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17th-19th cent.

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            We value these instruments very much because of their rarity in this part of the world.   These old instruments are remnants of our close ties with Spain, which is famous for its wonderful Pipe Organs.  Although they are not as grand as the organs in Spain (they are actually simple and small), their presence suggests that Filipinos had a tradition in organ music and probably organ building as well during the Spanish colonial period (16th to 19th century).     

            We firmly believe that most of a lot of our old churches built during the Spanish colonial time had pipe organs on their choir loft. Upon close observation, traces of the old holes which were used for the braces of the organ casework are still visible on the walls on the side of the choir loft.  A protruding part of the choir loft on the side is also a good sign that there was once an organ (Example: Immaculate Conception Parish in Pasig City) 

            We conclude that most of them are constructed 'here' under a supervision of a Master Organ-builder (from Spain or Mexico, or possibly a Filipino?) on the account of the materials used and the design.   

              A report about these instruments was made by Mr. Hans Gerd Klais of  Johannes Klais Orgelbau, Bonn, Germany.  This was published in one of the volumes of Acta Organologica by GDO under Merseburger Verlag.  Aside from the Bamboo Organ, Mr. Klais had noted fourteen such instruments during his visit in 1977 as seen on page 121 of Acta Organologica.  He was able to inspect and document seven of these organs.

            In  February 1992, we visited these organs out of curiosity during our vacation.  We were still apprentices at that time in Austria.  We have chosen the island of Bohol for it is where most of these organs are.  We tried to look at all the organs especially those not visited by Mr. Klais.  Our limited financial capacity at that time hindered us to stay longer on the island.  We were just happy to be able to take pictures of them with our simple camera.  A thorough inspection for each instrument was not affordable.  In May 1994, we toured around the island of Cebu and in 1997,  Negros.  It is sad to say that there are only eleven such instruments that are present now as far as we know.   Most of them in the central islands of the country.  

One of our goals is to educate the Filipinos of the importance of these instruments so that we can still preserve and later restore these valuable Philippine Pipe Organs. There are still a lot of places in this country though with old churches that could have or had a pipe organ that we have not visited yet.  Our research  is still very much going on. 

             The links below will lead to details of various pipe organs.

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Last modified: June 15, 2001
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