The Philippine Art during American Colonization Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto (1892 – 1972).

The 1896 Philippine Revolution paved the way to the His paintings, bursting with yellow-orange and golden
country’s independence from Spain. However, it sunlight, captured the Philippine landscape in all its
became a short-lived liberty when the Americans glory. If dela Rosa’s work were of subdued, cool colors,
became the country’s new invaders. From one colonizer then Amorsolo’s landscapes are bathe in the glorious
to another – after more than three centuries of Spanish Philippine sunlight. He is the first and among the few
rule, the Americans came. They set out to conquer the Filipino painters who have captured the different
Filipinos through education and governance – the public striking colors and character of the country’s
school system and a system of government. magnificent sunlight.

Sedition Law – banned the writing, printing and He is the first and among the few Filipino painters who
publication of materials advocating Philippine have captured the different striking colors and
independence. character of the country’s magnificent sunlight. Besides
his landscapes, Amorsolo also idealized the rural life of
Drama Simbolico – one-act play representing a deep the working men and women. He depicted farmers and
and profound yearning of freedom. fisherfolks doing their work without much effort,
seemingly enjoying themselves in their arduous tasks.
 “Tanikalang Guinto” – Juan Abad
His depiction of the ever-smiling dalagang bukid is
 “Hindi Ako Patay” – Juan Matapang Cruz another trademark. Amorsolo was able to show the
ideal beauty of the Philippine landscape, the Philippine
 “Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas” – Aurelio Tolentino rural life and the Filipinas.

“A Modern Filipina” – the first Filipino play written in  Palay Maiden

English authored by Lino Castillejo and Jesus Araullo in  Dalagang Bukid
1915.  The Makin of Philippine Flag
 GINEBRA SAN MIGUEL
Vaudeville (Bodabil) – collection of slapstick, songs, Dabbled into advertising , book design and
dances, acrobatics, comedy skits, chorus girls, magic new forms brought by the Americans,
acts, and stand-up comics. Amorsolo made several book and magazine
cover designs. He also designed for
PAINTINGS
commercial products, the most famous of
Fabian dela Rosa (1869 – 1937) was the first painter of which is the “Markang Demonyo” for Ginebra
note for the 20th century. He was noted for his realistic San Miguel, a local alcoholic drink.
portraits, genre, and landscapes in subdued colors. He
The Americans established the University of the
was enrolled at the Escuela de Bellas Artes y Dibujo and
Philippines, the country’s State University, in 1908. The
took lessons from Lorenzo Guerrero. Dela Rosa is often
School of Fine Arts was established in 1909 with Fabian
considered the brightest name in Filipino painting and
dela Rosa as its first Dean. It would function as the
certainly the most important for the first quarter of the
local academy for art. Amorsolo, being a faculty
century.
member and subsequently as the Dean of the U.P.
 Women working in the rice field School of Fine Arts from 1952 to 1955.
 A remembrance of Villa Borghese
THE “AMORSOLO SCHOOL”
 Young Filipina
It was inevitable for students to emulate the works and
…but it would be his nephew, Fernando Amorsolo, who
style of Amorsolo. Hence, the “Amorsolo School”, was
captured the attention of the public and the buyers, and
born. Followers included Jorge Pineda, Ireneo
had a long artistic career. Spanning for more than half a
Miranda, Dominador Castaneda, and Pablo Amorsolo.
century, his influence is still evident in some of today’s
painters. He was named as the country’s first National JORGE PINEDA
Artist in 1972.
Series of indoor games painting capture the intimate,
leisurely spirit of domestic life of the period.
  Sungkaan  CONTRADICTION
 Las Buyeras ( Women prepapring Betel Nut Chew) Edades’ work, The Builders, caused quite a
controversy in 1928. Instead of the smiling farmers
IRENEO MIRANDA
and fisherfolks of Amorsolo, it depicted distorted,
Known as a watercolorist, illustrator and cartoonist, he naked working men covered in sweat and grime.
was at one time called the “Dean of Philippine With obvious disregard for linear perspective, the
Cartoonists.” painting will be known as the first ever Modernist
painting in the country.Contrary to Amorsolo’s
 Tausug Princess ever-smiling dalagang Pilipina.
 Portrait of a Lady
 The Fruit Vendors  MURALS EXECUTION
Dominador Castañeda In 1934, Edades recruited two young dropouts of
His paintings diverged from the characteristic style of the U.P. School of Fine Arts, Carlos “Botong” V.
the Amorsolo School and a different direction, Francisco and Galo B. Ocampo, to help him execute
especially in terms of color. Well known for landscapes a mural. Together, they formed the Triumvirate of
rendered in cool tones of white and blue. Modern Art in the country. They produced several
 The doomed family collaborative murals such as Interaction. In 1938,
 Death March Edades, Ocampo, and foreign-trained Diosdado
 Bahay Kubo on the River Bank Lorenzo established the Atelier of Modern Art in
Malate, Manila.
Pablo Cueto Amorsolo
CARLOS “BOTONG” FRANCISCO, (1913 – 1969),
(born Pablo Cueto, June 26, 1898 – February 21, 1945)
was a Filipino painter. He was the younger brother of Angono-based painter, depicted Philippine history in
the Philippine National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. his “History of Manila” mural at the Manila City Hall.
His trademark fluid lines and brilliant colors filled up
 El Ciego (The Blind Man)
the entire pictorial space of the mural, defying the
 Limpia Botas
rules of linear perspective set by the local academy.
 Fruit Vendor
Francisco is known for his depiction of important
HOWEVER…In the 1920’s, several young painters were
Philippine historical events such as the First Mass at
starting to question the Amorsolo school style that
Limasawa.And for his depiction of local activities such
became the standard for painting. Wanting to veer
as Fiesta and Bayanihan.
away from the aesthetic standards, they strove to
develop new idioms in expressing themselves. GALO B. OCAMPO (1913 – 1985)

In 1928,Victorio C. Edades (1895 – 1985), fresh from a Filipinized Western canonical iconography with his
trip to the United States opened a show at the Brown Madonna done in 1938. The painting has a
Philippine Columbian Club in Ermita, Manila. Edades distinctly Philippine landscape with a bahay kubo in the
would be influenced by the 1913 Armory Show, an background, an earth colored skin Madonna wearing a
exhibition of modern art at the United States. patadyong, with anahaw leaves as a halo, and a
brown- skinned child – a reinterpretation of the
 Included in Edades’ exhibition was Marcel
typical European- Western looking mother and child.
Duchamp’s Nude Descending the Staircase, which
created quite a stir in the U.S. The Ash Can School, a
modernist group in the U.S., who chose to depict
people covered with sweat and grime.
DIOSDADO LORENZO (1906 – 1984)  MacArthur Landing site in Palo Red Beach, Leyte
 Benigno Aquino Monument at the corner of Ayala
In 1935, he had an exhibition of works with “moderate
Avenue and Paseo de Roxas in Makati
distortions” at the Philippine Columbian Club. His
choice of subject matter was conservative –  Rizal Monument at JRU
landscapes, nipa huts, and women. But Lorenzo
discarded the idealized style of Amorsolo. NAPOLEON ABUEVA

 BRIDGEWAY TO MODERNISM goes against the standards, set by his teacher,

Guillermo Tolentino. Working with a variety of
Lorenzo, a graduate of the U.P. School of Fine Arts, materials and techniques, Abueva integrated the
continued to paint traditional subjects done in the
sculptural and functional qualities in his works. He
modernist style of strong, vigorous brushstrokes, using
bright oranges and greens. Surprisingly, some of his produced highly stylized, simplified, and eventually
works were sold. The public now was slowly starting to abstract works under the influence of Moore and
accept MODERNISM. Brancusi. His works sometimes contain elements of
eroticism, fun, wit, and playfulness.
SCULPTURE
 His Kaganapan shows a woman in the height of
If Amorsolo dominated Philippine painting for the first
her pregnancy. He did away with the traditional,
decades of the 20th century, in sculpture it was
idealized, voluptuous muse of classicism and
Guillermo Tolentino (1890-1976). In 1973, Tolentino
replaced it with the beauty of a woman bearing a
was named as a National Artist for Sculpture. Several
child
sculptors followed the standards set by Tolentino, such
 The Pegaraw-pegasus and tamaraw
as Anastacio Caedo and his son Florentino.
 Nine Muses
GUILLERMO TOLENTINO (1890-1976)
ARCHITECTURE
Trained in the classical style in Rome, Tolentino’s
The architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham was
masterpieces include the Oblation in the University of
commissioned by the American government to design
the Philippines and the Bonifacio Monument in
Manila and Baguio, while architect William Parsons
Caloocan.
implemented the Burnham Plan.
 His Oblation, the symbol of the country’s premiere
State University, reflects the classical ideals –
discipline, order, symmetry, and restraint. It stands JAPANESE PERIOD (1941-1945)
naked – resolute and proud, with arms wide open
MUSIC
to accept knowledge and change.
 His Bonifacio Monument is classical in execution Awit sa Paglikha ng Bagong Pilipinas – written by the
but romantic in content. Bonifacio, holding a bolo composer National Artist Felipe P. De Leon.
and a pistol, stands quietly, dignified, resolute, but
defiant. He is surrounded by dynamic figures of Sa Kabukiran – echoed by Sylvia La Torre and written in
oppression, struggle and revolution. Here, in Tagalog by the acclaimed composer Levi Celerio
Tolentino’s work, Andres Bonifacio remains strong (National Artist for Music and Literature, awarded
amidst the turbulent storm of the Revolution. 1997).

Anastacio Tanchauco Caedo (14 August 1907 – 12 May PAINTING

1990). His style of sculpture was classical realist in the
Fernando Amorsolo – Harvest Scene (1942), Rice
tradition of his mentor, Guillermo Tolentino.He
Planting (1942), Bombing of the Intendencia (1942),
produced numerous commissioned representational
Ruins of the Manila Cathedral (1945).
sculptures mainly monuments of national heroes and
successful Filipino politicians, businessmen, and Crispin Lopez – Study of an Aeta (1943).
educators. Caedo is also notable for having refused the
honor of being awarded as National Artist of the Diosdado Lorenzo – Atrocities in Paco
Philippines - in 1983, 1984, and 1986.
Dominador Castaneda – Doomed Family Because of strict censorship, few literary works were
printed during the war years.
Vicente Manansala – The Beggars (1952), Tuba Drinkers
(1954) The weekly Liwayway was placed under strict
surveillance until it was managed by a Japanese named
Cesar Legaspi – Gadgets II (1949), depicts half-naked Ishiwara
men almost engulfed in the presence of machines.
The only contact with the outside world was done with
HR Ocampo – The Contrast, Genesis utmost secrecy through the underground radio
program called “Voice of Freedom”.
Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) – were
established in 1948 under the leadership of artist Purita Tagalog was favored by the Japanese military authority
Kalaw-Ledesma. and writing in English was consigned to a limbo.
Philippine Art Gallery – was put up in 1951 through the Japanese were able to influence and encourage the
efforts of the artist-writer Lydia Arguilla. Filipino in developing the vernacular literature.
Angry Christ – mural of Christ by the Filipino-American The only Filipino writers who could write freely were
artist Alfonso Ossorio. those who were living in the United States.
Abstraction: Most writers and authors were lead to either go
underground or write in Tagalog.
Street Musicians – Arturo Luz
So, Filipino literature was given a break during this
Cargadores – Nena Saguil
period.
ARCHITECTURE
Filipino literature also experienced renewed attention
 Church of Holy Sacrifice because writers in English turned to writing in Filipino.

 Church of the Risen Lord Filipino Drama

 Chapel of St. Joseph the Worker The drama experienced a lull during the Japanese
period because movie houses showing American films
LITERATURE were closed.

Between 1941-1945, The big movie houses were just made to show stage
shows. Many of the plays were reproductions of English
Philippine Literature was interrupted in its plays to Tagalog.
development when we were again conquered by
another foreign country, Japan. The translators were Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Alberto
Concio, and Narciso Pimentel. They also founded the
Philippine literature in English came to a halt. organization of Filipino.
Except for the Tribune and the Philippine Review, A few of the playwriters were:
Pillars, Free Philippines, and Filipina, almost all
newspapers in English were stopped by the Japanese. 1. Jose Ma. Hernandez – wrote PANDAY PIRA
2. Francisco Soc Rodrigo – wrote sa PULA, SA PUTI
During this time, there was no freedom of speech and 3. Clodualdo del Mundo – wrote BULAGA (an
of the press. expression in the game Hide and Seek).
4. Julian Cruz Balmaceda – wrote SINO BA KAYO?,
Victoria Abelardo has described Filipino writing during
DAHIL SA ANAK, and HIGANTE NG PATAY.
the Japanese occupation as being pessimistic and
bitter.

There were some efforts at escapist literature, but in

general, the literary output was minor and insignificant.
FILIPINO POETRY Noteworthy writer of the period was

Three types of poems emerged during this period. Carlos P. Romulo who won the Pulitzer Prize for his
bestsellers I SAW THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES, I SEE
 HAIKU
- a poem of free verse that the Japanese liked. It is THE PHILIPPINES RISE and his MOTHER AMERICA AND
made up of seventeen (17) syllables divided into MY BROTHER AMERICANS.
three (3) lines. The first line has five, the second –
seven and the third – five. It is allegorical in Journalists include Salvador P. Lopez, Leon Ma.
meaning, short and covers a wide scope in Geurrero, Raul Manglapuz and Carlos Bulosan.
meaning.
 TANAGA Nick Joaquin produced THE WOMAN WHO LOOKED
- like the haiku, it is short, but has measure and LIKE LAZARUS. Fred Ruiz Castro wrote a few poems.
rhyme. Each line has seventeen syllables and is also
allegorical in meaning.
 KARANIWANG ANYO (Usual Form)
- the usual and common form of poetry

SHORT STORY

The field of the short story widened during the

Japanese Occupation.

Many wrote short stories.

Among them were:

Brigido Batungbakal Serafin Guinigindo

Narciso Ramos Alicia Lopez Lim

Macario Pineda Liwayway Arceo,

NVM Gonzales Ligaya Perez

Gloria Guzman

The best writings in 1945 were selected by a group of

judges composed of Francisco Icasiano, Jose Esperanza
Cruz, Antonio Rosales, Clodualdo del Mundo and
Teodoro Santos.

As a result of this selection,the following got the first

three prizes:

First Prize: Narciso Reyes with his LUPANG TINUBUAN

Second Prize: Liwayway Arceo’s UHAW ANG TIGANG

NA LUPA

Third Prize: NVM Gonzales’ LUNSOD NAYON AT

DAGAT-DAGATAN