rizal monument located in Rizal Park, Manila, has long been considered among the most famous sculptural landmarks in the Philippines. The monument is located near the very spot where Dr. Jose Rizal was executed December 30, 1896.  Parish of the Holy Sacrifice The Parish of the Holy Sacrifice is the first circular church and the first thin- shell concrete dome in the Philippines Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage (Antipolo Church) The image of "Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage" has been venerated in the church of Antipolo for centuries. The old church that housed the virgin was destroyed in February 1945 when the Americans bombed Antipolo as part of the liberation campaign of Manila. In 1954 a new church was build designed by the renowned Filipino architect Jose de Ocampo.  Manila Central Post Office The Manila Post Office Building stands proudly along the banks of the Pasig River and has witnessed many of the nation's historical events, from the American occupation to the Battle of Manila in 1945 up to the present time. Its elegance made Manila the 'Best City in the Far East'. Constructed in 1925 and designed by the great Juan Arellano, together with American Ralph Doane and fellow Filipino Tomas Mapua, is built in neo- classical architecture, which is one of the greatest examples of American colonial architecture in the Philippines. The Post Office during the American Occupation. Provincial Capitol of Misamis Occidental in Oroquieta City UP Diliman Buildings Architecture in After World War II, rehabilitation and reconstruction confronted the new the Philippines Philippine government. The modern during the architectural designs in the Philippines have been strongly influenced by the Modern Period American colonial period.  Picache Building The 12-story Picache Building is considered as the first skyscraper in the Philippines. This was built in the mid- 1950s  Ramon Magsaysay Building It is a 18-story building in Malate, Philippines. It is the first structure in the Philippines to sport colum-free structural concept.  Philippine Veterans Bank Architect: Felipe Mendoza (1917-2000) The concept of a bank fo veterans of World War II was conceived in 1956, when a war reparations agreement was signed between Japan and the Philippines. The bank was born on June 18, 1963 through R.A. 3518. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas It is one of the Post war styles in the Philippine architecture classified as "Post- Independence/Post Colonial. It is harmonious composition of massive concrete blocks relieved of their severity by continuous horizontal bands of windows. Cultural Center of the Philippines Architect: Leandro Locsin (1928-1994) The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is the premiere showcase of the arts in the Philippines. Founded in 1969, the CCP has been producing and presenting music, dance, theater, visual arts, literary, cinematic and design events from the Philippines and all over the world for over fifty years. It is CCP's mission to become the leading institution for arts and culture in the Philippines by promoting artistic excellence and nurturing the broadest publics to participate in art making and appreciation.  Philippine Arena The world's largest indoor arena with a maximym seating capacity of 50,000 people in a fully enclosed building. The Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) commissioned Populous to design an arena that could host 50,000 people for major church gatherings and events of all types. This would be INC’s gift to the city – a place for joy and a landmark reflecting Manila’s status as a rising global force. Populous, a global mega-architecture firm, designed the arena through their office in Brisbane, Australia