HOUSING Module 3.

2:
Cultural beliefs on Housing
Filipinos have become multifaceted due
to their extensive history, which in so
many ways affect their architecture.
“As a consequence of the strategic location of the
Philippines, and the resulting exposure of the
people to a wealth of goods and ideas, the
Filipinos have enriched the fabric of their culture
with fibers that are both of local and foreign
origin.” Fernandez (1995)
“The natives have mastered the ability to
adopt and adapt, in other words, Such is
the fabric of Filipino culture and that is
how architecture in the Philippines is to
be viewed.” Fernandez (1995)
Philippine Historical Periods
Four main periods:
1. Spanish rule (1521–1898)
2. American rule (1898–1946)
3. Japanese occupation (1941–1946)
4. Philippine self-rule (1946–present)
Philippine Historical Periods
Six Major Invaders of The Philippines
1. Spain – longest, 333 years
2. Portugal
3. Netherlands
4. Great Britain
5. United States of America
6. Imperial Japan
Philippine Historical Periods
Minor invaders of The Philippines
• Chinese Pirates 1574 – 1575
• Chinese Pirates 1662 – 1575

Other Notable Pre-Colonization invaders

• Indonesia
• Brunei
• Malaysia
• China
General culture
of Filipino
1. Very resilient and has ability to adopt
and adapt.
2. Take pride in their families.
3. Religious
4. Respectful
5. Helping one another - Bayanihan
6. Filipinos value traditions and culture
7. Filipinos loves festivities – gathering,
events, gathering, singing and etc.
Filipino family
and dwellings
1. The best-known characteristic of
Filipinos is its families. Theirs is a
noisy and colorful household;
2. Filipino dwellings are generally
having a space to entertain
guests or entertainment area
“sala” to entertain guests and a
space for religious displays and
other “abubot”
 Horror Vacui is a Latin expression,
which Praz (1982)
Philippine Spatial Used to describe the interiors during
the late 1800s wherein rooms were
Dynamics filled, and walls were covered with a
wide variety of objects.
 Maximalism is a term used by De
Leon, Jr. (2012) in his numerous
Philippine Spatial discussions on Filipino culture and
Dynamics speaks of the nation’s inclination to fill
up space.
“The common Filipino is a maximalist,
filling up every available space with forms
and things. It springs from an expressive
exuberance deeply rooted in emotional
sensitivity and the strong urge to connect.”

De Leon, Jr. (2012)

 is loosely translated as “what a waste” Common expressions are
Sayang “pwede pa yan” (that can still be used) and “malay mo magamit
pa” (you never know, it may still be used).
 • a souvenir or gift becoming priceless and difficult to part with.
• To fill the emptiness, Filipinos surround themselves with little
Abubot trinkets or abubot belonging to the persons they miss or
mostly reminding them of that loved one.
 something that is added to a whole: an accessory, item or detail
Burloloy that completes. It is associated with abubot; Filipino wants to
personalize everything.
 This Filipino characteristic of filling up space,

Philippine Spatial
which is apparent in their homes and other
personal belongings, has extended to the

Dynamics
public spaces. (a sense of place in a
community).
Filipino Feng
Shui Beliefs
and its
Relevance to
Philippine
Construction
In the mid-1980s, the Chinese
feng shui found its way in the
country, particularly in
building construction.
Feng Shui belief is an ancient
practice originated from China about
the arrangement and placement of
things which means “wind” (feng)
and “water” (shui).
Use of Feng Shui has been prevalent
in the Philippines for enhancement
of health and lifestyle and commonly
applied in Filipino houses.
According to some Filipino Architects,
Feng Shui principles have largely
influenced the Philippine Architecture
mainly from setting favorable dates of
beginning the construction up to the
interior designs of a building.
ACTIVITY TIME!
Appropriate or Not appropriate
Feng Shui in architecture and
structural application
1.Doors are not supposed to face each other.
2.Main door should not face any electrical post
or dead trees.
3.Stairs must not face any door.
4.Stair steps should not be divisible by four.
5.Water Closet should not face the toilet door.
Feng Shui in architecture and
structural application
6. Eating area should not be located below toilets.
7.Round-shaped columns for the exposed columns.
8.Columns must not face doors or windows directly.
9.Even number of columns is preferred but not divisible by
four.
10.Foundation should be planted with silver coin.
Feng Shui in architecture and
structural application
11. Master’s Bedroom must occupy the highest
elevation of the house.
12. No toilet in the center of the house.
13. Mouth of faucet should face inward.
14. No Mirrors facing the bed.
15. Round dining table over rectangular one
Feng Shui in architecture and
structural application
16. Main door of the house does not face the gate of
neighbor’s house.
17. No beams or heavy objects above the bed
18. Bed should not rest on a wall that has water closet
on the other side.
19. Round dining table over rectangular one
20. Headboard should rest against the wall.
 Feng Shui in architecture and
structural application
21.Never using the number 13 as a house number
22.Imprinting an old coin on a home’s doorstep to welcome a steady
flow of cash
23.Avoiding placing mirrors across the main door to prevent the
deflection of good luck entering a home.
24.Making sure that stairs don’t amount to a multiple of three (this
follows the theory of “oro, plata, mata” which translates to gold,
silver, death).
Feng Shui in architecture and
structural application
Lot selection
1. Triangular lots are unlucky.
2. Lots with frontage that is smaller
than the rear is unlucky.
3. A lot facing east if favorable.
4. Avoiding dead-end lots and the
financial misfortune or death that
it can bring to the family.
Feng Shui in architecture and
structural application

A lot facing East

The East direction is connected to the area of the feng shui
bagua called Zhen, which represents new beginnings and family.
It has the energy of the wood element and springtime, like a
fresh blade of grass emerging from the soil.
Architectips!
Make sure you are familiar with the context of each
comparison whenever a Feng Shui question in the
board exam involves comparing it to other studies
or legal provisions.

“No toilet in the center of the house” is not based

on the following law or cultural beliefs, except?
a. National Building Code of the Philippines
b. Plumbing Code of the Philippines
c. Feng shui
Architectips!
What kind of dining table would you choose if you were an
architect working for a customer who believed in feng
shui?

a) Round dining table

b) Rectangular table
c) 4-seater dining table
HOUSING Module 3.1
Cultural Beliefs in Housing
HOUSING Module 3
Cultural beliefs and perspective