An 18th Century Manual on Architecture: Fray Juan Albarrán’s Barias Reglas de Arquitectura, 1735

The building of the Santo Niño church is a benchmark event for the study of Philippine architectural history. Apart from the happy fact that this building still stands, are two narratives written by its builder, Fray Juan Albarrán. This Augustinian was assigned as prior to the Cebu convent for two terms, 1735-1737, and 1737-1740. During this time, he planned, oversaw, and completed the rebuilding of the Santo Niño church. His narratives, “Advertencias para obras que se puedan ofrecer en este Convento” (Words of advice for projects that can be offered in this convento”) and “Barias Reglas de Arquitectura” (Various Rules for Architecture) were written between 1735 and the first half of 1736. These texts, which document Albarrán’s experiences in the very early building stages of the church, are perhaps the earliest materials we have to a manual for construction in Spanish colonial Philippines.