The Philippines is composed of many islands. Each island has its own distinct and unique culture that has influenced society. Also, there are a variety of islands where some people reside near the water, some of the hills or mountains, and others of the plains. Due to different landforms and locations, each house of the Filipino indigents varies from the other.
Most Filipinos would refer to Bahay Kubo when speaking about traditional Filipino houses. Since the country consists of many islands, there are a variety of traditional houses, including Torogan, Agta Lean-To, Badjao houseboat, Higaonon Treehouse, Ivatan House, Mandaya House, Ifugao House, and Maranao Torogan.
This traditional house has a distinct, and unique feature designed to provide shelter to the Filipino natives. Most of their homes are built using bamboo, nipa hut, and stones. These traditional houses also showcase the rich and unique culture of the indigent Filipino people. To get into details about these traditional houses, I have listed more information below.
Traditional Filipino Houses
Agta Lean- To
Lean-To is very common to the Agta people of the country. This portable and disposable shelter is made with a strong tripod with light branches and palm fronds. This disposable shelter reflects the hunting culture of the Agta. Since this is portable and disposable, Agta can carry this and bring it to a location where they will hunt again. Sometimes they just left this shelter behind.
Lepa House Boat
The Badjao houseboat reflects the rich culture of Badjaos that primarily resides near the sea or bodies of water. The Badjao are sea gypsies of the Philippines, and they cruise around the islands in the Sulu archipelago. These boats range around 12 to 60 feet long but do not exceed six feet wide. This boathouse has limited space only wherein in the ends of these boats, has a strong platform for the fish, kitchen utensils, and fishing materials.
Higaonon Tree House
The higaonon treehouse is typical in the hinterlands of Agusan and Misamis Oriental. These houses are built using lashed sapling, nipa or cogon grass, split bamboo, rattan, and bark of trees. This type of house is considered a residential complex built in a tree. These treehouses can serve about 60 people. A catwalk about 6 to 8 feet wide connects the small houses to create a central communal space.
Sinadumparan Ivatan House
The Ivatans designed the Ivatan house in the Batanes Islands. These stone houses were built to protect them from typhoons. This house has limestone edifices with a triple-thatched roof, two-foot thick walls, an elevated living quarter, and an adjoining low storeroom for supplies. This house is also surrounded by stone fences constructed to create a defensive structure.
Mandaya House
The Mandaya house is the residential shelter of the Mandaya people, the largest unit in Southeastern Mindanao. A Mandaya house is made with flattened bamboo slats held together by a horizontal bamboo strip or a rattan. This house traditionally has elevated floorings that keep them protected against other ethnic groups from attacking them.
Ifugao House
The Ifugao Houses have similarities in the house structure though there are some decorations, depending on the tribes. Most of the Ifugao houses are built in the contour of the rice terraces. Each ground is supposed to have a wooden disc called oliang that prevents rats from entering the house. This house is windowless and is made with heavy hand-sewn timber with reed and grass roofing.
The floor of this house is elevated from the land and is elevated t a height of four feet by four posts around which are cylindrical wooden rattan guards. One of the unique things about this house is it has a removable ladder that is uncommon to other traditional Filipino houses where their ladders are attached.
Maranao Torogan
The Maranao Torogan are the traditional houses of the people in Maranao, Mindanao, Philippines. The Torogan is not just a typical house but is considered to reflect high social status. These Torogans are once a house of Datu and SUltans in the Maranao community. Though the people in Maranao already have concrete houses nowadays, these Totogans are still present and still stand for hundreds of years.
The torogan is an elevated house with strong and huge wooden posts. Plywood sticks cover the house, and the roof is thatched with dried coconut leaves. The interior of this house comes with large halls. These houses are engraved with the Maranao designed system called okir. This house also has a Sarimanok that is displayed inside. The Marano house is not just a shelter but also a depiction of the rich culture of Maranao.
Types of Filipino Houses
Bungalow
One of the most common houses in the Philippines is the bungalow house. This house is cottage-like homemade low to the ground. Bungalow houses come with open floor plans, sloped roofs, and large, broad front porches.
Condominiums
Most Filipinos who live in highly urbanized places prefer settling in a condominium. People who live in big cities prefer condominiums since it is very convenient. Most Filipinos also invest in condominiums since Others can rent condominiums to generate a new income.
Townhouse
Townhouses are also typical in the Philippines. This type of house provides comfort and convenience. Townhouses are less expensive than condominiums and houses and lot. It also provides enough spaces for the family to live in.
Duplex Houses
One of the most common houses in the Philippines is the bungalow house. This house is cottage-like homemade low to the ground. Bungalow houses come with open floor plans, sloped roofs, and large, broad front porches.
Condominiums
Most Filipinos who live in highly urbanized places prefer settling in a condominium. People who live in big cities prefer condominiums since it is very convenient. Most Filipinos also invest in condominiums since Others can rent condominiums to generate a new income.
Townhouse
Townhouses are also typical in the Philippines. This type of house provides comfort and convenience. Townhouses are less expensive than condominiums and houses and lot. It also provides enough spaces for the family to live in.
Duplex Houses
Duplex is not quite common in the Philippines. Most duplex houses are for rent, and most of these duplex houses are seen in many subdivisions.
Multi-level Houses
Multi-level houses in the country are very common, especially in many subdivisions. Typically, living in a multi-level house only shows that you are well off since not all can afford to build and spend a lot of money on the house.
Takeaways
There are different types of Filipino houses in the country. Most of them vary in design, especially the traditional ones. The conventional Filipino Houses showcase the unique and distinct culture of a place. Nowadays, most Filipino houses are concrete houses rather than traditional ones. In highly urbanized cities, most people settle in townhouses and condominiums as it is more convenient.