Kapampángan Architecture Feature: BALE BATU (“Stone House”)
Arayat, Pampanga
The Bale Batu is a stone structure at the foot of Mt. Arayat built by Kapampángan artist Jesus Padilla, also known as Apung Susing.
Apung Susing passed away in 2007 in the basement of the structure. It is said that he still dwells in the house.
According to Apung Sitang, Apung Susing’s wife, photos taken in the house will turn out blank unless one asks for permission from Apung Susing by uttering, “Apung Susing, may we take a photo?