MANILA — Stepping in one of the neighborhood alleys in Intramuros, Manila would make you forget that you are in an urban area, with the greeneries that are easy on the eyes – every home has their own plant, whether in pots, hanging, or in makeshift containers.

One of the residents, Susana Rendon, said they feel the benefits of having plants amid the hot weather.

"‘Pag ang hangin kasi may matatamaan na halaman, medyo malamig naman tsaka maaliwalas sa pakiramdam. Siguro nakagawian na rin namin talaga. Wala naman kaming ibang libangan... Pati gulay... mga talbos, ganoon," she told ABS-CBN News.

(When the air hits plants, it becomes cool and gives off a refreshing feeling. Maybe it has also been a habit of ours. We don't have other forms of recreation... We also have vegetables... camote tops, among others.)

Rendon's husband, Marcelo, shared they also have "pakwan, inom ng tubig na malamig" as thirst quenchers.

(Watermelon and cold water for drinking.)

Architect Rommel Aldaba said making sure that houses have good ventilation and are heat-proof is a challenge in a tropical country like the Philippines, and in urban settings with limited lot areas and openings for air.

But surely, this is not impossible. 

SHADES

Aldaba pointed out having curtains and plants or trees at home equates to good shade.

"Iyong mga sun shades, pwede nating i-introduce din iyong curtains. Mas magandang pang [block ng] sunshine talaga. If ever maganda iyong area ng bahay, magtanim tayo ng puno to block off iyong sunlight. Tapos meron tayong nabibili ngayon, iyong plants na nakalagay sa walls. Isa pa ‘yon na pwedeng gamitin para i-reflect natin iyong heat ng sun," he told ABS-CBN News.

(For sun shades, we can also introduce curtains – they are good blocker of sunshine. If the area of the house is bigger, planting trees would be a better way to block off sunlight. And then there are plants hung on walls sold in markets that can be used to reflect the heat of the sun.)

Aldaba said it is better if walls are of lighter colors.

"Malaking factor iyong kulay na iyan kasi the lighter shade, mas hindi siya kumukuha ng heat," he explained.

(Wall color is a major factor because the lighter shade, the less heat is absorbed.)

He said both stand or floor fans and ceiling fans do the job, but the former may be better in terms of the temperature of air that is released.

"If iyong kukunin natin iyong concept, ‘pag heat ang pinag-uusapan, iyong heat kasi stays above and the cold air stays down. Kung ang ita-transfer mo papunta sa baba ay iyong heat [from] heated na areas like the ceiling, ang bubuga sa'yo medyo mainit. Pero kung kukunin mo sa flooring, mga floor fans or iyong stand fan, mas malamig iyong ibubuga niya dahil ang kukunin niyang hangin, medyo malamig na," he said.

(When we talk about the concept of heat, heat stays above while the cold air stays down. If what you will transfer to the ground is the heat [from] heated areas like the ceiling, which is quite hot, the air that will be released is hot. But if you will get it from the floor, floor fans or stand fan, the air that will be released will be cooler because the air that it will absorb [from the ground] is also cooler.)

VENTILATION

Aldaba said air conditioners can provide more ventilation.

Big windows are also recommended, but for those considering their safety from thieves and the like, grills may also be placed. 

Aldaba said open spaces are also a good option to have natural ventilation, especially for establishments.

He explained low-heat materials are available in hardware and advised the public to regularly check on their wirings to avoid electrical issues.

For Health spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo, proper ventilation is key to reducing heat in indoor areas – just like how it reduces concentration of airborne contaminants, including viruses.

Domingo said this was something introduced to us at the height of the COVID pandemic.

"Parang noong panahon na tayo'y nag-iingat sa pandemya, ang gusto natin ventilation. Ngayon naman ang kalaban natin is temperaturang mataas. Buksan iyong mga bintana, pintuan, maglagay tayo ng mga electric fan," he shared in an earlier interview.

(As in the times when we were protecting ourselves from the pandemic, we wanted ventilation. This time our enemy is high temperature. Open the windows and doors and place electric fans.)

"Kung kaya, maglagay ng aircon pero hindi naman required. Tapos siguro iyong mga bubong, kasi pag ang kisame mas mababa, typically mas mainit kumpara sa mga istruktura na mataas ang kisame, ang bubong para mas maganda ang daloy ng hangin," he added.

(If able, put air con but this is not a requirement. And then with roofs, because if the ceiling is lower, it is hotter compared to structures with high ceilings, roofs for better air flow.)