As you explore the culture of Philippines, you will find various cultural influences. Chinese, Indian, Islamic, Spanish and even American traditions left their trademarks on the Filipino culture including the Architecture of Philippines
Let us bring your notice to Philippines Architecture, which was heavily overshadowed by the cultural movements turmoiling Europe and the United States since the 1950s. Interestingly enough, the architectural samples of this country evoke a strong sense of national pride and unity in spite of the diverse forms, treatments and shapes.
Architecture of Philippines also showcases strong religious symbols because it was highly patronized by the Roman Catholic Church at a point of time in the past. Local craftsmen were employed by the church to build stone churches with bas-relief sculpture, statues of saints, and other religious structures in wood and ivory. Under the influence of Spanish colonial period, the statues often displayed the Spanish baroque style of architecture. Chinese architectural styles were also often noted in these structures which were rich in religious symbols.
With the passage of time, even the sculpture showed a shift from religious to secular items. By 1950s, Napoleon Abueva introduced modernism in Philippine sculpture and was followed by masters like Eduardo Castrillo, Solomon Saprid, and Abdulmari Imao.
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