Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Contemporary Arts 17
Contemporary Arts 17
Contemporary Arts 17
Welcome to the twelfth module of the course on Philippine Contemporary Art from the Regions.
For this chapter, we will learn about some of the significant artists from the regions.
The artists that will be discussed in this chapter are those given the award of National Artist of
the Philippines and the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or the National Living Treasures Award.
It is important to learn about them because they gave a significant contribution to the Philippine
art scene, in their respective fields.
Visual Arts
Abdulmari Asia Imao (National Artist for Visual Arts, 2006)
Abdulmari Asia Imao, a native of Sulu, was a sculptor, painter, photographer,
ceramist, documentary filmmaker, cultural researcher, writer, and articulator
of Philippine Muslim art and culture.
Through his works, the indigenous ukkil, sarimanok and naga motifs have
been popularized and instilled in the consciousness of the Filipino nation and
other peoples as original Filipino creations.
His U.P. art education introduced him to Filipino masters like Guillermo
Tolentino and Napoleon Abueva, who were among his mentors.
With his large-scale sculptures and monuments of Muslim and regional
heroes and leaders gracing selected sites from Batanes to Tawi-tawi, Imao has
helped develop among cultural groups trust and confidence necessary for the
building of a more just and humane society.
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-
the-philippines/abdulmari-asia-imao/)
(http://www.galeriejoaquin.com/artists/gallery/32)
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
adobe, metal, stainless steel, cement, marble, bronze, iron, alabaster, coral and
brass. Among the early innovations Abueva introduced in 1951 was what he
referred to as “buoyant sculpture” — sculpture meant to be appreciated from
the surface of a placid pool. In the 80’s, Abueva put up a one-man show at the
Philippine Center, New York. His works have been installed in different
museums here and abroad, such as “The Sculpture” at the United Nations
headquarters in New York City.
Some of his major works include Kaganapan (1953), Kiss of Judas (1955),
Thirty Pieces of Silver, The Transfiguration (1979), Eternal Garden Memorial
Park, UP Gateway (1967), Nine Muses (1994), UP Faculty Center,
Sunburst (1994)-Peninsula Manila Hotel, the bronze figure of Teodoro M.
Kalaw in front of National Library, and murals in marble at the National
Heroes Shrine, Mt. Samat, Bataan.
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-
the-philippines/napoleon-abueva/)
(http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/142937/abueva-father-of-philippine-modern-sculpture/)
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
NEGROS OCCIDENTAL. Leandro Locsin, Cultural NEGROS OCCIDENTAL. Leandro Locsin, Church of
Center of the Philippines. Monastery of the Transfiguration, Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
(http://historyofarchitecture.weebly.com/leandro-v-locsin.html)
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
(http://historyofarchitecture.weebly.com/jose-maria-zaragosa.html)
Cinema
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
Tubig” (1976).
He was recognized as the Director of the Decade of the 1970s by the Catholic
Mass Media Awards; four-time Best Director by the Urian Awards (1989,
1985, 1983, and 1977); and given the ASEAN Cultural Award in
Communication Arts in 1993.
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-
the-philippines/ishmael-bernal/)
Theater
Salvador Bernal (National Artist for Theater Design, 2003)
Salvador F. Bernal designed more than 300 productions distinguished for their
originality since 1969. Sensitive to the budget limitations of local productions,
he harnessed the design potential of inexpensive local materials, pioneering or
maximizing the use of bamboo, raw abaca, and abaca fiber, hemp twine, rattan
chain links and gauze cacha.
As the acknowledged guru of contemporary Filipino theater design, Bernal
shared his skills with younger designers through his classes at the University
of the Philippines and the Ateneo de Manila University, and through the
programs he created for the CCP Production Design Center which he himself
conceptualized and organized.
To promote and professionalize theater design, he organized the PATDAT
(Philippine Association of Theatre Designers and Technicians) in 1995 and by
way of Philippine Center of OISTAT (Organization Internationale des
Scenographes, Techniciens et Architectes du Theatre), he introduced
Philippine theater design to the world.
(https://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-
the-philippines/salvador-f-bernal/)
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
DAGUPAN. Salvador Bernal’s theater design for DAGUPAN. Salvador Bernal’s theater design
“Banaag at Sikat”. for “Peter Pan”.
(http://gibbscadiz.blogspot.com/2011/10/salvador- (https://judebfood.wordpress.com/2015/12/07/
bernal-1945-2011-poverty-of.html) magical-bernal-in-peter-pan/img_8549/)
DAGUPAN. Salvador Bernal’s theater design for “Ang Pagpapatay Kay Luna”.
(http://eatingthesun.blogspot.com/2014/07/exhibiting-badongs-stage-designs.html?m=0)
sarswelas Ang Mestisa, Ako, Ang Kiri, Ana Maria; the komedya Orosman at
Zafira; and Larawan, the musical.
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-
the-philippines/rolando-s-tinio/)
MANILA. Front cover of the playbill of MANILA. Front page of the playbill of
Teatro Pilipino’s 1977 production of Teatro Pilipino’s 1980 production of
Balagtas’ Orosman at Zafira, directed by Moliere’s Tartuffe, with Rolando Tinio in
Rolando Tinio. the title role.
(http://rolandotinio.tumblr.com/page/3)
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
Dance
Ramon Obusan (National Artist for Dance, 2006)
Ramon Obusan was a dancer, choreographer, stage designer and artistic
director. He achieved phenomenal success in Philippine dance and cultural
work. He was also acknowledged as a researcher, archivist and documentary
filmmaker who broadened and deepened the Filipino understanding of his
own cultural life and expressions. Through the Ramon Obusan Folkloric
Group (ROFG), he had effected cultural and diplomatic exchanges using the
multifarious aspects and dimensions of the art of dance.
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-
the-philippines/ramon-obusan/)
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
Music
Andrea Veneracion (National Artist for Music, 1999)
Andrea Veneracion is highly esteemed for her achievements as choirmaster
and choral arranger. Two of her indispensable contributions in culture and the
arts include the founding of the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the
spearheading of the development of Philippine choral music. A former faculty
member of the UP College of Music and honorary chair of the Philippine
Federation of Choral Music, she also organized a cultural outreach program to
provide music education and exposure in several provinces. Born in Manila on
July 11, 1928, she is recognized as an authority on choral music and
performance and has served as adjudicator in international music
competitions.
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-
the-philippines/andrea-o-veneracion/)
MANILA. Andrea Veneracion and the Philippine MANILA. “A Life Shaped By Music”, a book about
Madrigal Singers. Andrea Veneracion and the Philippine Madrigal
(http://alchetron.com/Andrea-Veneracion- Singers.
1002092-W) (http://artbooks.ph/products/a-life-shaped-by-music)
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
Masino and the basal and kulilal ensemble of Makagwa valley are creative,
traditional artists of the highest order of merit. (Prof. Felipe M. de Leon, Jr.)
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/gamaba/national-
living-treasures-masino-intaray/)
worthy of emulation and the highest honors. (Prof. Felipe M. de Leon, Jr.)
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/gamaba/national-
living-treasures-samaon-sulaiman/)
Lang Dulay (Textile Weaver, T’boli, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Awarded
1998)
Using abaca fibers as fine as hair, Lang Dulay speaks more eloquently than
words can. Images from the distant past of her people, the T’bolis, are recreated
by her nimble hands – the crocodiles, butterflies and flowers, along with
mountains and streams, of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, where she and her
ancestors were born – fill the fabric with their longing to be remembered.
Through her weaving, Lang Dulay does what she can to keep her people’s
tradition alive.
Lang Dulay knows a hundred designs, including the bulinglangit (clouds), the
bankiring (hair bangs), and the kabangi (butterfly), each one special for the
stories it tells. Using red and black dyes, she spins her stories with grace. Her
textiles reflect the wisdom and the visions of her people.
She was only 12 when she first learned how to weave. Through the years, she
has dreamed that, someday she could pass on her talent and skills to the young
in her community. Four of her grandchildren have themselves picked up the
shuttle and are learning to weave. (Maricris Jan Tobias)
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/gamaba/national-
living-treasures-lang-dulay/)
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
Salinta Monon (Textile Weaver, Tagabawa Bagobo, Bansalan, Davao del Sur,
Awarded 1998)
Practically, since she was born, Salinta Monon had watched her mother’s
nimble hands glide over the loom, weaving traditional Bagobo textiles. At 12
she presented herself to her mother, to be taught how to weave herself. Her
ardent desire to excel in the art of her ancestors enabled her to learn quickly.
She developed a keen eye for the traditional designs, and even at the age of 65,
she can identify the design as well as the author of a woven piece just by a
glance.
Salinta has built a solid reputation for the quality of her work and the
intricacies of her designs. There is a continuing demand for her fabrics. It takes
her three to four months to finish a fabric 3.5 m x 42 cm in length, or one abaca
tube skirt per month. (Maricris Jan Tobias)
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/gamaba/national-
living-treasures-salinta-monon/)
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
From the gabbang, a bamboo xylophone, his skills gradually allowed him to
progress to the agung, the kwintangan kayu, and later the other instruments. By
the age of twenty, he had mastered the most important of the Yakan musical
instruments, the kwintangan among them. (Salve de la Paz)
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/gamaba/national-
living-treasures-uwang-ahadas/)
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/gamaba/national-
living-treasures-darhata-sawabi/)
Haja Amina Appi (Mat Weaver, Sama, Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi, Awarded 2004)
Haja Amina Appi of Ungos Matata, Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi, is recognized as the
master mat weaver among the Sama indigenous community of Ungos Matata.
Her colorful mats with their complex geometric patterns exhibit her precise
sense of design, proportion and symmetry and sensitivity to color. Her unique
multi-colored mats are protected by a plain white outer mat that serves as the
mat’s backing. Her functional and artistic creations take up to three months to
make.
Haja Amina is respected throughout her community for her unique designs, the
straightness of her edging (tabig) and the fineness of her sasa and kima-kima.
Her hands are thick and callused from years of harvesting, stained by dye. But
her hands are still steady, and her eye for color still unerring. She feels pride in
the fact that people often borrow her mats to learn from her and copy her
designs. (Maricris Jan Tobias)
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/gamaba/national-
living-treasures-haja-amina-appi/)
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
Teofilo Garcia (Casque Maker, Ilocano, San Quintin, Abra, Awarded 2012)
Each time Teofilo Garcia leaves his farm in San Quintin, Abra, he makes it a
point to wear a tabungaw. People in the nearby towns of the province, in
neighboring Sta. Maria and Vigan in Ilocos Sur, and as far as Laoag in Ilocos
Norte sit up and take notice of his unique, functional and elegant headpiece that
shields him from the rain and the sun. A closer look would reveal that it is
made of the native gourd, hollowed out, polished, and varnished to a bright
orange sheen to improve its weather resistance. The inside is lined with finely
woven rattan matting, and the brim sports a subtle bamboo weave for accent.
Hundreds have sought him out at his home to order their own native all-
weather headgear. His clients have worn his work, sent them as gifts to their
relatives abroad, and showed them off as a masterpiece of Filipino
craftsmanship.
Since he learned the craft, he has not stopped innovating. Each handcrafted
tabungaw is the product of years of study and careful attention to the elements
that make up the entire piece. Previously, he used nito (vine trimmings) to
decorate the outside of the headgear and sourced it from Cagayan, but when his
relative who supplied him with the raw materials passed away, he decided to
experiment with more locally accessible materials. His training in weaving
baskets served him in good stead, and he was able to apply that skill when he
turned to bamboo as an alternative to nito.
He is also eager to explore new designs, and he has been innovating on his
traditional designs based on inspirations from his trips to the nearby provinces.
He has developed many patterns and built on the traditional patterns that he
learned when he was young. He is interested in developing new ways to show
contrast between the shades of matting, and how to keep the tabungaw
colorfast regardless of the weather. Years after he first learned how to make a
tabungaw, it still takes him a long time to perfect the casque because he is still
perfecting his art. (Maricris Jan Tobias)
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/gamaba/national-
living-treasures-teofilo-garcia/)
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SIGNIFICANT ARTISTS FROM THE REGIONS
Videos
“Pasinaya 2015 Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group” (10:45)
(http://alchetron.com/Ramon-Obusan-982084-W)
“LIKHA and Bayanihan Alumni - Parangal, A Tribute Act 2” (2:22)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5MHiFGnyfs)
“The 2012 GAMABA Awardees: Magdalena Gamayo and Teofilo Garcia” (4:44)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wrcF5CjjRo)
Readings
“National Artists of the Philippines” (60:00)
(http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-the-
philippines/)
“The Gentle Tausug and Noble Modernist” (10:00)
(http://www.artplus.ph/features/the-gentle-tausug-and-noble-modernist1)
“Abueva: Father of Philippine modern sculpture” (10:00)
(http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/142937/abueva-father-of-philippine-modern-sculpture/)
Glossary
thespian actor
casque helmet
References
“National Artists of the Philippines”. National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Web. Oct
2016. <http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/national-artists-of-the-
philippines/>
“Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan”, National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Web. Oct
2016. <http://ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/gamaba/>