The classic Bahay Kubo perfectly illustrates passive cooling principles. Its steeply pitched roof sheds heavy tropical rain rapidly, while the large, wide tukod windows (propped open with bamboo sticks) and slatted floors allow continuous cross-ventilation, drawing cool air up from the shaded silong below, making it incredibly comfortable.

San Agustin Church in Intramuros (completed 1607) is the oldest stone church in the Philippines and a prime example of Earthquake Baroque. Its massive structure, utilizing vaulted stone ceilings, thick walls, and a very wide base, allowed it to survive numerous major earthquakes and the utter devastation of Manila during World War II.

The Manila Central Post Office (completed 1926, designed by Juan Arellano and Tomas Mapua) is a quintessential example of American-era neoclassicism in the Philippines. Its monumental, perfectly symmetrical facade features a grand colonnade of Ionic pillars, dominating the Pasig River waterfront.

A massive, squat church features exceedingly thick, heavily buttressed walls and a separate bell tower located a short distance away from the main structure. Its facade is ornately carved with a mixture of European religious motifs and local flora.