Sunday, June 14, 2020

A Mark of Spanish Colonial Influence - Guest Post Sunday


General Trias City Plaza

Two days ago, we just commemorated our 122th anniversary of our cessation of our allegiance to the Crown of Spain. It’s been 499 years since the first presence of the Spaniards at Pearl of the East. They are not here anymore, however, they left their impact in our society. Above is a photo I took of a city in The Cavite Province, one that revolted against them and symbolized as one of the sun’s rays in our nations’s flag. 

By just looking at the orientation of most cities’ and municipalities’ major institutions buildings (Cavite’s General Trias’ “civic center”, the sample photo), Spanish colonial architecture is not very obvious in plain sight. One of the many things how the Spaniards initially shaped our beloved country. Government buildings, church, school, public market (it  was originally at the city hall’s location, the tall structure on the left of the photo) surrounding a plaza were strategically placed in the middle of the town to achieve maximum effect in terms of imposition and dominance of influence. 

But for how long will this setup last (like how the market was relocated) as the world keep changing?

C. Q. Viniegra
General Trias, Cavite / Los Angeles, USA
Carlos is a huge drone hobbyist and enjoys taking videos and still shots of amazing landscapes. He lives in Los Angeles, California but he frequently visits his family and friends here in Cavite.

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Cavite Daily Photo is inviting Caviteño authors who would like to share their stories and experiences about life and living in the province we call home, Cavite! If you are interested to write and share your best photo, email me at stevensonque@gmail.com

20 comments:

  1. ...if they were there for so long they influence must be huge!

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    1. That is very true! Even on things we don;t realize were from them :)

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  2. It's a splendid photo and very interesting!

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    1. Thank you so much Jeanie! The guest author is getting really good with his drone :)

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  3. Nice Picture and Informative post. . . You have a Nice and Safe Day. . . :)

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  4. Great shot and wee that sure is a long time they were there, shaping things...

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    1. Very true Iris! Since I was born, almost all have been renovated, but the Square and the Church remains :)

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  5. A fascinating observation, and great photography. I love reading about other countries, especially the Philippines, as I have Philippine friends
    Stay safe
    Blessings
    Maxine

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    1. Oh that is so nice of you Maxine! Thank you so much for your kind words. There are a lot of Filipinos there in NZ, it's a big dream place for many of us, me included :)

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  6. This is a really good viewpoint SQ, wondering where you took the shot from? You are right, most cities do evolve from a central spot containing important government buildings and spreading out from there over the years.

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    1. Thank you so much dear Grace! The author took this shot with his drone. It's so amazing to see it from such a perspective! That is true, this culture of bringing important buildings on a complex is called, reduccion, in Spanish :)

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    1. Thank you very much my friend Francisco! I wish I can improve my own Night Photography skills, the guest Author is very good with them :)

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    1. Thank you so much Ananka :) My cousin really is getting better with his drone shots :)

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  9. A great shot and the Spanish influence left a mark.

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    1. That is very true Michelle, they left a lot of marks in our culture and society :)

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Stevenson