TYPOLOGIES and BELIEF in Tanuan, Leyte Presented by:

Borja, Steven Charles C.

Natulla, April Ann O.

Obero, Ivan Hector R.

Quiton, Russel Kennely R.

Remoreras, Cindy B.

Housing

FACTS: Tanauan is one of the oldest towns in

the Province of Leyte.

It is a second class municipality composed of fifty-four (54) barangays.

The town has been baptized the title of

“Cradle of the Intellectuals” or

"Bungto Han Kamag-araman" since the Spanish colonial period.

It is bounded on the north by the Municipality of Palo, on the south by the Municipality of Tolosa, on the west by the Municipalities of Dagami and Tabon-Tabon, and on the east by San Pedro Bay.

HOUSING TYPOLOGIES

ONE STOREY RESIDENTIAL BUNGALOW

TWO STOREY RESIDENTIAL ROW HOUSES

HOUSING BELIEFS1.) PUTTING OF COINS ON A COLUMN The reason for this belief is for them to

have good fortune and prosperity

o If they are using wood column before they install it, they need carved a hole at the bottom with an appropriate size for the coin to be inserted.

Coins underneath a concrete column

 

Coins on a plain surface above floor line in a concrete column

o If they are using concrete columns, before the pouring they place coins underneath while others rather than placing it underneath, they place it at the plain surface of the column above the floor line.

2.) KALIPAYAN DRIED LEAVES ON TRUSS

After Construction they put the

kalipayan dried leaves below the apex of

the truss by hanging or fastening it.

 

o In this belief they place the kalipayan leaves on the king post of the truss because they believe that it drives away evil spirits.

 

o they believe that it will provide them happiness.

o Some resident said that they do it so that the spirit will recognize them as the owner of that place.

3.) DOORS AND WINDOWS SHOULD NOT FACE EACH OTHER, INSTEAD THE PLACEMENT SHOULD BE ALTERNATED

o   To lessen the argue between the husband and wife, and also the fighting between siblings.

o So that the graces we received would not quickly leave the house.

4.) MAIN DOOR SHOULD FACE THE MORNING SUNRISE OR EAST

o For better chance of absorbing the spiritual graces of morning.5.) BROKEN BOTTOM PIECE/S OF ROUND TIMBER/TOOD (IN VERNACULAR TERM) SHOULD BE GET RID OFF BEFORE THE RECONSTRUCTION. 

 o it should be removed to prevent bad luck

in the family

 

6.) PUTTING OF COIN ON THE MAIN ENTRANCE FLOOR o they consider it lucky

 

7.) ROOFS OF NEIGHBOURING HOUSES SHOULD NOT OVERLAP TO EACH OTHER. PIRUK ( IN VERNACULAR TERM).

o Their negative energy will be transferred to the overlapped house.

o The family whose roof is overlapped will be unsuccessful.

8.) BEDROOM AND COMFORT ROOM SHOULD NOT BE ADJACENT INSTEAD SHOULD BE INSIDE THE BEDROOM

o so that the bedroom won’t kick the comfort room 

9.) KITCHEN AREA/ROOM LEVEL MUST BE LOWER THAN THE GROUND FLOOR

o so that their house will receive more blessings

10.) STAIR SHOULD NOT BE DIRECT FROM THE MAIN ENTRY/DOOR o they believe that it generates bad luck

11.) BEFORE THEY START THE CONSTRUCTION OR BEFORE MOVING TO A NEW HOUSE THEY OFFER THE FOLLOWING: COTTON, RICE, SALT, WATER

o According to Filipino beliefs, these things will help bring positive energy to the house which will help the occupants become successful.

1. Cotton - to lighten the minds of the dwellers

2. Rice - for the dwellers to receive the grace from God

3. Salt - so that each family member will always be connected

4. Water - for clearer state of mind

12.) AT NIGHT BEFORE THE CONSTRUCTION, THEY SET UP THREAD AROUND THE LOT PERIMETER AT A HEIGHT OF 1FOOT.

o if the thread broke it means that the spirits nearby doesn’t allow the construction of the house.

13.) MASTERS BEDROOM MUST FACE THE SUNRISE

o They believe that it is lucky.

 

14.) SOME PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT IT IS LUCKY TO START CONSTRUCTION DURING THE DAYS WITH NUMBER 8. EXAMPLE IS JUNE 18.

15.) IF ONE RECONSTRUCTS HIS HOUSE, HE SHOULD NOT CUT THE POSTS BECAUSE THAT MIGHT CAUSE HIM TO LOSE HIS WEALTH.

16.) THE FOUNDATION OF A POST SHOULD BE BATHED WITH THE BLOOD OF A PIG OR WHITE CHICKEN TO APPEASE THE SPIRITS PRESIDING ON THE LAND ON WHICH THE HOUSE WAS ERECTED

o so that the building to be constructed becomes well-fortified.o they also believed that it is an offering for the spirits who

dwells nearby.

17.) FOR THOSE LIVING IN CONCRETE HOUSES, AN OLD COIN MUST BE IMPRINTED ON THE CEMENTED DOORSTEP TO ENSURE A STEADY FLOW OF MONEY.

18.) THEY ALSO BELIEVE THAT A HOUSE SHOULD FACE EAST WHERE THE SUN RISES TO GUARANTEE PROSPERITY. IN CONTRAST, A HOUSE THAT FACES WEST WHERE THE SUN SETS IS A JINX AND WILL BRING BAD LUCK.

 

19.) ERECTING A HOUSE IN FRONT OF A DEAD-END STREET WILL BRING

BAD LUCK TO ITS OCCUPANTS, WHETHER IT IS THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OR

TENANTS.

20.) DURING CONSTRUCTION, THEY START PUTTING COLUMN IN THE

EASTSIDE WHERE THE SUN RISES.

21.) STAIRS FACING THE SUN WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.

22.) IF DURING THE TIME A HOUSE IS BEING BUILT THE CARPENTER

MEETS WITH AN ACCIDENT, THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE WILL HAVE

MISFORTUNE IN LIFE.

23.) BAD LUCK WILL COME TO THE DWELLERS OF A HOUSE WHOSE LAST

STEP OF THE STAIRS FACES THE MAIN EXIT OF THE HOUSE.

 

END.