Guitar Making in the Philippines is believed to have started sometime in the 18th century during the Christianization of the Philippines by the Spanish. The Spanish priests brought a number of Mexicans to Lapu Lapu during this period and with them came Guitars. The guitar at this time was used to accompany gospel singing.
It is said that the guitars required repair and local townspeople on Mactan were hired for this purpose to save time rather than wait for new guitars from Mexico. The local people were curious about the guitars and studied them and built their own. It became a craft of people during that era and for some their livelihood.
A guitar maker is called a Luthier
The craft spread throughout Cebu province but in particular Lapu Lapu City as this is the starting place of Christianization. It remains as such today with many well known Philippines guitar factories based in Lapu Lapu City.
Guitars today are still all hand crafted with many a family business. Traditionally, family members are responsible for making parts of the guitar, the father responsible for the entire construction and the mother for polishing and varnishing.
The classic guitar design of the Philippines originated from the Spanish by way of Mexico. As the Mexicans learnt their trade by way of the Spanish during their time of colonization, it is the Spanish style of guitar that eventually found its way to the Philippines accompanied by Mexicans.
The Philippines islands have many of the top guitar making woods and materials needed for construction of a quality guitar. Exceptional craftsmanship goes into each guitar and they are well received throughout the Philippines for their quality, affordability and durability.
