THE Filipino soul is best understood through the tactile, lived experience of our built environment. From the iconic stone houses of the north to the southern islands’ resilient structures, our vernacular architecture is a silent witness to our history. This testimony was given a powerful voice through “Tayog na Pamana: Pagtitipon sa Bernakular na Arkitektura at Kulturang Bayan,” a national roadshow led by the United Architects of the Philippines (UAP)-Commission on the Center for Filipino Architecture (CFA), under the leadership of Executive Director Ar. Jayson Portem, and spearheaded by the Committee on Filipino Architecture Advocacy.
This initiative traversed the archipelago to bridge the gap between ancestral wisdom and contemporary design in partnership with the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), local government units, and various UAP chapters across the country.
The roadshow was a pilgrimage focused on the intersection of tradition, sustainability and innovation. The speakers, Ar. Marvin Belgica, Ar. Rino Fernandez, and Ar./Enp. Fatima Nicetas Alonzo-Rabang, provided the journey’s intellectual framework: Each one brought a unique dimension to the conversation, transforming the roadshow into an exploration of identity and technique.
NMP representative Ar. Belgica anchored the technical discourse on his presentation, “Behind the Portico: Vernacular Lessons from the Restoration of the Our Lady of Caysasayan Shrine in Taal, Batangas.” His work demonstrated how the meticulous restoration of a single landmark can reveal truths about local building techniques and the resilience of colonial-era stone architecture. Belgica’s focus on the “behind-the-scenes” reality of restoration offered a sobering yet inspiring look at the dedication required to maintain our built heritage in the face of modern development.
Ar. Fernandez challenged the audience with his presentation’s provocative question: “Arkitekturang Filipino: Meron Ba?” His analysis of identity through the lens of the architectural built form pushed professionals to look beyond surface-level aesthetics. He argued that true Filipino architecture is a profound expression of our history, climate and social organization. He invited architects to consciously weave our cultural DNA into contemporary projects, rather than relying on imported styles.
The regional expertise was supported by Ar./EnP Fatima Nicetas Alonzo-Rabang, whose research into “Ilocos Vernacular Architecture” provided the perfect case study. She offered a blueprint for what is now referred to as “Green Architecture”: how Ilocano builders mastered their environment using indigenous materials and specific spatial orientations. Her work serves as a reminder that our ancestors had already mastered the science of thermal comfort and spatial flow before the age of air conditioning.
RoadshowThe journey began in Vigan, where the UAP Ilocos Ciudad Fernandina Chapter, under the leadership of Ar. Christian Nico Pilotin (who also served as the local speaker) gathered architects at the NMP-Vigan. It continued in Legazpi at the NMP-Bicol, where UAP District B5, under District Director Ar. Angelica Rodrigueza hosted the local lady conservationist, Ar. Ana Lorilla, to explore resilient forms required by the region’s geography and the Nuestra Señora de la Portería Parish Church. As the roadshow moved to NMP-Bohol, the UAP Bohol Chapter, led by Ar. Melody Ganub welcomed Rev. Fr. Ted Milan Toralba, who offered insights into how liturgical and heritage architecture shapes the Filipino identity.
In Davao, the UAP Davao Kadayawan Chapter, led by Ar. Jeanny Baybay, hosted a session featuring renowned local speakers Ar. Gloryrose Dy-Metilla and Ar. Jayson Portem, bridging the gap between indigenous influences and modern urban development. The series concluded in Western Mindanao, where the UAP Zamboanga Chapter, under the leadership of Ar. Eugene Pacio, facilitated a final dialogue at the NMP-Zamboanga; Ar. Bernadette Balaguer and local expert Ar. Ildefonso Torres Jr. highlighted the peninsula’s unique maritime architectural expressions.
“Tayog na Pamana” is a rallying cry for the next generation. By weaving together technical expertise and the grounded, authentic perspectives of local voices, it succeeded in transforming the study of heritage into a vibrant, living movement. In cementing our commitment to design that is globally relevant and rooted in our own culture, this framework of cultural policy and professional practice will serve as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of Filipino architects.
This roadshow underlined the necessity of Corporate Social Responsibility in architecture. By engaging with local chapters and the NMP, architects demonstrated that our professional responsibility extends into the realm of public service and communal education. We invite our colleagues to join us in this ongoing dialogue, document our local building practices, and incorporate these invaluable techniques into their own design processes, ensuring that the legacy of our vernacular architecture continues to rise.
Marie Deanne Berganio is an Iloilo-based architect affiliated with the Iloilo City Government, with a deep interest in urban planning, urban design, and heritage conservation. She serves as the chairperson of the Committee on Filipino Architecture Advocacy under the UAP Commission on Center for Filipino Architecture.
