A new twist to the bahay kubo

By BIBSY M. CARBALLO

May 4, 2011, 11:13am

The kubo's master bedroom has its own toilet and bath (Photo by Nelia Palorina and Bibsy M. Carballo)

MANILA, Philippines -- As we happen to like small towns with distinct personalities and lush vegetation, our favorite place in the country is the Calabarzon area, specifically Talisay in Batangas, and Liliw in Laguna. So when we celebrated our birthday last March, we decided to bring our regular bunch of nomads to Liliw during that weekend of the Super Full Moon.

We are certain that most everyone is familiar with Liliw. the little town that tsinelas built. For the elder folk, it is the place where clear water streams from the mountains flow near the town. Several laundry soap commercials of old were shot along these streams.

Apparently, not much has changed through the years. Liliw is still that fourth class municipality bound by Magdalena, Majayjay, Nagcarlan, Sta. Cruz, and Dolores. It still has a population of some 30, 000 inhabitants. The air is still fresh, the climate still chilly. Everyone still knows everyone and where everyone lives.

As we stayed for three days and two nights in Liliw, we couldn’t very well depend on the hospitality of friends, especially since there were more than a dozen us. Fortunately, this good friend of ours, Concep Brosas, could be depended on to provide all kinds of information about Liliw; from the best bargain tsinelas and the best dealer of foodstuff to the best place to stay at. She took us to a resort that was not quite ready. It had yet to be opened formally. In fact, it didn’t have a name yet.

Its owner, Moises Moneda Quiambao, showed us around the place and told us his story. Moises is a balikbayan who had lived in Santa Clara, California for 30 years. He was an engineer for the Intel Corporation. He has three boys either studying or working in California. It was in 2009 when his contract with Intel expired. So he went home to the Philippines for a vacation and to think over his next career move.  The break also gave him the chance to finally build the dream house he had been too busy to build.  He also found time to enjoy the nice cool weather of his hometown, which is situated in the shadow of the mystic Mt. Banahaw. And we suppose, like every Pinoy (and non-Pinoy for that matter) who comes for a visit, Moises stayed and he stayed for so long until he decided to set up a business right in his own backyard.

Moises owns several properties and he embarked on plans to construct a rest house for the family but as the work was starting, it dawned on him that he could turn it into a business instead. And this is what we were brought to see. Forever a sucker for anything that sticks to its inherent characteristics, we applaud the bahay kubo concept most people label as baduy. But you will notice foreigners love it to the hilt.

Moises added some modern day amenities to his version to the two-bedroom kubo we stayed in.  These include running hot and cold water in a glass-enclosed shower, a bidet for the toilet, air-conditioning, flat-screen television, and a DVD player. The only things missing were an intercom, locker space, and adequate side tables with lamps. But then again, as Moises pointed out, the place is still very much unfinished. Another cottage was still being constructed.

It was obvious that Moises was excited over this project. He built the place sans the help of an architect or designer. His engineering background has served him well. Apart from the two cottages, there is a pavilion hall with a ping-pong table, a huge outdoor dining area with karaoke facilities (so one could sing without disturbing any neighbors), and a big kitchen. There is enough space for more cottages. The open area is covered with carabao grass where we pitched a tent for the rest of our traveling companions.

Bamboo, coco lumber, and anahaw leaves (for the roof) were among the materials used for the kubos. We were elated at Moises’ use of locally sourced materials for the resort. The walls are made of stones gathered from a nearby creek and cut precisely for the purpose. We were witness to Moises’ contractor who used the age old manual tradition of cutting the stones.

We asked Moises whether or not being situated along a cold water stream for bathing was a possible problem for clients. He pointed to a mobile swimming pool for children right on the lot. And for adults who would like the actual thing, he walked us to a stream 10 minutes down the road where those who would want a dip could go.

When in Cebu City, please visit gregmelep.com for your real estate and retirement needs.

Email us at bibsycarballo@yahoo.com