SIX INFLUENCES OF PHILIPPINE ARCHITECTURE HISTORY

Which of the following best explains why Philippine geography is considered strategic?
A. It is close to Australia and Africa
B. It lies at the center of trade routes in Asia and the Pacific
C. It has the largest landmass in Southeast Asia
D. It was uninhabited before colonization

B

What impact did the arrival of the Spaniards have on Philippine culture and architecture?
A. It introduced Islamic architecture to the entire country
B. It replaced all indigenous architecture with Chinese design
C. It propagated Christian religion and Spanish cultural influences
D. It led to total abandonment of traditional materials

C

Which colonial power was most influenced by the Philippines’ location in the Asia-Pacific region?
A. Spain
B. Japan
C. America
D. China

C

Which of the following statements best describes the availability of wood in the Philippines during earlier times?
A. Wood was scarce and imported from neighboring countries
B. Only a few species of wood were used in construction
C. The Philippines had over 3,800 wood species used for various purposes
D. Wood was only used for religious carvings

C

Which of the following indigenous materials is NOT commonly used in traditional Philippine architecture?
A. Bamboo
B. Coconut
C. Steel
D. Nipa

C

What is the traditional Filipino house that makes extensive use of native materials like bamboo and nipa?
A. Bahay na bato
B. Bahay kubo
C. Mansión colonial
D. Pabahay moderno

B

Today, how are indigenous materials like rattan and coconut typically used in Philippine architecture?
A. As structural elements
B. As main roofing materials
C. Primarily for aesthetic or accent purposes
D. For foundation strengthening

C

Which months mark the cool dry season in the Philippines?
A. March to June
B. July to October
C. November to February
D. September to December

C

What natural phenomenon primarily characterizes the wet season in the Philippines?
A. Extreme droughts
B. Torrential rains and typhoons
C. Snowstorms
D. Hail showers

B

Which local term refers to the North-East Monsoon in the Philippines?
A. Habagat
B. Alon
C. Amihan
D. Bagyo

C

he South-West Monsoon in the Philippines is locally known as:
A. Alon
B. Amihan
C. Habagat
D. Panahon

C

Why is the Philippines prone to earthquakes?
A. It lies in the Sahara Desert
B. It is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire
C. It is below sea level
D. It has many active volcanoes outside its territory

B

What architectural form was developed during the Spanish period to better withstand earthquakes?
A. Bahay kubo
B. Bahay na bato
C. Torogan
D. Colonial mansions

B

How many earthquakes have rocked the Philippine archipelago since the 1970s?
A. Fewer than 100
B. Around 500
C. More than 10,000
D. Only during typhoon season

C

Which name did the Tagalogs use to refer to their Supreme Being?
A. Laon
B. Kabunyan
C. Bathala
D. Anito

C

What was the name of the Supreme Being worshiped by the Ifugao people?
A. Bathala
B. Aba
C. Kabunyan
D. Mangales

C

Which of the following pairs is correctly matched with the Bisayan belief in a Supreme Being?
A. Tagalogs – Laon
B. Ifugao – Bathala
C. Bisayas – Laon or Aba
D. Tagalogs – Kabunyan

C

In early Filipino beliefs, what were the anitos considered to be?
A. Evil spirits
B. Animal guides
C. Spirits of ancestors and good spirits
D. Storm deities

C

What were mangales in the context of early Filipino spirituality?
A. Good harvest spirits
B. Spirits of war
C. Bad or malevolent spirits
D. Guardians of rivers

C

Which of the following natural elements were venerated by early Filipinos?
A. Storms and earthquakes
B. Trees, birds, mountains, rivers, and lakes
C. Volcanoes and deserts
D. Suns and stars

B

In the traditional site selection method, what does it mean if a buried egg shakes when unearthed?
A. Construction can proceed
B. A new site must be immediately chosen
C. The site is cursed
D. Construction is postponed to a later date

D

Which of the following is NOT a traditional method used by early Filipinos to determine if a site was suitable for building?
A. Planting a wooden cross
B. Observing a carabao's behavior
C. Measuring wind direction
D. Burying an egg

C

What was the believed significance if a planted wooden cross in the center of a site remained unchanged?
A. The site was prone to typhoons
B. The site was not approved by the spirits
C. The spirits had approved the site for house building
D. The house would be structurally weak

C

In early Filipino belief, what did it indicate if a carabao tied in the center of a lot lay on its stomach?
A. The site was cursed
B. The construction should be halted
C. Construction may proceed
D. The land should be sold

C

Which of the following lot locations was considered inauspicious in early Filipino beliefs?
A. Near rivers or lakes
B. Facing the sunrise
C. At a T-intersection or a dead end
D. On elevated ground

C

According to traditional belief, which of the following conditions is considered unlucky for starting house construction?
A. Building on Easter Sunday
B. Building in December
C. Building during months without the letter "R"
D. Building during the warm or hot season

D

Which month would be considered the most appropriate to build a house based on traditional beliefs?
A. April
B. February
C. May
D. March

C

Which of the following trees would prevent a site from being considered suitable for house construction by the Bukidnons?
A. Mango
B. Balete
C. Acacia
D. Narra

B

What is the primary role of the babaylan or bukidnon during early site preparation?
A. To lay down the bamboo flooring
B. To design the foundation layout
C. To initiate the site selection and spiritual clearance
D. To supervise the carpentry work

C

Which of the following does not serve as an omen that construction should be postponed, according to Manobo beliefs?
A. Sneezing of a builder en route to the site
B. Mating season of doves
C. Rainfall on the first day of digging
D. Hearing a turtle's voice

C

Before building a Manobo house, what ritual is traditionally performed?
A. Planting a banana tree in front of the house
B. Sprinkling perfume on the first post
C. Pouring chicken blood on the base, roof, and floor
D. Leaving the site untouched for 7 days

C

What is the significance of inserting a child’s umbilical cord into the staircase?
A. To connect the family’s future to the sun
B. To symbolically root the family to the land
C. To spiritually link the girder to the stringer and strengthen the home
D. To preserve ancestral lineage

C

Which of the following is not placed beneath the principal post in traditional rituals for prosperity?
A. Medals
B. Paper lanterns
C. Silver coins
D. Cash money

B

What direction should the main door face for good fortune?
A. West
B. East
C. South
D. North

B

Why is the father's presence important during the initial phase of building a house?
A. He provides financial support
B. He symbolizes spiritual guidance
C. He represents strength and ensures structural stability
D. He blesses the house with a ritual chant

C

How should the longer length of the roof be positioned to avoid misfortune?
A. Diagonally across the lot
B. Facing the sunrise
C. Parallel to the street
D. Perpendicular to the wind

C

According to traditional belief, a stair should not have how many steps?
A. 7, 14, or 21
B. Numbers divisible by 3
C. Any odd number
D. A number ending in 0

B

Why must the main door swing inward rather than outward in traditional Filipino architecture?
A. To keep wild animals out
B. To invite good fortune inside
C. To avoid blocking the street
D. To allow better airflow

B

According to traditional belief, what does it mean if a coconut buried at the building site still contains juice after a week?
A. The site will experience flooding
B. The house is likely to collapse
C. The site promises prosperity
D. The soil is not firm enough for posts

C

Which stair count is considered most ideal for attracting wealth and prosperity?
A. 4 or 6
B. 5 or 7
C. 8 or 10
D. 12 or 14

B

What combination of items is traditionally buried in every post for wealth and prosperity?
A. Coins and herbs in a clay jar
B. Rice, beans, and salt in a cloth bag
C. Coins, cedula, and broken glass in black cloth
D. Crystals and candle wax wrapped in silk

C

Which item is believed to repel evil spirits when placed under the house?
A. Incense
B. Salt
C. Hot pepper
D. Basil leaves

C

Why are bamboo materials ideally cut during December?
A. It is the driest month, making the bamboo easier to split
B. Bamboo cut in December resists termites
C. Bamboo cut during this time is believed to be more durable against calamities
D. Cutting bamboo in December aligns with harvest festivals

C

Which of the following is considered a serious omen that construction should be stopped or reevaluated?
A. Finding a frog on the site
B. Losing a measuring tape
C. Death of a worker during construction
D. Using stones from a nearby river

C

What is the traditional belief about rebuilding a house using old posts?
A. It ensures ancestral protection
B. It brings stability and legacy
C. It results in the loss of wealth
D. It symbolizes humility

C

What directional orientation of stairs is believed to bring bad luck?
A. Facing east
B. Facing the sun
C. Parallel to the main beam
D. Curving toward the left

B

How are stairs designed to avoid ending in "mata" in the oro-plata-mata tradition?
A. By including landings
B. By choosing only even-numbered steps
C. By ending in counts not divisible by three
D. By decorating the final step

C

What is the traditional belief regarding wooden floor slats laid perpendicular to the stairs?
A. It strengthens the foundation
B. It promotes airflow
C. It causes misfortune to the dwellers
D. It is ideal for ventilation

C

Which of these situations is considered inauspicious when building a house?
A. The house is elevated
B. The house is near a school
C. The wife is pregnant
D. The land was recently farmed

C

What does it mean if the main door is directly opposite the house's exit door?
A. Air circulation will improve
B. It symbolizes an open heart
C. Wealth and fortune may flow out easily
D. It allows more natural light

C

What shape of floor plan is believed to portend bad luck?
A. L-shaped
B. Circular
C. Cross-shaped
D. T-shaped

C

What does it mean if doors face each other or a door faces a window?
A. The house is well-ventilated
B. The layout promotes good feng shui
C. It brings ill-health to the room’s occupant
D. It allows wealth to enter more easily

C

Which tree is commonly believed to be the dwelling of evil spirits and therefore avoided during site selection?
A. Mahogany
B. Balete
C. Acacia
D. Ipil

B

Why is building a house over a newly cut tree avoided in Filipino folk belief?
A. The soil may be too soft
B. The tree may grow back
C. It causes bad luck to the house owner
D. It disrupts natural energy lines

C

Which of the following materials are considered inauspicious for use due to their association with bad luck or spirits?
A. Old Narra posts
B. Driftwood
C. Dead trees, balete, lontoc, or bubog
D. Coconut husks

C

What omen is associated with the use of fresh wood that still contains tear-like sap?
A. Misfortune in construction scheduling
B. Danger of attracting termites
C. A premonition of actual tears or sorrow
D. A need to dry wood longer

C

What does a house gate facing a dead-end street traditionally signify?
A. Wealth from unexpected places
B. Higher safety from traffic
C. Risk of an accident for a family member
D. Strong community ties

C

What does building a house during a waning moon signify?
A. Fading opportunities
B. A prosperous household
C. Greater structural resilience
D. A calm family life

A