The classic Filipino mansion truly shows the beauty of Philippine architecture and interior design. These classic "big houses" are usually found in Northern Luzon, some in Manila and a few spread out all over the islands. Philippine architecture and interior is a mixture of Malay, Spanish, Chinese, American and some Hindu influence. Among these influences the Spanish style has its greatest imprint. I like the high ceilings, the big capiz windows, the ventanillas, the huge sala (living room), the balcony, the big bedrooms, the big kitchen and the European type gardens. I like how the Filipinos transformed the Spanish style making it their own. Now I am talking about these mansions that were built at least in the late 1800's to which only a few exist today.
These Philippine mansions are usually built with concrete or with stone for the first floor and wood for the second floor, though some mansions are all concrete. Since the Philippines is a tropical country, hence the use of concrete to stabilize the home during heavy typhoon season against strong winds and the use of wood to cool the home from hot weather year round. The favorite spot that I like in these mansions is the sala or living room, I like how huge they are, surrounded by many windows and filled with nice antique furniture. Most of these homes have altars of worship where religious statues and religious elements are placed, an influence from Catholic Spain.
The interior can be simple or extravagant. Usually the furniture is made of wood. The chairs, the sofa, the coffee table, side table, the cabinets, the dining table and dining chairs and the bed are all wood. The wooden furniture can be plain and simple but some have intricate woodwork and patterns. Other accessories that can be used for the interior to make the home beautiful are jars, santos or religious figures, paintings, a grand piano, a sculpture, a closet showing a China collection, a Chinese or Malayan wall divider with intricate carvings, etc. These mansions like all mansions usually have wide wooden stairs with at least twenty steps from the ground floor leading to the second floor's spacious living room or living rooms.
The gardens are lush and filled with tropical plants and flowers. Some owners have fountains in their garden. The gardens are usually copied from gardens in Spain and a few of these mansions have an atrium where most of the owner's parties and reception usually take place.
Basically that's about it on Philippine-Spanish style architecture and interior that I can share with you.
Photo Credit: Syquia Mansion in Vigan, Philippines
Photographer: R. Hilton
Photo Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hilton_photos/
When I visited Vigan City in Ilocos Sur province in 2003, I was impressed to see the Philippine-Spanish styled houses lined side by side facing each other on the rugged, stoned road. I felt I was transported back to the 18th-19th century Isla Filipinas.
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