The Arvada enterprise., 1916-05-18
n n ANILA Is city Of beautiful
Nu homes and extremely pictur-
esque surroundings, the col

ANlLA Is a CITY OF DeautlIul
Nu homes and extremely pictur-
v esque surroundings, the col
orful Orient blended with
the practical convenience OF the Occi-
dent. according to a writer In the New
York Sun.
In the early days, from 1900 to 1903,
there was great difficulty in finding
suitable homes for civilians and quar-.
ters for officers of the army. At pres
ent In and about the city there are
many attractive dwellings, rearranged
Spanish houses and thoroughly up to-
date bungalows. Possibly one might
criticize the intimate way in which
are huddled. two or three together, on
a plot OF land which, in Singapore or
Colombo, would be considered made
Quate for the grounds of one home
Inside. however, The tiny house is
luminously fresh and clean. II you are
an American, the condensed con-
venience of 1t all may compensate to
degree for the restricted lawn. 1t is
the spirit Of practically moved
straight over to the Philippines from
the United States. which builds two
houses where one should be.
Comparatively few Americans have
built homes OF their own. Mostly they
have lived in the old Spanish houses
which are exceedingly commodious
and picturesque, but often rather
primitive as regards sanitary arrange
ments. They are solidly constructed
to keep out the heat OF the sun and
also the typhoons.
The sliding windows with their
many small panes OF opalescent oys-
ter shell can enclose the house COM
pletely against ravaging wind and
rain. There Is invariably a stone
paved courtyard where. before the
days OF automobiles, the carriages
were kept. The family occupied the
upper story, while the servants quar-
ters were on the ground floor. These
were never more tnan two stories be-
cause OF possible earthquakes. AS n
rule. the stable was underneath, or
near tine kitchen, and the horses were
brought around from the back and
harnessed to the carriage In the front
courtyard.
The iron barred windows OF Spanish
times are seen always in Manila. even
in the modern bungalows. They af
ford excellent protection against ma
rauders, both animal and human.
Typical High Class Dwelling.
The inner entrance, paved with
blocks OF stone. leads by the tiled
steps and hallway on the ground floor.
Beyond are the servants quarters and
kitchen. To the left before entering
the dining room is the room OF the
No. | boy or major.domo. who super
intends the household and must be al
ways on hand. In typical dwelling
OF the better class the condor, or
dining room. has tiled door. barred
windows and furniture OF the bcauti.
full native hard wood. nara. which
resembles mahogany. The table.
which seats twelve persons. is Of one
piece OF nara.
The walls OF the stairway are deco
rated with very old temple hangings
and Moro scarfs. intricately woven by
hand and wildly colorcd. Frequently
the stairway leads directly into the
large middle sala. which Is q combina.
tion OF hail and drawing room. Walls
and ceiling are covered with cloth
which Is painted or frescocd. In the
sala illustrated tho frescoing is in soft
pink.
Tho chairs. OF woven sea grass and
bamboo. are painted white and uphol.
stored In pink Howered chintz. Odd.
shaped pieces OF backwood and nara
furniture are all about. and ancient
and curious embroidcries. prints and
brasses adorn walls and tables. All
the rooms are wonderfully ample and
airy. Floors. doors, blinds and all
woodwork Hnishings are OF exquisite
native timber.
Tho large black sala. In cool blue,
opens on u vcranda which faces the
sea. Here one has a superb view OF
outgoing and incoming ships In the
natural harbor. guarded on either side
oy mountainous Mariveles and Core.
S'dor. Around the rooms. which are
on tho weather sidc OF the house. runs
. sa'c'ia. or small corridor. perhaps
tour tcet wide. In time OF severes,
eyphoons II can bc entirely enclosed
70 ~ to shelter the rooms In case the
ehdins windows arc not sum cient pro.
faction.