Interesting Vernacular Architecture in our Subdivision
For several years now, I continue to be amazed by the architecture I encounter in the various suburbs in the Philippines. I am not talking about the high style that can be found in the posh and gated villages in Makati, Greenhills and Alabang but rather in homes around lower costing villages in and around Manila.
Perhaps this goes back to the days whenever I would go home to the Philippines, I would wake up early in the morning so I can go around our subdivision with my Mom during her morning walks. My mother remained quite active until her eighties and she would usually have her morning walks around our subdivision. 
In those days, I would go around with her so I would see how other occupants of the village are renovating and expanding their basic low cost housing structure and over the years several very interesting structures went up. Every time I go back home, this continues to be a source of amazement.
One thing noticeable is the love of use of loud and vibrant color. If not much improvement can be done, at least liven up the colors. Our subdivision bursts in very bright colors from yellow, red, green, purple. You name it we probably have it. Color is a very important theme in the vernacular architecture. Some even come up with very strange an refreshing combinations that my eyes were feasting on these.
Reflecting how people feel about their security, grill in various shapes abound. Some are very creative in how they use the metal grills to decorate the entrances as well as the windows thereby adding to the interesting shapes in the various homes. Grills provide a very practical solution in making each of the homes secure and I do not need to elaborate the reason why this is necessary in the Philippines.
It is easy to see where some owners are prospering, they either build extensions to their homes, some built upwards or built a newer structure at the back part of their homes. Some even have 3 storey houses with a deck at the top. I am wondering what they can see from their top deck. I wonder if they are already getting a view of the Laguna de Bay from that vantage. Despite these structures, some could not help but make their homes as ornate as possible.
Somehow, I could not help but love this place because of the freedom the owners are to express themselves in fashioning their homes. No one seems to mind what you do with your home, what color you use be it loud, ornate, garish, minimalist or just fun. 
Best of all there are no monthly dues to be responsible for and no so called covenants that strictly tells you what you can do or cannot do. So long are you are not violating the building code of the Philippines, you are probably allowed to do whatever it is that you please.
One of the surprises on my latest visit was the community church. I remember before my mother died, the parish priest at the time was very busy raising funds for the church. It has since been finished and I like the way it looks outside. It is also very surprisingly have a very spacious interior.
Labels: interesting homes
posted by daddywasabi @ 7:27 PM
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