LESSON 5: Significance of Arts from the Regions

 Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual
form such as sculpture and painting. It is also something that is made through imagination and
skill and expresses important ideas or feelings. Artworks can be appreciated primarily for their
aesthetic or emotional power.

 In different regions in the Philippines, visual art is everywhere, as long as there are available
resources, imagination and creativity. The Philippines has rich natural resources that produce
indigenous materials.

 These are materials that are naturally and locally found in a specific place such as timbers,
palms, rattan, clay and rattan. Since that the country is an archipelago, other indigenous raw
materials such as Capiz, pearls, corals and seashells are all available because the Philippines is
naturally abundant in beaches and marine resources.

 Performing arts in the Philippines is very evident even before colonizers came in our country.
There are many variations of dances and music, both ceremonial and traditional that is
performed for many different occasions.

Important Points:

1. Contemporary Art - contemporary art is the art of today and produced in the second half of the 20 th
century or in the 21st century.
2. Art Technique - It is the artist’s skill or ability to apply procedures or methods so as to effect a
desired result.
3. Performance Practice – performance practice applies to musical technique employed in musical
genres during specific musical eras.

The arts of the Philippines reflect a society with diverse cultural influences and traditions so it
should be given importance by knowing and appreciating its foundation, history and purpose.

Sculpture

Filipinos are very creative before Spanish came in the Philippines. It is very evident that ancient
Filipinos were good in arts.

When Spaniards arrived in the Philippines in 1521, the colonizers used painting and sculpture as
tools to propagate the Catholic faith through beautiful images. The ancient Filipinos had attained a high
artistic level of sculpture through pottery, jewellery and wood carving.

The Ancient Filipinos used stone, wood, gold and clay as materials in sculpture. Most subjects in this
era were all about idols, nature, status and way of life.

Pre – Spanish Period

1. Bul-uls- Bul-uls are carved statues or anitos figures of the Ifugaos. It is used in ceremonies
associated with rice production and with healing. The bul-uls has a simplified form, and it is
traditionally carved from narra or ipil woods or sometimes stone.
2. Hagabi- The Hagabi of the Ifugaos is a long wooden bench made of Narra or Ipil placed under
the eaves in the stone-paved yard that surrounds the house. It signifies an individual or
family’s wealth and prestige
3. It is a legendary bird of the Maranao people from Mindanao. Usually, sarimanok is made of
copper or wood. According to a folk belief of the Maranao people which was derived from
Islamic traditions, the sarimanok was said to be a giant rooster which prophet Muhammad
encountered in heaven.
4. Okir- Okir or okil is the term for geometric and flowing plant- based and folk motifs that can
be usually found among the Moro and Lumad people of the Southern Philippines.

Spanish Period

The Spanish colonization of the Philippines from 1565 to 1898 brought about profound changes in
the life and arts of the Filipinos. Although some indigenous arts form survived, new forms,
techniques and materials from Europe gradually became the dominant culture.

The carving of anito, images of the native religion, was replaced by the carving of Santos and images of
Christ. During this period, indigenous materials were still used in sculpture but ivory and marble were
introduced.

 The Higantes of Angono, Rizal- Higantes are giant paper maché images measuring four to five
feet in diameter and ten to twelve feet in height. It was borrowed to Kampong of Binangonan
that was once a hacienda and ruled by Spanish hacienderos.
 The Sculptures of Paete, Laguna - The name “Paete” is derived from the Tagalog word paet, which
means chisel. Paete woodcarving has been a thriving industry since the Spanish era until now.
Paetenians continue their centuries old tradition of carving.
 The Taka of Paete- Taka refers to paper maché made using carved wooden sculpture used as a
mold.
 Giant Lantern of Pampanga- The parol of star lantern is perhaps the paramount of Filipino
Christmas symbol. The Christmas lantern or Parul Sampernandun in Kapampangan can never be
distanced from the town created it, the City of San Fernando.
 Saniculas Cookie Mold Carvings of Pampanga- The cookie has intricate embroidered-like design
that was shaped in a hand carved wooden mold creates a beautiful unique Panecillos de San
Nicolas. This saint is known as “the healer” and is the go-to saint for those who need “healing”
from illnesses. The molds are an exceptional piece of folk art and a rarity.
 Singkaban or Bamboo Art- Singkaban is a Filipino word for decorated bamboo arch used as a
welcome signage of a town, city, or village in the country.
 Pabalat or Borlas de Pastillas of Bulacan- The pabalat or borlas de pastillas in bulacan are
wrapped with decorative wrappers. Through the years, the “pabalat” making in Bulacan has
transformed from a local, folk tradition into a popular art.
 The Puni or Palm Leaf of Bulacan Puni is a tagalog term from the province of Bulacan which
means to beautify or decorate with the use of coconut leaf.

Paintings

Pre-Spanish Period
The Ancient Filipinos had expressed paintings through cave carvings and tattoos.
 Petroglyphs - These are carved found in Angono, Rizal. It consists of 127 human and animal
figures engraved on the rock wall probably carved during the late new stone age.
 Tattoos- The Pintados (from Spanish word Pintado meaning painted) inhabitants o f t h e
V i s a y a n islands as described by the first Spaniards to set eyes upon them. The men are
known for their tattoo art, which covers most of their bodies.

Spanish Period
Religious Paintings- Artistic paintings were introduced to the Philippines in the 16th century when
Spanish came to the country. During this period, the Spanish used paintings as religious propaganda
to spread Christianity throughout the Philippines. As a result, religious paintings and the creation of
icons were strongly encouraged.

19th century – Present

Landscapes- In the early 19th century, rich, educated Filipinos introduced more secular Filipino art
causing art in the Philippines to deviate from religious motifs. The use of watercolour paintings
increased and the subject matter of paintings began to include landscapes.

Weaving

Pre- Spanish- Philippine weaving involves many threads being measured, cut, and mounted on a
wooden platform. The threads are dyed and weaved on a loom. Before Spanish colonization, native
Filipinos weaved using fibers from abaca, cotton, and bark cloth. Textiles, clothes, rugs, and hats were
weaved.

 Pinilian Blanket of Ilocos- A type of binakul weave that means “chosen” and uses a
complicated brocade weave where sticks are inserted on chosen warp threads. These create
designs that “float” on the threads, giving the weave a three- dimension quality.

 Ikat of Ifugao- A resist-dyeing technique that is applied to the cotton yarns prior to
weaving the fabric. The yarn is wrapped in bundles and dyed, then areas that are tied together
leave colorless patches along the strands. A mix of indigenous plants is used as natural dyes
and boiled until the desired color of black or grey is achieved.

 T’nalak of T’boli- T’nalak, is a weaving tradition people of South Cotobato. T’nalak cloths
a r e woven from abaca fibers. The traditional female weavers are known as dream weavers,
because the patterns o f t h e T ’ n a l a k c l o t h ar e inspired by their dreams.

 Tabih of the Blaan- Mabal is the Blaan term for abaca weaving process. Tabih is the term
for the finished hand woven cloth and it also refers to the traditional Blaan tubular skirt.
Natural dyes from endemic plant species in the community are the source of colors for
different designs of this indigenous textile

Pottery

Pre – Spanish

Native Filipinos created pottery since 3500 years ago. They used these ceramic jars to hold the deceased.
Other pottery that used to hold the remains of the deceased were decorated with anthropomorphic
designs. During the new Stone Age or Neolithic period of the country, pottery was made for water
vessels, plates, cups, and for many other uses.

 Manunggul Jar- This was used for burial, topped with two figures. It is a national treasure
of the Philippines. The jar was found in the chamber of the Tabon cave, the other jar found
in the caves of Palawan.
 Kalinga Pottery- The Kalinga pottery is divided into three types: 1. Ittoyom: used for rice
cooking.2.Oppaya: used in cooking vegetable and meat. 3. Immosso: used as water storage.
Present Period

As technology advances, crafts such as pottery would become one of the first endangered arts.
Philippine pottery has evolved from ritual and community wares to highly sophisticated and elegant
artistic pieces with a variety of shape, designs, and uses of glazes.

Architecture

Pre – Spanish Period

The basic form of architecture in the country before Spanish came was governed by the building’s
functional uses as shelter and by the materials available. Early Filipinos had no formal training in
the basic forms of design and yet were able to create something valid and functional. A style which
exists to this day.

Bahay Kubo or Nipa Hut- Nipa huts were the native houses of the indigenous people of the Philippines
before the Spaniards arrived. They were designed to endure the climate and environment of the
Philippines. These structures were temporary, made from plant materials like bamboo.

Spanish Period

Bahay na Bato- In this period, the nipa hut or bahay kubo gave way to the Bahay-na-bato (stone
house) and became the typical house of noble Filipinos. The most obvious difference between the
two houses would be the materials that were used to build them. It is a mixture of native Filipino,
Spanish and Chinese influences. Example of these houses is the illustrious Filipinos that can be
admired in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

American Period

With the arrival of the Americans in 1898, came a new breed of architectural structures in the
Philippines. Designed in the most respectable manner, these government houses resembled Greek or
Roman architecture.

Contemporary Architectural Design

Contemporary architecture is a form of construction that embodies the various styles of building
designs stemming from a wide range of influences. Contemporary architecture cuts away from the
modern architecture of the late twentieth century by including eco-friendly features and embracing all
kinds of creativity.

Music

Pre-Spanish

Filipinos are said to be musical people. In most cases, singing is accompanied by dancing. They use bamboo
canes, palm leaves and barks of trees to write their songs. Even their instruments were made of bamboo and
wood, which indicated their primitiveness. Religion and social life were the common functions of the ancient
music. Music in the pre-colonial times was used to connect people and bring them together.

 The kulintang music of the Maranaos, for example, is used in special ceremonies such as
weddings, feasts and enthroning rites.
 The gandingan is used to warn others of nearing danger, to relay messages of love and to
act as markers for when couples wish to elope.
 The kalaleng and the diwdiw-as, both wind instruments made of bamboo reed, of the
Tinguians were also used as instruments for courtship.
 The kutibeng and the kudyapi of the Ilocanos, both stringed instruments, are also used in
feasts and in spirit and nature worship. Other musical instruments were also used to
accompany burial chants, recount heroic feats, teach and reinforce floating or oral history,
and even cure illnesses.

Spanish

Spain ruled the Philippines for 333 years, and Hispanic influence in Filipino culture is ubiquitous.
This influence can be easily seen in folk and traditional music, especially in the Tagalog and Visayan
regions, where Spanish influence was greatest.

1. The Rondalla is a traditional string orchestra comprising of two-string, mandolin-type instruments

such as the banduria and laud; a guitar; a double bass; and often a drum for percussion.
The rondalla has its origins in the Iberian rondalla tradition, and is used to accompany several
Hispanic-influenced song forms and dances.
2. The Harana and Kundiman are popular lyrical songs dating back to the Spanish period, and
are customarily used in courtship rituals. The Harana is rooted in the Mexican- Spanish tradition
and based on the rhythmic patterns of the habanera.
3. The Sarswela is a tradition produced by a large body of music consisting of songs patterned
after opera arias of the day as well as short instrumental overtures and interludes

American to Present Period

American music has also been influential in the Philippines for artists and vice versa. Though
contributing to the evolution of American music, large number of Filipino Americans have a strong
identity with culture of the Philippines by participating or organizing traditional dances and musical
performances.
Dance

Pre- Spanish to Present- Philippines has many popular folk dances which have evolved and changed
as they have been passed down from generation to generation. Before the recorded history of the
Philippines, before Spanish conquistadors colonized and Christianized the early Filipino people, from
the earliest occupation of this archipelago, the people danced.

Filipino danced to appease the Gods, to curry favor from powerful spirits, to celebrate a hunt or
harvest, to mimic the exotic life forms around them.

1. Itik-itik from Surigao- It is a mimetic folk dance in the Philippines. It originated in the province
of Surigao in Mindanao. Itik-itik from the English word “duck”. The dance steps imitate the
movements of a duck.

2. Tinikling from Leyte and the Visayas Regions- It is a Philippine traditional dance. This
dance imitates the movement of the “tikling” bird as it walks around through tall grasses and
between tree branches.

3. Sayaw sa Bangko from Pangasinan- This dance originates from Pangasinan. The dancers
perform on top of a narrow bench that is normally six inches wide, inching and hopping from
one another. Performers need to balance as they go through a series of movements that include
some impressive acrobatics.

4. Binasuan from Pangasinan- The Binasuan is an entertaining dance that is usually performed at
festive social occasions. Danvers carefully balance three half-filled glasses of rice wine on their
heads and hands as they gracefully spin and roll on the ground.

5. Maglalatik from Biñan, Laguna- It is also known as “Magbabao”. It is a mock war dance that
depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highly prized food. The dancers are all male where they put
coconut shell halves are secured onto the dancers’ hands and on vest upon which are hung
four or six more coconut shell halves.

6. Pandanggo sa Ilaw from Mindoro- This dance is similar to a Spanish Fandango. The phrase “ilaw”
is a Tagalog word for “light” and it refers to the three oil lamps that the dancer has to balance-
one on the head and one on the back of each hand. This dance is typically performed by
fishermen to celebrate a good catch.

7. La Jota Moncadeña from Ilocos- This dance is adapted by the Filipinos from an old Spanish
dance. It is a combination of Spanish and Ilocano dance steps set to Spanish music and
castanets. According to Ramon Obusan, this dance was danced to accompany a bereaved family to
the burial of a loved one.

8. Kappa Malong- Malong from Mindanao- It is a Muslim–influenced danced. The malong is a

tubular garment, and the dance essentially shows the many ways it can be worn. There are men’s
and women’s versions of the dance since they wear malongs in different ways.

9. Pantomina from Bicol- It is a traditional dance in Bicol. It is a love dance with its movements
mimicking or patronizing the mating or love making of doves. It is also known as a courtship
dance and wedding dance. This dance is a significant dance in Kasanggayahan Festival held in
October.

10. Habanera Botolena from Zambales- This folk dance was originated from Cuba. It is also known
as Danza or Danza Habanera. It is a social dance in duple time and it is usually performed in a
ballroom or on a stage. It combines Filipino and Spanish steps, and is a popular dance at
weddings and include procession of the bride and groom’s parents. It is also considered a courting
dance in some situation.

11. Singkil from Maranao- This dance originated from Maranao. It is traditionally performed by
single women to attract the attention of potential suitors. Dancers perform a series of graceful
movements as they step in and out from between bamboo poles which are rhythmically clapped
together.

12. Cariñosa from Panay- This dance originated in Panay Island. It is a Philippine folk dance of
Hispanic origin. The word cariñosa means the affectionate one.