Edson G. Cabalfin

Written by Edson G. Cabalfin and illustrated by Asa Montenejo, this book invites children to discover the architecture of the Philippines. Recommended for children ages 10 and above.

What Kids Should Know About Filipino Architecture

Claudine

The buildings and places that we construct over time become important because people use and care about these structures. If people do not care about these buildings and places, then sometimes we forget that they play an important role in defining who we are as individuals and as a collective people.

When we build architecture, we therefore build markers that show others that a place is special or important. Landmarks are a type of architecture that tells us where we are in a village, town, or city.

If the Paoay Church relies on its thick stone walls and strong buttresses to stand firmly against earthquakes, the torogan houses of the Mëranaw boast a different anti-earthquake design. Located in the villages of Lanao del Sur in Mindanao, the torogan are the houses of the datu or chieftains of the Mëranaw people. Houses are raised atop large tree trunks that rest on top of round stones. The stones under the trunk posts act as rollers that permit the house to sway as the earth moves.

Of eggs and churches: Did you ever wonder how the stones that make up the walls of churches are held together? With eggs, of course. Records found in church documents and archives have shown that the egg whites were combined with lime, sand, and other materials to form the mortar, called argamasa, or the binding agent that holds stones or bricks together. The dome of the Manila Cathedral was plastered in 1780 with a mixture combining duck eggs, crushed brick, lime, and bamboo sap. There are many stories on how popular local delicacies, such as yema and leche flan, were made from the abundant left over egg yolks during church construction.

I love how this part is written! Nicely worded, very inspiring. :)

Architecture is an artistic process born out of the creativity of people. People use their imaginations to dream of all that architecture can be. The manmade products of architecture show how people adjust to their environments. People learn how to live and adapt to their surroundings. They think of ways to change their environments to make them more pleasant and enriching.

What Kids Should Know About Filipino Architecture

Reviews

Highlights