At A Glance: The Rise of ‘Philippine’ in the New-Age of Philippine Architecture

by Adrianne S. De Veyra

For the last five years, I’ve spent the New Year in a different part of the world,
visiting one or another of the various metropolitan cities that influence the development
and evolution of human habitation. In each of these cities, whether it’s Paris, London, or
Rome, one of the words that you find yourself thinking is beautiful. Such a simple world
really to describe a place. And yet when was the last time we have said the same about
our city of Manila?

Three things make a city beautiful –people, geography, and architecture. Together,
these form the foundations of a city and its culture. While much has been said about
Manileños and the beauty of our city’s geography, while we proudly proclaim the richness
of our culture and our glorious sunsets, we never talk about our architecture.

I remember when I was still in my early teenage years, the feeling of sheepishness
creeps in when my relatives from the states decided to come back and visit the Philippines
for a family reunion – them being welcomed by the crowded and disorganized streets of
the Manila. My young and naïve mind was asking questions like, “what if airports were
near the beaches, will they still think We feel sheepish about showing off our city to friends
from abroad and quickly point them to the beaches. If we have any control with any one
of the foundations that make for a better city, it is with architecture.

The Philippines is the only predominantly Christian nation in Asia. Our country
boasts of a culture that is unique which showcases an influence in both Western and
Oriental cultures. It lies in a region wherein marine resources are the richest and most
diverse in the world and its terrain is home to active plants and wildlife. Because of our
strategic location, the Philippines has participated in the international trade for the past
several hundred years with the early Chinese, Malay, and other east Asian countries and
now - the whole world. However, due to the many influences that keep on making their
way up to into our currently multi-faceted culture, it would seem that confusion and turmoil
have become the aftermath as is reflected in the Philippine architectural scene today. The
superficial post-modern style dominates the scene consisting of high-rise condominiums,
commercial complexes, and residential projects. Philippine architecture apparently is at a
process of change, trying to be a copy of what is now the International architectural style
which emerged from the West, but unable to severe its ties with our Oriental bases.

Architecture in the Philippines is no way more superior or less exciting than the
others. Our cultural heritage, inherited from both worlds, is inevitably setting the ground
for a versatile yet perceptive type of architecture that is not at all limp and barren. Some
people hold the perspective that Philippine culture has become a “damaged culture” as
an offshoot of the tremendous contradicting influx of both values and ideas. While its true
that Western concepts such as the International style govern most of our architectural
scene, it is good to note that the trend is towards our satisfaction of our craving for the
identity of what should be Philippine architecture should be like as led by lead Philippine
architectural firms such as Budji + Royal, Buensolido Architects, and Manosa.

There has been a growing awareness about the problems and ills of our urban
situation. We have rightfully started conversations about our streets and our built heritage,
about public space and transportation. It is time we start the conversation about good
architecture and a beautiful city.

Philippine architecture has always been focused on developing vernacular forms

and materials. While architecture must always be tied to time and space, we must also
look at the global context and evolving social development as part of the greater context.
Philippine architecture should not shield itself or shrink from the greater global
development. It is best served by focusing on our own culture and experiences and
contributing to the greater melting pot from which all architecture must draw from.

Public awareness about architecture remains the most critical yet elusive form of
awareness. The Philippines has been mired in decades of underdevelopment. The recent
push by the current government to expand our infrastructure focuses on quantity and not
quality. The public sector must be the first to acknowledge the importance of good design
and should incorporate architecture and planning into its rollout of more and more
projects.
 The current generation of Filipinos will become more and more exposed to world
class infrastructure and global trends. As they start to become more vocal and demand
more from both our public and private sectors we must strive to meet these demands by
developing our own ideas and celebrating them. There can be no awareness without
promotion, and promotion is best served by celebration.

Intuitively, Philippine architecture already exists. But its definition will draw itself
out only if we take cognizance of the fact that we are a mixture of both eastern and
western cultures. The new millennia Filipino architect should look forward to the task of
developing ideas and designs that are not just new but innovative as well as appropriate
for our local sensibilities and environment. Modifying our learning mechanisms from time
to time is perhaps the only way for Philippine architecture to emerge spontaneously – for
it not to remain in the sidelines but to acquire identity through color, life, and distinction.

According to Archt. Jason Buensolido, instead of asking the question of what is the
future of Philippine Architecture, we should be asking the right question which– Who is
the future of Philippine Architecture? As architecture is something we can build and see,
touch and feel we can conclude that it is not only the most visible and lasting expression
of culture, it is also the strongest evidence of our existence as a people. So, if we have to
provide an answer to this question, the answer should be “You”.