BAKURAN

Most people experienced being paid for household chores. I was in pre-school when I was tasked to water the plants every afternoon. I took the afternoon class so I do that around every 4pm. I think I was paid P1.50 daily.

We had a large lawn where we grew ornamental plants and fruit bearing trees with special mention to coconuts trees that somewhat made the compound a resort. There was a custom made playhouse and a dog house which is almost the equal size. Those were the things I considered why –while growing up, I thought we were rich. It seemed to me that I live in a hacienda. I realized it was not when I was around 12 years old.

One afternoon while watering the plants along with a playmate, we heard loud screams - one from my lola and others from the helpers who are in panic. She had a heart attack. Up to now, after thirty years I can still imagine how she looked like and how that liquid thing came out of her mouth.

Years later, my father had a stroke (which I mention very often). Times became hard. The compound had to be turned into a poultry farm. The plants and trees were cut down to give way to the kulungan ng manok and hatchery. That did not last and we end up having a hideous yard.

Last year I was able to acquire a house through a loan. The structure itself is fully finished (we had a debate in the office what “fully furnished” is so I avoided using that term) but the garage and small space at the back are not.

Join me in my journey to finding inspiration of developing a fine yard of my own.

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In search for good landscape design, I took pictures as I see them. The above is from a  gasoline station in  Pilar. Before moving to our current place, we lived in my in-laws' house which is few blocks away from the above. It's a new building which is intended as stop over for travellers to-and-from Mariveles, Bagac and Morong. 

These were taken from 3 different places (clockwise). 1) As a beginner in landscaping/gardening, it is an attraction seeing how numbers of plants go together beatifully as a sight. For this, I appreciate that "simplicity is beauty". It only takes two kinds of plant to come up with an elegant arrangement. This sight welcomes town folks of Municipality of Morong, Bataan of their newly Municpial Hall. 2) I've passed by this house several times in my field work but I always hesitated to take a photo because the owner is quite masungit. 3) I think, there is a correct term for outdoor tiles but I can't remember it by now. This is how the vacant area of a local resort in Angeles was filled up. It was where my son's family day was held. the resort has a vintage theme where Vigan tiles were used as indoor tiles. 

I took lots of more photos which would have served as inspiration for our garage.  I even included the veranda of our house in Balanga as an option (center photo of row below). However, I ended up accepting the suggestion of the contractor because of the subdivision's restriction. He was the one who arranged for the entry of construction materials without the necessary permit and cash bond.

Shown here is when we bought the grass. We purchased plants and the grass instead of commissioning a landscape contractor. I am familiar with bermuda, carabao and blue grass, but not what they've offered - Progress.  we were told the it is low maintenance because it does not grow. Insistently, I asked what the grass is. Countless times, i got the answer - Progress and I moved on with my normal life. Months later, I passed by another store of the same type where I read the big signage - FROG GRASS FOR SALE!

Of course, this is a hoax! On the left is Elmo doing gardening chores. The right picture is the model house which is how our house should look like.

Among the plants to be found in the yard, this one has the sentimental value. This one was part of the bouqette I gave to my wife on Valentine's day. Yaya planted it and survived. Wonders!

This is how my project turned out. It is still unfinished due to constraints imposed by the subdivision. I always wanted to have additional outdoor tiles as shown in the left photo. I have to seek for the permission of the field engineer and pay for something. On the right is the brace of an unfiinished tent. We're not allowed to have long span so tolda ang kukumpleto dyan. Apparently, I have problems with contractor. Not that he's deaf-mute because I have aunts and uncles who are so there is no problem communicating with him. The problem is the colors available. He showed sample colors which are baduy. I intend to have white or classy orange but never had sought for other contractors.