Francisco Mañosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francisco Mañosa
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| Born | 12 February 1931 Manila, Philippine Islands
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| Died | 20 February 2019 (aged 88) Muntinlupa, Philippines
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| Nationality | Filipino |
| Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Awards |  National Artists of the Philippines |
| Buildings | Coconut Palace, EDSA Shrine |
Francisco "Bobby" Tronqued Mañosa (born February 12, 1931 – died February 20, 2019) was a very important Filipino architect. He is known for creating a special style called "Philippine neovernacular architecture." This means he designed buildings that looked modern but also used ideas from traditional Filipino homes.
His work helped shape how Filipino buildings look today. Because of his amazing contributions, he was named a National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture in 2018.
Many people know him as the architect who designed the famous Coconut Palace. But he also designed other important buildings like the EDSA Shrine, the Mary Immaculate Parish (Nature's Church) in Las Piñas, and the beautiful Amanpulo resorts.
Mañosa spent his life trying to give Filipino architecture its own special identity. He believed that buildings should connect to old Filipino designs like the bahay kubo (a traditional hut) and the bahay na bato (a stone house). He was famous for mixing these old styles and local materials with new building methods. This way, he created buildings that were perfect for the Philippines' warm, tropical weather.
Early Life and Education
Francisco Mañosa was born in Manila, Philippines, on February 12, 1931. He grew up in a nice neighborhood in Manila. His mother, María Tronqued, was one of the first actresses in Philippine Cinema. His father, Manuel Mañosa Sr., was an engineer who studied at Harvard University. His father also led the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System for many years.
People called him "Bobby," which was a popular nickname back then. He loved playing jazz piano and first wanted to be a musician. But his father wanted him to study architecture, so he went to the University of Santo Tomas.
Career
Mañosa was well-known for his strong belief in "Philippine neovernacular architecture." His designs often used Filipino patterns and local materials. These included things like coconut wood and local hardwoods.
Inspiration from Japan
After finishing college, Mañosa spent a year in Japan. His father wanted him to travel and see the world. Mañosa chose Japan because famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright was also inspired by it.
He was amazed by how Japanese buildings always showed their culture, whether they were old or new, simple or grand. His wife, Denise, said that this trip made Mañosa want to create a consistent design style that truly reflected Filipino culture.
Inspiration from the Bahay Kubo
When Mañosa returned home, he started working with his brothers, Manuel Jr. and José, at their family's architecture company, Mañosa Brothers. But he began to insist on taking only projects that had a Filipino design. This was different from the popular Modernist styles of that time.
Mañosa developed a modern architectural style that was based on the traditional Filipino square house, the bahay kubo. He used local materials and tried new technologies to make this old style work for modern buildings.
For example, he used ideas from the bahay kubo when designing the stations for the Manila Light Rail Transit Line 1 train network.
Breakthrough: San Miguel Corporation Headquarters
Mañosa had a big breakthrough while still working at Mañosa Brothers. His firm was chosen to design the new main office for San Miguel Corporation in Mandaluyong. The brothers designed a building inspired by the famous Banaue rice terraces. It also had "green" features that were very advanced for its time.
The Coconut Palace
Mañosa's strong focus on Filipino design eventually led him to start his own company. Because of his success with the San Miguel Corporation headquarters, Imelda Marcos asked him to build the "Tahanang Pilipino," also known as the Coconut Palace. It was built within the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex.
The project became a topic of discussion because the building was very fancy and expensive. It was paid for with government money. The palace was finished in time for Pope John Paul II's visit in 1981. Mrs. Marcos invited him to stay there, but the Pope politely declined. He felt it was too grand given the poverty in the Philippines.
The Coconut Palace later became a guest house for famous visitors. Even though there was some discussion about it, the Coconut Palace is now seen as one of the best examples of Philippine neovernacular architecture. It made Mañosa a very sought-after architect.
The EDSA Shrine
After the Marcoses left the Philippines in 1986, Jaime Cardinal Sin wanted to build a shrine to celebrate the People Power Revolution. This event had removed the Marcoses from power without bloodshed. Cardinal Sin asked Mañosa to design a shrine to remember this important event.
Mañosa first suggested a different design, based on the bahay kubo. But this design was not approved. Mañosa, who believed in designing only Filipino structures, almost left the project. Cardinal Sin asked him to reconsider. So, Mañosa came back and created a new "People’s Plaza" design. This design was used for the actual EDSA Shrine, which was completed in 1989.
The Parish Church of St. Joseph (Bamboo Organ Church)
Between 1971 and 1975, Mañosa and his partner Ludwig Alvarez helped restore the Saint Joseph Parish Church. This church is famous for its unique Las Piñas Bamboo Organ. They worked to bring the church and its surrounding buildings back to their 19th-century look. They also moved the main altar to face the people, following new church rules.
Personal Life
By the 2010s, Mañosa was a retired but highly honored architect. His three children all work for the family company, Mañosa & Company. His oldest daughter, Isabel ("Bambi"), leads the interior design team. She is also a director of Tukod Foundation, which promotes Filipino design and art. Francisco Jr. ("Dino") is the CEO of the entire Mañosa Group and founded Mañosa Properties. His youngest son, Angelo ("Gelo"), continues his father's work as the CEO of Mañosa & Company.
When he wasn't working on his projects, Mañosa also played piano in a jazz band called The Executive Band.
In 2012, Mañosa had a fall and injured his spine. He also needed heart bypass surgery to fix a serious heart problem.
Death
Francisco Mañosa passed away on February 20, 2019, from prostate cancer. He was 88 years old. His remains received full state honors and were buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, a cemetery for heroes.
Selected Works
Here are some of the buildings Francisco Mañosa designed:
Churches
- Mary Immaculate Parish (Nature's Church)
- Assumption College Chapel
- Quadricentennial Altar
- Risen Lord Parish Church
- Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA
- St. Joseph Church (Las Pinas)
- World Youth Day Papal Altar
- Mary, Mother of God Parish (Muntinlupa)
Homes
- Mañosa Residence (Ayala Alabang)
- Arnaiz Residence
- Cahaya "The Sanctuary"
- Diego Cerra Homes
- Floirendo Residence
- Hoffmann Residence
- Hofileña Residence
- Pabahay - Bayanihan
- Pabahay - PNP
- Valenciano Residence
- The Astley Residence - Timberland Heights
Commercial Buildings
- Eagle Ridge Building
- JMT Corporate Center
- The New Medical City (built in 2002)
- Nielson Towers (Makati)
- Saztec Building
- Sulo Restaurant
Other Buildings
- Aquino Center
- Ateneo Education Building
- Ateneo Professional Schools
- Bamboo Mansion
- Centro Escolar University
- Coconut Palace
- Corregidor Island War Memorial
- Environmental Research Center
- Elsie Gatches Village
- Lanao del Norte Provincial Capitol
- Learning Child
- Philippine Friendship Pavilion
- St. Andrew's School (Parañaque)
Other Projects
- Manila Light Rail Transit 1 stations
- 2019 Southeast Asian Games cauldron (This was Arch. Bobby Mañosa's last project)
