VOLADA - an outward projection of a bahay na bato; an elaborate system of windows that consists of: transom, sliding capis window, and ventanilla

To experts in the history of the Philippine architecture, the term volada refers to a gallery that encloses the front and sides of the upper floor of a typical bahay na bato. A prominent and important section of any residential structure in the Spanish Philippines, it protects the rooms and the residents of the house from the extreme weather and harsh outdoor temperature. Along the volada is a complex system of windows which, when opened, allows the heat of the sun to penetrate and provide warmth to the property’s interior, as well as the cool breeze to even out the rooms’ temperature and give off a more relaxing and comfortable indoor ambiance. Stepping into the volada, the veranda of yesteryears, one is able to clearly see what awaits outside – the street, some passersby, or perhaps, the plaza. Looking at it from a distance, it is a façade that emanates the nobility and grandeur of the residence.

To us at Volada Magazine & Publication Incorporated, volada has served more than its original purpose. To us, it is the window of the country’s heritage – our direct link to the stories and the people of the past. Still a noticeable feature of many carefully preserved ancestral houses scattered across the metro and the country, volada has borne witness to many events – some we deem worthy of a spot in the annals of the history and some we regard as too normal to even remember. From many harana, prosisyon, and pistang bayan to himagsikan, rebelyon, and the passing of an era to another, volada has seen it all. In addition, it also rewards us with a glimpse of the fascinating yet pretentious lifestyle of the illustrados and all the upper class people that had once taken residency within the walls of what we now consider as the remnants of yesterday’s affectations. Volada lets us take a peek into the secret lives the people had tried to conceal from the public’s eyes and ears. Beneath this enclosed wraparound balcony lies untold tales of passion and desire, longing and sorrow, aspirations and enlightenment, and triumph and defeat.

Recognizing the underestimated role volada plays, our company has made the decision to adopt its name with the aim of serving the community the way volada has served our nation’s history. We strive to become the capis window that will forever be open to the wandering minds and curious eyes of the people, inviting them to indulge in the various interesting accounts history can offer. By doing so, we hope to become a respectable organization that will function as the catalyst for public awareness and movement of the preservation of the nation’s heritage.

We invite you to come and join us as we advocate the conservation of the country’s many unrecognized heritage sites. Help us in our mission of bringing the past’s legacy closer to the community and keeping our culture and tradition alive and vibrant. Get in touch with us at Volada Magazine & Publication Incorporated.