Junelle B.

Barcena
October 9, 2013
Conservation of Philippine Architecture

Conservation of Identity

Its no secret many Filipinos are currently living in poverty, and although our government

exerts some effort to minimize this reality, it is still rampant. There are also other problems

higher up on the totem pole, such as the current pork barrel scam issue and the on-going

insurgency in Zamboanga. In this light, why should the government allot time and resources

to prioritize conservation of architecture?

The architecture in the Philippines is, admittedly, not as flashy as those abroad. But it is

not in the nature of a Filipino to be flashy, because we are a down-to-earth people and

practical people and erecting structures that say otherwise would disrupt the spirit of place no

matter where it was constructed. Our structures are more down-to-earth and less ostentatious

because it is what reflects our identity as a humble race. Because of this, Philippine

architecture should be conserved.

Filipinos, especially since gaining independence, have long since been challenged by our

foreign friends as to what our true identity really is. We have been a colony for so long that

sometimes even our fellowmen start to believe that we are what they call brown

Americans. This does not have to be true, however, and this is perhaps best exemplified by

the presence of original architecture in the country. Nowhere else would we find large

government buildings that resemble its western counterparts but with capiz windows and

pitched roofs. Nowhere else would we find houses made of stone on the first floor but wood

or other light materials on the second. Our architecture has been meticulously molded over

the years to conform to our needs and at the same time express our identity, while keeping up

to date on the current trend. We today have had first-hand experience with these, which is
why it is important for them to be maintained so that our future generations would be able to

appreciate them as well.

Every story has a setting, and in the Philippines, because we have been involved with so

many wars, has many settings for different events that are crucial to our history. Rizal Park,

for instance, is currently being preserved by our government because it is the site where our

national hero paid with his life because of things he has done for the independence of our

country. This place holds historical significance for us Filipinos. If it were to be neglected,

sure it would not have a significant impact on our country economically speaking, but it

would definitely be very un-Filipino of us to be ingrates as well as be ignorant of our history.

There are also places such as the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, a collective work of

different brilliant Filipino artists, which serve as examples of what Filipinos are capable of.

The concrete shell structure was the first of its kind, and although it is not the only one

standing today, it is what is always remembered because it was the first. The cross hanging at

the center of the structure was done by a national artist, as with the murals of Christs

crucifixion on the walls and the patterns on the marble floor that lead up to the altar. All of

these are examples of aesthetic and cultural significance, as well as a source of pride for our

race. These are elements that embody the Filipinos artistic capabilities.

The structure itself is an example of how our mind works. Its architect was tasked to

create a place of worship for the UP community, and thus he came up with a circular form

that is open from all sides so that it could be accessed by anybody from the community,

encouraging them to come together. This one-of-a-kind design for a church is a prime

example of the way a Filipino solves problems: in the most direct and practical and creative

way possible. Our identity is thus embodied in the form of the church, as with many other

structures in the country.

 It is for reasons mentioned above that the government should prioritize conservation of

Philippine architecture. It need not be considered above all else, but it should also not be

completely forgotten. Just because only one part of the wheelbarrow is broken doesnt mean

the other parts should be neglected. All of these elements, not matter how little or seemingly

trivial, work hand in hand to build a better nation for us and for the future inhabitants of this

country.