University of San Carlos

School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design

Technological Center - Talamban, Cebu City

“EXPLORING THE EFFECTS OF CULTURAL BELIEFS IN BUILDING

DESIGN AND SPACE ARRANGEMENT IN RESIDENTIAL HOUSES”

A Research Paper
Submitted to Archt. Pedro Rubia

School of Architecture Fine Arts and Design

By:

Tayong, Hansel Rose C.

RESEARCH N 8:30-10:00 AM MWF

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
i. Rationale
ii. Statement of the Problem
iii. Research Objectives
iv. Significance of the Study
v. Scope and Limitations

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

i. Historical Background
ii. Theoretical Background

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
vi. Research Setting with Data Collection Procedures
vii. Data Analysis

PRESENTATION OF DATA
i. Beliefs in Architectural Construction
ii. Pictures of the Respondents

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

APPENDIX A. QUESTIONNARES FOR THE RESIDENTS REGARDING

CONSTRUCTION BELIEFS

APPENDIX B. TRANSCRIPTION OF DATA (RESIDENTIAL OWNERS)

APPENDIX C. PICTURES FROM SURVEYING

DEFINITION OF TERMS

BIBLIOGRAPHY
i. Respondents
ii. Source
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Cultural beliefs are present in every society, some more prominent than others, these are

the beliefs passed down from the early days of our ancestors that they believed would

help ward off evil and misfortune, in our modern society these believes are often

thought of as remnants of our old generation, but some of these believes are actually

influencing our design and building forms and space arrangements though we may not

actually know it.

I. RATIONALE OF THE STUDY

Culture beliefs have been passed down from generation to generations by the word of

mouth. People believe this in order to attain a long and healthy life away from all the danger

and ham that may befall on them. And even at the present era that are still people believing

in such beliefs especially in regards to building designs. This topic sparked an interest in us,

the researchers, as to why these beliefs are still being followed. What gives them the idea to

follow these and how these beliefs helped shape their lifestyle.

The experienced Filipino architect is familiar with the common beliefs and usually

follows them or applies these age-old guidelines in the planning of one’s dream house. Many

of these beliefs are based on sound planning practices that do not have to be overly

emphasized. (Zarate, 2015)

The house is the most important place for every person and family. This is why

Filipinos have a lot of belief that they observe and follow about their house - from building,

designing, and even housekeeping. (Domingo, 2013)

 As in other areas of their existence, Filipinos nurture certain beliefs when it comes to

building their abodes. These house-building beliefs are as amusing as they are intriguing.

The origins of these now widely held beliefs can be traced back to the traditions of particular

ethnic groups. (Anima, 2013)

Like any other racial group in the world, present-day Filipinos have their own set of

beliefs they have inherited from their ancestors. Such cover all departments of life like

building a house, birth, romance, and marriage, how to attract good luck and shoo away bad

luck, promotion of sound health and avoiding sickness, and death itself. Some of these

beliefs are distinctly Filipino while others have been derived from other cultures. Some are

amusing others appear downright ridiculous if not exasperating. While most of these beliefs

are national in scope, some are confined to a particular ethnic or regional group. (Fojas, 2012)

As architecture students, we don’t only design on our own but also listen to the

demands of our clients and these demands may include their beliefs in designing their house.

This is why this topic is not only for our interest but as well as to help us in the future when

we become licensed architects.

II. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Many Filipinos consider the cultural beliefs that have been passed down from

generation to generation by word of mouth as important to their daily living, these

people believe this aspect in order to attain good fortune and harmony in their lives.

And with regards to building design these beliefs were created from our ancestors

to ward off evil and misfortune that they believed would have befallen them. This

research aims to find out how the application of different cultural beliefs affect

building design and the arrangement of the spaces in the residential houses.

III. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

We, Filipinos are usually fond of believing things that can affect our daily lives

especially beliefs that is still originated by our forefathers. The Filipinos are greatly

influenced by different cultures and beliefs from various places and adapted these beliefs and

still continue the practices until now. The following objectives that we would like to

comprehend are:

1. The beliefs that were being followed by a typical Filipino family

2. The effects of these beliefs on their lifestyle

3. The significance of these beliefs in the construction and design

4. If these beliefs are practiced in old houses

5. If these beliefs are still being practiced during the present era which deals with

modernity

The researcher aims to survey approximately 3 owner of different residences outside

Talamban, Cebu City particularly in Brgy. Kamputhaw, Cebu City to meet the objectives.
IV. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The findings of this study will redound to further researches concerning some aspects

of the Filipino culture; specifically regarding the belief in building and construction design.

The goal of this research is to help educate the public with the cultural beliefs in regards to

building design and construction, its influence to architecture and lifestyle of the people

believing and or following the said beliefs; especially in this present era which deals with

modernity. As well as to explain the importance of culture and how it greatly affected the

lives of our ancestors. Also if there are still people believing in such beliefs in the modern

era. This goal can be achieved through interviewing people around Brgy. Kamputhaw, Cebu

city and with the researches done by the group.

V. SCOPE AND LIMITATION

This research study will focus on the residences that still apply beliefs on the

construction and design of their houses and architects/designers to the planning and design of

their residential projects. Interviews/Survey will be performed to meet the objectives of the

study. Survey was performed on the 17th and 19th day of June 2018 within the vicinity of

Purok 8, Brgy. Kamputhaw, Cebu City, Philippines.

 CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

VI. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Beliefs in Construction

A belief that an object, action, or circumstance, not logically related to a course of

events influences its outcome. A belief in notion of the ominous significance of a particular

thing, circumstance, occurrence. It is also a practice maintained by ignorance of the laws of

nature in chance. (Mifflin,2015)

Stairs

An orientation towards the east is also required for stairs. Ilocanos position their

stairs so that they rise with the morning sun. To them, if it were the other way around, meant

turning one’s back on fate. But builders in Pandi, Bulacan, just like many typical Filipinos,

believe that a stairway facing east is considered bad luck because, they say, anything facing

the early sun dries up ahead of all others and in the same token, wealth taken into the house

will dry up much faster.

If there is no way one can make the stairs face east, at least make them face any

nearby mountain. If one’s lot abuts a river, position the stairs in a way that they are facing

upstream. This is so in order that good luck from the house would never be washed away

with the river’s flow. In the same way, if the proposed house is beside the sea, or if one is

building a beach house, plan the stairs in such a way that they run parallel with the shore. If

the stairs are perpendicular to the shoreline, luck may flow in but also flow out with the tides.

Also, it is not advised to place a large window in the wall directly facing the stairs so

that good fortune will not easily go out that window.

 Most Western countries consider it bad luck to walk under a ladder. Actually, this

can be taken more as a safety precaution than a superstition. Locally, one should not make a

passageway any area under the stairs. Tagalogs never use the space beneath the stairs as a

sleeping quarter. The underside of wooden stairs of Ilonggo houses are usually completed

covered not because of peeping Toms but because the Old folks say so. For business

establishments, especially the small ones, the cashier or the place where money is kept

should not be located under the staircase. In homes, neither should rice be kept there because

it translates to treading on the grace of God whenever one goes up or down the stairs.

When planning a structure with two or more storeys, the stairway should not be

positioned at the center of the structure so as not to divide the building into two equal parts.

It is believed that the dried umbilical cord of a son or daughter of the house owner

inserted in the staircase will strongly bind the stringer with its supporting girder. (Zarate,

2015)

It is also believed that before making the stairs, place coins underneath its stairwell to

attract good luck and make it up to have a prosperous life.

Oro, Plata, Mata

There are guidelines, too, governing the number of steps in one’s stairs. Starting with

the first landing, count the steps using the wordsoro (gold), plata (silver), and mata (death).

The perfect last step should be oro. Ending upplata is not too bad either but, understandably,

do not ever end up with mata. This ruling is strictly observed especially if it involves the first

steps going into the house. If your home has a slight elevation, choose four steps but never

three.

This building belief is not limited to stairs alone. It also applies to walkways that are

made of individual flagstones or the popular circular or square slabs of pebbled concrete or
even an entire concrete walkway or ramp that is divided into sections by lines drawn onto the

pavement itself, especially if they lead to the main entrance of the house.

The Yakans of Mindanao, however, believe in odd numbering of steps. They also

require an odd number of bedrooms. Chinese Filipinos, on the other hand, count their steps

by fours. (Zarate, 2015)

Posts

The Tausugs equate the building of a house to the development of a fetus. They

believe that the first to appear in a woman’s womb is the navel. Hence, the first post to be

erected should be the main post within the interior of the house. In the Cagayan Valley,

meanwhile, the first post to be raised is the one positioned nearest to the northeast. But this is

done after the footings have been sprinkled with wine. The old folks of Bataan caution

against having a solitary post in the middle of a room. It is said to bring misfortune to the

family. This belief is also common in Tagalog areas and it is said that posts situated this way

augur a “heavily laden” life (mabigat ang kabuhayan). The Yakans do not use crooked

wooden posts especially the ones with knotholes in them because they are said to symbolize

death. In the older communities of Bayambang, Pangasinan, it is commonly believed that

termites (anay) will not enter the house if the bottoms of all wooden posts are first charred.

Informed master carpenters, however, suggest that these bottoms not just be charred but

tarred as well. Others swear by the potency of rock salt sprinkled generously in all footing

excavations as preventive measures against anay infestation. (Zarate, 2015)

An imperative ritual in building a house, perhaps the Ilocano counterpart of the

cornerstone-laying ceremony, is to embed the foundation posts with loose coins—for good

luck. (Anima, 2013)

Number of Stories

While number 7 and 11 bring good luck, number 13 is never used as an address

number or the number of a story in a building. (Fojas, 2012)

Construction

First, ground breaking should be set on a Monday or when the moon is growing in

size. Second, do not break ground on February as the month only has 28 days. Lastly, initial

concrete pouring should commence when the moon is growing, or better yet, when the moon

is full. (Esguerra, 2008)

 CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In this chapter, The researcher discusses the research design, area of study, population,

sample of the population, sampling technique, instrument for data collection, validation of

the questionnaire, and method of data analysis

RESEARCH DESIGN

The researcher chose a interview research design because it best served to answer the

questions and the purposes of the study. The interview research is one in which a group of

people or items is studied by the verbal conversation between two people with the objective

of collecting relevant information for the purpose of the research. In other words, only a part

of the population is studied, and findings from this are expected to be generalized to the

entire population

POPULATION OF THE STUDY

The target population for this research defined to include the the residents of the brgy.

Kamputhaw in Cebu City since these are the residents within the researcher’s reach. In this

study, the accessible population comprised some of the residents in brgy Kamputhaw Cebu

City.
SAMPLE OF THE POPULATION

For some studies, the population may be small enough to warrant the inclusion of all of them

in the study. But a study may entail a large population which cannot all be studied. That

portion of the population that is studied is called a sample of the population (Nworgu

1991:69). A sample in this study is, therefore, a smaller group 3 - 4 of elements drawn

through a definite procedure from an accessible population. The elements making up this

sample are those that are actually studied

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

A stratified random sampling procedure was used for selecting the participants in this study.

This technique was employed to ensure a fairly equal representation of the variables for the

study. The stratification was based on the residents of brgy Kamputhaw using the local LGU

records, selection of staff was by simple random sampling. This was achieved by writing out

the names of the staff in piece of paper which was folded and put in a basket. After thorough

reshuffling, the researcher selects an element, records it and puts it back in the basket until

the required number is obtained.

INSTRUMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION

The researcher designed an interview schedule as one of the data collection instrument for

this study. The local residents were interviewed. The interview questions (see Appendix )

were aimed at eliciting relevant information concerning cultural design beliefs and their

effects on building design and construction.

VALIDATION OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE

The questionnaire designed for the study was subjected to a validation process for face and

content validity. Face and content validity have been defined by McBurney (1994:123) as

following:

• Face validity is the idea that a test should appear superficially to test what it is supposed to

test; and

• Content validity is the notion that a test should sample the range of behaviour represented

by the theoretical concept being tested.

METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

After the pilot testing and all necessary modifications, the questionnaires were administered

directly to the chosen sample for the study, and all the interviews were conducted along with

the questioning.

CHAPTER 4
PRESENTATION OF DATA

I. BELIEFS IN ARCHITECTURAL CONSTRUCTION

Design

1. The number of steps in a flight of stairs must fall on the count of oro (gold), or plata

(silver), but it should never fall on mata (death).

2. The house plan should not be shaped like a cross.

3. Doorways facing the street directly is unlucky (tumbok).

4. Stairs should face the east, mountains or rivers.

5. Windows should not face the bottom of the stairway.

6. Areas under the stairs should not be walkable.

7. The roof should not slant towards the front of the lot.

8. Doors should not face each other.

9. Avoid drainage pipes under the bed.

10. The bedroom should be higher than the living room.

11. Stairways should not face doors.

12. Exposed columns should be round to facilitate chi.

13. Columns should be even and not divisible by 4.

Lot selection

1. Triangular lots are unlucky.

2. Lots with frontage that is smaller than the rear is unlucky.

3. A lot facing east if favourable.

Construction

1. Avoid starting construction when the year is about to end (korteng supot).

2. Place coins, religious medals, or chicken blood in the foundations for prosperity and

protection before pouring the concrete.

3. Ground breaking should be set on a Monday or when the moon is growing in size.

4. Do not break ground on February as the month only has 28 days.

5. Initial concrete pouring should commence when the moon is growing, or better yet,

when the moon is full.

II. PICTURES OF THE RESPONDENTS

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CONCL
 CHAPTER 5

FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The main objective in conducting this research is to explore construction and design

beliefs on residential buildings and to determine the different commentary of the

architects/designers and the residential owners.

The researcher concluded that each individual has different opinion regarding

about the said beliefs. Base from the answers of the respondents, there were few that were

still following or applying the beliefs in constructing their own house. They believed that it

won’t cause any harm to follow those beliefs and apply it. There were also who said that

they aren’t fond of that idea and chose not to apply those beliefs and just mainly build a

house without doing such things.

It was noticed that these beliefs were highly applied during the ancestral days, which

is why our generation rarely use them because our society changed. People who doesn’t have

influence with their ancestors knowledge hardly knows about these beliefs which leads to not

applying it to the construction of their house. Construction and design beliefs on residential

buildings are an example of a Filipino culture that are still being followed by others yet

slowly being neglected by others.

 APPENDIX A

QUESTIONNARES FOR THE RESIDENTS REGARDING

CONSTRUCTION BELIEFS

Name:

 Are you the owner of this residential house? (Ikaw ang tag-iya sa balay?)

 How old is the house? (Pila na ka tuig ang inyong balay?)

 What date and year did the construction started? (Kanus-a gi tukod ang balay?)

 Did you apply some beliefs in the construction and design of the house? (Naa moy gi

gamit na tuo-tuo sa pag disenyo sa balay?

 What are these beliefs? (Unsa ni nga mga tuo-tuo?)

 Where did you hear these beliefs? (Asa ka nakadungog/Asa mo gikan aning mga tuo-

tuo?)
 What made you believe in them and apply them in the planning and design of the

house? (Unsay hinungdan nganong ni tuo mo ani ug gamiton ni sa pag disenyo sa

inyong balay?)

 What do you think are the significance of these beliefs? (Unsay importansya aning

mga tuo-tuo para sa inyo?)

 Did it change your lifestyle/ did it bring impact to your family? (Naka usab ba ning

tuo-tuo sa inyong kinabuhi?

 APPENDIX B

TRANSCRIPTION OF DATA (RESIDENTIAL OWNERS)

Name: Rhea Mae Crisologo

Address: Purok 8, Kamputhaw, Cebu City

 Are you the owner of this residential house? (Ikaw ang tag-iya sa balay?)

o Dili, akong mama.

 What is the name of your mother? (Unsa’y pangan sa imong mama?)

o Suzette Crisologo.

 How old is the house? (Pila na ka tuig ang inyong balay?)

o 30 years, mga 30+ years na siguro.

 What date and year did the construction started? (Kanus-a gi tukod ang balay?)

o Wala ko kibaw, wala pako natao pagtukod aning balaya.

 Did you apply some beliefs in the construction and design of the house? (Naa moy gi

gamit na tuo-tuo sa pag disenyo sa balay?

o Oo, naa daw.

 What are these beliefs? (Unsa ni nga mga tuo-tuo?

o Kanang bagakay na gi yamyaman na gi ugbok sa yuta.

o Ang pultahan dili dapat mag atubang sa kalsada.

o Ang pultahan dili dapat mag inatubangay.

o Oro, Plata, Mata sa hagdanan pud daw, di daw dapat mo tunong sa mata kay

malason.

 Where did you hear these beliefs? (Asa ka nakadungog/Asa mo gikan aning mga tuo-

tuo?)

o Sa akong mama, siya mao’y ga ingon nako.

 What made you believe in them and apply them in the planning and design of the

house? (Unsay hinungdan nganong ni tuo mo ani ug gamiton ni sa pag disenyo sa

inyong balay?)

o Ambot lang nila, mo tuo nalang. Wa pa lagi ko natao pag tukod aning balaya.

 What do you think are the significance of these beliefs? (Unsay importansya aning

mga tuo-tuo para sa inyo?)

o Pampaswerte daw, aron dili malason.

 Did it change your lifestyle/ did it bring impact to your family? (Naka usab ba ning

tuo-tuo sa inyong kinabuhi?

o Ambot lang.
Name: Analyn Sumbe

Address: Purok 8, Kamputhaw, Cebu City

 Are you the owner of this residential house? (Ikaw ang tag-iya sa balay?)

o Oo, ako.

 How old is the house? (Pila na ka tuig ang inyong balay?)

o 1982-2016, mga 34 years na.

 What date and year did the construction started? (Kanus-a gi tukod ang balay?)

o 1982

 Did you apply some beliefs in the construction and design of the house? (Naa moy gi

gamit na tuo-tuo sa pag disenyo sa balay?)

o Oo naa.

 What are these beliefs? (Unsa ni nga mga tuo-tuo?)

o Ang hagdanan dili moabot ug 13 ka steps.

o Ang main na pultahan dili dapat mag atubang sa kalsada.

 Where did you hear these beliefs? (Asa ka nakadungog/Asa mo gikan aning mga tuo-

tuo?)

o Sa mga katigulangan.
  What made you believe in them and apply them in the planning and design of the

house? (Unsay hinungdan nganong ni tuo mo ani ug gamiton ni sa pag disenyo sa

inyong balay?)

o Para dili dimalason.

 What do you think are the significance of these beliefs? (Unsay importansya aning

mga tuo-tuo para sa inyo?)

o Aw wala may ma wala sa atoa kung mo tuo nalang ta. Tuo nalang jud.

 Did it change your lifestyle/ did it bring impact to your family? (Naka usab ba ning

tuo-tuo sa inyong kinabuhi?)

o Yes.

Name: Vicente C. Yulin

Address: Purok 8, Kamputhaw, Cebu City

 Are you the owner of this residential house? (Ikaw ang tag-iya sa balay?)

o Oo, ako.

 How old is the house? (Pila na ka tuig ang inyong balay?)

o 44 years.
 What date and year did the construction started? (Kanus-a gi tukod ang balay?)

o 1972, sa Mayo. Nakalimot nako unsang pitsaha.

 Did you apply some beliefs in the construction and design of the house? (Naa moy gi

gamit na tuo-tuo sa pag disenyo sa balay?)

o Ay wa, di jud ko mo tuo anang mga ing-ana wa jud ko ana.

 How about the construction workers? Did they apply any beliefs during construction?

(Ang mga panday sa pagtukod aning balaya? Wala silay gi gamit na tuo-tuo?)

o Wa oy, apil man pud ko sa pagtukod aning balaya, di man jud ko mo tuo

anang mga tuo-tuo oy.

 APPENDIX C

PICTURES FROM SURVEYING

Coins in Post Coins underneath the stairwell

Excavation near Full Moon Oro, Plata, Mata

DEFINITION OF TERMS

 Befall

Used with the impersonal subject it and a following clause to indicate the occurrence

of a usually unexpected or chance event. To happen to, especially by chance or fate.

 Attain

To accomplish or achieve (something) : to succeed in getting or doing

(something). To reach in the course of development or growth.

 Era

A point of time from which succeeding years are numbered, as at the

beginning of a system of chronology.

 Abode

A place in which a person resides; residence; dwelling; habitation; home.

 Exasperating

To irritate or provoke to a high degree; annoy extremely. To make very angry

or impatient; annoy greatly.

 Racial
 Denoting or relating to the division of the human species into races on grounds of

physical characteristics. Arising from or based on differences among human racial groups.

 Fond

Cherished with strong or unreasoning feeling. To lavish affection.

 Forefather

A person from an earlier time who helped to create or start something modern or

important. A person of an earlier period and common heritage.

 Misfortune

An event or conjunction of events that causes an unfortunate or distressing result. An

unfortunate state resulting from unfavorable outcomes.

 Embed

To place or set in something else. To fix or become fixed firmly and deeply in a

surrounding solid mass.

 Redound

To have a good or bad effect or result, as to the advantage or disadvantage of a

person or thing. To have an effect for good or ill.

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

I. Respondents:

Residential Owners:

Rhea Mae Crisologo

Purok 8, Brgy. Kamputhaw, Cebu City

Analyn Sumbe

Purok 8,Brgy. Kamputhaw, Cebu City

Vicente C. Yulin

Purok 8, Brgy. Kamputhaw, Cebu City

II. Sources:

Purok 8, Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City, Philippines.