HOA MIDTERM [Module 1: Spanish Colonial Architecture in
the Philippines-Church Architecture]
Introduction
The architecture of the Philippines during the Spanish colonization
comprises other types of building such as churches which has played
a role in the religious history of the country.
PRE-SPANISH ERA
The Filipinos before the arrival of the Spanish practiced animism in
which they worshiped spirits of nature,deities projected to a physical
figure of sculptures called anito or the preserved dead bodies of their
ancestors. These systems of beliefs vary in the different ethnic
groups and islands.
The indigenous Filipino conduct their spiritual practices in what they
called simbahan, an attached space or extension of their dwelling
which they termed Sibi. A solemn feasts were held in the Sibi that
lasted for days and decorations were removed after.
Other systems of beliefs were due to the trading industry of other
nations to the country such as Arabs who introduced Islam in
Mindanao island in the 14th century, and Buddhism and Hinduism
from other Southeast Asians.
With the arrival of the Spanish has turned the indigenous people of
the Philippines into christians with massive churches spread in the
islands of the archipelago making the country one of the biggest
catholic nations in Asia and in the world with 80% of its population is
catholic, a sign of full embrace of the Filipino of the western culture.
CHURCH ARCHITECTURE DURING THE SPANISH ERA
The arrival of the Spanish to the Philippine in 1521 by the
Portuguese voyager named Magellan began the exploration of the
archipelago and introduction of Christianity to the expansion of the
Spanish empire. And churches built during colonialism became a
remarkable signature of Spanish colonial architecture in the
Philippines.
As the Christian Catholic faith was injected into Filipino culture from
animistic tradition, building of churches marked a formal
establishment of church architecture in the country. These churches
were built by the Spanish missionaries as a way to spread the
catholic faith. Below are the oldest churches still surviving up to
today as living proof of the arrival of Catholicism in the Philippines.
San Agustin Church, Intramuros Manila,1606
Photo credited to
https://guidetothephilippines.ph
The oldest church in the
Philippines,its current structure
was the third version of the
church after the masonry
construction method was used to
protect the church.It is built with
coral and adobe stonescut in
precise size and
quarrie from
Guadalupe,Meycauayan and Rizal in Baroque architectural style, it is
designed by Juan Macias under the supervision of the Agustinina
priests. The church stood along the intersection of Calle Real and St.
Lucia St, which later became a monastery and was listed in the
UNESCO World Heritage
List as a World Heritage
Site in 1993.
Quipayo Church,
Camarines Sur,1616
The Church of the
Immaculate Conception of
Quipayo established by the
Franciscan missionaries.
It is one of the oldest
churches in the Philippines
and first structure built during the Spanish Regime and the symbol of
Catholicism in Bicol.
The church was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1973 and
1978.
Miag-ao Church, Iloilo, 1786
Also known as Santo Tomas de
Villanueva parish Church is built
at a highest ground as
commanding view to the Miag-
ao river where the muslim
pirates usually made their way.
The church was constructed in
Baroque architectural style with
Chinese and Filipino motifs in its
facade.
The facade has yellow-ochre
color due to the adobe made
from silt and clay which only
found in Ilo-Ilo is mixed of
ground coral and egg white. It
consists of decorated bas-relief
which depicts the daily life of the
local and the Patron Saint
Christopher.
In 1993, UNESCO named Miag-
ao church as a World Heritage Site for its numerous architectural
styles called the Earthquake Baroque and Fortress Baroque Church.
Paoay Church, Ilocos Norte,1710
Side buttresses of Paoay Church
Officially named as St.
Augustine Church and a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in
1993 under the collective group
“Baroque Churches of the
Philippines”
It is well known for its
pyramidal facade built from thick walls made from coral stones and
bricks, an example of earthquake baroque style. It has an impressive
24 buttresses on each side.
Details of the facade
Its facade reflects Spanish,Chinese and Filipino influences for its
Gothic,baraoque and oriental features.
https://primer.com.ph/travel/2017/03/05/a-beautiful-piece-of-history-
paoay-church/
Assessment:
1. What are the qualities of colonial churches?
2. What are the qualities of the churches today from the past?
3. What is church architecture of the past?
4. What is church architecture today?
