Batanes: Pure Filipino Spirit

5/19/2010

Pure, authentic, undiluted. These words describe the architecture of Batanes.
Although meager resources, limited choices of construction materials, and severe weather conditions can seem such negative factors, the confluence of these in the province has also been the crucible that purified gold. In this case, it created the distinct architecture found in our northernmost islands.

Batanes is our country’s front liner when it comes to the typhoons brewing from the North. The harsh weather required a kind of structure that could withstand the strong winds. Hence, the Ivatans fashioned squat, stone houses, with walls about three feet thick and small windows with thick wooden shutters that could easily be boarded up. Iron and steel are strong but readily corroded by the salt sea air; so these are used sparingly.

The province’s distance from mainland Luzon, not to mention the rough waters surrounding it, made the transportation of new construction materials difficult and expensive. It was more economical to use what was commonly available. So, the natives used limestone rocks and corals for their walls and the dried cogon grass for their roofing. Hardwood is hard to come by, only found in certain wind-protected areas of the island; so, much of the wood used is the same as that used for the local boats. To this day, we find this special architectural mix most particularly in this province. 

Despite its remoteness, the resolute Spanish friars still found their way to its shores and imparted some of their influence on the towns. This is visible, not just in the whitewashed mission churches, but likewise in the inherited technology of bonding the stone and framing the roof and replacing the flimsy cogon and thatch roofs with clay tiles.

So much more can be said about the Ivatan structures. We can analyze their every feature and explain their origins and practicality. However, it is only when we see the actual homes, town buildings, and churches that we can appreciate the personality and circumstance of the Ivatan. With these photos taken by renowned photographer, Joy Jesena-Barcelon, we may get a feel of that distinct architectural character: the simplicity of lifestyle, the strength and tenacity of the people, the purity and utility of design, and that unique Filipino spirit. 

Helping the Unsung Heroes of the Real Estate Industry

5/5/2010

Whenever I travel abroad and meet our countrymen gainfully employed and doing a good job there, I want to pump their hand in thanks and congratulations. I have come to realize, albeit they have not, that they are my unsung heroes. From domestic helpers to licensed professionals working abroad, this demographic sector makes up a large percentage of the buyers and investors in our country’s real estate industry. They are the reason why real estate continues to sell despite tough times, from socialized housing all the way to the high end properties.

Arguably, the most significant impetus behind the real estate industry in our country today is attributable to our overseas contract workers. This group includes our nurses and caregivers in Britain and the US, our engineers in the Middle East, our hospitality professionals in Macau, our domestic workers in Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as the seamen plying the international waters of the world. Their love for family inspires them to withstand the challenges of employment abroad and motivates them to send back most of their earnings, towards the ultimate dream of buying, building, owning the home of their dreams. It is awesome and deeply moving when you really think about it.

What then is the apt response to this work force that drives our economy forward?

From the government, we expect and demand not merely the enactment of laws for their protection from illegal recruiters and unjust or abusive employers, but also concrete incentives to show encouragement and how much we value their contribution, by way of more benefits for their families here and less bureaucratic burdens for them. The financial sector could fashion friendlier loan packages and more attractive investment options. From the construction sector itself, perhaps developers could come up with projects that are more tailor-fit to the situation and needs of this sector. Perhaps, we should envision projects closer to their original hometown or design houses that are efficient and flexible enough to grow along with their financial capability.

The government, the banks, and the developers could sit down together and help the overseas breadwinner achieve his goals. Such concerted efforts will make it easier for the worker to choose to invest his money in wise and beneficial projects, rather than reckless extravagances elsewhere. If we make the home-bound investment option attractive and accessible, the dedicated and hard-working person will take that high road. In that case, everybody wins.

There is much we can do to support their dreams and ambitions. Doing so would certainly benefit the country’s economy as well.

I can't Live Without Water

4/22/2010

I can live without electricity but I cannot survive without water. Home builders and home buyers set great importance on the stability of the water supply. On the national scale, a big factor in assuring our water supply is the preservation of our watersheds. A watershed is defined as a ridge of high land dividing areas that are drained by different river systems. In our country we have several watershed reservations, among which are the Upper Agno, Angat, Caliraya-Lumot, Makiling-Banahaw, Tiwi, Magat, Pantabangan, Lake Lanao-Agus, and Agusan. These serve as our country’s water storage tanks. Without these watersheds, we cannot efficiently store water. Landscape design consultants lament the shrinkage of our watersheds, making it harder to tap ground water for natural irrigation. To date, no significant program has been put in place to preserve them and even the remaining watersheds are in peril. There is just so much greed and irresponsibility in the treatment of our mountains and forests that our water supply is now in real danger. The laws that prohibit indiscriminate logging and dictate a total log ban are neither indiscriminately applied nor total. Reforestation programs seem to wither faster than weeds. Rapid soil erosion makes planting new trees even more difficult.

What are we to do? We may not be able to increase the water supply, but there are things we can do to arrest the downtrend.

We must actively support tree planting activities, even just within our parks and yards. This is a great step we can make to reverse imminent water shortage during the summer months and flooding during the rainy season.

We must resolve to conserve water. We can come up with creative ways to recycle water. According to water recycling specialist, Albert Roselada, even though the initial phases of recycling may seem more expensive than the actual cost of producing water now, the future value and benefits of the endeavour are immeasurable. We can design into our buildings the capability to store, treat, and re-channel laundry and shower water so that it may be used for flushing, yard work, washing cars, and irrigation. That could save you around 50% of your water consumption. Rainwater may also be collected and used in a variety of ways.

Ask your builder to install water saving devices. Sometimes, even the correct placement of tanks and pipes will optimize the use of water in the house. It may be good to install urinals in homes since these require less water than water closets.

I am still not too keen on waterless flushing systems because chemicals are used that may be harmful to the environment. Perhaps future models will be safer.

In some places, the natives’ water source is simply the mountain stream.

These streams and rivers are the veritable blood vessels of such communities. Should they dry up, the other parts of the village will definitely suffer. It is therefore necessary for the people to ensure that the structures they build will not pollute or destroy the waterways.

In my opinion, should our oil supplies run out, we may yet find in it the silver lining by way of reduced exhaust fumes, decreased pollution, less traffic jams, lower noise levels. Everyone could end up using bikes and electric cars. However, if our water supply runs out, then it will presage the end of civilization, the end of life.