CHAPTER II.
Regional Forms in Churches In Northern Luzon
By about the 18th century, master builders (maestros) and stone workers were even
architechts, And so structures erected on that time evince certain stylistic tendencies.
They know races of regional expression.
Churches in northern Luzon – Binmaley and Dagupan in Pangasinan ; San Fernando
and Bauang in La Union : Vigan in Ilocos Sur; Laoag, Panay, and Bacarra in Ilocos
Norte ; and other churches in the region ---- have something in common Nearly all of
them are in barn style; and of large dimension, measuring seventry-two and twenty
meters more or less . Many of them, Like the churches in the Ilocos, have high pitched
roofs, which give a squat silhouette,of the height of roof.
Theses churches with the exception of Vigan Cathedral, suffered severe damages
during the last war. And despite the repairs and reconstruction that have been madem
the injured portions are still dispairable
The restored San Fernando ( La Union) Church gives the appearance of a false front
when seen from the sides.This is the result of restoration of the fascade, which is the
only portion of the church accorded architectural treatment originally.
The architectureis of the quasi-classic form. Cornice and band separate the first story
from the second. Pairs of engaged Tuscan Looking pillars flank the main portal, Similar
pillars are repeated the second story where they flank in choir light. The third story
lesser in height ; and what appears as a fourth story tapers in triangular shape. The
edges are of each story were treated differently; The second with stylized acanthus; The
third, with volutes; The fourth, with ples de gallo. The fourth story is capped with curved
pediment supported by engaged pillars (Fig.55)
6
, SPANISH PERIOD - ARCHITECTURE
The Bauang church is another with the local quasi-classic style.The facade is a tall
rectangle crowned by a triangle whose inclined sides probably followed the pitch of the
tile roof that covered the nave originally .Four tall composite pillars adorn the rectangle
in the traditional manner ; at the edges and on both sides of the main portal. (False doors
are on each side of this portal .There are also windows with ornamental pediments .) The
capitals of these pillars are of two sections separated by torus bands .Three anahaw
leaves adorn the lower section .These and the crude rendering of the volutes at the base
of the pediment give the characteristic regional appearance of the facade .Another
peculiar detail is the bell-shaped panel over the main portal (Fig.12)
The churches of Dagupan,Binmaley and Lingayan were damaged during the battle of
liberation in 1945.They lost their roofs completely ,through they had been replaced with
galvanize iron roofing in recent years .
Both of the Binmaley and Lingayen churches have plain facades . Their towers differ
.While that of Binmaley is quadrangular and of five stories, that of Lingayen is octagonal
and of six stories .Both towers are topped by bell-shaped cupolas suggestive of the
sugar vats of the region .
The facade of the Dagupan church is a distinct contrast to the other two .The traditional
manipulation of space into vertical zones .This is achieved by four pairs of pilasters
.Above the center pilaster rise short ones on which rests the base of the pediment .Frim
this base volutes hang down to the cornice .
Above the heavy cornice and directly over the main portal a shallow niche pierced by a
tall choir light .Two niches ,with the images of St.Augustine and St. Francis flank the
choir light at a lower level .
There are some architectural details inside this church worth mentioning .There is a
newel pulpit ,one of the very few such pulpits in Luzon .It is octagonal in
cross-section.The oval side panels are decorated with relief flower design in the subtle
form of a cross .Characteristic of this flower design is its minimum
stylization,reminiscent of oriental floral ornaments .
In the sacristy is a vestry case of narra ,four feet tall ,fifteen feet long and three and a half
feet deep .It has eight drawers,every front of which is ornamented with carvings - a
perculiarly stylized . With volutes or half volutes resembling Chinese fretwork.The
end drawers do not run clear to the edge .There are tall vertical panels along each end .
7
Regional Forms in Churches In Northern Luzon
By about the 18th century, master builders (maestros) and stone workers were even
architechts, And so structures erected on that time evince certain stylistic tendencies.
They know races of regional expression.
Churches in northern Luzon – Binmaley and Dagupan in Pangasinan ; San Fernando
and Bauang in La Union : Vigan in Ilocos Sur; Laoag, Panay, and Bacarra in Ilocos
Norte ; and other churches in the region ---- have something in common Nearly all of
them are in barn style; and of large dimension, measuring seventry-two and twenty
meters more or less . Many of them, Like the churches in the Ilocos, have high pitched
roofs, which give a squat silhouette,of the height of roof.
Theses churches with the exception of Vigan Cathedral, suffered severe damages
during the last war. And despite the repairs and reconstruction that have been madem
the injured portions are still dispairable
The restored San Fernando ( La Union) Church gives the appearance of a false front
when seen from the sides.This is the result of restoration of the fascade, which is the
only portion of the church accorded architectural treatment originally.
The architectureis of the quasi-classic form. Cornice and band separate the first story
from the second. Pairs of engaged Tuscan Looking pillars flank the main portal, Similar
pillars are repeated the second story where they flank in choir light. The third story
lesser in height ; and what appears as a fourth story tapers in triangular shape. The
edges are of each story were treated differently; The second with stylized acanthus; The
third, with volutes; The fourth, with ples de gallo. The fourth story is capped with curved
pediment supported by engaged pillars (Fig.55)
6
, SPANISH PERIOD - ARCHITECTURE
The Bauang church is another with the local quasi-classic style.The facade is a tall
rectangle crowned by a triangle whose inclined sides probably followed the pitch of the
tile roof that covered the nave originally .Four tall composite pillars adorn the rectangle
in the traditional manner ; at the edges and on both sides of the main portal. (False doors
are on each side of this portal .There are also windows with ornamental pediments .) The
capitals of these pillars are of two sections separated by torus bands .Three anahaw
leaves adorn the lower section .These and the crude rendering of the volutes at the base
of the pediment give the characteristic regional appearance of the facade .Another
peculiar detail is the bell-shaped panel over the main portal (Fig.12)
The churches of Dagupan,Binmaley and Lingayan were damaged during the battle of
liberation in 1945.They lost their roofs completely ,through they had been replaced with
galvanize iron roofing in recent years .
Both of the Binmaley and Lingayen churches have plain facades . Their towers differ
.While that of Binmaley is quadrangular and of five stories, that of Lingayen is octagonal
and of six stories .Both towers are topped by bell-shaped cupolas suggestive of the
sugar vats of the region .
The facade of the Dagupan church is a distinct contrast to the other two .The traditional
manipulation of space into vertical zones .This is achieved by four pairs of pilasters
.Above the center pilaster rise short ones on which rests the base of the pediment .Frim
this base volutes hang down to the cornice .
Above the heavy cornice and directly over the main portal a shallow niche pierced by a
tall choir light .Two niches ,with the images of St.Augustine and St. Francis flank the
choir light at a lower level .
There are some architectural details inside this church worth mentioning .There is a
newel pulpit ,one of the very few such pulpits in Luzon .It is octagonal in
cross-section.The oval side panels are decorated with relief flower design in the subtle
form of a cross .Characteristic of this flower design is its minimum
stylization,reminiscent of oriental floral ornaments .
In the sacristy is a vestry case of narra ,four feet tall ,fifteen feet long and three and a half
feet deep .It has eight drawers,every front of which is ornamented with carvings - a
perculiarly stylized . With volutes or half volutes resembling Chinese fretwork.The
end drawers do not run clear to the edge .There are tall vertical panels along each end .
7
