Learning Module in Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions

INTRODUCTION

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 LEARNING MODULE IN CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE
REGIONS

LESSON 1: Contemporary Art Techniques and Performance Practices

INTRODUCTION

Philippine Contemporary Arts from the Regions is intended to inspire everyone.

Below is the art works and activities in different art form. Share on the possible initiatives
and practices in doing, promoting, and preserving contemporary arts in a form of activity.
Collecting such outstanding art form may boost the artist and a great chance to put the
learnings into the world of arts. This module gives you the different art forms and a brief
overview of major themes of Philippine art history., from pre – conquest down to modern
and contemporary periods. The account put the practices are influenced by major
traditions which we can trace through our long of making and taking sense of art.

How to join the VSMART?

 Install VSMART application or visit the website:
school.vsmart.ph
 Log in your given username and password
 Go to your scheduled lesson

OBJECTIVES:

 researches on techniques and performance practices applied to contemporary arts

CAR11/12TPP-0c -e-10
 discusses local materials used in creating art CAR11/12TPP-0c -e-11
 critiques available materials and appropriate techniques CAR11/12TPP-0c -e-12
 explicates the use of materials and the application of techniques CAR11/12TPP-0c
-e-13

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MODULE 1: Local Materials to Contemporary Arts

Filipinos are proven to be one of the most

creative and colorful people in the world. These
exceptional qualities of the Filipinos are exhibited in
the types of arts that are produced in different regions.
People can come up with special artworks making use
of the most available local materials found in their
particular localities each region has sits unique
specialties or products to take pride of like, for
example, the “PAHIYAS” IN Lucban, Quezon; the
famous, the colorful, most decorative lanterns of San
Fernando, Pampanga, and the noted wood carvings in
Paete, Laguna. They are just some evidences that
Filipinos are talented, skillful and creative.

Local Materials to Contemporary Arts

Philippine is very rich in natural resources. With our artistic inclinations, we can maximize
the use of these natural resources even in creating arts. The environment abounds in giving us the
necessities that we need not only for a day to day consumption but also for works to keep us
financially stable and to give us inspirations. Arts express the artistic feelings toward any aspect of
life. The local materials that are available in the locality help us hone and enhance our skills and
talents in producing works of arts that can give us pride and popularity.

Contemporary artists found used bottles, hay, rice stalks, plastic straw, and other recyclable
materials useful in creating artworks. They create artworks from wood, wire, thread, rattan, metal
and even leaves. The real artist sees beauty even from the peelings of garlic and corn. They can
combine red, yellow, green and different other colors.

Some regions or provinces become noted for their unique artworks like the “PAHIYAS” in
Lucban, Quezon; The decorative and multi-colored lanterns of San Fernando, Pampanga and the
wood carving in Paete Laguna. The artists in these places make use of the most available local
materials found in their localities.

There are art forms which seem to be dying because the younger generations do not seem to
have an interest in learning about them. These are the following folk’s arts.

Sanikulas cookie mold cravings (Pampanga)

These Sanikulas Cookies are arrowroot cookies that
have the image of St. Nicholas molded on its ergo the name
Sanikulas St. Nicholas is also known as “The Healer” from
illnesses. Legend says that if you consume these cookies
when you are ill, you get healed and recover in a shorter
amount of time that it would usually take.

The molds are an exceptional piece of folk’s art and a rarity. Sanikulas cookie maker would
commission the carvers of these molds with one of a kind design. They would also have the initials
of the owner monogrammed on the molds. This is why it’s so rare and considered a family heirloom.
The molds are made of hardwood and are of different shapes and sizes. They would have been a
carved piece and a wooden presser.

Pabalot or Pastillas wrapper cutting art (Bulacan)

The wrapper was made out of the delicate Japanese paper.
The way to make it is so delicate that only the ones with
skilled hands and perfect control of their motor skills can
produce the best kind.

Taka (Laguna)
The art of “Taka” or “Taka-making” is not an
exclusive Filipino art. Paper Mache has been around the
centuries. In the Philippines, the first recorded or mention
of a created “Taka” was by a woman named Maria Bangue
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in the 1920’s. She has wooden molds that were covered with strips of paper clipped in the sticky
paste. She would later paint them carefully and present as children’s toys. Due to fire, none of the
original takas were saved.

Taka making became more popular during the American colonization period when there was
an excess of news print. And because Filipino hates wasting anything, the people of Paete decided
to create more Takas and even diversified into different animals, not just the traditional horse.

Pagbuburda (Taal, Lumban, Laguna)

The art of embroidering is happily alive and flourishi
ng in the towns. Although it’s mostly done by the women
who are wives of the farmers and fisherman, it is not
uncommon to see fisherman and farmers who are also
carefully and delicately embroidering floral designs during
their “Off-Season.”

Singkaban or Bamboo art

A fairly type of Philippine folk art, Singkaban is the
art of shaving bamboo into artful creations that can be
used as décor for arches or the home. Skilled craftsmen
patiently shave off the bamboo, layer by layer, to create
curls and delicate twirls of their bamboo.

Singkaban is usually a celebrating art. Singkaban

craftsmen create these gregariously designed bamboo
designed bamboo arches for fiestas, weddings, and other
celebrations that involve the entire community. Perhaps it
is a sense of BAYANIHAN that inspire their art form
ensuring that art is appreciated and is accessible to
everyone in the community.

Puni or Palm leaf folding (Bulacan)

 Puni or Palm folding was intended to create artful
toys for kids. However, puni can also be used to create
woven baskets, bags, and even fans. The most common
presentation of Puni art is the "PALASPAS" we see every
holy week. Because of the abundance of coconut leaves, the
Filipino have ingeniously created toys and other items
through Puni. Although fresh coconut leaves are most
commonly used, the leaves dry and crumble within the few
days. It is more common to use leaves that are dried
treated and dyed for strength and color.

ACTIVITY 1 IDENTIFICATION
Directions: Identify what is being asked. Write your answer before each number.

_________________1. The wrapper was made out of the delicate Japanese paper.
_________________2. She was the first mentioned woman for the creation of “TAKA”.
_________________3. It is an art of embroidering by the Filipinos.
_________________4. The most common presentation of Puni art we see every holy week.
_________________5. It is a pride of Lucban Quezon.
_________________6. It is the art of shaving bamboo into artful creations.
_________________7. Are arrowroot cookies that have the image of St. Nicholas.
_________________8. He is also known as “The Healer” from illnesses.
_________________9. It was intended to create artful toys for kids.
_________________10. It is also called “Singkaban”.

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LESSON 2: Traditional techniques to contemporary art creations
INTRODUCTION

Philippine Contemporary Arts from the Regions is intended to inspire everyone.

Below is the art works and activities in different art form. Share on the possible initiatives
and practices in doing, promoting, and preserving contemporary arts in a form of activity.
Collecting such outstanding art form may boost the artist and a great chance to put the
learnings into the world of arts. This module gives you the different art forms and a brief
overview of major themes of Philippine art history., from pre – conquest down to modern
and contemporary periods. The account put the practices are influenced by major
traditions which we can trace through our long of making and taking sense of art.

How to join the VSMART?

 Install VSMART application or visit the website:
school.vsmart.ph
 Log in your given username and password
 Go to your scheduled lesson

OBJECTIVES:

 conceptualizes contemporary art based on techniques and performance practices in

their locality. CAR11/12AP-0f -h-14

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MODULE 1: TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES TO CONTEMPORARY ART CREATIONS

Painting
Early Filipinos painting can be in red chip (clay mixed with water) designs
embellished on the ritual pottery of the Philippines such as the acclaimed “Manunggul Jar”
which is an example of a burial jar. Philippine pottery has been a long tradition and of this
pottery-making has been found in sanga-sanga, Sulu and Laurente Cave in Cagayan.

Pottery began the making of earthenware articles for domestic use as a cooking vessel
and storage container. The early pots were made by hand-molding or the use of paddle and
vessel in building the walls of pots. The pot could be embellished by either carving the
paddle or wrapping it with cord and slapping it against the side to leave marks. Incised
designs also appeared in the pots in Masbate.

Among the finest of early Philippine pottery designs are footed dishes that were
decorated with geometric cut-outs, molding, cording or finger impressions, most of these
were made in Batangas. At this time, chip (a mixture of clay and water) rather than glazes
is still used by Filipino Potters to seal the pottery, and the pottery is often-fried. (Fried in a
bonfire rather than in oven).

Pottery traditions continued to develop in certain locals, such as Burnay Unglazed

Clay pottery of Vigan. The pottery traditions of Burnay is among the pottery traditions that
have been maintained, along with those of Leyte and Bohol. Further evidence of painting is
manifested in the tattoo tradition of early Filipinos who are now referred to as he Pintados
or the “Painted People” of Visayas. Various designs referring flora and facing with heavenly
bodies decorate their bodies various colored pigmentation.

Some of the most elaborate painting done by early Filipinos that survive to the
present are manifested among the arts and architecture of the Maranao, who are well-
known for the “Naga Dragons” and the “Sarimanok Craved” and painted in the beautiful
Panolong of their Torongans or King’s house. Among the early modernist painters such as
Damian Domingo, Juan Luna, Felix Hildalgo and others. A certain Elito Circa stood out; he
is popularly known as “Amang Pintor”, who gained recognition by using his hair to make
his paint brushes and reigns his painting with his blood on the right-side corner.

Indigenous art
The Itneg people are known for their intricate woven fabrics. The “Binakol”, which
features designs that incorporate optical illusions woven fabrics of the “Gadang”, people
usually bright red tones. Their weaving can also be identified by beaded ornamentation.
Other people such as the Ilongot make jewelry from pearl, red horn-bill beak, plants and
metals. Some indigenous materials are also used as a medium in different kinds of
artworks especially in a painting by Elito Circa, a folk artist of Pantabangan and a pioneer
for using indigenous materials, natural raw materials including human blood. Many
Filipino painters were influenced by this and started using these materials such as an
extract from onion, tomato, tuba, coffee, molasses and other materials available anywhere.
The lumad people of the Mindanao such as B’Lan, Mandaga, Mansaka, and T’boli are
skilled in the art of dying abaca fiber. Abaca is a plant closely related to bananas and its
leaves are used to make fiber known as “Manila Hemp”. The fiber is dyed by a method
called “Ikat.” “Ikat” fibers are woven into cloth with geometric patterns depicting human,
animal and plant leaves.

Sarimanok
Sarimanok is the most well-known design. The figure
represents a fowl with wings, feathered tail and a head
decorated with ornaments of scrolled and painted motif of
leaves, spirals, and feather-like forms. Is usually stands on a
fish, and another one hangs from its beak. The wooden figure
usually perched atop a bamboo pole, stands among decorative
flags during weddings and other festive occasions.
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Another one is Hagabi, a wooden chair of Ifugao, which
symbolizes his status as a citizen in their community. It
depicts the wealth and power of the own in who is called
“Kadanagyan”, or a person who belongs to the higher
status in their society. Only the rich can afford to own it
together with a ritual after the completion of their chair.
This chair is made of Narra or Ipil-Ipil and the original
design is called “Ginulding-Gulding” meaning like a goat-
like head. At present Hagabi may have different shapes
on one end which is called “Ngiwi”, is like the head of an
animal with an elongated nose and two big ears.

Islamic art
Islamic art in the Philippines have two main artistic styles.
One is a curved-line woodcarving and metalworking called okir,
similar to the Middle Eastern Islamic art. This style is associated
with men. The other style is geometric tapestries, and is associated
with women. The Tausug and Sama–Bajau exhibit their okir on
elaborate markings with boat-like imagery. The Maranaoans make
similar carvings on housings called torogan. Weapons made by
Muslim Filipinos such as the kampilan are skillfully carved.

Kut-kut art
This is a technique combining Oriental and
European art process. Very few known art pieces exist
today. The techniques were practiced by the indigenous
people of Samar. Kut-kut is an exotic Philippine art form
based on early century techniques “Sgraffito”, encaustic
and layering. The merging of this ancient styles produces
a unique artwork characterized by delicate swirling
interweaved lines, multi-layered texture and an illusion of
three-dimensional space.

PERFORMING ARTS

Music
The early music of the Philippines featured a
mixture of indigenous Islamic and a variety of Asian
sounds. Spanish settlers and Filipinos played a variety of
musical instruments, including flutes, guitar, ukulele,
violin, trumps, and drums. They performed songs and
dances to celebrate festive occasions. By the 21 st century,
many of the folk songs and dances have remained intact
all throughout the Philippines. Modern day Philippines
music featured several styles. Most music genres are
contemporary such as Filipino rock, Filipino hip-hop, and
another musical style. Some are traditional such as
Filipino folk music.

Dance
Philippine folk dances include the “Tinikling” and
“Carinosa”. In the southern region of Mindanao, singkil
is a popular dance showcasing the story of a prince and
a princess in the forest. Bamboo exploits every position
of these clashing poles.

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ARCHITECTURE
The Spaniards introduced stones as housing and
building materials. The introduction of Christianity
brought European Churches and architecture which
subsequently became the center of most towns and cities.
Spanish architecture can be found in Intramuros Manila,
Vigan, Lipa Batangas, Ilo-Ilo, Jaro, Zamboanga City,
Bacolod and other parts in the Philippines.

In the past, the nipa hut (Bahay-Kubo) was the most

common form of housing among the native Filipinos. It is
characterized by the use of simple materials such as
Bamboo and coconut as the main source of wood. Cogon grass, and nipa palm leaves and
coconut fronds are used as roof thatching. Most primitive homes are built on stilts due to
frequent flooding during the rainy season. Regional variations include the use of thicker
and dense roof thatching in mountain areas. On longer stilts on coastal areas particularly if
the structure is built over water. The architecture of other indigenous people may be
characterized by an angular wooden roof, bamboo is placed leafy thatching and ornate
wooden carvings. Contemporary architecture has a distinctively western style although Pre-
Hispanic housing is still common in rural areas. American style suburban gated
communities are popular in the cities, including Manila and the surrounding provinces.
Islamic and often Asian architecture are depicted on buildings such as Mosque and
Temples.

ACTIVITY: IDENTIFICATION
Directions: Identify what is being asked. Write your answer before each number.

_________________1. The wooden figure usually perched atop a bamboo pole, stands among
decorative flags during weddings and other festive occasions.
_________________2. An example of burial jar.
_________________3. It is a plant closely related to bananas and its leaves are used to make
fiber known as “Manila Hemp”.
_________________4. A wooden chair of Ifugao, which symbolizes his status as a citizen in
their community.
_________________5. It is a popular dance showcasing the story of a prince and a princess in
the forest in Southern Mindanao.
_________________6. He is popularly known as “Amang Pintor”, who gained recognition by
using his hair to make his paint brushes and reigns his painting with
his blood on the right-side corner.
_________________7. Weapons that skillfully made by Muslim Filipinos.
_________________8. A carving of housing by Maranaoans.
_________________9. A person who belongs to the higher status in their society in Ifugao.
_________________10. It means a goat-like head.