Part 1 – SPANISH PERIOD
I. ARCHITECTURE
Chapter 1
Pre-Spanish Houses.
Houses of the pre-Magellan Filipinos were made of light materials like bamboo, palm,
vine, and grass. Wood was also used, usually for posts and joists. In places where the
nipa palm grew, nipa thatch was the material for roofing and siding; otherwise, grass
was used. Flattened bamboo and bark of trees were utilized for siding and flooring.
Bamboo slats interwoven and held by a frame of whole or halved bamboo served for
doors and windows. Rattan and similar vines were the materials for tying. Ladders were
made of bamboo.
The pre-Spanish Filipino house had a pyramidal roof. The walls were low; the
floor was raised a few feet above the ground. Oftentimes, leantos extended from the
main house. The houses of the well-to-do class were generally of larger dimensions.
The Beginnings of Intramuros:
The Spaniards discovered the Philippines in 1521. However, it was more than four
decades later, in 1565, than an expedition led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi succeeded
in establishing settlements for the purpose of colonizing the archipelago. Settlements
were set up in Cebu, Panay and Luzon. In Manila after conquering the native chieftains,
Legaspi put up the administrative center of the colonial government. And, just as in
Cebu and Panay, he established the Spanish settlement on the site of the native
stronghold at the mouth of the Pasig River.
Since half off the native settlement was burned down in the battle for the
conquest of Manila, Legaspi had to rebuild it. Barracks were built for the soldiers,
houses for the officers and civil personnel, and a chapel. These structures, at first, were
made of
1
, 2
light materials – bamboo, wood, palm and grass – which the natives used. Later on,
however, as new streets were laid out for the town, stronger materials were used.
Building stone, better known with the Mexican term “adobe,” abounded in many places
in the vicinity of Manila. The best kind was quarried in Guadalupe, a few kilometers east
of Manila, and in Meycawayan, about twenty kilometers north. The Meycawayan stone
possessed strong bonding quality.
In the building of Philippine towns by the Spanish colonists, the common scheme in the
plan of the streets was to layout a square of about one hundred varas or more to a side,
depending upon the importance of the locality. Usually, the church was built on the
opposite side. The residences of the town administrators and other prominent persons,
like the aguacil mayor and the regidores were on the other two center. As the town
expanded, streets were laid out parallel to the streets around the plaza.
The original town of Manila was rebuilt by Legaspi in 1571 in accordance with
this scheme. And he also strengthened the palisades surrounding the town. The area
within these fortifications developed to be Intramuros, or Walled City, of Manila.
Start of Stone and Tile Construction.
After the unsuccessful attack of Manila by Limahong in 1574. Governor Lavezares built
stronger palisades to protect the Walled City. However, a second fire destroyed the city.
This fire started from the San Agustin church, which was of wood and nipa, while the
remains of Governor Ronquillo lay on a catafalque. A piece of decorative material
stirred by the wind caught the flame of a candle.
On account of this disaster, the incumbent Governor De Vera laid plans to replace the
palisades with a stone wall. He also discouraged the use of nipa for roofing of houses
within the city. And so houses of wood and stone with tile roofs began to be built. At the
beginning of the 17th Century, De Morga noted these casas de canteria y teja. By the
middle of the 17th Century, Intramuros was a city of stone and tile.
The walls of Intramuros were however started under Governor Gomez Perez
Dasmariñas. Quarrying of stones was under-
3
I. ARCHITECTURE
Chapter 1
Pre-Spanish Houses.
Houses of the pre-Magellan Filipinos were made of light materials like bamboo, palm,
vine, and grass. Wood was also used, usually for posts and joists. In places where the
nipa palm grew, nipa thatch was the material for roofing and siding; otherwise, grass
was used. Flattened bamboo and bark of trees were utilized for siding and flooring.
Bamboo slats interwoven and held by a frame of whole or halved bamboo served for
doors and windows. Rattan and similar vines were the materials for tying. Ladders were
made of bamboo.
The pre-Spanish Filipino house had a pyramidal roof. The walls were low; the
floor was raised a few feet above the ground. Oftentimes, leantos extended from the
main house. The houses of the well-to-do class were generally of larger dimensions.
The Beginnings of Intramuros:
The Spaniards discovered the Philippines in 1521. However, it was more than four
decades later, in 1565, than an expedition led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi succeeded
in establishing settlements for the purpose of colonizing the archipelago. Settlements
were set up in Cebu, Panay and Luzon. In Manila after conquering the native chieftains,
Legaspi put up the administrative center of the colonial government. And, just as in
Cebu and Panay, he established the Spanish settlement on the site of the native
stronghold at the mouth of the Pasig River.
Since half off the native settlement was burned down in the battle for the
conquest of Manila, Legaspi had to rebuild it. Barracks were built for the soldiers,
houses for the officers and civil personnel, and a chapel. These structures, at first, were
made of
1
, 2
light materials – bamboo, wood, palm and grass – which the natives used. Later on,
however, as new streets were laid out for the town, stronger materials were used.
Building stone, better known with the Mexican term “adobe,” abounded in many places
in the vicinity of Manila. The best kind was quarried in Guadalupe, a few kilometers east
of Manila, and in Meycawayan, about twenty kilometers north. The Meycawayan stone
possessed strong bonding quality.
In the building of Philippine towns by the Spanish colonists, the common scheme in the
plan of the streets was to layout a square of about one hundred varas or more to a side,
depending upon the importance of the locality. Usually, the church was built on the
opposite side. The residences of the town administrators and other prominent persons,
like the aguacil mayor and the regidores were on the other two center. As the town
expanded, streets were laid out parallel to the streets around the plaza.
The original town of Manila was rebuilt by Legaspi in 1571 in accordance with
this scheme. And he also strengthened the palisades surrounding the town. The area
within these fortifications developed to be Intramuros, or Walled City, of Manila.
Start of Stone and Tile Construction.
After the unsuccessful attack of Manila by Limahong in 1574. Governor Lavezares built
stronger palisades to protect the Walled City. However, a second fire destroyed the city.
This fire started from the San Agustin church, which was of wood and nipa, while the
remains of Governor Ronquillo lay on a catafalque. A piece of decorative material
stirred by the wind caught the flame of a candle.
On account of this disaster, the incumbent Governor De Vera laid plans to replace the
palisades with a stone wall. He also discouraged the use of nipa for roofing of houses
within the city. And so houses of wood and stone with tile roofs began to be built. At the
beginning of the 17th Century, De Morga noted these casas de canteria y teja. By the
middle of the 17th Century, Intramuros was a city of stone and tile.
The walls of Intramuros were however started under Governor Gomez Perez
Dasmariñas. Quarrying of stones was under-
3
