The Modern House: Reincarnations of the Bahay Kubo

The Modern House: Reincarnations of the Bahay Kubo

Once upon a time, there was a great bamboo stalk. The stalk among many things was warm and fuzy. It had two beating hearts. After a few years the bamboo became full and burst and out came the two great lovers: malakas and maganda. They gathered the splinters and built their home. Malakas from the bottom of his heart used his hair to tie the bamboo to build the rafters and maganda used her light to shine on the home. From them started all the Filipino race. . . . and the legend of the Bahay Kubo.

The bahay kubo has gone a long way from its early beginnings. It was time that tested the kubo’s strength and has grown all our myth of heroes and tribal chiefs with banig (sleeping matt) on the bamboo floor.

Bahay Kubo: The Quintessential Philippine House

Bahay Kubo: The Quintessential Philippine House

The Filipino Bahay Kubo

Bahay kubo, kahit munti                      The kubo house, though small
ang halaman doon, ay sari-sari            The greens around, are variety
singkamas at talong. . .                        Jicama and eggplant . . .

The song bahay kubo sums up the simple life and beauty of the country life. For those not acquainted, the bahay kubo is the Filipino word for house.