Racaza, Honey Rodiann A.

BSEE 2-C WEEK 6

The Peninsula Manila by Ben Cabrera

The painting shows a young boy carrying two jars which symbolizes how young lads in
the past have to live in burden carrying such hardships in their shoulders at such young
age. On the contrary, the white clothing in the boy’s head represents innocence and
maybe a pint of hope. Overall the painting symbolizes hope even in times of struggle,
and how we should not give up.
Sabel In Blue by Ben Cabrera
The woman in the painting is named Sabel, whose face, as seen in the painting is
divided into two parts. The left part of her face shows somewhat like a bruised eye
which represents pain and struggles while the right part of her face shows a radiant and
glowing woman who looks like she is living happily. I think, it shows how a woman or
how people pretend to live happily, masking their true struggles which for me shows the
strength of people.
The Burning of Manila by Fernando Amorsolo
The painting uses the colors black and white to illustrate the smoke and the wiped out
infrastructures. This artwork depicts the idea how the Manila is devastated during that
time. This painting shows the Battle of Manila happened during the Japanese era, he
depicted the tragedy and horror in this battle.
Dalagang Bukid by Fernando Amorsolo
The oil canvas presents a ‘dalagang bukid’ that represents the beauty of a Filipina
woman. The banga or clay jar that the young lady carries, a vessel for carrying water, is
seen as a symbol of fragility and innocence. The vibrant colors used in the canvas
radiated positivity and beauty that complements with nature.
The Parisian Life by Juan Luna
It is called The Parisian Life but is also known as Interior d’un Cafi (meaning “inside a
cafe”). He used oil on canvas to create this painting. The men in the background are
actually three well known Filipinos: Juan Luna himself, Jose Rizal, a very famous author
and hero, and Ariston Bautista Lin, the first owner of the painting. The woman is said to
resemble the archipelago of the Philippines. The darkness on the woman’s neck and
the line going from her head to the top of the picture. Her awkward posture looks like
she’s being hanged. This apparently shows that the Philippines was going through a
time of struggle being oppressed by the Spanish at that time.
The Spolarium by Juan Luna
The Spolarium by Juan Luna depicts the bloody carnage done to the Indios by the
Spaniards. The center of Luna’s painting are fallen gladiators being dragged by the
Romans. On the left of the painting, spectators are waiting for their chance to challenge
the combatants of their metal helmets and other armory. It represents bravery, life and
death itself, as well as cruelty. In contrast with the charged emotions featured on the
left, the right side meanwhile presents a somber mood of an old man carrying a torch
perhaps searching for his son while a woman weeps the death of her loved one. It
symbolizes grief. The painting as a whole gives off a heavy feeling of the dark past.
With the color black dominating it, presented the painting in a mix of negative emotions.
Juan Luna used the medium of oil paint to retell the story of how our ancestors were
badly mistreated by the Spaniards.