HOA 4 MODULE 2 Summary Notes

Spanish Colonialism and Architecture with stone or brick. Materials like lime, crushed
coral, shells, eggshells, molasses, animal blood,
Possession and Settlement: In 1565, Miguel
carabao milk, sugar cane extract, and egg whites
Lopez de Legazpi took possession of the
were used in mortar. Churches evolved into
Philippine Islands, establishing settlements in
stone sanctuaries, blending indigenous and
Cebu and Panay before moving to Luzon.
European styles. Chinese and native artisans
In 1571, the Spanish occupied Manila and began incorporated local and Chinese motifs.
reconstruction, which led to the development of
Church Features: Church facades displayed
Intramuros. A fire in 1583 led to the use of
ornamentation, while lateral surfaces were plain
stone and tile for construction. The devastation
with buttresses. Bell towers (campanario) varied
caused by the 1645 earthquake resulted in the
in form. The basic plan was rectangular or
arquitectura mestiza, a hybrid construction
cruciform. Interiors featured an altar (altar
using wood and stone.
mayor) and a pulpit (pulpito). Side altars (altares
Urban Planning and Resettlement: The Spanish menores) accommodated multiple priests. The
implemented an urbanizing program called main altar was emphasized with an ornamented
reduction, consolidating scattered native retablo or altar screen. A choir loft (coro) was
settlements into compact villages. These towns located behind the main entrance. Conventos
followed the 1573 Royal Ordinance of King served as lodging, storerooms, and schools.
Phillip II, known as the Laws of the Indies. Cemeteries (camposanto) were initially within
church grounds but later moved to the outskirts
Urban Design: A main plaza (plaza mayor) was of town.
established, with streets laid out in a grid
pattern. Prominent colonial buildings, Examples of Churches:
marketplaces, and residences were arranged
1. San Agustin Church: Built in 1587, it is
around the plaza.
the only stone church of its scale that
Building Program: The Spanish constructed still stands.
forts, churches, government buildings, and 2. Paoay Church: Built from 1699 to 1702,
domestic structures, approximating European it resembles Hindu-Buddhist temple
models. Military and civil engineers supervised architecture with a detached bell tower.
public works, with many churches built under 3. Tumauini Church: Features Dominican-
the direction of master builders (maestro de built brick structures with volutes and
opras). Chinese builders were often employed. finials.
4. Miagao Church: Features a triangular
Labor and Defense: The colonial government pediment portraying Saint Christopher.
used the polo y servicio tax system to compel 5. San Joaquin Church: The pediment
labor for public construction. Fortifications, like depicts the 1859 battle of Tetuan,
Intramuros, were built to safeguard colonial Morocco.
territories. Fortress architecture followed the
bastion system of medieval European citadels. Bahay na Bato: This house form merged
Indigenous and Hispanic building traditions,
Ecclesiastical Architecture: Religious orders reflecting social changes and the rise of the
initiated the building of churches in newly illustrados. These houses typically had two
founded parishes. Early churches were simple, stories, with a stone or brick ground floor and a
made of light materials, and later expanded hardwood upper level. Windows had capis
HOA 4 MODULE 2 Summary Notes

shutters or glass panels, with auxiliary windows Infrastructure: The Spanish built ports, roads,
(ventanilias). Roofs were tiled or made of bridges, lighthouses, waterways, and railway
galvanized iron sheets (yero). The ground floor systems.
(saguan) was used for storage, while living
Commercial Buildings: Commercial structures
quarters were on the upper floor6. Features
ranged from sidewalk stalls to factories. A
included a staircase (escalera), foyer (caida),
special commercial district for Chinese
living room (sala), dining room (comedor),
merchants was called the Parian.
kitchen (cocina), bathroom (baño), and terrace
(azotea). Recreational Structures: Theaters (teatro) were
designed for performances. Cockfighting arenas
Civic Architecture: Buildings like the Palacio
(sabungan) were also built. Opium dens
Real and Ayuntamiento exemplified Spanish
(fumadero de opio) existed in urban areas.
administrative institutions. The Casa Real
symbolized secular power and was placed Legacy: Spanish colonialism left a lasting impact
opposite the church in town plazas. on Philippine architecture and urbanism,
influencing concepts of space, identity, power
relations, and daily life.

• Cortinas: Thick polygonal perimeter

walls that served as protection for
• Arquitectura Mestiza: A hybrid style of
fortresses and garrisons.
construction combining wooden frames
and stone, developed in the Philippines • Laws of the Indies: A code of
to withstand earthquakes. ordinances issued by the Spanish crown
in 1573, outlining how colonial towns
• Bahay na Bato: A type of house that
and cities should be planned and
evolved during the Spanish colonial
organized.
period, blending indigenous Filipino and
Spanish architectural elements. • Polo y Servicio: A system of forced labor
imposed by the Spanish colonial
• Baluarte/Bastion: A projecting part of a
government on Filipino males for public
fortification, typically polygonal in
works projects.
shape, that allows for defensive fire in
multiple directions. • Plaza Mayor: The main central square
in a town or city, a key element in
• Campanario: A bell tower, typically
Spanish colonial urban planning.
associated with a church.
• Reduccion: The Spanish policy of
• Casa Real/Casa Municipal: Town hall or
consolidating small, scattered native
municipal building during the Spanish
settlements into larger, more
colonial period.
centralized villages for easier control
• Convento: The parish house or rectory, and evangelization.
typically adjacent to a church, serving as
• Saguan: The dark ground floor vestibule
residence for priests and for
of the Bahay na Bato.
administrative functions.
• Ventanillas: Small windows beneath the
passamano or windowsill of a Bahay na
HOA 4 MODULE 2 Summary Notes

Bato, protected with iron grills or

wooden barandias.

Colonial Architecture:

Spanish Colonialism (1565-1898): Lasted for Characterized by monumentality and sturdier

333 years and significantly changed the materials.
Philippine built environment.
Churches and other structures were built under
Initial Colonization: the direction of architects or maestro de obras.

Miguel López de Legazpi took possession of the Chinese builders were often employed under a
Philippine Islands in 1565. contractual system called pacquiao.

Settlements were founded in Cebu and Panay The colonial government used the tax system of
but later moved to Luzon. polo y servicio, compelling able-bodied males to
render labor service for public construction
Manila was conquered in 1571 and transformed
into a stone-fortified metropolis called Ecclesiastical Buildings:
Intramuros.
Churches occupied the most prominent site in a
Intramuros: town.

A Spanish walled city that was less than a mile Early churches were simple, made of light
in area. materials, and had a high-pitched roof.

The devastation caused by the 1583 fire and the Later churches were made of stone, Adobe, or
1645 earthquake resulted in the invention of brick and reinforced with buttresses.
the hybrid type of construction the arquitectura
Indigenous motifs coexisted with European
mestiza which combined wooden frames and
styles.
stone.
Bell towers (campanario) and parish houses
Used wood on the upper floor and stone on the
(convento) were common.
lower floor, which was more resistant to
earthquakes. Domestic Architecture:
Urban Planning (The Laws of the Indies): The bahay na bato emerged as a new domestic
prototype.
Native settlements were consolidated into
larger villages. These houses typically had two stories, with the
ground story made of stone and the upper story
Towns followed the urban plan prescribed by
made of hardwood.
the 1573 Royal Ordinance of King Philip II,
known as the Laws of the Indies. Urbanization:
A main plaza or plaza mayor was established, Manila experienced urban sprawl, with
surrounded by important buildings such as the urbanization spilling over into nearby suburbs.
church, town hall (Casa Real or Tribunal), and
residences Accesorias or apartment dwellings grew from
the need for cheap housing.
HOA 4 MODULE 2 Summary Notes

Civic Architecture:

Buildings such as the Palacio Real and Casa del

Ayuntamiento epitomized Spanish
administrative institutions.

Colegios and escuelas primarias were built in

urban areas and pueblos.

Religious orders were in charge of health and

medical needs, with the Franciscans building the
first hospital around 1560.

Colonial Infrastructure:

Included port and harbor facilities.

Commercial Buildings:

Varied from small stalls to huge factories.

European commercial houses were allowed to

operate in Manila in 1809.

Early trading houses had offices and shops on

the ground floor and residences on the upper
story.

Leisure:

Dominated by theater and cockfighting.

Theaters like Teatro de Binondo and Teatro

Zorrilla were designed for performances.

Cockfighting arenas (sabungan) were built.

Gambling and opium consumption were also

present.