SOUL AND SPACE: CONCEPTS AND IMPLICATIONS
OBJECTIVES:
1. Determine the implications of soul and space for our society
2. Characterize how Filipinos utilize space to determine its implications for their identities, history,
religion, philosophy
BAHAY NA
BATO
TOROGAN
BAHAY
KUBO
One’s concept and use of space are rooted from their past and the generation where he/she came from.
Understanding how it’s used personally and communally will help us appreciate our rich history and
current experience of it. In this topic we will examine the concepts and implications of the Filipinos’ use
of space and enumerate various examples on how they are applied.
Contrary to western way of living, Filipinos love to mingle in communities and even under one roof. They
tend to be attached with their unit and some live in the same house even if they have their own families
already. Generally, they have the penchant for occupying spaces. Their tendency is to fill in empty
spaces in the house with various things and designs (as opposed to minimalism).
Describe your own house. How is horror vacui (aversion to empty spaces) evident in the interior
arrangements?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Which among the objects are found inside your living room?
 Chairs
 Altar
 Tables
 Piano
 Plants
 Frames
 Rocking chair
 Cabinets




Television
Jar
Painting
Stereo
Flocking among family members, clan, or neighbors is very common. Due to nostalgia and fear
of empty spaces, objects which remind them of their loved ones are often seen in the house.
Antique furnitures from ancestors, souvenir items from a loved one, huge family photos from
different occasions, and even dusty certificates with medals are seen inside their home.
DWELLING FORMS
The following are forms of shelters/communities and their corresponding features. Take note of how
Filipino concepts of space are manifested in each dwelling structure:
BAHAY KUBO
One can make a bahay kubo, a semi-permanent bungalow, with raw materials found nearby. How will
you describe a typical one?
Most nipa huts have no partitions; the space is multifunctional: for dining, entertaining guests, napping
and sleeping beside each other at night.
TOROGAN
Once a dwelling place of a sultan or datu, torogan is a traditional shelter conceptualized by the
Maranaos in Lanao. It has been declared by the National Museum as a National Cultural Treaure and has
become a common structure in the area, with the known okir carvings seen in the panolongs and
sarimanok displayed inside. The structure is elevated above the ground by wooden columns. Walls are
wrapped with plywood sticks and the roof is covered with dried coconut leaves. Like a nipa hut, it has no
interior partition.
IFUGAO BALE
Ifugao Bale is a traditional windowless house built without nails. It was
made from amuwagan trees and was built with four posts buried 50
centimeters below the ground. Its triangular roof protects the dwellers
from the elements and weather. Due to its design, it can be dismantled
and reassembled into another location
Though it looks small on the outside, its interior includes more spaces,
with three functional floors. The ground level has wooden discs (oliang)
which prevent rats from coming in; the second level which can be
reached through a detachable ladder is where the family members may
gather, rest, dine, and prepare meals. The third floor has patie which functions as storage area and roof
support. Animal skulls are displayed inside the house to please the gods.
BAHAY NA BATO
During Spanish colonization, the principalias and the ilustrados
integrated the features of bahay kubo with artistic elements from
Europe and Asia. Since 18th century until WWII, the bahay na bato
was considered the ideal Filipino shelter.
According to the book, Architecture in the Philippines by Winand
Klassen: "The third and final stage in the development of the
Spanish-Filipino domestic architecture retained the wooden
supporting structure but restricted the use of brick and stone to the
lower level; the upper level consisted of an enclosure in vertical
wooden siding which left ample openings for sliding windows. Capiz shells were often used as window
panes. What emerges is a Spanish-Filipino house."
Stylistic differences range from family tastes to regional trends. Its usual design includes two-story
levels, with the living room in the upper part of the house. Large windows and their above vents are
built to take advantage of the cool breeze outside. Windows are designed with capiz shells and can be
opened and closed depending on the weather.
Traditional rooms include the caida (receiving area), sala mayor (main living room), comedor (dining
room), oratorio (prayer room), curators (bedrooms), cocina (kitchen), and azotea (open balcony).
GATED COMMUNITY
Filipinos also love to settle in villages and tend to utilize the empty spaces around the area. Inclined to
variety, they like to put gardens, entertainment areas, garages, and parks on vacant lots around the
houses.
FILIPINO STREETS
Local streets serve as extensions for Filipinos’ tendency to fill out space. They function not just for
pedestrian or vehicular means but as areas for socialization, dining, cooking, business and celebrations.
SARI-SARI STORE CONCEPT
Daily interactions happen in and outside sari-sari
stores. The idea of spacelessness is manifested in its
structural design.
Aside from selling of goods, what are other activities
which happen in/out/around the sari-sari store?
______________________________________________________________________________
__________
GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Cite the similarities and differences of the features of each dwelling structure.
2. What can you conclude about the Filipinos’ concept of space with the samples given?
3. Describe and analyze your own house using the facts and principles learned in this
lesson.
ASSESSMENT: Group Reporting
References:
Gardner, Robert. From Bahay Kubo to Bahay na Bato to….Philippine Journeys. Retrieved on April 28, 2019 from
http://www.aenet.org/photos/bahay.htm.
Guyjoco, Chiqui (July 1, 2017). The Ifugao Bale or No-Nail House: Why It’s Part of Pinoy Pride. Heartbeats.
Retrieved on April 28, 2019 from https://heartbeatsv2.com/ifugao-house-bale-no-nail-house/.
Hays, Jeffrey (2008). Ifugao. Facts and Details. Retrieved on April 28, 2019 from
http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Philippines/sub5_6d/entry-3880.html.
Lorenzo, Clarissa M. (January 6, 2016). The Filipino Culture Filling Up Space in a Gated Community. Sciencedirect.
Retrieved on April 28, 2019 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042815061972.
Martinez, Glenn (August 21, 2018). Here’s a Complete List of 46 Parts of a Filipino House. Real Living. Retrieved on
April 28, 2019 from https://www.realliving.com.ph/lifestyle/arts-culture/here-s-a-complete-list-of-the-46parts-of-a-filipino-house-a1618-20180821-lfrm.
Pinili, Potpot (January 2016). Exploring Lanao del Sur: Six Things the World is Missing Out On. Rappler. Retrieved on
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The Room Reconsidered (May 7, 2018). Quest For The Kiosk, Part 2: Anatomy Of The Filipino Tienda.
Retrieved on April 28, 2019 from https://theroomreconsidered.wordpress.com/tag/filipino-concept-of-space/.
Wikipedia (January 10, 2019). Torogan. Retrieved on April 28, 2019 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torogan.
Images:
Buenaventura, Teodoro (1937). Retrieved from https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/BahayKubo/5D0C1E672CD8528A.
Douce Cahute. Retrieved from https://maison-monde.com/maison-traditionnelle-ifugao/.
Eazytraveler (June 2012). Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/eazy360/7177174257.
Geoview.info. Retrieved from http://ph.geoview.info/bahay_na_bato,14806734p.
JBongaoArt (2018). Retrieved from https://www.deviantart.com/jbongaoart/art/Bahay-Na-Bato-768660830.