Bahay Kubo: Our Home
BAHAY KUBO : our Home
Our batch went to our house during our Integration in 2005.
What are travels for without a place that you can call "HOME"?
We grew up in a typical baranggay called "Lolomboy" in Bulacan. We were there since the late 60's. After the devastating typhoon "Ondoy" in October 2009, we have already refurbished and repaired it. Who would ever think that we will acquire another property in the nearby baranggay Duhat? I believe that God is really guiding our family. We don't know where my family will go if we did not purchase that property in 2006 which is located in a high place. God is, indeed, provident. Furthermore, we were able to transfer all important documents and photos to our second home without any hint of the coming deluge weeks before "Ondoy".
We grew up in a typical baranggay called "Lolomboy" in Bulacan. We were there since the late 60's. After the devastating typhoon "Ondoy" in October 2009, we have already refurbished and repaired it. Who would ever think that we will acquire another property in the nearby baranggay Duhat? I believe that God is really guiding our family. We don't know where my family will go if we did not purchase that property in 2006 which is located in a high place. God is, indeed, provident. Furthermore, we were able to transfer all important documents and photos to our second home without any hint of the coming deluge weeks before "Ondoy".
Our second home was originally meant as a rest house. But because of the tranquility and cool weather of the place, it becomes our main residence. We never neglect the older house. In fact, they visit it everyday.
This second home was a collaborative effort of the family. We didn't hire a professional architect to design it. Actually, I was the one who designed it and submitted it for their approval. It is a nipa hut or bahay kubo, an indigenous Filipino house. But what I made is a modern kubodesign. It was constructed out of bamboo nailed together, with a thatched roof using nipa and anahaw leaves. The floor is tiled with a modern kitchen, bar, shower and toilet, a living room and an air-conditioned room. It is surrounded by a garden and a separate kubo that serves as a receiving area. And another one which serves as a storage place. There is also a veranda (terrace) which can be regarded as the fourth kubo.
The original design (SEE photo above) is a two-bedroom kubo with a larger living room. However, after deliberation, our ate proposed to have a small swimming pool and necessary adjustment were made. (SEE photo below)
This second home was a collaborative effort of the family. We didn't hire a professional architect to design it. Actually, I was the one who designed it and submitted it for their approval. It is a nipa hut or bahay kubo, an indigenous Filipino house. But what I made is a modern kubodesign. It was constructed out of bamboo nailed together, with a thatched roof using nipa and anahaw leaves. The floor is tiled with a modern kitchen, bar, shower and toilet, a living room and an air-conditioned room. It is surrounded by a garden and a separate kubo that serves as a receiving area. And another one which serves as a storage place. There is also a veranda (terrace) which can be regarded as the fourth kubo.
The original design (SEE photo above) is a two-bedroom kubo with a larger living room. However, after deliberation, our ate proposed to have a small swimming pool and necessary adjustment were made. (SEE photo below)
Nowadays, A bahay kubo is more costly to build than a concrete house. It is even more difficult to maintain.
Whatever our house may be, let us turn it into a HOME, where family expresses love and respect with each other. A place that is nourished by prayer.
Below are some pics of our home and a "home vacation reflection" that I wrote in 2007.
Whatever our house may be, let us turn it into a HOME, where family expresses love and respect with each other. A place that is nourished by prayer.
Below are some pics of our home and a "home vacation reflection" that I wrote in 2007.
A BLESSED HOME VACATION
May 2007
Rev. Louie R. Coronel, OP
Our Thanksgiving Mass during our communal vacation in Palawan was a touching expression of gratitude to God for all the graces that we received. Everyday, we receive the blessings of God even though at times we fail to recognize it. Home vacation is not just merely a long summer break but a blessing to be spent with our first family. Otherwise, we shall defeat the purpose of such an integral part of our formation. To know our roots is know more about ourselves. We have been anticipating such vacation because it renders us physically and spiritually renewed before another formation year commences.
This year is a very peculiar home vacation for me. I did not go out without my family except for one occasion when I went to Malolos City to visit my friend whom I considered as my brother. It really strengthened our family ties.
At home, aside from watching my favorite TV shows, I did gardening and general cleaning of the house. I even washed our soiled clothes. When my mother asked me why am I doing the laundry, I told her that service and mission are the thrusts of our formation. And to complete the package, I also ironed our clothes and washed the dishes. Somehow, it became a part of our system that Saturdays are cleaning days. These are the things that I’ve been doing even before I became a Dominican.
It was also my first time to spend vacation in our small kubo of nipa and bamboo which was located in the adjacent baranggay. It was fascinating to harvest santol, kaimito, calamansi, pepper and mangoes even though our land is not that big. Before home vacation ends, we planted eggplants, batao and a certain flowering plant which was given to us by my ate. Three months from now, we can see the result of our labors. It was a peaceful and fulfilling time to plant and to garden.
Every Friday especially when I am at home, the family goes to the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan. It was in that sacred place where I asked God’s mercy for guidance in my vocation and discernment. On Sundays, the family attended the mass together which did not happen before. Another blessing indeed! I also reviewed my Latin but in the end, I decided to focus on Spanish which will be helpful to my thesis.
There is a perennial description to a joyful vacation. It is always bitin. However, we know that there is a time for everything and I will cherish the moments that I’ve been with my family. Once, I somewhat felt regretful because I did not even visit my other friends. I told it to my mother and she replied, “Di bale na anak, nakasama ka naman namin.” Who am I not to melt with such a touching statement from my mother?
I know that I have to face many challenges again but I know that there are many persons praying for me and supporting my vocation. They are all blessings and I cannot but be grateful to God.
Rev. Louie R. Coronel, OP
May 2007
Rev. Louie R. Coronel, OP
Our Thanksgiving Mass during our communal vacation in Palawan was a touching expression of gratitude to God for all the graces that we received. Everyday, we receive the blessings of God even though at times we fail to recognize it. Home vacation is not just merely a long summer break but a blessing to be spent with our first family. Otherwise, we shall defeat the purpose of such an integral part of our formation. To know our roots is know more about ourselves. We have been anticipating such vacation because it renders us physically and spiritually renewed before another formation year commences.
This year is a very peculiar home vacation for me. I did not go out without my family except for one occasion when I went to Malolos City to visit my friend whom I considered as my brother. It really strengthened our family ties.
At home, aside from watching my favorite TV shows, I did gardening and general cleaning of the house. I even washed our soiled clothes. When my mother asked me why am I doing the laundry, I told her that service and mission are the thrusts of our formation. And to complete the package, I also ironed our clothes and washed the dishes. Somehow, it became a part of our system that Saturdays are cleaning days. These are the things that I’ve been doing even before I became a Dominican.
It was also my first time to spend vacation in our small kubo of nipa and bamboo which was located in the adjacent baranggay. It was fascinating to harvest santol, kaimito, calamansi, pepper and mangoes even though our land is not that big. Before home vacation ends, we planted eggplants, batao and a certain flowering plant which was given to us by my ate. Three months from now, we can see the result of our labors. It was a peaceful and fulfilling time to plant and to garden.
Every Friday especially when I am at home, the family goes to the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Marilao, Bulacan. It was in that sacred place where I asked God’s mercy for guidance in my vocation and discernment. On Sundays, the family attended the mass together which did not happen before. Another blessing indeed! I also reviewed my Latin but in the end, I decided to focus on Spanish which will be helpful to my thesis.
There is a perennial description to a joyful vacation. It is always bitin. However, we know that there is a time for everything and I will cherish the moments that I’ve been with my family. Once, I somewhat felt regretful because I did not even visit my other friends. I told it to my mother and she replied, “Di bale na anak, nakasama ka naman namin.” Who am I not to melt with such a touching statement from my mother?
I know that I have to face many challenges again but I know that there are many persons praying for me and supporting my vocation. They are all blessings and I cannot but be grateful to God.
Rev. Louie R. Coronel, OP
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