Early Architecture in the Philippines

Early Architecture in the Philippines Introduction The fact there is not, and never has been a characteristically Philippine Architecture is not necessarily a reflection upon the genius of the Filipinos. There are many critics who contend with some degree of justification, that America has no distinct architecture and who accuse American architects of plagiarizing the ancient Greek, Roman and renaissance architectural forms. The Greeks and the Romans borrowed the principle of the column and the lintel from the Egyptians, who first utilized it on an extensive architectural scale, and the Gothic architects borrowed the principle of the arch from the Romans, so it is evident that progress in architecture has not been made by the repudiation of early architectural discoveries but rather by the development and amplification of them. The Philippines may go through a long period in which the adaptation of European and American science and technology shall be accomplished before the field or original research is reached and so in architecture - they must proceed far with he adaptation of foreign architectural styles and methods of construction before a distinctly characteristic Philippine style will appear. To evolve a new style, it is necessary to consider our cultural heritage and legitimate utilization of exotic architectural motives practically modified to conform to the customs of commercial and private life and to the existence of tropical heat and torrential rains. Geography, religion, and time were responsible for the admixture of our ancient culture. Originally a part of the great continent of Asia, the Philippines became an archipelago of 7,100 islands after the post glacial period. Strategically located, it lies along the borders of the West Pacific and the South China Sea. Before the 16th century, it was an archipelago of independent kingdoms, intermittently invaded by Negritos, Indonesians, Proto-Malays, Malays and swept by the tide of the Southeast Asian Empires - the Shri-Vishaya, the Madjapahit, the Mohammedan-Malay Empire of Malacca, and the Chinese of the Mings. Architecture is determined by various factors - the climate, the contour of the land, the materials at hand, religion, social, political and economic conditions, scientific and technological advancement. Simplifying, architecture is determined by the needs of the people in their time, the materials at hand and their aesthetic tastes. Environmental Influences • Geography and Topography Originally a part of the great Asiatic mainland, the Philippines became an archipelago of 7,110 islands and islets after the post glacial period. Some geologists asserted that the Philippines was of volcanic origin. The eruptions of sea volcanoes in remote times caused the emergence of the islands above the waters, and in this way the Philippines was born. Geographical scientists opined that the Philippines was a remnant of a vast continent in the Pacific which in prehistoric times, sank beneath the water like the fabled Atlantis. This lost Pacific continent was known as Mu or Lemuria, and its remnants included aside from the Philippines, Borneo, Celebes, the Malaccas, Java, Sumatra, the Carolines, Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti and other islands in the Pacific. The most popularly accepted theory that the Philippines was once a part of Asia. During the post glacial period, the world's ice melted causing the level of the sun to rise; consequently, the lower region of the earth including the land bridges connecting Asia and the Philippines submerged, thus it came to pass that th Philippine was separated from Asia. This theory is supported by the following: (1) There is similarity of flora and fauna in Asia and the Philippines; (2) Similarity in their rock structures; (3) The existence of shallow water between the Philippines and Asia; (4) Presence of fore-deep at the eastern margin of the Philippines indicating that the archipelago was the edge of a continental platform projecting eastwardly from Asia. The Philippine archipelago extends about 1152 miles along the North-South latitude and 688 miles along the West-East longitude. It is 75 miles south of Taiwan and 34 miles from North Borneo. • Geology and Materials The Philippines is rich in latent wealth found in her vast lands of valleys, plains, hills and mountain ranges and the waters along her extensive coastlines. There is a great variety of timber, mineral land areas. Iron, copper, gold, tin, clay, limestones, manganese are mined in many parts of the country. The best timber products used for building and furniture making are narra, molave, yakal, dao, ipil, guijo, tanguile, palosapis and others found in extensive mountain ranges and hills. Palm and rattan are also abound. These are used form minor light construction. • Religion The first Indonesians and Malays who came to the Philippines were animo- deists and therefore worshipped the sun as the source of life, the moon, the stars, the rainbow, the caves, volcanoes and large trees. They also respected certain animals like the sharks, crows, doves, rooster, lizards and iguanas. They invoked protection from evil from their ancestral spirits and in the concept of anitos and diwatas. these beliefs took form in the decorative symbols that they carved in their houses, sailboats, tools, weapons and costumes. The carcass of the carabao skull was also important symbol placed on top of the roof of the chief's house to signify that the community had a leader. The rooster was the symbol of the sun, force, courage, and fertility and was used on top of the roof finials as well as in the praws of sailboats. The lizard or iguana was used as a symbol of the reincarnation of a deity and they were carved and placed across the doors of th granaries to ward off the entrance of pests and thieves. The second and third waves of Malays brought the concept of Bathala, the supreme god, creator of the universe and lord of all man. Spanish domination which lasted from 1565 to 1989 brought about distinct changes in religious life and practices of the people. Christianity elevated the social position of women and its fundamental concern is the salvation of the soul for eternal life. Mohammedanism had a strong foothold in the southern islands. Other religions have been adapted by some minorities. All of these religions provided men set of ideals which carry them beyond their own immediate sphere. The various religions have developed different social principles. These ideals and principles are reflected in the different religious and sepulchral structures, - the church, the tombs and burial mounds. • Climate and Seismic Condition Climate, topography and seismic conditions dictate a highly functional type of architecture. Torrential rains, typhoon, tidal waves, heat, humidity, earthquake are common occurrences in the Philippines. The main seasons in the Philippines are the dry-hot season from March to June; rainy-wet season from July to November. December to February experience mild climate. Torrential rains cause floods, washing out coastal towns and destroying forest and farmlands. • Social, Political and Economic Conditions Before the coming of the Spaniards, the primitive non-Christian Filipinos lived in small communities called barangay ruled by a datu. They were ruled by local laws. the oldest source of law, it was believed, was the goddess "Lubluban". The laws were announced by village informer who went around the village at night to make announcements. The laws carried many subjects such as marriage, inheritance, loans, contracts, and descents. The Code of Kalantiaw and the Code of Maragtas were the oldest laws. They believed in auguries and superstitions. They had a system of alphabet based on the ancient Malayan alphabet. They had a system of writing using the bamboo pulp or the bark of a tree for writing. They practised medicine using herbs, juices and oil. They showed skill in the art of embalming. The tinuro, the dipa and the dankal were used as units of linear measure. the gatang was the unit of measure of capacity. The people mined and smelted their own iron ore and copper. They made beads, armlets and earrings. They established trade relations with China, siam, Cambodia, Annam, India and Japan. The art of the Bagobos were confined to personal adornments of headgear, belts, armlets, sheaths and pouches. The maranaw craftsmanship and dexterity are evident in their brass work, the urns, rays and "gadurs" (vases). Among the Ifugaos, woodcarving in wooden representation of deities and idols was a common art. The Apayaos, Kalingas and Gaddangs practised dry-rice agriculture. The Mangyans subsisted on shifting agriculture, hunting and gathering. They also practised the art of basket weaving. The earliest type of shelter was the lean to fashioned of leaves and propped up by a pole. Trade relations with the neighboring countries influenced the enhancement of the Filipino culture. Our past political village system was of Indian caste. The chinese influenced greatly the economic life of the Filipinos. It appeared that iron, lead, gold and silver were derived by the early Filipinos from the chinese. Aside from the art of mining, the chinese introduced metallurgy and the manufacture of gunpowder, porcelain, pottery, gongs, umbrellas, etc. the Japanese taught the Filipinos how to manufacture agricultural implements, how to breed ducks and fishes for export. Weapons of warfare were manufactured under the direction of the Japanese. Christianity came to the Philippines from Palestine and Rome, by way of Spain. Christianity - as Mohammedanism, Buddhism, and Hinduism have given us a solid basis for our morals and way of life. Architecture Filipino Architecture is not indigenous. It is an admixture of the Muslim, Malayan, chinese and Spanish influences. the indigenous tribes of the Philippines which were quite a diverse group and of nomadic nature had little art of building to speak of. Their architectural art was revealed in their houses of nipa, cogon and bamboo.

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