In the Philippines, 

Amihan and Habagat refer to the two kinds of winds and seasons that

occur in the country every year.
Amihan is known as the Northeast monsoon while Habagat is known as the Southwest
monsoon.
A monsoon is a seasonal rain and wind pattern. "Monsoon" is from the Arabic word, "mawsim"
which means season.
AMIHAN - is the Filipino term of Northeast monsoon, which is a cool and dry northeast wind
coming from Siberia and China and blows down to Southeast Asia. This season is characterized
with slight to moderate rainfall and a prevailing cold wind that affects east of the Philippines. The
monsoon commonly occurs from October to late March, although occurrence may vary every
year.

HABAGAT (SOUTWEST MONSOON) on the other hand, is the southwest wind characterized
by frequent heavy rainfall and humid weather. During Southwest monsoon or hanging Habagat,
the high-pressure area is at the Australian continent, and the low-pressure area is at North
China, Mongolia, and Siberia. The gusty winds from the west and excessive rainfall often turn to
dangerous typhoons.
The southwest monsoon affects the country from late June to October (occurrence may also
vary each year). Low season in the Philippines occurs during the habagat season because of
frequent rainfall and high humidity. A series of flash floods and landslides are regular incidents
during this season.
SOLUTION TO PHILIPPINE CLIMATE
 Technological solutions
1. Site selection
 the conditions in one area may vary depending on topography and microclimate of a
certain area.
 Southern and northern slope directions are more desirable because of the less radiation
they receive.
2. Landform orientation
 It has no meaning in conditions when the land is flat. Important factor is an orientation
of a slope
 Building should be placed in a way that maximizes air flow.
3. Vegetation
 Vegetation and trees in general very effectively shade and reduce the heat gain,
increase humidity levels and direct air flow.
4. Street widths and orientation
 Street width determines the amount of radiation received.
 the significance of wind flow plays the most important role in street orientation.
5. Ground character
 The heat gain from the radiation could be decreased, stored and re-radiated or
increased depending on a ground surface. Important factors for this are color and
texture.
6. Plan form
 The planform of the building affects ventilation heat loss and gain. An important
indicator of heat loss and gain is perimeter to area ratio.

7. Plan elements
 The elements such as verandas, wind catchers or courtyards can be quite effective being
places with cooler air.
8. Building orientation
 Orientation of a building determines the amount of radiation it receives.
9. Roof form
 Roof can be used to indirectly bring light into the building as well as to help direct the
natural ventilation.
10. Fenestration pattern and configuration
 The positioning, area and shape of the windows affect daylight, ventilation and glare to
the interior of the building.
11. Fenestration orientation
 The orientation of windows affects amount of radiation entering and can increase or
decrease ventilation.
12. Fenestration controls
 Devices such as glazing, shades, lights shelves or the cross sectional area of the window
can control the heat gain, daylight and ventilation.
13. Walls and roofs materials
 Significant role in the climatic design of the roofs and walls play materials. Besides the
thermal properties of materials there are other factors such as availability, cost or fire
resistancy that have to be considered.