Ar. Francisco Manosa

Filipino Architect
Who is Francisco Mañosa?

(February 12, 1931 – February 20, 2019) was a Filipino architect
considered one of the most influential Filipino architects of the
20th century for having pioneered the art of Philippine neo
vernacular architecture. His contributions to the development of
Philippine architecture led to his recognition as a National Artist Of
The Philippines for Architecture in 2018.
His parents were Maria Tronqued, one of the early actresses of

Philippine cinema, and Manuel Manosa sr. Harvard educated
sanitary-engineer who was a director of the Metropolitan
Waterworks and Sewage System. Nicknamed “Bobby” in the
american-inspired fashion era. He initially wanted a career in music
but studied architecture at the University of Santo Tomas on the
Francisco insistence of his father.
Mañosa
Career
Mañosa was known for his advocacy of what has been called "Philippine neo vernacular architecture."[ His
design aesthetic incorporated Philippine design motifs and local materials such as coconut and local
hardwoods.
Manosa spent a year in japan immediately after his graduation from college, because his father insisted
that he spend "at least one year somewhere in the world" Mañosa opted to go to Japan, which had also
inspired architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
He was struck by the way that Japanese architecture reflected a consistent design which drew from
Japanese culture, regardless of how elaborate the building was, or whether it was traditional and modern.
His wife Denise, whom he married at around this time, recounts that this experience inspired Mañosa to
pursue a design aesthetic with a similar consistency, reflective of Filipino culture.
Upon coming home from Japan, Mañosa began working in the family architectural firm, Mañosa Brothers,
with his brothers Manuel Jr. and José. But he began insisting that he take on projects that were Filipino in
design, rather than the Modernist or International style buildings that were in vogue at the time.
Mañosa developed a modern architectural style whose touchstone was the traditional Filipino square house, the
bahay kubo. He used indigenous materials and experimented with new technologies so that it would be usable in
a modern context.
Personal Life
In the 2010s, Mañosa, a retired architect, had three children working for the family company, Mañosa &
Company. Isabel, the eldest daughter, heads the interior design department and is a director of the Tukod
Foundation. Francisco Jr., the CEO of the entire Mañosa Group, is the founder and CEO of Mañosa Properties.
Angelo, the youngest son, continues Mañosa's architectural legacy as CEO. Mañosa was also a member of the
jazz band The Executive Band and played piano. In 2012, he fell and cracked two vertebrae, requiring fused
vertebrae and heart bypass surgery to repair a life-threatening ventricular blockage.
Works of Ar. Francisco Mañosa
COCONUT PALACE EDSA SHRINE MARY IMMACULATE PARISH

Metro Manila Quezon City Las Pinas
Coconut Palace
Also known as Tahanang Pilipino (lit. 'Filipino Home'), is a
government building located in the Cultural center of the
philippines complex in Manila. It was the official residence and
the principal workplace of the vice president of the Philippines
during the term of Jejomar Binay. It was commissioned in 1978
by First Lady Imelda Marcos as a government guest house and
offered to Pope John Paul during his papal visit to the
Philippines in 1981, but the Pope refused to stay there because
it was too opulent given the level of poverty in the Philippines.
Coconut Palace is made of several types of Philippine hardwood,

coconut shells, and a specially engineered coconut lumber
apparently known as Imelda Madera. Before becoming the
official residence of the vice president, the palace was used for
wedding receptions. Coconut Palace eyes Vice President Sara
Duterte as the permanent residence and official Office of the
vice President of the Philippines for the future Philippine vice
presidents.
E D SA Sh rine After the Marcoses were sent into exile in 1986, Cardinal
Jaime Sin of the Archdiocese of Manila began conceiving of a
shrine that would celebrate the People Power Revolution
which had deposed them. Cardinal Sin's appeal for people to
rally in the streets had played a pivotal role in assuring that
the uprising succeeded without the need for bloodshed, and
Philippines' large Catholic majority characterized its success a
"miracle." So the Cardinal approached Mañosa about
designing a shrine commemorating the event. Mañosa had
first proposed a completely different design for the shrine,
above-ground and based on the bahay kubo. However, this
design was disapproved when "an influential member of the
committee" insisted on a Spanish design for the church.
Mary Immaculate
Parish
Architect Fransisco Manosa, together with Linggoy Alvarez
who served as the landscaper, executed a nature concept for
the church as the church would serve as the signature
structure of the location's 4,000 square meters (43,000 sq ft)
mango orchard. The idea was conceptualized by former parish
priest Father Pierino Rogliardi. The nature concept of the church
is reflected in different parts of the church.
Originally, the parish church was built out of the old Sto Niño
Chapel in Moonwalk Village, Las Piñas, but as the community
and population grew, its later parish priest, Fr Pierino Rogliardi,
saw the need for a larger church structure. Hence the
beginning of the building of the “Nature Church” complex, which
would showcase Filipino organic architecture as championed by
the chosen architect, National Artist Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa.
Quezon City
Memorial Circle
The master plan of the Quezon city memorial
circle was created by Manosa’s architectural
firm, Manosa and company. The famous man-
made park has faced many naatural disasters,
cultural transitions, political climates, and yet
remains as the city’s landmarks. During the
planning of the design of the park, Ar. Fransisco
and his associates wanted the Quezon city
Memorial Monument to bbe its spiritual center. A
structure sacred and revered.
Manosa was awarded Outstanding Artist for Golden Years of Service Award in the field
of Architecture; Gawad Diwa ng Lahi sa Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award from
the City of Manila in 2006; the 2004 Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining Award in the field of
Architecture; the Design Award for Excellence in Architecture from the United Architects
of the Philippines in 1996; and the Most Outstanding Professional of the Year Award
given by the Professional Regulation Commission among many others.
In 2018, he was conferred the Order of National Artist Award, the highest state
recognition given to Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the
development of Philippine art, for his vision, execution, and commitment to Filipino
Architecture.
Desi gn He strongly believed that Philippine
Phi losopy architecture must be “true to itself, its land
and its people," as he usually says in his
interviews when asked about his design
philosophy. He intensively studied, mastered
and interpreted the untapped DNA of Philippine
architecture, especially the Bahay Kubo and
Bahay na Bato. He also pushed for the use of
indigenous materials such bamboo, coconut,
rattan and capiz, among others for
architectural finishes, furniture and furnishings.
T h a nk
y ou !

Ar. Francisco Manosa

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Ar. Francisco Manosa

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Filipino Architect

Who is Francisco Mañosa?

His parents were Maria Tronqued, one of the early actresses of

COCONUT PALACE EDSA SHRINE MARY IMMACULATE PARISH

Coconut Palace is made of several types of Philippine hardwood,

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