History of Philippine Architecture: Prehistoric to Islamic

Philippines

Located in the Pacific fringe of Asia.

Cultural influences

Southeast Asian countries shaped Philippine culture.

Commercial influences

Trade with China, Siam, Vietnam, etc.

Colonial influences

Spain, U.S.A., and Japan impacted architecture.

Major islands

Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are key regions.

Mountain ranges

Includes Caraballo, Cordillera, Sierra Madre, Zambales.

Pacific Ring of Fire

Region with active volcanoes affecting construction.

Igneous rocks

Materials like adobe and basalt used in buildings.

Climate

Hot, humid, tropical with distinct seasons.

Tag-init

Dry season from March to May.

Tag-ulan

Rainy season from June to October.

Tag-lamig

Cool season from December to February.

Amihan

Northeast monsoon bringing rains to eastern Philippines.

Habagat

Southwest monsoon affecting the western region.

Animism

Worship of nature in precolonial beliefs.

Antis

Good spirits in precolonial religious beliefs.

Mangles

Bad spirits in precolonial religious beliefs.

Precolonial architecture

Built before written records and Spanish colonization.

Traditional architecture

Continuity of building types and technology.

Folk architecture

Community-driven construction methods and designs.

Indigenous architecture

Native methods and styles of building.

Materials used

Bamboo, rattan, nipa, and Philippine hardwood.

Masonry construction

Use of coral stones, adobe, and bricks.

Kaingin system

Destructive slash-and-burn agricultural method.

Balangay

First wooden watercraft excavated in Southeast Asia.

Paraw

Visayan outrigger canoe used for fishing.

Bamboo

Light material used for posts and flooring.

Coconut wood

Common roofing material in local construction.

Rattan

Vine used for binding materials together.

Pile construction

Building method using stones for walls.

Informal construction

Built by locals without formal training.

Intuitive design

Based on owner's needs and sensibilities.

Steeply pitched roofs

Common feature for effective rainwater drainage.

Elevated structures

Built on posts to avoid flooding and animals.

Slatted flooring

Allows air circulation in lowland homes.

Tight-fitting planks

Provides insulation in highland houses.

Indigenous space organization

Reflects local cultural practices in layout.

Ornamentation

Decorative elements denoting social status.

Carabao skulls

Symbol of status in Ifugao houses.

Panolongs

Colorful decorations in Maranao architecture.

Ritual practices

Conducted for prosperity during construction.

Cave dwellings

Earliest shelters in the Philippines.

Callao Man

Earliest human species found in Callao Cave.

Tabon Man

Second earliest human species in Tabon Caves.

Manunggul Jar

Neolithic burial jar, National Cultural Treasure.

Golden Garuda Pendant

Artifact suggesting trade with ancient civilizations.

Angono Petroglyphs

Oldest known prehistoric art in the Philippines.

Tree houses

Built for safety from animals and conflicts.

Houseboats

Floating homes used by Sama-Bajao people.

Barangay

Precolonial settlement of 40-45 families.

Balanghai

Boats used by precolonial Filipinos.

Austronesian

Ethnic family of early Philippine settlers.

Malayo-Polynesian

Cultural influence on rice cultivation and sailing.

Datu

Political ruler in precolonial society.

Babaylan

Religious leader in precolonial communities.

Panday

Craftsman who made defense weapons.

Timawa

Freemen in the social hierarchy.

Alipin

Servants or dependents in society.

Maynilad

Palisaded settlement near Manila Bay.

Baybayin

Early writing system of precolonial Filipinos.

Boxer Codex

Illustrated manuscript of early Filipino life.

Caracoa

Precolonial warship used for defense.

Ivatan

Inhabitants of Batanes, descended from Taiwanese immigrants.

Nigadagada a vahay

Traditional Ivatan house made of lime and mortar.

Rakuh

Big house component of the Ivatan dwelling.

Kusina

Kitchen component of the Ivatan dwelling.

Sahad

Upper storey of the Ivatan house.

Maytuav

Roof type with four sloping sides.

Sinadumparan

Gable roof type with two sloping sides.

Chivuvuhung

Thatched house with a hearth and sleeping area.

Idjang/Ijiang

Stone fortress built on a promontory.

Savidug idjang

Largest preserved stone fortress in Batanes.

Ifugao

Ethnic group known for rice terraces.

Abong

Poor man's dwelling among the Ifugao.

Inappal

Temporary lodging structure for rice cultivation.

Bale

Wealthy one-room house with attic storage.

Fale

Alternative name for Bale, featuring carved posts.

Halipan

Rat guard made of circular disks.

Hagabi

Bench found inside a Bale house.

Amugawan tree

Wood used for constructing house parts.

Alang

Granary house for wealthy rice farmers.

Ifugao villages

Clustered houses near rice terraces and springs.

Mayoyao house

House known for classic simplicity and stonework.

Ambubulan figure

Roof ornament for protection against evil spirits.

Isneg

Boat builders and navigators of Apayao region.

Isneg house

Boat-shaped house with thatched roof.

Kalinga houses

Two types: Northern and Southern Kalinga.

Binayon

Octagonal house found in Upper Kalinga.

Bontoc house

Fayo, with specific dimensions and features.

Cha-la-nan

Ground floor space under the granary.

Ang-an

Sleeping compartment in the Bontoc house.

Granary (falig)

Storage area elevated above the ground.

Kalinga settlements

Town-like with up to 200 houses.

Northern Kalinga

Swidden farmers living in scattered hamlets.

Southern Kalinga

Farmers with larger, closer-knit settlements.

House cage

Structure supporting the granary in Bontoc houses.

Carvings

Decorative elements indicating social status.

Sagada House

Enclosed house with upper granary and ground quarters.

Granary (Falig)

Upper storage area accessed via a ladder.

Kankanai House

Distinctive house type in Kankanai territory.