ARCHITECTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Architecture during the pre-spanish period

The architecture of the Philippines is a reflection of the country's historical and cultural
heritage. Most prominent historic structures in the archipelago are based on a mix of
indigenous Austronesian, Chinese, American, and Spanish influences. During three
hundred thirty years of Spanish colonialization, the Philippine architecture was
dominated by the Spanish influences. The Augustinian friars, along with other religious
orders, built many grand churches and cathedrals all over the Philippines

During three hundred thirty years of Spanish colonialization, the Philippine architecture
was dominated by the Spanish influences. The Augustinian friars, along with other
religious orders, built many grand churches and cathedrals all over the Philippine
Islands. During this period the traditional Filipino Bahay na bató (Filipino for "stone
house") style for the large houses emerged. These were large houses built of stone and
wood combining Filipino, Spanish and Chinese style elements.

After the Philippines was ceded to the United States as a consequence of the Spanish–

American War in 1898, the architecture of the Philippines was dominated by American
aesthetics. In this period, the plan for the modern City of Manila was designed, with
many neoclassical architecture and art deco buildings by famous American and Filipino
architects. During World War II, large portions of Intramuros and Manila were destroyed.
Many heritage districts in the provinces were burned down by the Japanese before the
end of the war. In the reconstruction period after the Second World War, many of the
destroyed buildings were rebuilt, however, a majority of heritage structures, especially in
the provinces, were lost and never rebuilt. Most of the structures that were lost are
considered a focal properties of former heritage towns.

In the late 20th century, modern architecture with straight lines and functional aspects
was introduced, particularly in the Brutalist architecture that characterized government-
built structures done in the Marcos period. During this period many of the older
structures fell into decay due to the imposition of martial law. After the return of
democracy in 1986, a new age of Philippine architecture came into focus through
modernism. Early in the 21st century, a revival of the respect for the traditional Filipino
elements in the architecture returned.

There have been proposals to establish a policy where each municipality and city will
have an ordinance mandating all constructions and reconstructions within such territory
to be inclined with the municipality or city's architecture and landscaping styles to
preserve and conserve the country's dying heritage sites, which have been demolished
one at a time in a fast pace due to urbanization, culturally-irresponsible development,
and lack of towns-cape architectural vision. Such policies are used by countries which
have preserved their architectural marvels, and entire cities as a whole, for hundreds of
years, such as Italy, France, Romania, Germany and Spain. The proposal advocates for
the usage and reinterpretations of indigenous, colonial, and modern architectural and
landscaping styles that are prevalent or used to be prevalent in a given city or
municipality. The proposal aims to foster a renaissance in Philippine landscaping and
townscaping, especially in rural areas which can easily be transformed into new
architectural heritage towns within a 50-year time frame. Unfortunately, many
Philippine-based architecture and engineering experts lack the sense of preserving
heritage townscapes, such as the case in Manila, where business proposals to
construct structures that are not inclined with Manila's architectural styles have been
continuously accepted and constructed by such experts, effectively destroying Manila's
architectural townscape one building at a time. Furthermore, the singular architectural
proposal has yet to be manifested into an actual policy due to the lack of a Department
of Culture. Only the city of Vigan has passed such an ordinance, which led to its
declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and awarding of various
recognition for the conservation and preservation of its unique architectural and
landscaping styles. In 2016, senator Loren Legarda filed a bill establishing the
Department of Culture. The bill was introduced in the Senate in January 2017 and is
expected to be passed into law in late 2018 or early 2019. The bill is backed by 9 other
senators from different political parties, namely, Bam Aquino, Nancy Binay, Francis
Escudero, Juan Zubiri, Joseph Ejercito, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa
Hontiveros, and Sonny Angara. Three counterpart bills that aim to establish a
Department of Culture has also been filed in the House of Representatives, authored by
Christopher de Venecia, Evilina Escudero, and Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado.
Early churches of intramuros

Manila Cathedral

The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate

Conception (Filipino: Basilika Menore at Kalakhang Katedral ng Kalinis-linisang
Paglilihi; Spanish: Basílica Menor y Catedral Metropolitana de la Inmaculada
Concepción), also known as Manila Cathedral (Spanish: Catedral de Manila), is
the cathedral of Manila and basilica located in Intramuros, the historic walled city within
today's modern city of Manila, Philippines. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception,
a title for the Blessed Virgin Mary, the principal patroness of the country. The cathedral
serves as the episcopal see of the Archbishop of Manila.

The cathedral was originally a parish church in Manila under the Archdiocese of

Mexico in 1571, until it became a separate diocese on February 6, 1579 upon the
issuance of the papal bull, Illius Fulti Præsido by Pope Gregory XIII.[1] The cathedral
was damaged and destroyed several times since the original structure was built in 1581
while the eighth and current structure of the cathedral was completed in 1958. [2]

The basilica has merited a papal endorsement from Pope Gregory XIII and three
apostolic visits from Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis. On 27 April
1981, Pope John Paul II issued papal bull Quod Ipsum designating the cathedral as
a minor basilica 

San Agustin Church 

San Agustin Church (Filipino: Simbahan ng San Agustin, Spanish: Iglesia de San
Agustín), also known as the Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Consolacion y
Correa or the Immaculate Conception Parish, is a Roman Catholic church under the
auspices of the Order of St. Augustine, located inside the historic walled city
of Intramuros in Manila. Completed in 1607, it is the oldest stone church in the country.
[1]

In 1993, San Agustin Church was one of four Philippine churches constructed during
the Spanish colonial period to be designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO,
under the collective title Baroque Churches of the Philippines.[2] It was named a National
Historical Landmark by the Philippine government in 1976.

Early churches in northern Luzon

St Augustine's Church

Paoay

 243 reviews

#7 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“An Amazing Church Built in the 1500's and still standing after all the Earthquakes and
Typhoons over the years... Really Beautiful inside.”
“It is a must visit destination and it is just near the Sand Dunes.”

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Caleruega Church

Nasugbu

 204 reviews

#10 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“Lots of spots for shade and benches to sit on—for visitors who need breaks from the
moderately strenuous but short hiking experience you’ll get when visiting Caleruega
Church and Retreat Center.”

“This is a perfect place for meditation and prayer, or just a quiet time with your family by
just simply enjoying the nature and the sceneries.”

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Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag

Manaoag

 171 reviews

#14 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“Visiting the basilica is obviously the reason why you're there so forget all the
distractions and soak it all in, pray, meditate, and be with God while you're there.”

“Eversince the church became a minor basilica in 2015, it has received special

privileges one of which is the opportunity for pilgrims to obtain plenary indulgence.”

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Basilica of Our Lady of Penafrancia

Naga
 154 reviews

#17 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“The Basilica has a large ground area that i can accommodate very large number of
people during special processions called “traslacion” and “Fluvial” held on
the Feast days of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.”

“The Basilica of Our Lady of Penafrancia in Naga City remains the traditional
destination of both devotees and out-of-town visitors of the city.”

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Pink Sisters’ Convent and Chapel

Baguio

 92 reviews

#20 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“Of the many churches that Baguio is known for, Pink Sister's Convent and Chapel
is well-known and adored as it has been a witness to any answered prayers in any form
- personal supplication, professional promotion...”

“Personally, Pink Sisters Convent all over the country is among the place where I can
personally have time to do spiritual exercises, meditation, and contemplation.”
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Paoay Church

Paoay

 116 reviews

#23 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“... floral and sun embellishments in front, the statues in niches and the spiral
curls adorning all 24 buttresses (built to withstand the centuries earthquake
occurrences) that give this quaintly adorable church i...”

“The experience was amazing, I went there last December, despite the heat of the
weather, the site of the majestic church is worth it...the view of the church is
superb!!!!....after the church it is recommended to...”

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Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral

Baguio

 263 reviews

#30 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“... for a long and safe trip, if we can make it a habit that before starting your visit to our
favorite tourist spots in Baguio, let us pay a visit to our Lord first so he can bless and
guide us safely on our travel.”

“Baguio Cathedral Baguio Cathedral (Church of Our Lady of Atonement) is a Catholic

Church and main attraction of Baguio City, Philippines, located in the heart of city.”

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Daraga Church - Our Lady of the Gate

Daraga

 178 reviews

#33 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“Nuestra Señora de la Porteria Parish Church (also Our Lady of the Gate Parish
Church), commonly known as Daraga Church, is a Roman Catholic Church in
the municipality of Daraga, Albay, Philippines under the jurisd...”

“It is written in the entrance that the Our Lady of the Gate Parish (La Nuestra Señora de
Porterìa) is historically built in 1773 with Volcanic Rocks.”

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Barasoain Church

Malolos

 75 reviews

#56 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“The church is nice but the roads are narrow so expect heavy traffic on weekends or
Sundays.. Didnt get a chance to visit the museum as it is closed on Sundays.”
“One Historic church where you sing the Pambansang Awit ng Pilipinas before  the
first Sunday mass where most of the country's History starts here.”

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Redemptorist Church - National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help

Paranaque

 125 reviews

#61 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“A place for prayer, petitions and sacrifices”

“There is a novena in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mother every Wednesday.”

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The Pink Sisters Chapel & Convent

Tagaytay

 55 reviews

#65 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“A serene spiritual place to meditate and write your prayer intentions...and the Pink
Sisters (they are called Pink Sisters because the Nuns literally wear Pink habits) will
constantly pray for everything you've wr...”

“Religious or non-religious you can visit to simply talk your heart out to GOD! a
SERENE place...best experience you can give to your soul”

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Saint Padre Pio Parish and Shrine

Santo Tomas

 82 reviews

#67 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“chapels to visit are the Main Church, Mother Mary of Mercy Belfry, St John Marie
Vianney Chapel, Divine Mercy Pilgrims Center, Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Holy Water
Sanctuary, immaculate Hear of Mary Sanctuary, etc. .”

“Thank the saints this is a sprawling national shrine - easily able to accommodate all the
people wanting to view the incorruptible heart relic of Saint Padre Pio! It's a wonderful
church - decked in natural bamboo...”

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Our Lady of Manaoag at Tierra de Maria

Tagaytay

 192 reviews

#74 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“It has a small chapel with a huge image of Our Lady of Manaoag in the exterior Inside
the chapel there are images of the many variants of Virgin Mary, like in Lourdes,
as Mother of Perpetual Help, Carmel and Guada...”
“My favorite spot is where the forgiveness cross is sitting, what a wonderful feeling to
pray and just put your heart out to God.”

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Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church

Lipa City

 45 reviews

#78 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“The compound is relatively big, with different sections -- meditation area, candle

and prayer area, convent, office rooms, garden, elevated prayer open area, the main
church, and a big parking space.”

“ Perfect place to be solemn and to give thanks and praises to the Almighty God the
Father, Jesus Christ, Mother Mary and to all the angels & saints.”

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The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary the Virgin

Sagada

 107 reviews

#84 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

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St Augustine Church

Vigan

 58 reviews

#86 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

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Saint Joseph Church

Las Pinas

 54 reviews

#92 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“I attended school since kinder in St Joseph Academy and since childhood this church
is well known and popular church for locals and tourists for the bamboo organ that you
will find inside the church and other time...”

“Saint Joseph Parish or known as Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Church is one of

our favorite church to attend Simbang Gabi.”

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See 1 Experience

Holy Rosary Parish Church

Angeles City

 44 reviews

#97 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“You will really appreciate the old beauty of the place.”

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Mt. Carmel Shrine

Quezon City

 31 reviews

#109 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“I have witnessed in this church the wedding of my nephew and saw how it can
transform itself in a festive but solemn celebration of love and still found yourself
in awe and in silent reverence of the Almighty.”

“This is one of the sites I visit for prayer on my devotion to the Blessed Mother.”

Learn More

San Guillermo Church

Bacolor

 29 reviews

#112 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“San Guillermo Parish Church is named after San Guillermo, the patron saint of

Bacolor, Pampanga, Philippines.”

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Monasterio de Santa Clara

Quezon City

 27 reviews

#114 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“... and so much happiness filled me, because of the beauty of the place..there was
serenity inside,however, those vendors outside, were so insistent that we buy
their merchandise .. when we entered the church.and”

“Beside the church is the candle prayer area and the office reception.”

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Bato Church

Virac

 41 reviews

#116 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“It is very scenic and solemn, over-looking the long stretch of the clean Bato River.”

“With the view of the nearby river with the winding bridge will remind you that simple
happiness residing in the province.”

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Monasterio de Tarlac

 32 reviews

#117 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“This is a perfect place to meditate, contemplate and reconnect with God.”

“The monastery, which sits atop Mount Resurrection, holds a relic of the True Cross.”

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Baler Catholic Church

Baler

 58 reviews

#120 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“We decided to go back the next day to participate during the early morning Sunday
mass as we plan to leave for Manila by late morning to avoid traffic.”

“Historic, yet humble place of worship.”

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Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Pasay

 17 reviews

#122 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“Viewed from the outside, the immense dome is like those of major cathedrals in

Europe, but especially the Basilica of St. Therese in Lisieux, France.”

“The Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and Columbarium, is so close to NAIA

Terminal 3 that you could almost walk there.”

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Saint Peter And Paul Parish Church

Makati

 25 reviews

#128 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“During the feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29-30, young gals dance to and offer
flowers to the Nuestra Senora Dela Rosa or Our Lady of the Rose whose bicentennial
celebration is this year.”

“Like TA member lrayneholley (two revciews prior), I attended Mass on a Sunday

morning at 1000 that is conducted in English, in this case by a very pleasant young
Filipino priest.”

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St Joseph's Cathedral

Balanga City

 33 reviews

#130 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“A solemn place of worship.”

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Mary Immaculate Parish - Nature Church

Las Pinas

 24 reviews

#136 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“All those flora was soothing and calming - very conducive to worship.”

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The Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao

Quezon City

 16 reviews

#139 of 675 Sights & Landmarks in Luzon

“The Apostles are honored by their portraits right above the pillars - for they are the
pillars of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church!”

“The interior design of the church is inspiring - magnificent ceiling and overall wonderful

architecture.”