Philippine Civilization (Pre-hispanic Times)
The true Philippine Civilization has been dominated by colonial influences. Almost all the traditional art we are familiar with are derived from foreign influences. The admirable culture and traditions we once had have truly been forgotten and replaced by foreign ways of living.
It is disappointing to consider our ethnic groups who have retained historical conventions primitive, ignorant, and uncivilized. In fact, the practices, way of living, and the kind of culture they keep possession of are the traditions we must be most proud of. They have showed a strong resistance against forcible change.
The traditional bahay na bato, mostly seen in provinces and along some parts in Manila where pueblos during the Spanish era were established, brought a fascinating contribution in Philippine architecture for its originality and genuine details in design because it does not resemble that of Spanish houses in Spain. It has been regarded as a significant feature of Filipino culture.
Many years before the Philippines undergone the obligatory process of reduccion, the bahay kubo (nipa hut) was the home for Filipino families. It has been designed to endure the tropical climate we have. Its details completely signify the type of location where it had been built. They are usually built with long posts to support the house and provide a higher elevation from the ground or on treetops in forests and ilaya regions (mountain top). That serves as protection for the residents against wild animals. While in lowlands or ilawud regions, they are usually built in lower elevation from the ground. Convenience on storage of harvests and other supplies from plantations is one of the possible reasons why nipa huts in this region had been built in low elevation.
The nipa hut includes traditional Filipino furniture, made from rattan and abaca, which are still popular materials for furniture manufacturing, and potteries. Rattan and abaca are abundant raw materials in the Philippines
It is disappointing to consider our ethnic groups who have retained historical conventions primitive, ignorant, and uncivilized. In fact, the practices, way of living, and the kind of culture they keep possession of are the traditions we must be most proud of. They have showed a strong resistance against forcible change.
The traditional bahay na bato, mostly seen in provinces and along some parts in Manila where pueblos during the Spanish era were established, brought a fascinating contribution in Philippine architecture for its originality and genuine details in design because it does not resemble that of Spanish houses in Spain. It has been regarded as a significant feature of Filipino culture.
Many years before the Philippines undergone the obligatory process of reduccion, the bahay kubo (nipa hut) was the home for Filipino families. It has been designed to endure the tropical climate we have. Its details completely signify the type of location where it had been built. They are usually built with long posts to support the house and provide a higher elevation from the ground or on treetops in forests and ilaya regions (mountain top). That serves as protection for the residents against wild animals. While in lowlands or ilawud regions, they are usually built in lower elevation from the ground. Convenience on storage of harvests and other supplies from plantations is one of the possible reasons why nipa huts in this region had been built in low elevation.
The nipa hut includes traditional Filipino furniture, made from rattan and abaca, which are still popular materials for furniture manufacturing, and potteries. Rattan and abaca are abundant raw materials in the Philippines