The architecture of the Philippines is a combination of the influences that impacted it during its pre-colonial and colonial periods. If you’re interested in finding out how Philippine architecture developed in its “Classical period,” then read on!
Pre-Hispanic Era
Caves and Rock Shelters
In early recorded history, the Filipino people lived nomadic lifestyles – meaning that they lived as hunter-gatherers that always traveled to find food and shelter. The Filipino nomads would temporarily settle in natural geological formations such as caves and rock shelters. Early tools such as sharpened rocks laid the beginning of early Filipino’s capability to build structures.
Nipa Huts and Man-made Terraces (Early Structures)
Cordillera Rice Terraces
As an agricultural era ushered into the life of the early Filipinos, sowing crops for sustenance enabled them to set up permanent shelters. Having developed more advanced tools, natives would typically build houses that were “predominantly rectangular in shape” that were “built on stilts to allow the house to be transported”, an example of classical architecture in the country. Perhaps one could say that these were the early House and Lot for Sale. Moreover, native Filipinos went on to shape even the land around them as well, like the Ifugao carving out the rice terraces.
Palaces and Villages (Early Kingdoms)
As permanent shelters became common, early societies were formed. This led to the formation of social hierarchies, and this would mean that an inhabitant’s social class would correspond to what kind of structure they lived in. Nobles would live in palaces, such as the Maranao’s “torogan,” which was where a datu or sultan would live in. Commoners usually lived in the standard huts, tent-like shelters, with some even living in tree houses
Fortresses (Early Military Forces)
The formation of societies and hierarchies within them fostered growing communities that kept more and more food in storage. This meant that military force became a necessity to defend these resources and the inhabitants that need them. Hence, the Filipino natives built various cultural fortresses. Examples of these include the Igorot stone forts, the Idjang’s elevated forts that were only accessible via ladder, and the Islamic “kuta,” which was a fort of wood and stone that doubled as a palace for the local lord.
Mosques
Sheik Karimol Makhdum Mosque
Sheik Karimol Makhdum Mosque: The oldest mosque in the Philippines, built in 1380 | Photo from mymindanao.com
The emergence of Islam in the Mindanao region of the Philippines led to the building of mosques. It was with the building of mosques that more intricate details were observed, and such attention to detail is even more ever-present in today’s House and Lot for Sale. With huts as a commonly built shelter, the pre-Hispanic mosques were typically “pagoda-style and hut-style.”
Spanish Era
Colonial Churches
Manila Cathedral v2
The most impactful influence that the Spanish fostered in the Philippines upon their arrival is the spread of Christianity. With the spread of this religion, religious structures became built over many areas in the country in spite of the technical and material limitations. Initially, the Spanish introduced the Antillean style of architecture, whose roots come from European Architecture. Many of the churches that were built observed the Mexican or Spanish Baroque style of architecture, and the style of such structures was modified to suit the climate and calamities of the country giving way to an architecture that has a uniquely Filipino style.
“Bahay na Bato”
Stone and masonry construction was soon introduced to the Filipinos. This gave rise to the “bahay na bato” or a stone house in English, which was a house that was built out of “massive cut stone or brick walls” that served as the common housing of Filipino nobles. Essentially, the nipa hut of the pre-Hispanic era laid the foundation for the “bahay na bato.”
Particularly, “bahay na bato” houses of wealthier Filipinos were built “with solid stone foundations, Capiz shell windows, a wooden upper story with balustrades, and a tiled roof.” The combination of materials shows how the construction of good materials for a House and Lot for Sale began to develop.
Spanish-era Fortresses
The Philippines is comprised of many islands. In order to protect their territorial claim, the Spanish built fortresses “to assert political control.” Examples of these structures include Fort Santiago, which is a fortress that was built on what was once a Muslim kingdom ruled by the chieftain Rajah Sulayman. Upon Sulayman’s defeat by the Spanish, Fort Santiago was built to fight foreign invaders.