Climate of the Philippines is either tropical rainforest, tropical savanna tropical monsoon, or humid subtropical (in higher-altitude areas) characterized by relatively high temperature, oppressive humidity and plenty of rainfall.
The Philippines has three distinct seasons: warm and humid from March to May, wet from June to October, and cool and dry from November to February.
The Philippine Archipelago is located above the equator in Southeast Asia, between latitude 4 degrees 23" and 21 degrees 25" north and longitude 116 degrees and 127 degrees east. The Philippine's location to equator makes it a hot country since we all know, one time or another from our Science class, that equator receives more sunshine that do the poles.
The most common houses here nowadays are made of concrete. Cement, aggregates and reinforcements are easily available in the market which makes the choice of having a concrete house easier to Filipinos. Besides, concrete houses, can withstand strong typhoons which this country always experience.
However, concrete emits heat to the environment. In fact, in the US, concrete is one of the primary contributors to what is known as the urban heat island effect. This makes our surroundings even hotter so we have to equip our homes with air-conditioning which again contributes to more heat to our environment.
This led me to think of the past days, days of our Lolo's and Lola's. What types of houses did they live in?
Bahay Na Bato
In Spanish colonial era, Bahay na bato (stone house) became the typical house of noble Filipinos. The Bahay na bato, the colonial Filipino house, had open ventilation and elevated apartments. It was constructed out of brick and stone. 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 kapis shell sliding windows, and a tiled roof.
Bahay Na Bato are also called Ancestral Homes.
This one is the Gaston Ancestral House (Balay Negrense). This was built in 1897 by Victor F. Gaston for his family. When the house was eventually abandoned, concerned citizens of Silay (the Negrenses) wanted to salvage what was left of the ancestral house and thus, formed the Negros Cultural Foundation. The foundation was able to raise funds (mostly through donations) and restored the ancestral house.
Ancestral houses, I believe, are what Filipinos should be building here in the Philippines. Aside from its beauty, these houses embody our culture as Filipinos. They define our identity in a world where globalization is present and unstoppable. Don't get me wrong. Globalization is good but it is wonderful to see one's culture prevails through time like the our Asian neighbors.
Further, ancestral houses can withstand typhoons. I mean, do we still see these types of houses presently or not? I travel from time time here in the provinces and I still see these types of houses standing erect, majestic and beautiful.
In addition, these types of homes are spacious. Their windows and doors are big and wide letting the wind in. There is no need for air-conditioning units. I think they are the coolest houses one can have here in this country.
This is the Aquino Family Ancestral House in Concepcion, Tarlac.
I found this site History of Architecture and saw these different styles and parts of Bahay Na Bato.
Bahay Na Bato (Geometric Style)
Bahay Na Bato (Geometric Style)
Bahay Na Bato (Floral Style)
Bahay Na Bato (Floral Style)
Cocina (Kitchen)
Azotea
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_of_the_Philippines
http://www.marsman-tours.com.ph/philinfo.htm; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_concrete
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_the_Philippines
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gaston_Ancestral_House_(Balay_Negrense).jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AquinoFamilyAncestralHouse-ConcepcionTarlacjf9755_06.JPG
http://historyofarchitecture.weebly.com/bahay-na-bato.html
http://www.marsman-tours.com.ph/philinfo.htm; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_concrete
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_the_Philippines
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gaston_Ancestral_House_(Balay_Negrense).jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AquinoFamilyAncestralHouse-ConcepcionTarlacjf9755_06.JPG
http://historyofarchitecture.weebly.com/bahay-na-bato.html
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