Running head: EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF

Emphasizing the Age-old Belief of Building Design Guidelines In Northern Luzon for the Filipino Designers Banya-ad,Kennedy Ian James,Clemens David,Mendoza Sabling,Aldrich University of Baguio

Authors Note In partial fulfillment for the subject technical writing 1, taught by Mrs. Sabrina Ramos

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF Emphasizing the Age-old Belief of Building Design Guidelines In Northern Luzon for the Filipino Designers

Giant Strides are being made in all forms of technology today. Attentions being focused on the growing trend towards globalization. Local standards of design and construction now have been raised to come up with technological advances as well as this global movement. The price of progress, however is often paid by the relegation of treasured traditions and heritage to the archives of museums and libraries. In the Practice of architecture, the overwhelming design by the novice architect to identified with the new fashionable often negates the beliefs and values held dearly by their forefathers. This is evident in the work of Manahan (1994) emphasizing that the architect of the contemporary world is an advocate of design with nature and in the cultural context on which architecture is to be situated. This is true in the Philippines as elsewhere. Furthermore, in 2000,Zarate supported the statement of Manahan (1994) stating that Filipinos have strong provincial root and are heavily influenced by traditions, considering the important to keep in harmony with nature as well as with their fellows. This research paper aims to provide information and insights to all the reader that their are lots of beliefs on culture and traditions in the Philippines that needs to be overly emphasized due to slowly extinctions of it as the years pass by caused by modernization.

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF Body In Zarates(2000) collection of traditional indigenous Filipino beliefs article reviewing the

superstitious and non-superstitious beliefs in constructing a house in the Philippines, it was found that most of the traditions and culture in the Philippines are not already being practiced. This literature review emphasizes the following areas and procedures in constructing of a house in Northern Luzon. 1. Construction 2. House orientation and planning

Demograpgic Information for Old-Building Beliefs in Northern Luzon

No Idea 40% Elder's 30% Experienced Architect 25% Novice Architect 5%

The pie chart above shows the demographic information for old-building design guideline beliefs in Northern Luzon. The fraction of group of people who were asked if they still practicing

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF

their age-old building design guidelines with regards to their own beliefs. We see that the highest percentage is the group of people (house owners and students) who had no any idea about the said topic. While the portion which had the second largest percentage represents the number of elderly group of people who had a little knowledge and still practicing their old belief in building design and planning. On the other hand we also conducted an interview to some professionals who are exposed on building construction and planning. The charts shows that there are approximately twenty five percent of interviewed experienced architects who are practicing their profession in Northern Luzon had a knowledge and still applies some old building beliefs on their profession. While the remaining five percent are those novice architect. This demographic analysis only shows that the age-old building design guidelines in Northern Luzon is slowly being forgotten as the generations pass by. Understanding the two of the more building beliefs in the Northern Luzon would highlights the interest of experienced and novice architect in the Philippines for them to apply it on their present and future project and to advocate the unique and traditional way of constructing a house in the Philippines. Construction There is a folk beliefs for almost every aspect of construction, starting from the choice of lot on which to build up to the time the family moves into their new home.Each demographic grouping has its own peculiar building beliefs.

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF Lot Shape

Accordingly, the shape of the lot on which to build ones dreams house should be ideally be squarish in order to achieve balance of the forces of nature. But in the present situation,Zarate (2000) hypothesized that one cannot find lots like these in any subdivision project because reality firms invariably subdivide blocks into rectangular lots with the shorter width facing the street in order to provide frontage to as many lot owners as possible and to save roads, which takes a big slice in the development cost. Blood Letting One of the more barbaric Filipino rituals in construction is actually to prevent accident from occurring at the job site. In Scotts (1966) article he mentioned about the bloodletting rituals of Ifugao that a pure chicken is chosen and its neck is slit and inspect the bile of the sacrificial animal after the blood letting ritual. If the bile is found to be an even green and healthy, prosperity will reign in the house to be built. But if it is wrinkled or otherwise unhealthy, the mumbaki (witchdoctor) will have to perform other ritual to ensure the inflow of the good fortune. But Manahan(1994) have noted that there are unbelieving contractors who opine that actually,this animal offering is just a ploy contrived by the workmen so that they could enjoy free fiesta food. But despite this common misgiving experienced contractor continue to carry out this age-old ritual. Foundation

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF Another ritual that is observed around the Northern Luzon is the placing of coins and even

religious medals in the foundation of all structures. Zarate (2000) states that this is to assure that the occupants of the building of one of their basic freedoms from want as well as to guard them from misfortune. Manahan(1994) reviewed an additional information on the placing of coins that in Cabanatuan Isabela to ensure happiness of the household their old folk recommend that in addition to coins or medals, wine should also be poured in all footing excavations. Others recommend music sheet be buried with the coins to guarantee harmony among the members of the future household. House Planning and Orientation The experienced Filipino architects is familiar with the common folk beliefs and usually follows them or applies these age-old guidelines in the planning of your dream house even without your requiring him to do so. Frontage Many of these beliefs are based on sound planning that do not have to be overly emphasized like for example orientation of the building. In Manahan (1994) suggest that orienting the building to take in the healthful effects of the rays of the morning sun by having wide windows facing the rising sun to take in the cleansing rays of sunlight during day breaks as well as to admit the prevailing southeast breezes to cool your house.

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF

In Scotts(1966) article reviewing the empirical studies on Cordilleran culture, he states that in Bontoc the front door of the house must face against the flow of a nearby river according to ancient folk beliefs for good omen. Elevation Another studies focusing on the elevation of their houses, among the Ibalois a Benguet ethnic group in the Cordillera it is customary to give ample space underneath their house by elevating their floors to accommodate the future tomb of the owner to ensure perpetual guidance over the house he leaves (Scott,1966). Rooms Planning of rooms in Filipino beliefs gives an important role in constructing of house it is believe that the good and bad omens on your house depends on how did you plan your rooms here are some of the many planning beliefs of Filipino on rooms. Bathrooms Bathrooms and toilets, for obvious reasons, must never be located over areas where food is prepared or eaten in other words not directly on top of the kitchen or dining room on the first floor. But this belief contradicts one of the basic principles of economical bathroom planning. In further support of this finding, Fajardo(2001) states that it is good practice and indubitably sensible to stack rooms with plumbing lines (kitchen and bathrooms) on top of each other to save on piping costs.

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF

To economize on space, astute planners also suggest that toilet be located under the stairs. But on Zarates (2000) collection of folk beliefs that in some part of Pangasinan this will give ill fortune to the owner. Kitchen In 2000,Zarate reviewed additional study with regards on kitchen planning, he states that builders up north believes that planning the placement of appliances in your kitchen, position the oven or range on the east side of the room so that the person cooking faces the morning sun. Good fortunes will be assured not only for the cook but also for those who partake of the meals prepared in this orientation. In addition to this, Zarate (2000) also emphasized that builders up north avoid placing toilets right beside kitchen altogether. The kitchen is where food is prepared thus absolute cleanliness is required, and quite rightly so. But then again this goes against the sensible and economical plumbing design which advises that rooms with plumbing line be right bedside or on top of each other (Fajardo,2001). Bedroom Zarate (2000) reviewed additional beliefs with regards with bed orientation and bedroom planning in Northern Luzon. Bed orientation. First, position the bed such that the headboard does not rest against a window opening, neither should you put any bed under a cross beam, regardless of whether the beam is of wood or concrete, and position the bed so that the occupant will not be lying

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF

perpendicular to the beam, because they believed that evil might suck up the good energies of the one sleeping (Zarate, 2000). Second, position the bed with the head towards the east is bad for Ilocanos ``If you follow all these, youll end up sleeping standing up! `` (Zarate, 2000, p.24). Bedroom Planning. In bedroom orientation they believed that bedrooms should not be place in the basement portion of the house nor it is always preferred that bedrooms should higher than the living room according to Ilocanos beliefs because they believe that only coffin should be found under the ground (as cited in Zarate,2000) Living Room In 2000, Zarate added information about the planning of living rooms in Northern Luzon which states that sunken rooms, like basement and living rooms, are considered pockets in a cave where evil spirits can hide and cannot be easily cleaned away. But Zarate(2000) have noted that it is allowable to be fashionable and have a sunken living room as long as you can provide an exit that still lower than the sunken floor. Furthermore some Ilocanos do not want room to be sunken because then again they believe that only coffin should be found under the ground. Dining Room As anyone who knows Filipino cuisine, Pampangos love to cook so most of their dining rooms are situated in the sunniest and brightest location within the house (Zarate, 2000). But in addition to this Ilocanos prefer the solemnity of subdued lighting because they consider eating ceremony worthy of reverence.

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF Discussion In 2000, Zarate stated that the result from their research conflicted with other data examining the proper planning and orientation of a house. This statement is supported by the aforementioned discussion of other research. There maybe a few possible theoretical explanations for these discrepancies. Limitation of These Studies

10

The discrepancies identified may result from a number of limitations found in the materials reviewed by Zarate. These limitations can result from religious and demographic factors. Each of these limitations will examine in further detail below. Religious limitation. First, one reviewed study by Zarate (2000) examined only the oldbelief of Filipino culture regardless of what religion they belong into the community in which in the present day the old belief may not be applicable because their religion may go against their old belief. Therefore the study is limited to only word of mouth by the elderly who had at least had a little knowledge about what there ancestors had been practicing before the religion factor had brought about them the teachings about theology. For example for the cordilleran people in which we all know that they hadnt been conquered by the Spanish forces, this allows them to preserve their old belief and religion. Demographic limitation. In addition to the limitations, these study is focused only in Northern Luzon which are Cordillera region, Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon \

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF

10

region. It is possible that only few respondents had at least have little knowledge about their old belief and tradition such as elderly people and experienced architects and only few novice architects. Therefore the study is limited in gathering information and data knowing that this group of people are sometimes very hard to find and interviewed because of lack of time and opportunity.

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF Conclusion and Recommendation Conclusion

11

After all the data gathered and examined the researchers therefore conclude that Filipino building superstitious and non-superstitious beliefs are very rich considering that this paper is limited only in Northern Luzon, how much more if it includes the entire Philippines. Furthermore this only shows that Filipinos particularly in some part of Ilocos region relies their good fortune in attempting to do what is being taught by their beliefs this type of thinking my be caused by their status in life that they want to have an easy life someday. Without probably meaning to, this research paper will remind the insensitive, modern Filipino as his ancestral roots and traditional beliefs held dear by the many before him and why, in a philosophical sort of way Filipino architecture, as with other form of art, should be anchored on them. By being more knowledgeable about these fundamental beliefs, the artists, is the architect, develops the confidence and the preparedness to successfully amalgamate the functional modern with the aesthetics ancient and consequently may even come up with truly great work. Recommendation The researchers would like to recommend the following to be able to achieve the objectives of this study

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF

12

1. That in building a house the owner and designer should learn to rely entirely on their own god-given talents and initiative. In time too, they will discover the ability to develop their own 2. personal formula for success and acknowledge to their self that it is not fair to blame certain thing and events as the cause of everything that goes wrong in their life. 3. That the professional who are involved in building design and construction such as architects as well as engineers should conduct a seminar about this certain topic for them to be informed or given them insights.

EMPHASIZING THE AGE-OLD BELIEF Bibliography Fajardo,M.B (2001).Plumbing design and estimate.Quezon city: 5138 Trading.

13

Manahan,V.G. (1994). Philippine architecture in the 20th century. Philippines: Kanlungan, Inc. Scott,W.H (1966). On the Cordillera. Philippines: Mcgraw-Hill & Company. Zarate, R.E. (2000). Oro, plata, mata, Filipino building beliefs. Philippines: National Commission for culture and arts.

Emphasizing the Age-old Belief of Building Design Guidelines In Northern Luzon for the Filipino Designers Outline I. Construction A. Bloodletting B. Lot Shape C. Foundation II. House Orientation and Planning A. Frontage B. Elevation C. Rooms 1.) Bathrooms 2.) Kitchen 3.) Bedroom C.3.1) Bed orientation C.3.2) Bedroom Planning D. Dining Room/Area E. Living Room/Area