The Philippine Architecture: A World of Inspiration among ASEAN Region

If there’s one word to describe Philippine architecture, it would be ‘diverse’. The country with its history of multiple colonizers, from Spain to Japan then USA, has been influenced by diverse nations creating a multicultural architectural experience.

 One of the first things visitors can notice is the heavy Spanish influence in churches. The baroque-style churches of Immaculate Conception of San Agustin in Manila. La Nuestra de la Asuncion in Ilocos Sur, San Agustin in Ilocos Norte, and Santo Tomas de Villanueva in Iloilo have been part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites since 1993, showcasing that historical architecture is well and alive in the Philippines.

More than that, modern Philippine architecture has also been showing itself more in international competitions. Different architectural firms have won various international competitions. They’re also leading the sustainable architecture movement in the region as various firms promote using locally-sourced materials.