Historic preservation of Spanish architecture in the Philippines

• Main Authors: Padilla, Agnes F., Wuthrich, Christine L.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1994
• Subjects: Architecture (Spanish)—Conservation and restoration > Philippines; International and Area Studies
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/4195
• Institution: De La Salle University

The aim of this paper is to promote awareness about preservation, restoration, and reconstruction of our remaining Spanish architectural structures, knowing the condition these structures are in and the perils they face each day, we must start doing something to save the remaining structures from further deterioration because once it sets in, preservation efforts will not only be more costly, it will be more time consuming as well, aside from promoting awareness about preservation efforts, this paper also aims to show the many legacies the spaniards left the Philippines, architecture being only one of them. The approach employed by the researchers in pursuing their aims is the condition of this study. This study shows how the spaniards introduced to us and left us their architecture and how the Filipinos were able to later on fuse it with their own style. The study then focuses on preservation, restoration and reconstruction their definition, process, problems posed and importance. By knowing how important it is to preserve our historic structures, awareness will hopefully be attained. The result of the study was the presentation of a detailed account of preservation, restoration, and reconstruction based on the materials gathered from several libraries and the interviews conducted by the researchers. Aside from this, the researchers were also able to present several examples of preserved, restored and reconstructed Spanish architectural structures in the Philippines. With the completion of this paper, the researchers recommend that other people be informed about preservation efforts in the country. Once they are informed, they will be able to participate and help in preservation efforts. Once informed, the people will also start putting more importance on our remaining historical structures. This will help alleviate the problem of vandalism and careless destruction of the structures. The researchers also recommend having several courses regarding preservation to be included in the curriculum of architecture. This will hopefully solve the problem of having unqualified personnel working on preservation projects.