Philippines under the Spanish Era

MEDIA AGUA
canopy or roof shed, consisting of "a piece of metal roof that protects the window from rain
or heat"; not to be confused with awning

VOLADA
an enclosed overhanging balcony

PERSIANA
louver window

ZAGUAN
ground floor (literally "passageway" in Arabic) to accommodate horse carriages and carrozas
(processional carriages)

ESCALERA
stairway

CAIDA
landing on the upper entrance hall; "foyer of the second floor"; also called Antesala

CALADO
lace-style fretwork or latticework used to adorn room dividers and to allow air to circulate

SALAS
living area/room ( Sala mayor – main living area/room, Sala menor – Secondary living
area/room)

COMEDOR
dining area/room

COCINA
kitchen, which was typically built separately from the house

AZOTEA
"open-air balcony beside the kitchen that housed a cistern (aljibe) and the bathroom and was
usually a work area" (Bambi Harper)

CUARTO/DORMITORIO
room(most commonly used as bedroom)

ORATORIO
prayer room with an altar of santos

BASTONERO
hat and umbrella rack (commonly a walking stick rack)(baston – walking stick)

CONCHA
the half dome covering an apse (any shell-shaped structure.)

PASAMANO
window ledge

BARANDILLAS
(usually wooden) railing or balustrade

VENTANILLA
literally 'small window'; "sliding panels between the floor and windows" to allow more air
and light; "usually protected by balustrades which can either be wooden or wrought iron
grills"

ENTREZUELO
mezzanine; "literally meaning 'between floors´, this is the area where clients, tenants or
estate managers (if the owner was a rich landowner) wait before being admitted to the
oficina (office)"

DISPENSA
Pantry

Reference:
Vernacular terms - http://filipiniana101.blogspot.com/2014/03/list-parts-of-bahay-na-
bato.html#:~:text=Volada%20%2D%20%22an%20enclosed%20overhanging%20balcony,the%20heat%20of%20the%
20sun%22
Images – Google Images