Mandaue Presidencia

Mandaue's historic city hall — commonly called the Presidencia — is a handsome two-storey building in a hybrid Neo-Grec and Art Deco style. It stands directly beside the Mandaue Church in the old town centre, and the pairing of colonial church and civic hall gives the plaza its character. The building has served as the seat of Mandaue's government continuously since it was built during the American period; it continues to house city offices.

The exterior is well maintained and worth a look as a surviving example of the civic architecture the American colonial administration built across the Philippines in the early 20th century. The ground-floor arcade and the proportioned facade are particularly good. The Presidencia is on the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property.

things to do sight architecture
A story
The Presidencia was built during the American colonial period in a style that blends Neo-Grec classicism with Art Deco detailing — an unusual combination that reflects the transitional moment in Philippine architecture when Spanish-era traditions were giving way to American influence. Unlike many colonial-era civic buildings in the Philippines, which were either destroyed in World War II or demolished in postwar redevelopment, the Mandaue Presidencia survived intact.