Toledo, Maria Nerissa B.

HUMAART N03

On June 15, 2012, the whole class visited the San Agustin Church at Intramuros, Manila in order to check out the architecture of this historical landmark in the Philippines. According to sources, this church illustrates baroque architecture and it is also included as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. Truly, the San Agustin Church is a work of art that makes its visitors look into the past. As I arrived at the entrance gates of the museum, I readily noticed the design of the door which is so baroque-like. The traditional touch of the door made the museum look like a classic work of art. As the class entered the museum, I went to the area where the water fountain was located and observed the design of the windows and walls at the place. The walls were made of grey stone bricks that were built to reflect the formal, religious aura of the whole place. The windows were made of glass and concrete and their semi-oval shape really fit the stone walls perfectly. Everyone took a stroll inside the museum, glancing at some of the paintings and other works of art that one deemed pleasing to the eye. I also took interest on some of the paintings that were displayed on the walls. The Nonexistent Squid was my favorite painting, among many others. While checking out art, I also observed the furniture displayed along the halls. I must say that the furniture really suited the serious and slightly eerie feel of the hall. They seemed like they have been existing for centuries! They were also made of wood, nicely complementing the walls of stone with its shades of brown. Altogether, the design looks so classic and at the same time, elegant.

After walking around the museum, I and my friends went to attend mass at the San Agustin Church. As we entered the church, I quickly took note of the dome-shaped roof of the church that has been embedded with marvelous designs that were in back then. This characteristic made the San Agustin Church stand out as a baroque church here in the Philippines. The church shape was also oval another characteristic og baroque architecture. Truly, the church has lived up for so many years, living a legacy of amazing and classic baroque architecture here in our country. On another day, I observed the San Sebastian Church in Quiapo, Manila in order to appreciate gothic architecture. According to sources, this church has a foundation made of steel that may have possibly been made by Gustave Eiffel (yes, the French behind the Eiffel tower). Many characteristics that display and emphasize the gothic design of the church were beautifully employed by its designers. One thing I noticed about the church is the pointed twin spires at the top of the church. These spires made the church have this medieval look that made it look like you were staring at a European church. Another remarkable design of the church was the steel columns that support the infrastructure with all its might. The columns were also designed with elements that gave the gothic look. From the outside, I think that the church really deserves its inclusion in the tentative list as a possible World Heritage Site.