EVOLUTION

OF
FILIPINO HOUSES
BALAY PILIPINO:
“A look back to where Filipino homes started”

Finella Mae Tabozo

 THE EVOLUTION OF FILIPINO HOUSES

Without a doubt, one can learn so much about a country by observing the architecture of a
home. History and culture would have a significant influence on a particular home’s design and
construction, and the Philippines is no exception. Throughout the years, the typical Filipino
home has seen a lot of changes, and it is with good reason. As a country predominantly
colonized by various foreign visitors (Spain and United States), it would be easy to comprehend
where some of the architectural influences and design elements came from. In fact, the
evolution of houses would showcase just how far the Filipino has come and how we fit in the
current times.

To fully appreciate just how far the Filipino house has come, let us take a trip down memory
lane and recall the types of houses that have ever seen life in the country.
PRE- COLONIAL ERA
I. CAVES AND ROCK SHELTERS
Caves and Rock shelters are the first
dwelling places of the earliest human
settlers in the Philippines the “TABON
MAN” and the “CALLAO MAN”.

Caves were safe shelters but in the

latter part of these era, early Filipinos
move to plains and coastal area.
 Plain Area are suitable for
farming.
 Coastal Area are suitable for
TABON CAVE IN PALAWAN
fishing.

 Tabon Man (c. 24,000 or 22,000 BC)

Tabon Man refers to remains discovered in the Tabon Caves in Lipuun Point in Quezon, Palawan in
the Philippines. These were discovered by Robert B. Fox, an American
anthropologist of the National Museum of the Philippines, on May 28, 1962.
These remains, the fossilized fragments of a skull and jawbone of three
individuals, were believed to be the earliest human remains known in the
Philippines which date back to 16,500 years ago, until a metatarsal from
the Callao Man discovered in 2007 was dated in 2010 by uranium-series
dating as being 67,000 years old. The Tabon fragments are collectively called
"Tabon Man" after the Tabon Cave, the place where they were found on the
west coast of Palawan. Tabon Cave appears to be a kind of Stone Age factory,
with both finished stone flake tools and waste core flakes having been found at
four separate levels in the main chamber. Charcoal left from three
assemblages of cooking fires there has been Carbon-14-dated to roughly
7000, 20,000, and 22,000 BCE.
TABON MAN
  Callao Man (c. 67,000 BC)

Also known as Homo Luzonesis.

Homo luzonensis is an extinct species of archaic humans in the genus Homo. In 2007, a third
metatarsal bone (MT3) was discovered in Callao Cave, Luzon, Philippines by Philip J. Piper and
initially identified as modern human by FlorentDétroit. This find was dated using uranium series
ablation to an age of 66,700 ± 1000 years before present, while associated faunal remains and a
hominin tooth found in 2011 delivered dates of around 50,000 years ago.

In 2019, FlorentDétroit et al. described the

subsequent discovery of "twelve additional
hominin elements that represent at least
three individuals that were found in the
same stratigraphic layer of Callao Cave as
the previously discovered metatarsal" and
identified the fossils as belonging to a newly
discovered species, Homo luzonensis, on
the basis of differences from previously
identified species in the genus Homo. This
included H. floresiensis and H.
sapiens. However, some scientists think
additional evidence is required to confirm
the fossils as a new species, rather than a
locally adapted population of
other Homo populations, such as H. CALLAO MAN
erectus or Denisovan.

II. AGTA LEAN – TO

The lean-to reflects the Agta hunting and gathering ways of
life. Constructed along the principle of a tripod using strong,
light branches and palm fronds, this portable and disposable
shelter is brought to wherever the Agta wishes to gather or is
simply left behind.

III. BAHAY KUBO

The classic and traditional Bahay Kubo is the epitome of Filipino homes. Though it may have
ancient roots, this home style continues to have modern iterations until today and is mostly seen
stationed in beach shores or family gardens. This classic design has been a mainstay in the
Philippines because of its simple and easy to execute design. Apart from that, native materials
such as nipa and bamboo are easily available anywhere in the Philippines and are more
affordable.

There are several types of Bahay Kubo in the Philippines each one came from different Ethnic
groups from different parts of the archipelago, and these are as follows:

 Badjao Houseboat
The houseboats of Badjao, sea gypsies of
the Philippines, cruise along the islands in
the Sulu archipelago. These range from 12-
60 feet long but not more than 6 feet wide.
Their unique ecological setting and fishing
economy compel the Badjao to adjust to the
limited space of their floating homes where
the prows are carved with okkil design.
Strong platforms are made on both ends of
the boat for the fish, kitchen utensils and
fishing gadgets with the kitchen area usually
found at the back.

 Higaonon Tree House

In the hinterlands of Agusan and Misamis Oriental, the
Higaonon build their tree houses of lashed sapling, nipa
or cogon grass, split bamboo, rattan and bark of trees.
The low roof, at times, also serve as walls. Wobbling
catwalks connect the smaller houses of about 6 feet by 8
feet wide to a central communal room where a square
box of earth serves as a fireplace and a kitchen. Such
breezy and swaying complex structures sufficient for 60
people are held together by split rattan and were
traditionally built as defenses against enemy attacks.

 Ivatan House
The Ivatan of Batanes Islands build houses
whose primary function is to protect them
against typhoons. These limestone edifices
have triple-thatched roofs, two-foot thick walls,
elevated living quarters and an adjoining low
storeroom for implements and supplies. Low
stone fences are constructed to complete their
defensive structures.
 Mandaya House
The Mandaya house is wholly made of carefully
selected bamboo flattened into slats and held
together by horizontal bamboo strips or a rattan.
Ascent to this single room with a small kitchen
area is through a removable single-notched
trunk of a tree. Traditionally, its elevated floor
line served as one of the safety measures
against attacks of other ethnic groups in the
periphery of Davao Oriental. These warring
conditions made the bagani or warrior class a
high and most coveted social ranking.

 Ifugao House
The Ifugao live in clusters of 20-30 houses
constructed strategically among the steep-walled
rice terraces of Banaue, Ifugao province. The
houses, square in floor plan and windowless, are
made of heavy hand-sewn timber with reed and
grass roofing. They are elevated to a height of
about 4 feet by four posts around which are found
cylindrical wooden rat-guards. There are
removable ladders on either side of the houses.

 MaranaoTorogan
Among the cluster of houses along Lake
Lanao, the torogan, the ancestral home of the
Maranao datu class stands out as the
repository of every known Maranao okir motif.
The concentration of carving is in front of the
house where usually five panolong, protruding
beams are found. Important events like big
celebrations and conflict resolutions are held
in the torogan. Its construction is only possible
through community efforts as a gesture of
support for the ruling class.
 SPANISH COLONIAL ERA (1521 to
1898)

IV. BAHAY NA BATO

The arrival of the Spaniards in 1571 brought in

European colonial architecture to the Philippines.
Though not specifically suited for the hot tropics,
European architecture was transposed
via Acapulco, Mexico into a uniquely Filipino style.
A BahaynaBato in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
In this era, the nipa hut or bahaykubo gave way to in Bataan
the Bahaynabato (stone house) and became the
typical house of noble Filipinos. The Bahaynabato, the colonial Filipino house, followed the
nipa hut's arrangements such as open ventilation and elevated apartments. The most
obvious difference between the two houses would be the materials that was used to build
them.

The bahaynabato was constructed out of brick

and stone rather than the traditional bamboo,
timbre and other wooden materials that elevates
the house. It is a mixture of native Filipino,
Spanish and Chinese influences. During the 19th
century, wealthy Filipinos built some fine houses,
usually with solid stone foundations or brick lower
walls, and overhanging, wooden upper story with
balustrades and capiz shell sliding windows, and
a tiled roof. Excellent preserved examples of Rows of BahaynaBato in Vigan, Ilocos Sur
these houses of the illustrious Filipinos can be
admired in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Preserved
examples of "bahaynabato" are also found in Taal, Batangas and Boac, Marinduque in
southern Luzon, Iloilo, Iloilo and Carcar, Cebu in the Visayas, and Dapitan, Zamboanga del
Norte.

During World War II, many heritage districts and towns outside Metro Manila were heavily
destroyed and damaged by American and Japanese bombs. Reports of deliberate burning
of colonial structures by Japanese soldiers were also rampant. Most destroyed or damaged
heritage structures have never been restored and now lay in ruins or have been replaced
with shanty houses or concrete structures with no significant architectural aesthetics. Many
scholars have championed for Japan and America's accountability for the destruction of
many Filipino architectural landscapes and towns, but to no avail.
 BahaynaBato are well preserved in a UNESCO Heritage site here in the Philippines and it is included
in Wonders of the World it is located at ViganIlocos Sur.

Spanish Colonial Era brought Christianity in the Philippines.

The Philippines is the 5th largest Christian country on Earth, with about 90% of the population being
adherents. It is also one of two predominantly Roman Catholic nations in Asia (the other being East Timor)
and, as of 2010, was the third largest Catholic country in the world.(other two nations
are Brazil and Mexico).

In 1521, the Portuguese navigator and explorer Ferdinand Magellan under the service of Spain came
across the Philippines while searching for the Spice Islands. Ferdinand Magellan and his men landed
in Cebu Island in central Philippines.

At this time period, almost nothing was known to the West of the Philippines and so information on most
pre-Hispanic societies in the islands date to the early period of Spanish contact. Most Philippine
communities, with the exception of the Muslim sultanates in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, were fairly
small and lacking in complex centralised authority. This absence of centralised power meant that a minority
of Spanish explorers were able to convert larger numbers of indigenous peoples than attempting such in
larger, more organized, dominions such as the Indianised or Theravada Buddhist kingdoms in mainland
Southeast Asia, the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian Archipelago.
With his arrival in Cebu on March 17, 1521, his first attempt was to colonize the islands and to Christianise
its inhabitants. The story goes that Magellan met with Rajah Humabon, ruler of the island of Cebu, who had
an ill grandson. Magellan (or one of his men) was able to cure or help the young boy, and in gratitude
Humabon allowed himself, his chief consort Humamay, and 800 of his subjects to be baptised en masse. In
order to achieve this, Spain had three principal objectives in its policy towards the Philippines: the first was
to secure Spanish control and acquisition of a share in the spice trade; use the islands in developing contact
with Japan and China in order to further Christian missionaries’ efforts there; and lastly to spread their
religion.[6]
After Magellan died, the Spanish later sent Miguel López de Legazpi. He arrived in Cebu from New
Spain (now Mexico), where Spain introduced Christianity and colonisation in the Philippines took place. [7] He
then established the first Permanent Spanish Settlement in Cebu in 1565. This settlement became the
capital of the new Spanish colony, with Legazpi as its first governor. After Magellan, Miguel López de
Legazpi conquered the Islamised Kingdom of Maynila in 1570. The Spanish missionaries were able to
spread Christianity in Luzonand the Visayas, but the diverse array of ethno-linguistic groups in the highland
areas of Luzon avoided Spanish annexation owing to their remote and difficult mountainous region.
Sultanates in Mindanao retained the Islamic faith, which had been present in the southern Philippines since
some time between the 10th and 12th century, had slowly spread north throughout the archipelago,
particularly in coastal areas.[5] This resistance to Western intrusion makes this story an important part of the
nationalist history of the Philippines. Many historians have claimed that the Philippines peacefully accepted
Spanish rule; the reality is that many insurgencies and rebellions continued on small scales in different
places through the Hispanic colonial period.
 AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD
The rule of the United States over the Philippines had two phases.

PHASE I – 1898-1935 (Washington Colonial Mission)

PHASE II - 1936 to 1946 (Commonwealth of the Philippines)

V. TSALET

A discussion on the evolution of Filipino homes won’t be complete without mentioning tsalet.
The tsalet homes in Baguio are reflective of the American influences in the country. Derived
from the word chalet, the tsalet is made of wood with a gently sloping rood and a wide, well-
supported eaves fastened at the right
angles of the structure.

The colonial shift from the Spanish to

the American rule happened in 1898. It
marked a drastic change in different
sectors in the country, including
architecture, making it an important part
of the evolution of Filipino homes. This
shift resulted in the construction of
government building in cities and
municipalities. The influence of Greek or TSALET HOMES IN BAGUIO CITY
Roman architecture was placed in the
majority of these structures.

This time in history was known as the revival period. There was no other city in the country
that felt the progress of the revival period more than Manila. The American government
employed world-renowned urban planner Daniel Burnham to redevelop the nation’s capital
who in turn formulated the Burnham plan. Most of the principles included in this plan
still prevail even after the turn of the century.

Architectural advancements began during the American occupation. American architecture

heavily emphasized sanitation which had paved the way for the introduction of the toilet via
a cubeta (pail conservancy system). The introduction of sanitary values was an avenue for
the introduction of a well-planned neighborhood which is primarily called Sanitary Barrio, or
a tsalet. The tsalet was the first among the Filipino houses to put a strong emphasis on
sanitation which meant that toilets and bathrooms became commonplace in homes and
kitchens were located in the house.
VI. BUNGALOW

Bungalow home design was

introduced during the American
Colonial period. It is the most
common and popular house in the
country. It is less expensive and
easier to build than a multi-story
house. They are small and easy to
maintain. Bungalows occupy more
square meters than multi-story
homes and because of that, they
tend to allow more space for
adjustments, additions, and
modications. The house is
described as low-rise homes
sporting a pitched roof and a horizontal shape. Typically, the roof is made of galvanized iron
and the walls are of concrete. Bungalow houses have a yard, a garden or a covered carport
and afford more privacy than other house designs as they are low to the ground that the
windows can be easily blocked by trees and fences.

MODERN PERIOD
VII. TOWNHOUSES

Townhouses are mistakenly referred

to apartments, but it is readily
apparent that townhouses are a bit
roomier than a regular apartment or
condominium. Townhouses are
another common type of home in the
Philippines and rose to prominence
prior to the popularity of condominium
units. Owning a townhouse was
economic as it was significantly
cheaper regarding building and
maintenance. Today, they are
considered starter homes for families who do not wish to stay in a condominium yet are
unprepared to make a bigger and costly move to a house and lot.
VIII. APARTMENTS

An apartment (American
English), flat (British English)
or unit (Australian English) is a self-
contained housing unit (a type of
residential real estate) that occupies only
part of a building, generally on a
single storey. There are many names for
these overall buildings, see below.
The housing tenure of apartments also
varies considerably, from large-
scale public housing, to owner
occupancy within what is legally
a condominium (strata
CTTO: CM BUILDERS
title or commonhold), to tenants renting
from a private landlord.

CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
IX. CONDOMINIUM

A condominium is a section of a
building or a complex which a
person can own individually. It is a
private residence owned in a
building orcommunity with multiple
units. Condominium owners share
common areas such as yards,
garages, recreational rooms, and
gym with other unit owners. They
don’t have to maintain these
common areas themselves
because owners pay dues to a
condo board who handles the RAFFLES RESIDENCES MAKATI CITY PHILIPPINES
hiring of housekeeping laborers
such as landscapers and repairmen. This is the way HOA or home owner’s association
functions.

In the Philippines, the law is strict that it limits foreign ownership of real estate where
purchasing lands or properties are prohibited, except for a few cases. The Condominium Act
gives foreigners looking for residential or commercial properties an option to own them.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://balay.ph/evolution-of-filipino-homes/

https://www.lamudi.com.ph/journal/metro-manilas-expensive-luxurious-condos/

https://www.lamudi.com.ph/journal/evolution-of-houses-in-the-philippines-in-the-last-100-years/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_luzonensis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabon_Man

https://allthatsinteresting.com/callao-man-homo-luzonensis

https://wanderingbakya.com/traditional-filipino-houses/

https://www.tagaloglang.com/summary-of-the-american-colonial-period/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_Philippines

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahay_na_bato

https://urbandwellersph.wordpress.com/tag/evolution-of-a-filipino-home/