As a reflection of the strong linkage between the University of Santo Tomas and the Embassy of Spain in Manila together with the Instituto Cervantes, held an interactive lecture titled “Essentials on Fil-Hispanic Architecture from Twenty Tweets” at UST College of Architecture last November 21, 2019. Speaker was Instituto Cervantes Director Javier Galvan.
Also present were Ambassador of Spain to the Philippines His Excellency Jorge Moragas Sánchez; Deputy Head of Mission Ms. Amaya Fuentes-Milani, and First Secretary on Administrative and Cultural Affairs Ms. Pilar Cuadra.
Galvan’s lecture discussed the relationship of Filipino and Hispanic Architecture throughout the 333 years of colonization. It began with the introduction and development of the bahay na bato, to other architecture types with Hispanic roots such as the conventos, cementerio, puente, parola, and the like. It talked about how the local architecture transitioned and evolved to a more localized aesthetics and design. The discussion ended with the idea that the architecture (of a place) identifies a nation and the history of the people. The details and design that is now Filipino are products that are affected by its historic roots – a part that is for the longest time Spanish. However, the true and the intangible aspects of the nation eventually surface and is reflected on its architecture and the details that are specifically found only in the Philippines, include the forms, the trial and error development of earthquake-proof architecture, among others. All of these matter through experience, time, and effort.
In the afternoon of the same day, the Spanish Ambassador and his party paid a Courtesy Call upon the Rector of the University Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P. They also met with UST Prefect of Libraries Rev. Fr. Angel A. Aparicio, O.P., who gave them a tour of the Miguel de Benavides Library.
