A presentation I made for my final paper in my ID 241 class Interior Design and Philippine Society and Culture under Dr. Adelaida Mayo of CTID. My paper is on Colonial Mentality in Filipino Spaces which aims to put a more positive light on to a sensitive aspect of Filipino Society and Space. I am hoping that the discussion would help in the decolonization process to pave the way towards true Filipino innovation.

1. Colonial Mentality in Filipino Spaces:
A vehicle towards vernacularization within globalization.
A Presentation by: Andrea R.N. Amador
ID241 | Interior Design and Philippine Society
and Culture
AY 2012-2013

2. What is Colonial Mentality?
It is a form of internal oppression in which the colonized
prefers and thinks highly of the customs, values and
beliefs of their colonizers. (Nadal, 2011)

3. Objectives
This paper is a  To recover and rediscover the role of
celebration of Colonialism in the Filipino discourse
the ability of the with spaces
Filipino to make
 To be able to reconcile our colonized
an international
language of
past with our innovative present and
design more future perceptions of Filipino space
acceptable and  To bring Colonialism into a more
recognizable in positive light as one of the ways in
the Filipino which we can find our identity in the
setting. We will international stage.
discuss how the
 And finally to help in the
Filipino will
associate and
decolonization process by branding
identify himself our unique experiences and
in the discourse discourses with space as our own.
of modern
spaces.

4. Colonialism as a stepping stone towards true Filipino
innovation
With our discussion of the topic, the researcher aims to
use this part of our identity as a stepping stone towards
true Filipino innovation.
History Filipino’s New Forms
natural
tendencies
Tradition People Innovation
His own unique
experiences and
influences

5. History
Transitions of architectural vocabulary happened in two phases
within the history of Filipino architecture. According to Alarcon
(1991), they were the Spanish Colonial and the American Colonial
periods. Urbanism along with new materials and building types
came to change the Philippine architectural and spatial profile.
Tradition People Innovation

6. Picture of a native Filipina taken in a house in Ilocos |
January 2008
Historical background
Pre-colonial Filipinos have used a version of the Austronesian model locally
known as the bahay kubo. They grouped themselves in a baranggay headed
by a datu. The houses were formed around the house of the datu which was
significantly larger than all the other houses.

7. 370 years under the Spanish 50 years under the American
crown Imperialism
Agrifina Circle, Manila taken 2007
Interior of San Sebastian Church taken December 2008
Historical background
The Philippines is the only country in Asia that has been colonized by both
Spain and the United States. In total, the Philippines have been colonized
for about 420 years. (Nadal, 2011)

8. Modernism
Modernism has been used to symbolize a progressive
nation. Using modern architecture is a part of nation
building where it is used both as a product and an agent
of nationalism. (Cabalfin, 2006)
Tradition People Innovation

9. Modernism
In respect with 1. Urbanism and Town Planning
the climactic
conditions of the 2. New Building Types
Philippines,
advancements  Spatial Configurations
and adaptations  Transition Spaces
were introduced
during the two  Function-Specific Rooms
colonial eras. 3. Materials and Technology
 Construction Methods
 Sanitation
 Hybrid Systems

10. Associating Modern with
Colonialism
Spanish Colonial American Colonial
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar taken October 2008 Ilocos Municipal Hall, Manila taken January 2007

11. Associating Modern with
Colonialism
Spanish Colonial American Colonial
 Laws of the Indies  Burnham Plan of
Town Planning Manila and Baguio
 Sanitary Barrios
Renaissance Hybrid civic buildings
Humanism and a represented modernity,
response to the progress and
medieval city's democracy: a constant
problems of crowding reminder of the
and civil strife (results American colonial rule.
of incremental growth) (Cabalfin, 2006)
(Lico, 2011)

12. Associating Modern with
Colonialism
It became the incubator and
distributor of American ideals that
American Colonial lubricated the modernization of the
native.
 Art Deco
 Cinema
 High-Rise Buildings
Streamline Moderne: a
testament to the dawn of
manufacturing, of new
machines and technological
breakthrough. Ocean liners,
automobiles and airplanes The Metropolitan Theatre. From Lico, G., Montinola, L., Noche, M.,
Silva, J., Villalon, A.(2010). Art Deco in the Philippines. Montinola,
had to be streamlined. L. (Ed.). ArtPortAsia Pte Ltd.
(Villalon, 2007)

13. Spaces and Places
Filipino spaces have certain qualities similar to western
models but as a whole remains distinct. (Lichauco,
1995)
Tradition People Innovation

14. Public Spaces
The Plaza
 Layers of spaces are
on top of each other
based on the multi-
function time
dependent use
(Cristobal, 2010)
 Based on a
Quiapo Church taken December 2008
Renaissance model
(Lico, 2011)

15. Public Spaces
Malls
 The mall phenomenon was a
part of globalization where
Filipinos can take part of the
trend. The rise of
consumerism had influenced
this relatively new building
type that generally follows a
format. (Villalon, 2001)
 Have become a converging
place.
 It has become our modern
equivalent of a park and
plaza
 Both an incubator and a
distributor of Western Ideals
Trinoma Mall in Quezon City taken June 2007
 Keeping us up-to-date with
new trends

16. Public Spaces
Subdivisions
 Western models of these
villages are different in
comparison with the
Philippine model. The
Filipino model of a village is
a secluded place where the
privileged can enjoy security
within their walls. The
traditional western model is
a tightly-knit community with
a town center where people
can live close to their
livelihood within walking Country Villas Subdivision Taken July 2012
distance. (Villalon, 2001)
 Territoriality (within the
walls)
 Walkability (lessened with
the use of automobiles)

17. Public Spaces
Continuation of outside
space
 In the bahay na bato
model where the
señorita of the house
would simply look
over the vollada in
order to buy from a
passing vendor on
the street.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar taken October 2008

18. Evolution of Spatial
Configuration in Private Spaces
From the bahay kubo, bahay na bato, tsalet
and the modern small spaces
Tradition People Innovation

19. Private Spaces
Bahay Kubo
Bahay Kubo taken April 2010
 The physical form of a
raised structure on
wooden posts
 A psychological space
below (Lichauco,
1995)
Raised on wooden posts taken October
2008

20. Private Spaces
Bahay na Bato
 A hierarchy of spaces
was introduced with
more transition
spaces.
 The higher one
climbed, the more
private the space is.
(Florendo, 2012)
Enriquez House in Las Casas Filipinas
de Acuzar taken October 2008  No absolute divisions
within the second
floor of the house

21. Private Spaces
Tsalet
 Simplified functions
 More sanitary with the
introduction of private
toilet facilities inside
the house
 The kitchen was
brought in
Santa Catalina, Laguna taken April  Garage for the
2010
automobiles

22. Private Spaces
Small Spaces as
Modern
 Space has become
one of the most
precious commodities
since small is
becoming what most
people can afford.
(Villalon, 2001)
Duplex in Fairview, Quezon City taken May
2012

23. Conclusion
History Filipino’s New Forms
natural
tendencies
Tradition People Innovation
His own unique
experiences and
influences

24. Recap
1. To recover and
 It has allowed Filipino resourcefulness
rediscover the role of
Colonialism in the and ingenuity to flourish within
Filipino discourse with Colonialism
spaces
2. To be able to reconcile  Our traditions are the base of
our colonized past with innovation. We should never forget
our innovative present
and future perceptions them.
of Filipino space
 Colonialism is our stepping stone into
3. To bring Colonialism
into a more positive having relatable experiences parallel
light as one of the ways with the international Modern
in which we can find our
identity in the movement
international stage.
 Let us innovate above and beyond the
4. And finally to help in the
decolonization process expectations of tradition
by branding our unique
experiences and

25. References
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Alarcon, N., (2008). The Imperial Tapestry: American Colonial Architecture in the Philippines. Manila: UST Publishing House.
Alcazaren, P. (2007).The Neoclassic Style in Philippine Architectural. Building modernity: A century of Philippine Architecture and
Allied Arts. Intramuros, Manila: The National Commision for Culture and the Arts.
Cabalfin, E. (2005). Conquest and Resistance: Intersections of Colonialism and Modernity in Twentieth-Century Philippine
Architectures. Modern Asian Architecture Network 5th International Conference. Turkey: mAAN
Cabalfin, E. (2006). Modernizing the Native. Ninth Docomomo International Conference, Istanbul & Ankara
Cabalfin, E. (2009). Self-exoticism and national identity in post-colonial Philippine Architectures. Espasyo, 1
Cristobal, J. (2010). Space utilization in Filipino culture: The bahay kubo and Quiapo. Espasyo, 2, 63-70.
Condello, A. (2011). Filipino Luho and Manila's Metropolitan Theatre. Espasyo, 3, 119-127
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Florendo, R. (2012). Casas baja de las campanas. Manila: University of Santo Tomas
Publishing House.
Lichauco, D. (1995). A Comparative Analysis of Western and Philippine Spatial Systems: Towards the Development of Philippine
Architecture. National Symposium on Filipino Architecture and Design, Quezon City. p.3-15
Lico, G. (2007). Building modernity: A century of Philippine Architecture and Allied Arts.
Intramuros, Manila: The National Commision for Culture and the Arts.
Lico, G. (2011). Domus a la Italiana: The Legacy of Italy in the Philippines. Espasyo, 3, 119-127
Lico, G., Montinola, L., Noche, M., Silva, J., Villalon, A.(2010). Art Deco in the Philippines. Montinola, L. (Ed.). ArtPortAsia Pte Ltd.
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