(Conclusion)

MANILA, Philippines - It is impossible to take San Agustín out of the context of Intramuros, the fortified Spanish colonial walled center of Manila surrounded by a protective moat, where the seat of Spanish power rested.

All Filipinos consider Intramuros in Manila as the primary symbol of former Spanish influence in the country. San Agustín has always been the parish church of Intramuros, the oldest stone church in the country, and the only church among the many in Intramuros to have survived the brutal destruction of World War II.
For the 350 years of Spanish rule, Intramuros was the nerve center of the country, from where the highest political and religious power emanated. Even if Intramuros today is a ghost of what it originally was, the aura of Spain still lingers within its walls.

Originally built of bamboo and nipa, the original San Agustín was the first church to be built in Luzon, the principal island in the Philippine archipelago. After repeated destruction by fire and earthquake, a stone church was constructed in 1587. It took 20 years to complete.

Because it occupies an urban city block, the façade and exterior walls of San Agustín are box-like and plain. Twin bell towers designed by the Spanish architect Luciano Oliver in 1854 augmented its squat façade. However, the left tower cracked during the earthquake of 1880, demolished for safety reasons and never reconstructed.

Extraordinary structure

The interior of the church is superb. Traces of the original wall painting done in the Mexican style can still be seen. The existing trompe l?oeil interior painting, done in the late 19th century, influenced the interior painting of many Philippine churches.

The structural design of the church is extraordinary. It is said the structure is supported by a raft-type foundation that permits the entire structure to sway during earthquakes.

Take a look at the small chapels lining each side of the nave which have thick walls between them. The walls are buttresses that protect the structure from earthquake damage.
Because of its limited urban space, the buttresses were integrated into the interior of the church. All built of stone, a barrel vault, dome and arched vestibules support the choir loft. No other construction of this type is seen in the Philippines.

Within the church and its adjoining monastery is a priceless art collection, including the earliest dated retablo (altarpiece), wall paintings, pulpit, choir lectern and choir stalls.

San Agustín figures prominently in Philippine history. Miguel López de Legazpi, the founder of Manila, was buried there together with other prominent historical figures.
The church hosted the first Church Council in 1578 and the first National Synod in 1581. In 1898 the negotiations for the surrender of the Spanish to the Americans were held there.

Global significance

The global development of the Baroque style, widely documented in Europe and Latin America, is not as well known in the Orient by Western scholars. Philippine Baroque churches are examples of the local interpretation of what was originally a Western architectural style, a fusion of East and West that shows the naïf but harmonious integration of a Western architectural idiom into the Philippine context.
Aside from the genius of Philippine artistry, the ingenious structural solutions for earthquake protection stand out. The Baroque churches of the Philippines exhibit the genius of Philippine artistic talent that is expressed through the high level of local craftsmanship, living proof of the fusion of East and West.

Information excerpted from ?Living Landscapes and Cultural Landmarks, World Heritage Sites in the Philippines,? published by ArtPost Asia (www.artpostasia.com)