International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering Research ISSN 2348-7607 (Online) Vol. 8, Issue 1, pp: (20-24), Month: April 2020 - September 2020, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
A Comprehension of Filipino Feng Shui Beliefs and its Relevance to Philippine Construction Ryan B. Castronuevo1, Roxanne Mae C. Lim2, Bryan Christian R. Mediarito3, Kommel F. Villareal4, Engr. Carmelo Zapanta Jr.5 5
College of Engineering, Computer Studies and Architecture Lyceum of the Philippines University – Cavite, Philippines
Abstract. Feng Shui is an Ancient practiced originated from China that deals with the balance and harmony with nature. In the Philippines, it is believed that Feng Shui gives luck and fortune to the ones who follows especially to the business owners to have a more fruitful life. Aside from the intangible effect given by Feng Shui, there are lack of knowledge if this practices are applicable to the country when it comes to construction. In recent years, there are studies conducted about Feng Shui on different fields but there are little or few done that were related to construction. These study aims to fill the gap on the knowledge of the Filipino especially the people involved in the construction scene. These recommendation may enhance the knowledge and market of civil engineers and architects because of the growing migration of Chinese in the country. Content analysis, inspection and interview were done as an attempt to provide an idea what Feng Shui says and what the codes and laws of the Philippine construction says. The recommendation of the laws and codes and the Feng Shui practices for residential building have been compared. Keywords: Construction, Feng Shui, Filipino, Residential Building
I. INTRODUCTION Feng Shui belief is an ancient practice originated from China about the arrangement and placement of things which means “wind” (feng) and “water” (shui). Use of Feng Shui has been prevalent in the Philippines for enhancement of health and lifestyle and commonly applied in filipino houses. According to some Filipino Architects, Feng Shui principles have largely influenced the Philippine Architecture mainly from setting favorable dates of beginning the construction up to the interior designs of a building (Romulo 2003). According to Feng Shui, all things are governed by unseen forces called qi or chi and categorized into good (luck) and bad (unluck) kinds where believers apply the Feng Shui practices to attract good and ward off the bad (Field 2001). However, Feng shui practices have no certainty about its uses and have no sufficient proof to actually occur.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW Feng Shui is not a single idea but composed of several different fields of knowledge of astronomy, astrology, physics, geology, mathematics, philosophy and intuition. (Moran, Yu, and Biktashev 2002). It contains five basic elements describing the substances in the world. These are wood, fire, earth, metal and water and determined by people for space organizing from which every space in the house represent an element in Feng Shui (Zhen and Bahauddin 2017). Energy forces called chi, one fundamental principle in Feng Shui energy inside the body of every person and present on building and structures. Chi is universal and applies from every object that comes from existence. A study from University of Northern Philippines, Vigan City aimed to discuss traditional custom beliefs and Feng Shui ideas in constructing houses and house blessing in the entire city of Ilocos . This study focuses on the practices of beliefs before and during construction and the reason of Ilocanoes on maintaining those beliefs from generation to generation (Talbo, 2018). A study by Linda and Tanuwidjaja, 2014 was conducted. The study was mixed with review literature and evaluation of in-house to relate the things present in the house with the concept of Feng Shui. he research examined the
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