Why has the Facebook profile of a young man from Tambul in Western Highlands province gained so much attention in just over two days?
Ivan Koitaga Mano updated his profile picture on Sunday, February 19 and this has been shared over 35 times on individual accounts and groups reaching millions more on this social media platform.
In the picture, an ‘”ordinary” Ivan is seen dressed casually but standing in front of a very modern house of Asian design.
It’s the caption though that catches the attention, sending the picture viral: Best and unique house in PNG first of this and is still under construction- Tambul.
When contacted by Loop PNG, Ivan confirmed that the picture was taken in his local electorate of Tambul-Nebilyer.
“This house design is unique in the country and the first of its kind here so I took a picture with the permission of the owner and uploaded. I just wanted to show it off to the public,” he said.
And yes, it has received much attention, proven by the more than 30 friend requests he has received over the few days.
Loop PNG again contacted the contractor and part owner of the double-storey residential home – Nixon Poia, also a local.
Poia has no architecture or building skills but was inspired by his time (10 years) spent in Indonesia.
Using brick from his company - PNG Earth Bricks Limited, Poia began construction in 2014.
The nearly complete house (costing K300 000) now stands as a testament of low cost quality homes in PNG.
“We have so much resources here which we can use to make things easier and cheaper for us, yet we continue to buy materials imported from overseas,” he said.
Against the green natural backdrop of Tambul it stands out, the natural red colour of the brick obvious from the perfectly cooked mix of cement and Tambul soil.
(Picture sourced: Ivan Koitaga Mano)