The monastery which is located in Malaybalay, Bukidnon apparently drew its inspiration from the architectural design of Filipino structures like Bahay Kubo and Ifugao Nipa Huts!
The Genius of Leandro Locsin
Monasteries have been an integral part of society since the medieval period. These buildings are usually designed as a complex to give roof to the monks and religious heads of a religion. This building also serves as the place of worship for the monks to prevent distractions from the outside world. However, a Filipino Architect made a whole new concept of design for the building by incorporating a Filipino touch to the usual design of monasteries.
The Monastery of Transfiguration was apparently the Magnum Opus (Great Work) of the Late National Artist of Architecture, Leandro Locsin. The pyramid-like structure of the monastery got its inspiration from the structural design of the Bahay Kubo and Ifugao Nipa Huts in the Philippines. Concurrently, Leandro is also known for his design of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and was nicknamed The Poet of Space.
The Kubo Inspiration of the Monastery
Leandro Locsin is apparently known for his incorporation of ‘Filipino living patterns’ in his architectural designs. Hence, the kubo inspiration for the design of the monastery. The inspiration for the construction materials of the monastery were the traditional materials of bahay kubo, to specify, while the traditional monastery uses black steel for rafter-columns and ceilings uses hardwood it is reimagined and substituted by the traditional materials of bahay kubo which are bamboo for the columns and nipa for the ceilings. Whilst the structural design of the building got its inspiration from the pyramid-roofed huts of the Ifugaos in Cordilleras.
RATES & OTHER INFORMATION
RATES
- Guest Room Rates – Php 900.00 or Php 1000.00; rooms with single beds and basic furnishing
- Inclusions: 3 meals
OTHER INFORMATION
- Operating Hours: 24 hrs daily (the hours might differ depending on national holidays)
- Contact Number: 0915 553 7410
- Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/transfigurationabbey/
HOW TO GET THERE?
Exact Location: 447P+WHX, Malaybalay, 8700 Bukidnon
- By Commute: From Cagayan De Oro City, take a bus ride from Agora bus terminal going to Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. Travel time would range between 2 – 3 hours because of the on-going road construction in the province. Take a multicab from the terminal going to the Benedictine Monastery of Transfiguration.
- By Car: Navigate via Waze or Google Maps and pin the location “Abbey of the Transfiguration”. The monastery is relatively easy to locate since it is situated atop a hill.
The reimagined design of the Monastery of Transfiguration proved that Filipinos can be creative enough to come up with whole new ideas that can reinvent the traditional norms. How about you, what do you think about the novel design of Leandro Locsin of his Monastery of Transfiguration?
