Local Materials to

contemporary
Puni or Palm
Folding(Bulacan)
PUNI
Bulakenyo's way of decorating using
leaf fronds folding
The Art of Leaf Fronds Folding in
Bulacan Province Philippines
 PUNI
a tagalong term from the province of Bulacan
which means to beautify or decorate with the
use of coconut leaf. Coconut leaves are
fashioned by folding, plaiting, braiding and
simple weaving, which may have functional as
well as aesthetic uses.
 PUNI
Puni designs can be categorized
according to their uses. The most
common designs are in the form of
toys such as birds, fish, grasshopper,
etc.
 PUNI
They are also used as food containers for
suman, rice and various kakanin, the most
commonly known is the “puso” and
paraphernalia for religious rituals especially
during Palm Sunday when these design are
used to accentuate the “palaspas”.
 PUNI
But today they serve as modern artistic
expressions and arrangement. The art is being
revived through practical ways by preserving,
developing and transforming these puni
designs into decorative pieces used as decors,
accessories and accents for various
arrangement or crafts.
 PUNI
 But the Bulakenyos pioneered the revival of this
ephemeral art, at least in our country.
 The present collection and compilation of puni
designs is a result of continuous research, mostly
skills sharing and exchange, along with
contributions of various individuals dedicated to
revive this vanishing art.
 Weave an Easy Fish

1. Cut two strips of paper or

get two strips of ribbon. In this
sample, the strip was ½" wide
and 11" long. Fold the strips in
half.
 Weave an Easy Fish

2. Interlace the two strips of

paper so they are like the letter
"L". Note that:
A is on top of X,
X is on top of B,
and B is on top of Y.
 Weave an Easy Fish

3. Fold X downwards
to form a loop.
Note that X is still in
between A and B.
 Weave an Easy Fish

4.Weave B across towards

the left. Note that B goes
over X and then under X
(the usual over-and-under
pattern).
 Weave an Easy Fish

5. Weave X upwards by
going over A and under B.
Note the checkerboard
pattern.
6.Tighten the weave by
pulling on A, B, X, and Y.
 Weave an Easy Fish

7. Turn over.
8.Weave B towards the left by
going over Y and under X.
Notice again that this is the
typical over-and-under pattern.
Note also the checkerboard
pattern.
 Weave an Easy Fish

9.Tighten the weave by

pulling on A, B, X, and Y.
10.Trim the tail and fins with
scissors and you're done! You
can string it up and use it as a
decoration or make it into a
mobile.
Singkaban or Bamboo Art
Singkaban

singkaban is a local
term for bamboo arches
elaborately designed
with kayas
Singkaban

Filipino word for decorated bamboo

arch, is used as a welcome signage
of a town, city or village in the
country. It is widely used as
decoration during town fiestas in
Bulacan.
 Singkaban

Singkabans are artfully-made entrance arches

used during fiestas and other important events
in Bulacan. Bamboo is primarily used in creating
a singkaban, and the art is most prevalent in
the old towns of Hagonoy and Malolos.
 Singkaban

Singkaban Festival is an annual provincial

event of Bulacan where Bulakenyo culture
and arts are featured in a week-long
celebration.
Saniculas cookie
mold carvings
(Pampanga)
 Saniculas cookies

Saniculas cookies are arrowroot cookies that

have the image of St. Nicholas molded on it
ergo the name Saniculas. St. Nicholas is also
known as “the healer” and is the go to saint for
those who need “healing” from illnesses.
 Saniculas cookies

The moulds are an exceptional piece of folk art

and a rarity, if I do say so myself. Saniculas
cookie makers would commission the carvers of
these moulds with one of a kind designs. They
would also have the initials of the owner
monogrammed on the moulds
Pabalat or
Pastillas wrapper
cutting art
(Bulacan)
 Pabalat or Pastillas wrapper cutting
art (Bulacan)
 The word pabalat has two levels of meaning. On a literal
note, it pertains to the pabalat as a product (paper cut-
outs). On a metaphorical level, it connotes the state of the
art practice .The art is not only a cultural product or an
artistic expression but also cuts through some cultural,
social, even political discourses and issues.
 Pabalat or Pastillas wrapper cutting
art (Bulacan)
 Pabalat is also a folk art or in Filipino
term, siningbayan. It is a folk art because it
originated among the townsfolk reflecting their
traditional culture. The art practice has also been
passed from generation to generation and its
creative elements and aesthetic values mirror the
people’s everyday life.
 Pabalat or Pastillas wrapper cutting
art (Bulacan)
.Another important aspect of this folk tradition is
that the makers of these intricate paper patterns do
not see themselves as artists and do not consider
their works as arts. Taking a quote from Dr. Brenda
Fajardo in her book Ang Inukit na Kaalamang Bayan
ng Paete:
Taka (Laguna)
 Taka (Laguna)

 Taka-making
A takaan, a carved wooden sculpture, is used as
a mold in making taka. Brown craft paper is
used as a final layer for taka made for export.
This provides a thicker base and smoother finish
for the craft.
 Taka (Laguna)

Taka refers to paper mache made

using carved wooden sculpture used as
a mold. The craft originated in the town
of Paete, Laguna in the Philippines.
 Taka (Laguna)

-The art of “taka” or “taka-making” is not an

exclusive Pinoy art. Paper mache and
decoupaging have been around for centuries. In
the Philippines, the first recorded or mention of
a created taka was by a woman named Maria
Bague in the 1920’s.
 Taka (Laguna)

 Takawas pioneered by Paete local, Maria Piday.

During Christmas, Piday was in charge of the church's
decorations. The wooden angels and cherub was
heavy causing the carvings to fall. Piday devised the
lightweight taka paper mache as an alternative to the
wooden sculptures.
 Taka (Laguna)

 Subjects of Taka
 Common and traditional subjects of taka include the manok, kabayo,
kalabaw, dalaga (chicken, horse, carabao, maiden) which is made
primarily for local use. Due to exposure and migration of Paete
residents to Manila and abroad, European-influenced paper mache
toys began to be made for export to other countries, such
as Germany.
 Taka (Laguna)

 Takamaking became more popular during the

American colonization period when there was an
excess of newsprint. And because Pinoys hate
wasting anything, the people of Paete decided to
create more takas and even diversified into different
animals and not just the traditional red horse.
 Taka (Laguna)

. The Paeteños believe that the idea originated in

Mexico with a significant difference to what we have
in Paete. While the Mexican “pinata” is decorated
with cut-off colored paper, the Paete’s takas are
hand-painted and are sometimes small enough for
little girls to use as dolls
Pagbuburda (Taal,
Lumban, Laguna)
 Pagbuburda (Taal, Lumban, Laguna)

 The art of embroidery is happily alive and flourishing

in these towns. Although it’s mostly done by women
who are wives of the farmers and fishermen, it is not
uncommon to see fishermen and farmers who are
also carefully and delicately embroidering floral
designs during their “off-season”.
 Pagbuburda (Taal, Lumban, Laguna)

 In the highlights of Philippine history, Taal embroidery has always

made an exquisite presence. Former presidents Diosdado Macapagal
and Ferdinand Marcos were usually seen in Taal-embroidered
Barongs. A number of former First Lady Imelda Marcos’ fabulous
ternos were Taal-embroidered.
 Taal embroidery has also adorned garment accessories and home
décor items. Although the embroidery looks exquisite on jusi and
piña fabric, it’s also dainty on cotton, linen and ramie.
 Pagbuburda (Taal, Lumban, Laguna)

The embroiderer would have to slightly dampen

the textile and separate thread by thread, and
then stitch them together to achieve the dainty
netted look of calado embroidery. Truly mad
props to embroidery artisans of Lumban for this
feat.