For zero waste, pigs are essential. They will consume all your kitchen scraps and more: the entire gabi, camote, and banana plants, leftovers and surplus food from feasts, and everything else.
In Mountain Province, the design of the traditional pigpen (khungowan in Bontoc) has been perfected through time. It exemplifies the philosophy behind traditional knowledge. It is practical, simple, makes optimum use of resources, serves multiple functions, and gets a job done well.
Though I am no architect, I guess this design passes standards in planning the use of space, based on need and function. Stonewalls define the oval shape with an extension on one end. This extension is the private space for the family of pigs, where they sleep and reproduce. This space is kept private and cozy by a roof and wooden ceiling. The latter also serves as a sturdy floor for humans who visit this space for a certain daily ritual.
Next to the bedroom is the open dining and living area. On the wall are several protruding stepping-stones, for easy access of food servers. There is a feeding trough of carved wood or stone. The floor is made of stone, and is slightly sloped downwards, towards the pit at the other end. This pit serves the important function of collecting wastes. Once a year before planting season, this pit is emptied of its precious contents into baskets called gimata. The chosen one then positions a pair of baskets on either end of a pole, carries this on a shoulder then races to the ricefields with this offering of organic fertilizer.
Care for the pigs is a family affair and provides precious bonding moments and quality time together. Twice a day, the pigs' food has to be prepared and served. This makes a good and acceptable excuse for going home early.
This house design makes everybody happy: the pigs, the rice fields, the daily visitor, the family, and the community, which will occasionally partake of feasts of organic pork.
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