URDANETA CITY UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

#1 San Vicente West, Urdaneta City, Pangasinan

Course Code: Q038

Subject: ARCH 513 - HOUSING

Requirement No.: ACTIVITY NO.2

Requirement Title: “TRADITIONAL FOLK BELIEFS IN HOUSING
IN THE PHILIPPINES”
Date Due: September 15, 2023

Submitted by:

Name: ESCAÑO, WINNIE D.

Student No.: 20190905

Submitted to:

ARCH. ALBERT T. PASCUA, RLA, MMENP

CEA- Instructor
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ABSTRACT

This paper aimed to identify some of the cultural housing beliefs of Filipino’s
during house planning and construction. This paper showed cultural beliefs in the
Philippines per region, however some regions are having all the same beliefs. Some
of those beliefs are about the location and placing of doors, roofs, windows and
stair. It also shows that Filipino’s give importance to the number, even on the
number of steps of stairs and number of the house storey, and elevation of steps
has its meeting with those beliefs. Majority of this beliefs are because of good luck
and bad luck. Despite these beliefs and practices, Filipino people always believes
in the existing of God that will always protect people. In this manner, these beliefs
are not necessary to follow. It is all about the people who believes and wants to
follow.

BRIEF HISTORY

Filipinos have a deep religious heritage, with early Filipinos being animists
who worshipped various elements such as the sun, birds, trees, mountains, rivers,
and lakes. They believed in the cult of the dead and spirits, offering sacrifices to
appease their gods. These beliefs guided their way of life and provided ways to
counteract the consequences of extreme events. Even with the introduction of
Christianity, these beliefs persisted. Folk Christianity emerged from the weaving
of Christianity and traditional folk beliefs. In the mid-1980s, Chinese feng shui
(wind and water) was introduced to the Philippines, particularly in building
construction. This paper aims to recollect these superstitious beliefs and their
influence on house architecture before the feng shui era.

FILIPINO BUILDING BELIEFS By: Arch. Vittoria Lou Mawis

SELECTING THE LOT

The Kapampangans advise against buying dead-end lots, cutting
down aratilis trees, being wary of unrealistic prices, recognizing snakes as
good luck, and not building over old ruins. They also advise against buying
lots with harrowing pasts, removing snakes promptly, and avoiding new
structures over old ones due to their short lifespans.
LAYING THE FOUNDATION
Various practices can be used to enhance a home's resilience, such
as embedding loose coins or religious medallions, turning posts clockwise,
raising septic tanks, and incorporating old coins on doorsteps to promote
good luck, typhoon resilience, and cash flow. These practices can also be
used to protect against negative influences.
ORIENTING HOUSE ELEMENTS
The house should face east for prosperity, avoid west for financial
difficulties, avoid mirrors across main doors, and avoid facing the roof ridge
east or west.
DESIGNING THE STAIRS
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The "oro, plata, mata" theory suggests that the number of steps on
a staircase should not be a multiple of three, with the topmost tread not
counting as "mata" or death for good fortune.
PLANNING HOUSE DETAILS
To ensure good luck, avoid parallel interior doors, avoid reducing a
two-storey house into a single-storey one, and avoid using 13 as a house
number. Transfer to your new home no later than six in the morning during
the new moon, bringing salt, rice, and coins. Filipino building beliefs are
prevalent in the culture, and local architects often design homes according
to these customs. While actions don't guarantee prosperity, following these
practices can honor Filipino traditions.

SUMMARY

The traditional folk beliefs in housing in the Philippines are a diverse set of
customs and superstitions that are still followed by many people today. These
beliefs are often based on the belief that the house is a living entity that can be
affected by the surrounding environment and the actions of its inhabitants.

Some of the most common traditional folk beliefs about housing in the Philippines
include:

• The house should face east. This is believed to bring good luck and
prosperity to the household.
• The house should not be built on a piece of land that was previously
used as a cemetery or a garbage dump. This is believed to attract bad
spirits and misfortune.
• The house should have a high ceiling. This is believed to allow the good
spirits to enter and the bad spirits to escape.
• The house should have many windows. This is believed to allow sunlight
and fresh air to enter, which are both considered to be good for the health
of the occupants.
• The doors inside the house should not directly face each other. This is
believed to cause quarrels and arguments among the occupants.
• The house should not be built in the middle of a crossroads. This is
believed to be a place where evil spirits gather.
• The foundation posts of the house should be embedded with loose
coins. This is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the household.
• A housewarming ceremony should be held after the house is built. This
is a way to thank the spirits for their protection and welcome them into the
new home.

These are just some of the many traditional folk beliefs about housing in the
Philippines. While some of these beliefs may seem outdated or superstitious, they
are still widely held by many people today. Ultimately, whether or not you believe
in these beliefs is a matter of personal choice. However, it is interesting to learn
about the cultural and historical significance of these beliefs.

REFERENCES

Lou Mawis, Arch. Vittoria. “Filipino Building Beliefs.” INQUIRER.net, 9 Mar. 2019,
business.inquirer.net/266349/filipino-building-beliefs.