Our house is as old as I am, around 58 years, I had my first birthday in my house.. When we arrived from The US when my Dad retired he added an extension, a room for my older brother and another bathroom in between. The house only had e bedrooms and a master bedroom with the bathroom in between my room and my parent"s room. There was only 2 of us then, my older brother and me when we went to the US (Hawaii) to be with my dad. We spent 4 years there and then my 2 younger brothers were born in Hawaii.
So when my father retired we went home. Now there was 4 of us. So I still had my room, the one next to mine with and adjoining door went to my 2 younger brothers with a bunk bed. So my father had an extension made. We stayed in the city most of the time because of school.
But as the years went by we had some major repairs like the walls because of termite infestation. We had all of the outside changed into cement and tiles on the outside. A few years after we had the kitchen area flooring also changed to tiles and the floors were cemented.
It's hard to do an all-over repair because it is expensive. So we do it little by little.
Last year my brothers decided to repair the roof and some damaged ceiling that were leaking. They started mid December and just after Christmas they finished the roof. But they still have to do the ceilings around outside.
The roof is finished they are doing the ceilings out side and started the inside.
The problem that once you start something it keeps going on and on. You can not just stick to the original plans. In our language in Ilonggo we say **"Ga bata ang mga ubrahon" **or in Tagalog (not so sure) "Na nganganak mga trabaho" or in English The work keeps going on, from one part it gives birth to another problem. So I never do any repairs unless I know I can afford it or if my brothers decide to do it.
These are just some of the ares they have identified and worked out the budget. We got an architect who planned the outside. He also talked with the foreman about what to do. The foreman gave his estimate for labor and materials. "Pakyaw" which means we pay him a certain amount and he is responsible for the materials and paying the other workers. But of course we have to agree on what materials, not the cheap kind so he adjusts to the price. Also stated in the contract the foreman must finish everything stated and if he lacks money, it is his responsibility. Also we are not obligated to give snacks but I do because I feel sorry for them and the work they do will be better. Lunch is their own responsibility. I just make sure they are full, sometimes bread and coffee or soft drinks, Sometimes I by them hamburger or pizza. Whatever is available as long as they don't get hungry. The also have cold water on hand.
They ave me a time schedule so hopefully they will be done mid February everything. There are a few small repair like painting the gate grills and post but I told them not to worry because I will spend for it. My savings from #steemit will help me. I already bought the paint, no worries about labor because my helper and his brothers will do it. Soon I will post the finished work,
This is in my brother's room the walls are ruined by the leaking roof and the ceilings are ruined.
They are kind of fast this is what they finished in 1 day, 2 were assigned in ther, 2 for the bathroom and 2 outside to finish. SO I have 6 carpenters and workers to give snacks to. I spend 150-200 in the morning and afternoon. It is just a small expense to make sure they are working properly and fast.
Next month From Feb 4-11 we have our Salakayan Festival where there are tribe contests and parades of schools, and drum and bugle competition. I was told that they will have the whole front of the house done and painted so they can remove the bamboo scaffolding. I will also make sure the gates are also done so that when there are parades my house won't look ugly. My area is always on the map as to where the parade will pass by.
Hope these will be removed by the end of this week maybe by Friday or Saturday. So at least my house will have a great view. The cleaning around in front and repaint the grills and posts.
This is my gate, they have already scrubbed and cleaned the grills and post. They have actually started painting the grill. Halfway down for first coating. @ do the painting, one on the outside and one on the inside so they will go fast. They can probably finish in 2-3 days including the posts.
We will sweep and remove some weeds but nit those long grass like plant. That is tanglad or lemongrass. Good for cooking and baking, a lot of people ask for some. Before it was drying up but they cultivated around it and watered it. Then they replanted more.
PICTURES ARE ALL MINE
