“ Understanding Filipino Feng-Shui Beliefs and its

Implications for Philippine Construction ”

Submitted by:
Catabay,Bench
Rivera, Angelina Isabel
Salas, Pauline Paul
ABSTRACT

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that deals with the balance and
harmony of nature. In the Philippines, it is believed that Feng Shui brings luck
and fortune to those who follow, particularly business owners, allowing them
to live a more fruitful life. Aside from the intangible effects of Feng Shui, there
is uncertainty about whether these practices are applicable to the country's
construction. In recent years, there have been studies on Feng Shui in various
fields, but there have been few or none on construction. These studies aim to
fill knowledge gaps among Filipinos, particularly those involved in the
construction industry.

Because of the country’s growing Chinese migration, Architects are in high

demand. Many shop owners and home owners in the Philippines believe in
Feng Shui. However, most Filipino Chinese applied Feng Shui with lack of
theory and consideration.

Therefore, this paper will focus on research of the application of Feng Shui
theory during construction, house blessing, and its effectiveness in the home
environment. Feng Shui theory in contemporary home space design and comes
to the conclusion that it is helpful for contemporary homes. The goal of this
paper are:
• To find whether the Feng Shui application improve the functionality of the
architectural design of Filipino Houses
• To find functional design solution for a house case study that is designed with
Feng Shui
I.INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study

The traditional knowledge of the Chinese art of building design is known as

Feng Shui. Its main objective is to make sure that structures blend in with their
surroundings. As more researchers work to establish a deeper understanding
of the relationships between human and natural environments, Architects and
building professionals are starting to acknowledge Feng Shui as a broad,
ecologically and architecturally connected paradigm.

Every Filipino, as we all know, aspires to have a devoted and happy family, a
successful and rewarding career, and to be able to provide for the wants and
needs of every member of their family. Filipinos, like members of any other
ethnic group in the world, think of themselves as little more than specks of
luck, warding off illness, getting ahead in life, and shooing away bad luck.
When building homes and performing house blessings, Filipinos firmly hold to
these superstitious notions and customs because they are thought to
contribute to the welfare of the entire family as well as growth. While some of
these superstitions have their roots in other cultures, others are distinctly
Filipino. Others seem utterly ridiculous, if not exasperating, while some are
amusing.

While most of these beliefs are national in scope, some are confined to a
particular ethnic or regional group. Therefore, if home owners have noticed
these beliefs and practices, they should be analytical. Additionally, they always
believe that it is better to act on these convictions since they are only spending
a small amount of money and won’t regret it than to have problems later. The
purpose of this study is to ascertain the beliefs and practices followed by the
Filipino people when building houses and blessing them, as well as the very
reasons that these beliefs and practices are still followed today.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The purpose of this study was to discover Filipino beliefs and practices
regarding house construction and house blessing.

It specifically sought to respond to the following inquiries:

1. What are Filipino beliefs and practices during house construction ?

2. What are the origins of these beliefs and are the practices still followed?
3. What are the most frequently used practices/beliefs observed during
house blessings?
4. What are the most common explanations each of these convictions and
practices are they still observed?
II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
The following literatures were reviewed to support the study’s background.

Taylor (1952) defined culture as a complex whole that includes knowledge,

belief, and art.Morals, law customs and any other capabilities and habits
acquired by man as a member of a society. He also stated that culture is critical
in the formation of the so-called society. Hunt, on the other hand, defined
culture as the material interventions and accomplishments of people, such as
tools, weapons, and instruments.

In the aspect of Architecture, the objective of an Architect is to assist the client

in achieving their goals, whether that be by designing or locating the ideal
residence or by designing a commercial space to draw in a large customer
base. Feng Shui is a set of rules that help Architects understand how to use
natural elements at all scales, from the big to the small room(interior
arrangement)

Carrera et al. (1986) listed the main cultural traits: culture is learned, universal,
a social product, cumulative, transferred from one generation to another,
fulfilling, stable yet changing, structured, integrated, and it is rich and complex.
The three most important methods how culture is being acquired, are by
limitation by example, indoctrination and conditioning. Furthermore, they have
explained that the Philippine culture went through stages in its physical,
intellectual, moral, and spiritual development throughout history.
In his book Oro, Plata, Mata: Filipino Building Beliefs, Zarate provides some
guidelines for calculating the number of steps in one’s stairs. Beginning at the
first landing, count the steps using the words oro (gold), plata (silver), and
mata (mat) (death).According to him, the ideal last step should be oro or plata,
but if possible, it should not be mata because it is death. As a result, he advised
homeowners that if their home is elevated, they should always opt for four
steps rather than three. He also suggested that doors not face each other.
Some of the beliefs held during construction were listed in an article from Sixth
Sense and Sensibility in the October 2006 issue of Real Magazine Living
Magazine; the oro, plata mata, the Sacrificed blood, coins buried in the ground,
Lucky and unlucky numbers, topping out a Feng shui, dwarf mounds, and tree-
topping. (Austen, J. (2006) Sixth Sense and Sensibility. Real Living Magazine.)

According to Michael Y. Mak and Thomas Ng, implementing Feng Shui into a
design framework enables integration with other elements such as location
and master planning, spatial arrangement, and building surrounding area. Ng
and Yee Lam Elim also suggest that understanding Feng Shui provides
architects with a framework that moves from the macro to the micro scale
(site selection, surrounding environment analysis) (external layout, internal
layout, and interior arrangement). The macro and micro scale frameworks are
listed in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1
2.1 Beliefs and Practices During House Construction
When building a home, some Filipinos follow a number of superstitious
customs that they believe will improve their quality of life, financial situation,
and inter- and intra-family harmony. Additionally, if these are combined with
their diligence and unwavering faith in God, they can fulfill their wishes.

Prosperous Day
A 73-year-old woman who specializes in horoscopes claimed that she could not
count on her fingers the number of homeowners who have enquired about the
auspicious day to begin construction as well as the zodiac sign (bituen). The
best signs for a family to begin house construction in order to live a better,
more tranquil life are Virgo and Aquarius. Leo and Capricorn, on the other
hand, are not suggested. The elderly claim that family members would
frequently misunderstand one another, and worse yet, that the family's head
would disperse along the way.They believe that these astrological signs have
an impact on the preservation of the good structure of the house. They also
stated that nothing will be lost if this practice is followed.

Putting up a cross
Placing a cross made of bamboo or wood at the center of the construction site.
Mounting the site one month before the house is to be built is also significant.
It is assumed that when the cross stands firm, invisible spirits and the souls of
the place’s successors allow the house owners to build their dream home. If
the cross is rearranged, a ritual is required, or the concerned family must find
another location to build their home. This claim was approved by an engineer,
saying that, "Whether the house owners like it or not, they have to do it
because this practice was given through the generations from one generation
to another". Furthermore, he stated that once the construction begins, he will
request that the owners provide a pot of rice, an egg, water, soft drinks, and,
most importantly, wine. These are being placed alongside the mounted cross.
Offerings.
This includes a pot of rice, an egg, water, soft drinks, and wine. These are the
offerings placed next to the mounted cross to satisfy the successors’ souls and
invisible spirits. And this belief was confirmed by some carpenters because the
house owners they served did and applied this practice as well.

Padugo, or chicken shedding Blood.

This is a sacrificial ritual of slaughtering a pair of chickens and pouring their
blood on the construction site and the house’s main columns. Because
everyone wants their home to be strong against any disaster that may occur, a
‘ritual’ is performed as they erect the house’s posts. A pair of chickens is
slaughtered. The rooster would be killed first, followed by the hen. The blood
of the chicken must be shed in all posts in a clockwise direction. This is done to
make the house stronger and more resistant to typhoons, earthquakes, and
tornadoes. The procedure also ensures that construction proceeds smoothly.
In their opinion, if there isn’t any shedding of the likelihood of an accident
involving chicken blood, a carpenter, or even family members is high.

Inserting money into the columns

Putting or placing coins in columns would attract plenty of money for the
family at unforeseen times and places because the columns are numerous and
properly installed in the house. This practice involves starting from the right
side of the house and moving clockwise. Furthermore, while the four posts
were being built, he requested that he be the one to lead the dropping of coins
of various denominations. The dropping was done in a clockwise direction. If
the engineers ever have a house project, they will use this practice.

The main entrance faces east.

The main door should always face east. A Feng Shui house facing east is like an
open front door welcoming healthy chi inside. The east sector governs your
health in classical Feng Shui, and an east-facing house can generate auspicious
energy for both health and wealth luck.
Doors should not be facing each other directly.
The other doors should not be facing through and through or parallel, as this
will prevent them from forming the “salpot.” Practicing this ensures that
hardships, death, and disease are avoided.And complications are avoided. The
locations of bedrooms must also be considered. They must not form a cross
image because the cross represents agony, hardship, and suffering.

Mata, Plata, and Oro.

The steps on the stairs are named oro (gold), plata (silver), and mata (death).
The proper and acceptable number of steps in stairs, according to a woman
who owns a two-story house and an engineer in his thirties, must be observed,
because they believe that the last step should end with “Oro” (gold) or “Plata”
(silver), never “Mata” (death). They also stated that having four is
preferable.Steps but never with three. The fourth step is the floor, which is
included. This finding is similar to Zarate’s (2015) findings in his book, Oro,
Plata, Mata: Filipino Building and Beliefs.

Keeping someone from falling from the house while it is being built.
A carpenter or someone falling during construction is a bad omen for the home
owners. Still pursuing the construction may result, to have a bad family
environment.

White flaglet and other offerings like wine and softdrink

This flaglet is constructed from white fabric, such as a white shirt. Due to the
frequent occurrence of typhoons, earthquakes, and tornadoes in the
Philippines, home owners make every effort to construct sturdy homes. For
this reason, homeowners request that their carpenters raise a white flag on
the roof. This is served while construction is taking place along with wine and
soft drinks. The flaglet and the other offerings are given to the home’s owner
for safekeeping once the roof has been completed.
2.2. Reasons these beliefs and practices are still being observed
Because they wish and dream of living a successful life, having a well-paying
job, and having access to some luxuries in life, Filipinos are well known for
adhering to many beliefs and practices. Homeowners still adhere to the beliefs
and customs because they think that doing so will ensure that their family
members prosper and are equipped to face the challenges of life.

Prosperity and the removal of bad Spirits.

Some Filipinos believe that their zodiac sign has a strong influence on their stay
in the house. Members of the family are optimistic that they will prosper and
bad spirits will be warded off and only good spirits will dwell in their house.
This occurs when these beliefs are combined with determination and
perseverance.

Preventing a negative incident

Premature death of any team member any unfavorable incidents involving the
family must be prevented. Due to this, the locations of the bedrooms, how
many are stair steps, falling carpenters, and other factors are need to be
considered.

Making the structure sturdy.

Since the house is the fruit of sweat and blood of the owner, they also ensure
to it that even the smallest part attached to the house must be intact, that is
why a white flaglet and other other offerings must be placed on the rooftop
when construction is still going on.

Conclusions
Some Filipinos still observe certain beliefs and practices during house
construction and house blessing. These are thought to be beneficial to their
success as they settle into their new home. Some of their beliefs and practices
during house construction include: considering the zodiac sign (the best day to
begin construction); erecting a cross in the area where the house will be built;
shedding chicken blood on the columns before cement is poured; positioning
the main door and other doors; and maintaining the correct number of steps.
Stairs; carpenters at risk of falling or nyone else; displaying a white flaglet
Other offerings on the roof; as well as placement of mirrors in strategic
locations; and having plants that are fortunate.

Furthermore, these beliefs are still observed because the family dreams of
prosperity while remaining in their home. Other reasons include: bad spirits
should be repelled; dangerous animals should be kept out of the house; and
deaths and accidents should be avoided.

Finally, beliefs and practices observed during house blessing include asking a
priest to bless the house and its owners, or asking someone else to lead a
prayer or holding a religious gathering; preparing pots of rice, water, salt, and
cotton; and preparing dishes that will help homeowners have good fortune and
unity throughout their lives.

Recommendations
The researcher suggests, based on the findings and inferences made from the
study, that even though Filipinos may adhere to the existing beliefs and
practices regarding home building and house blessing, the opinions of the
experts should still be sought to ensure safety and high-quality housing and
construction.
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