Notes on Pre-Hispanic Era and Philippine Vernacular Architecture

PRE-HISPANIC ERA

  • Philippine Vernacular Architecture overview

    • Built as a broad category; majority are dwellings constructed by communities; vernacular lineage includes granaries, fortifications, worship spaces, ephemeral structures, and contemporary urban shanties.

    • Vernacular architecture is an omni-present building practice and an accessible idiom for many Filipinos.

  • EARLY PHILIPPINE SHELTER

    • Architecture began as a response to nature.

    • PRE-HISPANIC ERA: Early shelter forms include caves, lean-to shelters, and arboreal (tree- and height-based) dwellings.

  • PRE-HISTORIC BUILDING TYPES

    • Caves: earliest form of human habitation; often predating Homo sapiens in interpretation; require minimal site work; built from excavation rather than traditional construction.

    • Lean-to shelters: ephemeral, nomadic, windbreaks or windscreens anchored by a pole; portable, minimal investment; reflects nomadic lifestyles.

    • Arboreal shelters: dwellings high in trees; interlocking branches; protection from animals and enemies; elevations range from ~6 to 60 ft above ground depending on site and threat levels.

  • CAVE DWELLINGS (PRE-HISPANIC ERA)

    • Cave dwellings: prehistoric cave shelters; among the earliest human dwellings in the Philippines.

    • Pleistocene people, the earliest dwellers of caves in the Philippine; linked to Ice Age populations and land-bridge theories (Tulay na Lupa).

    • Tabon Cave (Tabon Cave Complex, Palawan)

    • Tabon Caves: located at Lipuun Point, north of Quezon, Palawan; named after Tabon Megapode/Scrufowl.

    • Tabon Cave complex has 29 explored caves; seven open to the public (main sites: Tabon Cave, Diwata Cave, Igang Cave, Liyang Cave).

    • Tabon Man was discovered here; among the oldest human remains in the Philippines.

    • Tabon Caves inhabited by prehistoric families; Tabon Cave remains show evidence of long-term occupation dating back as far as ~30,000 years ago.

    • Manunggul Jar: a Neolithic secondary burial jar from Manunggul Cave (Tabon Caves) dating to 890-710 B.C., two figures representing the journey of the soul to the afterlife.

    • In 2006, the Tabon Cave Complex and Lipuun were added to the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage nomination; managed by the National Museum; declared a National Cultural Treasure in February 2011.

    • Tau’t-Batu Cave (People of the Rock)

    • Located in Singnapan Valley, southern Palawan; last discovered tribe in the Philippines.

    • Their world is inhabited by a vast population of forest/rock/water spirits.

    • Shelter pattern includes multi-family dwellings; Datag (basic sleeping platform) built from tree branches and dried leaves; raised slightly above ground; modular sleeping platforms with fireplaces.

    • Angono Petroglyphs (Rizal province)

    • Oldest known work of art in the Philippines; 127 human and animal figures carved into rock dating back to 3000BC3000{ BC} (approximately).

    • Inscriptions include stylized human figures, frogs, lizards; erosion has affected legibility; term Petro (stone) Glyph (illustration).

    • Callao Cave (Peñablanca, Cagayan)

    • Seven-chamber showcave; Callao Man refers to fossil remains found in Callao Cave (2007 discovery by Armand Salvador Mijares).

    • A single 61-mm metatarsal found to be about 67,000extyearsold67{,}000 ext{ years old}.

    • Researchers suggest Aetas (mountain dwellers) could be descendants of Callao Man.

  • RICE TERRACES (Cordillera region)

    • The Prehistoric Megastructure: Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are a living landscape dating back about 2,000extyears2{,}000 ext{ years} (two millennia) in the pre-colonial Philippines.

    • Carved into mountain terrains; terraced landscape created by technique adapted to mountainous slopes; testimony to Philippine engineering.

    • Terraces can reach up to approximately 6extmeters6 ext{ meters} in height; stone walls protect terraces and define embankments.

    • The Cordillera Rice Terraces were declared a National Treasure and are protected under Republic Act No. 1006610066 (protection and conservation of the National Cultural Heritage).

    • Basic elements of a terrace system:

    • extTerraceSpaceext{Terrace Space}

    • extEmbankmentext{Embankment}

    • extSoilBodyext{Soil Body}

    • These terraces are a key example of ancient engineering and sustainability in the Philippines.

  • PHILIPPINE VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

    • Vernacular Architecture definitions and scope

    • Derived from Latin vernaculus; domestic, native, indigenous; includes folk, tribal, ethnic, and traditional architecture.

    • Based on local needs, local materials, and reflecting local traditions.

    • Five principal features of vernacular architecture:
      1) Builders are non-professionals (non-professional architects/engineers).
      2) There is consonant adaptation to geography using natural materials.
      3) Construction relies on intuitive-thinking, typically without blueprints or formal drawings.
      4) There is a balance between social/economic functionality and aesthetic features.
      5) Architectural patterns and styles evolve protractedly within ethnic domains.

    • Regional and material foundations:

    • Common materials: timber, bamboo, thatch, fibers; bamboo is particularly important due to its flexibility and resilience in earthquakes and wind.

    • Vernacular buildings demonstrate achievements and limitations of early technology; address common structural problems with simple, logical element arrangements.

    • Vernacular architecture and modern influence:

    • Philippine vernacular architecture inspired the invention of a structural system that contributed to later steel-frame approaches (Chicago School): the shift from timber/bamboo to iron/steel frames in high-rise construction.

    • Austronesian ancestry and building heritage:

    • Southeast Asian/Austronesian roots; water-based lifestyle; vernacular architecture in the Philippines shows strong Austronesian building heritage.

  • REGIONAL HOUSE TYPES (Vernacular and regional differentiation)

    • UP-LAND vs. LOW-LAND contrasts:

    • Lowland dwellings: open, airy interiors; designed for hot, breezy climates.

    • Highlands: sealed, solid planks; design emphasizes defense against cold and intrusions; fewer windows.

    • REGIONAL HOUSES overview (selected examples)

    • BATANES – IVATAN ARCHITECTURE

      • Ivatan houses and fortifications (Idjang): defensive engineering of early Ivatan settlements; Idjangs are defensive towers.

    • IVATAN HOUSE types (Sinadumparan, Maytuab, etc.)

      • Octagonal (Binayon) and other plans; thick cogon-layered roofing; 4–5 layers of cogon above reed matting; roof projections; interior elements described (riyan, rihas, etc.).

    • ISNEG – BINURON (windowless, low walls, roll-up floor)

      • Binuron is a boat-like, rectangular plan; walls with lime mortars; roof framing independent from floor framing; binuron features a roll-up floor made of long reeds.

      • Binuron can be converted for rituals; tarakip (extension) and roof features include split bamboo and cogon roofing.

    • KALINGA – BINAYON and FORUY

      • Binayon: octagonal plan with three divided floors; roof built with thick bamboo layers (talob) and removable walls for ventilation; facade includes traditional ridge and post elements (tukah, panabfongan, etc.).

      • Foruy: elevated rectangular one-room house; timber materials; roof with 8–10 bamboo layers; removable wall panels; perimeter ventilation.

    • BONTOC – AFUNG (and related structures)

      • Afung: house on the ground, with living area and elevated central granary (agamang) that stores rice; roof extends beyond walls; afung houses for married couples with children up to eight years old.

      • Afung is one of the Cordillera houses built directly on the ground; granary space is a key component and is separate from the main living space.

    • BONTOC – AFUNG details and interior spaces (Angan, Tap-an, etc.)

      • Angan (sleeping area); Tap-an (pounding area); Silang (cooking/working area); Panagatan (floor joists and floor plan details); Granaries elevated above ground; roof and granary are supported by independent posts.

    • KANKANAY – BINANGIYAN and BABAYAN BAEY

      • Binangiyan: pyramidal form, box-like structure with attic; Babayan Baey: elevated square one-room house with four thick posts and steep cogon roof; nine-post symbolism and ritual post order.

      • Structural elements include purlins, rafters, king posts, and various wall and floor components (tatagon, dingding, opop, etc.).

    • TAUSUG – BAY SINUG

      • Bay Sinug: nine-post house; panolong (ornamental end-beams) extend as decorative wings; pagoda-like features with okir carvings; wall slits used for privacy.

    • YAKAN – LUMAH

      • Lumah: rectangular, elevated single-room house; few or no windows due to belief in evil spirits; wall coverings (sawali or horizontal planks); interior spaces include kokan/tindakan (main house), kosina (kitchen), pantan/simpey (porch).

    • SAMIL – (Samal) boat-linked houses; connected by catwalks; silong (boat storage and bathing space); single-level living with open plan; little to no partitions; pantan (open porch).

    • BADJAO – BOAT HOUSES

      • Sea nomads; two main boat types: Dapang/Vinta (short fishing trips) and Palaw (houseboats for longer stay). Katig (mast) and house structure built on a boat; boat acts as both shelter and transport; both temporary and semi-permanent dwellings; the boat can be converted into a mortuary vessel after the head of the family dies.

    • MAGUINDANAO – Maguindanao houses

      • Close resemblance to Maranao dwellings; one-room houses without partitions and ceilings; nine posts; Okir decorations; steep roof forms.

    • T’BOLI – Gunú Bong

      • Extended family housing; bamboo stilts about 2 meters high; interior spaces include Area of Honor, Sleeping Area, Vestibule; interior and exterior spaces organized for extended kin.

  • MARANAO, TAUSUG, YAKAN, MAGUINDANAO, SAMA-L, BADJAO, T’BOLI, and OTHER MUSLIM GROUPS (MUSLIM SPACE & SECULAR ARCHITECTURE)

    • Maranao Houses (Lake Lanao region)

    • Lawig: small house; raised above ground on stilts; outdoor cooking area.

    • Mala-a-walai: large single-room house for well-to-do families; no ceilings; occasional partitions; okir decorations on baseboards, windowsills, and door jambs; no panolong on Mala-a-walai.

    • Torogan: residence of the sultan and his extended family; located along the river; multi-family dwelling with a grand ceremonial role; contains pukananan (dining areas) and panggao (sultan’s bed) with richly ornamented fabrics (lalansay, mamandiang, somandeg).

    • Panolong: decorative end-beams that flare into wings; Okir motifs (nis, naga, panolong, etc.) and other motifs (niaga, obar-obar, tiali-tali) decorate Torogan.

    • Tausug Houses (Bay Sinug as example)

    • Bay Sinug features Nine-post design; wall slits for privacy; bay sinug houses emphasize the use of angling and decorative elements; structural posts and purlins for roofing; langgal/ranggar as early mosques; bay sinug also includes decorative bargeboards (tadjuk pasung).

    • Tausug, Yakan, Samal, Badjao house typologies emphasize water-adjacent life (coastal/riverine) and boat-based living.

    • Maguindanao Houses: resembled Maranao with variations; cohesive with local Okir patterns.

    • Samal Houses: boat-based; connected by catwalks; silong as boat storage and bathing area; simple floor plans; lack of partitions.

    • Badjao Houses: sea-gypsy communities; boat houses; two primary boat types with Katig/Jengning for houseboats; Palaw as a longer-term dwelling, Dak (Katig) as a heavier, larger houseboat; houseboats serve as both shelter and travel vessels; the death of a family head may convert the boat into a mortuary piece.

    • T’boli Houses: Gunú Bong; area of honor and sleeping area; interior stacking and post arrangement; bamboo stilts ~2 meters; interior partitions added later; described as a typical extended family dwelling.

  • REGIONAL BUILDING EXAMPLES (CORDILLERA REGION)

    • Cordillera Region overview

    • Northern Strain vs Southern Strain (Igorot groups)

    • Regions listed include Isabela (Ilagan), Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, etc.

    • ISNEG (BINURON)

    • Binuron: a boat-like plan; windowless; low walls; raised about 0.9 m; walls built of stone and lime mortar; roof framing independent from the floor framework; Binuron extension (Tarukip) and roofing details using split bamboo and cogon.

    • Binuron is among the largest, most substantially constructed Cordillera houses; Binuron’s interior spaces include an upper floor with living quarters and a granary area (atep/roof details).

    • KALINGA (BINAYON, FORUY)

    • Binayon: octagonal plan; three divided floors; roof with thick bamboo layers; removable wall panels for ventilation; elevated perimeter wall; interior structure shows crown posts and tie beams (panabfongan, ridge beam, tukah, etc.).

    • Foruy: elevated, rectangular one-room house; timber materials; roof consisting of 8-10 bamboo layers; removable wall panels for ventilation.

    • Aset of terms: atep (roof), agakan (secondary ridge beam), tukud (external post), panagatan (floor joist), minaruman (lime mortar), nidkel (reed matt), goanan (roof beam), opop (wall sill), and others; many terms describe intricate Cordillera roof and wall joinery.

    • IVATAN STRUCTURES (Binayòn and Foruy themes)

    • Binayòn: octagonal; three divided floors; elevated perimeter walls; roof layers; many named elements (pangañivucan, tarugo, riya, rihas, etc.).

    • Foruy: one-room elevated house; roof layers; ventilation; removable panels.

    • BONTOC REGION (Afung and related structures)

    • Afung: house on ground; central granary (agamang) elevated above ground on posts; roof extends beyond walls; living area and granary share the same roof space but function separately; ground space serves as main living/working area; the granary is the poso (heart) of the house and is used for ritual offerings (agamang).

    • Afung houses are part of a family complex; the ante-space includes a cooking area (dapoan) and sleeping areas (ang-an) and a pounding area (tap-an).

    • BONTOC – AFGUNG interior organization

    • Angan ( sleeping area ), Tap-an (pounding), Silong (storage and cooking), Kilns/dugouts and other storage areas.

    • KANKANAY (BINANGIYAN, BABAYAN BAEY)

    • Binangiya(n): pyramidal plan; box-like single-room with spacious attic (baeg).

    • Babayan Baey: elevated square one-room house on four posts; steep cogon roof; nine-post symbolism; interior spaces include chingching (lower floor walls), panagatan (floor joists), etc.

    • TAUSUG (BAY SINUG) and LANGGAL/RANGGAR mosques

    • Bay Sinug: traditional Tausug house with nine posts; wall slits and open spaces; panolong decor and Okir motifs; central space organized with a living area and sleeping quarters dedicated to sultan’s family.

    • YAKAN (LUMAH) and SAMAL houses

    • Lumah: rectangular, elevated, single-room structure; little or no windows; main living space includes kokan/tindakan, kosina (kitchen), pantan/simpey (porch).

    • Samal houses: boat-based; connected by catwalks; silong used as boat storage and bathing area; no partitions in some variants; pantan serves as open porch or reception area.

    • BADJAO HOUSES (Boat Houses)

    • Boat-based; two types of boats: Dapang/Vinta (short trips) and Palaw (dwelling/temporary lodging); Katig (mast) and boats house their dwellings; Palaw/Lepa types vary in size and complexity; Katig indicates a heavier, longer-lasting boat structure.

    • T’BOLI (Gunú Bong)

    • Home for extended family (8–16 persons); bamboo stilts ~2 m high; additional posts on the side; interior spaces include three zones (Area of Honor, Sleeping Area, Vestibule).

    • OTHER REGIONAL HOUSES

    • ISNEG BINURON; KALINGA BINAYON and FORUY; KANKANAY BINANGIYAN and BABAYAN BAEY; TAUSUG BAY SINUG; YAKAN LUMAH; MARI sediment motifs; MAGUINDANAO houses; SAMAL; BADJAO; T’BOLI; others spelled and illustrated with specific floor plans, roof types, wall materials, and decorative motifs.

  • REGIONAL HOUSES – SUMMARY INSIGHTS

    • Regional differences are driven by environmental conditions (coastal, highlands), climate, wind, typhoon exposure, and defense needs.

    • Roofs are typically steep and heavily thatched (cogon grass, nipa); walls use local materials (stone, wood, bamboo, reed matting, sawali).

    • Perimeter posts, wall sill, floor joists, and tie beams form a modular system that allows easy adaptation to terrain and wind loads.

    • Many Cordillera houses feature granaries integrated into the living space, typically elevated and separated architecturally for ritual and functional reasons.

  • MUSLIM SPACE (PRE-HISPANIC ERA)

    • Islam in the Philippines started in Sulu around the 14th century and spread to Mindanao in the 15th century.

    • Philippine Muslim concept of space emphasizes a permanent and separate architecture for religious spaces (Mushk) and mosques.

    • Key typologies and organizational ideas:

    • Masjid: general mosque (place of worship); Jami: congregational Friday prayers; Idgah/Musalla: worship spaces for special occasions.

    • Langgal (Tausug) and Ranggar (Maranao): mosque types influenced by local culture; pagoda-style mosques (before Arabian-style mosques) with multiple tiers; many mosques were later remodeled or replaced by Middle Eastern-inspired domed/Arabian styles.

    • Okir carving and Burak motifs: decorative features used in mosques and secular buildings; circular/scroll-like motifs (birdo, obar-obar, tiali-tali) are common in Tausug and Maranao architecture.

  • PHILIPPINE MOSQUE AND SECULAR ARCHITECTURE

    • Oldest mosques were Pagoda-style; many mosques adopted the domed/Arabian-type later.

    • Sheik Karimol Makhdum Mosque (1380): oldest mosque in the Philippines; located in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi; square plan; historically significant.

    • Masjid Al-Dahab (Golden Mosque, 1976): modernized style; Maranao Okir patterns.

    • Common mosque features: square plans, domes or vaults, minarets, ablution areas (Wudu).

    • Islamic spaces also include Langgal and Ranggar mosques; these are smaller, lighter, semi-permanent structures often found in rural areas.

  • ISLAMIC PLACES OF PRAYERS AND ARCHITECTURAL SYMBOLS

    • Crescent and Star ornaments are common celestial symbols found in early Islamic architecture in the region.

    • Okir: a family of motifs including naga (sea serpent), panolong (ornamental end-beams), and other floral/scroll patterns applied to walls and structural members.

  • FORTS, KOTA, AND SECULAR ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE

    • Early Filipinos built forts or Kota for defense; examples include Kota of Raja Sulayman (Manila) and Kota of Sultan Kudarat (Lamitan).

    • Mindanao and Sulu vernacular houses reflect both terrestrial and naval architecture; three main house categories for Muslim communities: land-based stilted dwellings; oceanic dwellings (over the sea); houseboats (for Badjao).

  • MARANAO AND TAUSUG HOUSES (KEY PRIVATE SPACES AND DECORATION)

    • Maranao Houses (Lawig, Mala-a-walai, Torogan)

    • Lawig: small house; raised on stilts; outdoor cooking.

    • Mala-a-walai: large single-room house; no partitions; rich Okir patterns; no panolong on this variant.

    • Torogan: residence of a Datu; multi-family; ceremonial and social functions; contains pukananan (dining) and panggao (sultan’s bed); elaborate Okir and Panolong motifs.

    • Tausug Bay Sinug (Bay Sinug) houses

    • Nine posts; Panolong and Okir motifs; wall slits for privacy; elevated style.

    • Tausug interior spaces and furniture terminology (sample terms): bay sinug, langgal, ranggar; lant/sill, purlins, and other decorative components.

    • Yakan Houses (Lumah)

    • Rectangular, elevated, single-room; no ceilings; few or no windows; kokan/tindakan (ritual spaces), kosina (kitchen), pantan (porch).

    • Samal Houses

    • Boat houses; connected by catwalks; silong used as boat storage and bathing area.

    • Badjao Houses (Boat Houses)

    • Boat houses serve as dwelling and travel vessels; two main boat types: Dapang/Vinta (short trips) and Palaw (longer-dwelling houseboats); Katig (mast) and Jengning (heavier boat) variations; Palaw houses may carry occupants during travel; the boats can be converted to mortuary vessels after death of head of family.

    • T’boli Houses (Gunu Bong)

    • Extended family dwellings; interior arrangement across three interior spaces: Area of Honor, Sleeping Area, Vestibule; bamboo stilts; addition posts on the side; interior spaces reflect social hierarchy and family organization.

  • CONCLUSION (PRE-HISPANIC ERA)

    • Philippine Vernacular Architecture is a broad and diverse tradition; most vernacular buildings were built by communities using locally available materials and tailored to local climate and cultural needs.

    • The vernacular tradition has persisted and remains a living and accessible idiom; it continues to influence contemporary architecture and cultural identity.

  • NUMERICAL REFERENCES & KEY DATES (RELEVANT VALUES)

    • Tabon Man remains discovered in Tabon Cave; dating values are not explicitly stated here, but Tabon Man is among the oldest known human remains in the Philippines.

    • Manunggul Jar dating: 890−710  BC890-710\ \,\mathrm{BC}

    • Tabon Cave complex UNESCO nomination: 2006 tentative; National Cultural Treasure designation: February 2011.

    • Rice Terraces height reference: up to 6 meters6\text{ meters} high.

    • Callao Man dating: about 67,000 years old67{,}000\text{ years old}.

    • Republic Act No. 1006610066 (National Cultural Heritage protection and conservation).

    • Rough time scale for Cordillera occupancy: terraces dating back about two millennia (approx. 2⋅103 years2\cdot 10^3\text{ years}).

  • KEY DEFINITIONS & TERMS (glossary highlights)

    • Tabon Cave Complex: Palawan cave system with Tabon Man and Manunggul Jar bone/artefacts; UNESCO nomination site.

    • Manunggul Jar: Neolithic secondary burial jar with lid featuring journey of the soul motif.

    • Datag: basic sleeping platform in Tau’t-Batu shelters.

    • Idjang: Ivatan defensive towers.

    • Panolong: decorative end-beam/wing-like projections on Tausug and Maranao houses.

    • Okir: a family of decorative motifs used on Maranao and Tausug houses.

    • Batang/bubungan: ridge and structural elements in Cordillera houses.

    • Dapoan: cooking area in Cordillera houses.

    • Sogwas/dola, opop, goanan, etc.: Cordillera construction terms describing wall/floor/roof relationships.

  • ETHICAL/PHILOSOPHICAL/REAL-WORLD IMPLICATIONS

    • Vernacular architecture demonstrates sustainable, context-specific design using local materials; it highlights resilience and adaptability in response to climate, geography, and social organization.

    • Preservation of vernacular and Muslim architectural heritage is important for maintaining cultural identity and historical continuity in the face of modernization.

    • The interplay between traditional forms and modern architecture can inform sustainable urban design and heritage conservation strategies.

  • CONNECTIONS TO FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES

    • Architecture as a cultural artifact: reflects climate adaptation, social organization, belief systems, and regional identities.

    • Vernacular architecture as a living archive: techniques, materials, and spatial arrangements reveal historical technology and environmental knowledge.

    • The Cordillera and Muslim-space chapters illustrate how architecture encodes ritual, social hierarchy, and community governance (e.g., Torogan as the sultan’s house; Afung’s granary as a symbol of wealth and social order).

  • EQUATIONS & FORMULAS (LaTeX usage)

    • Rice Terraces height reference: h≈6 metersh \approx 6\ \text{meters}

    • Dating ranges and time scales: 890−710 BC890-710\ \mathrm{BC}, 2⋅103 years2\cdot 10^3\ \text{years}, 6 meters6\ \text{meters} high, 67,000 years67{,}000\ \mathrm{years}, etc.

    • National protection statute: Republic Act No. 10066\text{Republic Act No. } 10066

  • ADDITIONAL NOTES FOR EXAM PREP

    • Be able to identify major Pre-Hispanic shelter types and their defining characteristics: caves, lean-tos, arboreal shelters.

    • Recognize Tabon Cave, Tabon Man, Manunggul Jar, and Callao Cave as key archaeological sites and their dates.

    • Understand the concept of rice terraces as a prehistoric megastructure and their significance to engineering and cultural heritage.

    • Distinguish the main features of Philippine vernacular architecture, including the five key characteristics and the role of local materials.

    • Recall Austronesian ancestry and its relation to stilt houses and the Ivatan Idjang.

    • Be able to describe Cordillera regional house types (Isneg Binuron, Kalinga Binayon/Foruy, Bontoc Afung, Ifugao Fale/Bale, Kankanay Binangi yan/Baey, Tausug Bay Sinug, Yakan Lumah, Samal, Badjao) and their distinctive features.

    • Recognize decoration motifs (Okir, Panolong) and their cultural meanings in Maranao and Tausug houses.

    • Differentiate Muslim spaces (Masjid, Langgal/Ranggar) and secular Islamic architecture (Kota fortifications, Sulu/Mindanao vernacular houses, and boat/housing types).