Philippine Architecture

Overview

• Philippine architecture is diverse, encompassing various expressions, forms, styles, and historical periods.
• Early architecture was primarily influenced by nature and the need for shelter.

Prehistoric Architecture

• Cave Dwellings:
  • Served as the earliest form of shelter for early Filipinos, particularly the Pleistocene people.
  • Example: Tabon Cave Complex in Palawan (138 hectares, over 200 caverns).
  • Petroglyphs in Angono, Rizal, indicate efforts to embellish living spaces.
  • Rock-hewn Architecture:
    • Idjang citadels in Batanes as defensive structures.

Architectural Evolution

• Transition from caves to more sophisticated structures with the advent of stone tools.
• Fibro-constructive Technology:
  • Development of temporary shelters (e.g., lintu windbreak used by Aita).
  • Arboreal Shelters: Tree houses built for protection against conflicts and predators.

Agricultural Architecture

• Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras:
  • Pre-modern engineering marvels; estimated stone use exceeds that of the pyramids and Great Wall of China.
  • Essential elements: terrace base, embankments, and soil body.

Austronesian Influence

• Austronesian culture influenced Philippine architecture with water-based lifestyles shaping building styles.
• Austronesian House Characteristics:
  • Raised wooden structures with thatched roofs.
  • Baje-kopo: Cube house structure, raised on posts, aiding ventilation and flood prevention.

Construction Techniques

• Use of botanic materials; assembly without nails, utilizing sophisticated jointing techniques.
• Interior Layout:
  • Multifunctional spaces that change usage throughout the day.
  • Common components: living area, kitchen, and open gallery (balcon/batalan).

Roof Designs

• Dominant architectural feature; examples include pyramidal roofs in Ifugao and hip roofs in northern Philippines.
• Thatch roofs made from plant materials, durable and watertight for over a century.
• Decorative Elements:
  • Finials and motifs reflect cultural significance (e.g., naga designs).

Islamic Architecture

• Emergence of mosques in Sulu and Mindanao, with two main types: masjid and langgal.
  • Masjid: Large, permanent structures with domes and minarets.
  • Langgal: Smaller, semi-permanent prayer houses in rural areas.

Maritime Architecture

• Structures adapted to geographic features, categorized into:
  • Land-based stilt dwellings
  • Oceanic stilt dwellings
  • Houseboats used by maritime communities, especially among the Bajaus.

Communal Architecture

• Torogan: Ornate ancestral residence of the Maranao.
  • Raised on posts with decorative elements, built to withstand earthquakes.
• Tiboli Gunubong: Elevated communal house supporting extended families, characterized by bamboo stilts.

Conclusion

• Vernacular architecture represents indigenous building practices and remains significant in Filipino culture.
• It encompasses a wide range of structures, including dwellings, fortifications, and places of worship.