Tangibility-Intangibility on UNESCO World Heritage Baroque Philippine Churches: the Spirit of Place and Its Collective Memory

UNESCO World Heritage-listed Baroque churches in the Philippines, including those in Manila, Santa Maria, Paoay, and Miagao, represent a unique fusion of European Baroque style with local Chinese and Philippine craftsmanship from the 16-18th centuries. These structures, characterized by monumental designs to withstand intruders or natural harm, symbolize the blending of Western influences with regional materials and motifs, creating an innovative architectural tradition. The study highlights how these churches embody both tangible and intangible heritage elements, reflecting the spirit of place and collective memory among churchgoers, inhabitants, and visitors. The Miagao facade, in particular, underscores a distinct regional interpretation of Christianity and saint veneration. This research reinterprets sacred buildings through the lens of tangibility-intangibility, offering insights into how cultural heritage is perceived and preserved.

Lee-Niinioja, H. S. (2021). Tangibility-Intangibility on UNESCO World Heritage Baroque Philippine Churches: the Spirit of Place and Its Collective Memory. SPAFACON 2021: Papers from the SEAMEO SPAFA International Conference on Southeast Asian Archaeology and Fine Arts, 13-17 December 2021, 241–253. https://doi.org/10.26721/spafa.pqcnu8815a-20