CONTEMPORARY ARTS OF THE
PHILIPPINES FROM THE REGION
* Classification of Art
TRADITIONAL – activities passed down
from one generation to the next within
families and communities; regarded by the
community as part of their heritage; not
digitally generated
MODERN – 1860s to 1970s; denotes styles
and philosophy; experimentation with
ideas; away from narrative towards
abstraction
CONTEMPORARY- art of today; reflect
contemporary society/issues; globally
influenced, culturally diverse,
technologically advance; challenge
traditional boundaries and defy easy
definition; lack of uniform, principle,
ideology (ism); larger contextual
framework
* Elements of Art
LINE - path that point takes through space;
can be thick, thin, dotted or solid; can
make straight movements, zigzags, waves
or curls; may be
horizontal, vertical, or diagonal
Horizontal - generally restful (horizon)
Vertical - reaching, inspirational (tall
majestic trees or church steeples)
Diagonal - disturbing, decay or
chaos
(lightening or falling trees)
Expressive - found in nature and organic Color Scheme
Constructive - measured, geometric,
precise, directional and angular
SHAPE (2-D) - line becomes connected and
encloses space; outline or outward
appearance
Geometric - measurable smooth even
edges
(square, circle, triangle, rectangle, etc.)
Organic - complicated edges found in
nature (leaves, flowers, amoeba, etc.)
FORM - shape that become 3-D; has
height, width and depth (shows thickness
of object)
VALUE - lightness/darkness of color;
makes objects appear more real for it
imitates natural light (light source)
Cross-Hatching - use irregular lengths of
parallel lines that cross over each other
diagonally; closer together lines is
darker value
Stippling - placing dots very close
together to create dark values, farther
apart to create lighter values
Soft Shading - use pencil to create soft
gradual movements from one value to
the next using full value range
COLOR - add interest and reality; light is
reflected through a prism (Red, Yellow,
Orange, Green, Indigo, Blue and Violet)
Primary: Red, Yellow, Blue
Secondary: Orange, Violet, Green
Intermediate / Tertiary: Yellow-Green
Analogous – 3-4 colors next to each
other
Complimentary - two colors directly
opposite
Split-Complimentary - complimentary
color and two colors on either side of its
compliment
Triadic - three colors equally spaced
apart
Monochromatic - use of only one hue
and its tints (color + white) and shades
(color + black) Color Temperature
Warm - advance or come forward (ROY)
Cool - recede or go back into (GBV)
TEXTURE - surface of an object feels Tactile
/ Real - way the surface of an object
actually feels (sandpaper, tree bark,
puppy fur)
Implied - way the surface of an object
looks like
it feels (may look rough, fuzzy, gritty,
etc.)
SPACE
Background - upper 1/3 of picture
plane
Middle ground - middle 1/3 of picture
plane
Foreground - lower 1/3 of picture plane
Shallow - show objects very close to
viewer
Deep Space - show objects far away
 Positive Space - objects within the
artwork
Negative Space - area in and around
objects
PERSPECTIVE - uses vanishing point on
the horizon then creates sense of deep
space by showing objects getting
progressively smaller as they get closer to
the vanishing point
* Principles of Art
UNITY - sense of cohesiveness; all parts
work together looks complete and orderly
VARIETY - adds visual interest by giving
different
things to focus on
BALANCE
Symmetrical - one side is identical to the
other side; create sense of calmness and
formality
Asymmetrical - two sides are balanced
but different; small objects near the center
may balance out large objects near the
middle
Radial Balance - parts spread out from
the center; graceful rhythm and sense of
turning
CONTRAST - creates interest; strong
contrast of light and dark draw viewer into
a particular place in an artwork
EMPHASIS - create center of interest;
single element of design; separates from
surroundings
PATTERN - individual units or motifs
repeated again and again; decorate
shapes or to add texture to the entire
surface
PROPORTION - relative size of a thing
compared to the size of something else
MOVEMENT - course that a viewer’s eye
takes as it moves across the surface;
spirals, curves, arrowlike shapes or
diagonal lines
RHYTHM - pattern of movement that
occur in organized repetition; to add
variety and visual excitement, artist
changes size, color or shape of
the repeated units or vary spacing between
them
* Elements of Music
RHYTHM - element of time
Duration - how long something lasts
Tempo - speed of the beat; slow to fast
(largo, adagio, andante, moderato, allegro,
presto)
Meter - beats organized into recurring
accent patterns (duple, triple, quadruple
meter)
DYNAMICS - relative loudness/quietness
of music; quiet to loud (pianissimo, piano,
mezzo-piano, mezzo-forte, forte,
fortessimo)
Crescendo - gradually getting louder
Decrescendo - gradually getting quieter
MELODY - linear/horizontal presentation
of pitch
HARMONY - verticalization of pitch; art of
combining pitches into chords
TIMBRE - different sound quality
TEXTURE - number of individual
musical lines/melodies and their
relationship
Monophonic - only one note sounding at
a time
Homophonic - music with two/more
notes sounding at the same time
Polyphonic - two/more independent
melodies sounding at the same time
FORM - combination of musical elements
Strophic (A) - same music is used for
several different verses
Through-composed (ABCDE) - there is
no repeat/return of any large scale
musical section
Binary (AB) - two-part form in which
both main sections are repeated
Ternary (ABA) - three-part form
featuring return of initial music after
contrasting section
* Elements of Dance
BODY - dance takes place in and through;
mobile figure felt by the dancer, seen by
others
ACTION - human movement included in
the act of dancing (steps, facial
movements); pauses and stillness; travels
space/one spot (locomotor, axial)
SPACE - stay in place or travel from one
place to another; alter direction. level, size,
and pathways
TIME - when; rhythmic alternate activity
and rest; simultaneous/sequential timing
ENERGY - how; force of action
(physical/psychic) that drives and
characterizes movement; use of tension
and weight; reveal emotional state;
nonverbal yet deeply communicative
* Elements of Literature
CHARACTER - person in a work of fiction
Protagonist - central to a story
Antagonist - in opposition to main
character
Types of Character
Individual - round, many sided and
complex personalities, unchanging
Dynamic, square, many sided that
change Static - stereotypes, have
two/more
characteristics that never change
THEME - moral, teaching, view about life
and how people behave; repeating
patterns and symbols
PLOT - causal sequence of event
(exposition, rising action, climax, falling
action, resolution)
POINT OF VIEW - angel of vision from
which a story are viewed
Objective - discloses what characters
think/feel' tells action and dialogue only
Third Person - narrator know how
characters feel; outside voice
First Person - narrator participate in the
story Omniscent / Limited Omniscent -
narrator knows everythingl/ limited
about the
chareacter
SETTING – location, time, weather, social
condition, mood, atmosphere of story's
actions
CONFLICT - creates plot (human versus
human, nature, society or himself)
* Elements of Theater
PLOT - what happens in the story; storyline
THEME - action of the play; main
idea/lesson
CHARACTERS - portrayed by actors
DIALOGUE - words spoken by the
characters
MUSIC - rhythm of the actor's voices
SPECTACLE - visual elements (costumes,
props)
CONVENTION - techniques/methods used
to create stylistic effect
GENRE - type of play (comedy, tragedy,
mystery)
AUDIENCE - group of people who watch
* Philippine Contemporary Music
KUNDIMAN - art song that signifies love
and affection for someone; highly
emotional and sentimental as it expresses
personal sorrow
HARANA - traditional courtship ritual
wherein suitor serenades his object of
affection
BALLAD - traditionally a song that narrates
an event in a community and been applied
to describe love songs
CHAMBER MUSIC - instrumental music
composed by a small ensemble wherein
each part is played by one player
CHORAL MUSIC - performed by a chhoir
LITURGICAL MUSIC - intended for
Christian church services
OPERA - combination of both music and
theatre
POP MUSIC - readily available to the broad
populace (RnB, Rock, Rap, Hip-Hop, etc.)
PROTEST SONGS - bring to light injustices
and inequality in society; inspire
nationalism and
heroism from their listeners
*Philippine Contemporary Arts
PAINTINGS/ ILLUSTRATIONS
Religious - Joey Velasco, Renato Habulan
Historical - Carlos “Botong” V. Francisco
Portraiture - Antipas Delotavo, Rafael
del Casal, Daryl de Leon Descallar
Still life - Ang Kiukok, Vicente Manansala
 Landscapes - Fernando Amorsolo,
Martino Abellana, Diosdado M. Lorenzo
Nude - Fernando Amorsolo, Benedicto
Cabrera Cesar Legaspi, Vicente
Manansala
GENRES - Mauro Malang Santos, Mario
Parial
SCULPTURES
Free Standing - raised independently in
space
Reliefs - raised from a background.
POTTERY - making pots/wares using
clay/mud
Studio Pottery – sculptural pieces (Ugu
Bigyan of Tiaong, Quezon)
CARVING – Bulul (Ifugao),
Okir (Muslim), Sarimanok (Mindanao),
Tagbanua (Palawan)
WEAVING – Binakol/Pinilian
(Ilocos), Ikat (Mindanao)
METALWORK - manipulating metal to
create various items such as jewelry,
weapons, etc.; Bagobo (Maranao)
COLLAGE - combining printed images with
other flat media and pasted on a canvas or
board Din Gadia - uses collages to highlight
focal interest while creating new results
Jonathan Benitez - discourse on
consumerist aims of advertising /
environmental awareness
ASSEMBLAGE - series of artworks made
from paper collages, wood scraps, etc.
MOBILE – kinetic sculpture suspended
from the ceiling or a protruding base; made
with number of balancing rods dangling in
different lengths carrying one or more
elements
INSTALLATION ART - arrangement of
objects; incorporates different materials
such as wood, metal, as well as technology
based mediums such
as light, sound, videos, digital media, etc
* Philippine Contemporary Dance
AEROBICS – health, exercise
FOLKDANCE – traditional, cultural
BALLET - interpretative
STREET DANCE – modern, hip-hop
* Philippine Contemporary Theater
CHILDREN’S THEATER – intended to
educate, inspire, and encourage creativity
and value formation on children; based on
folktales/legends (Mga Kuwento ni Lola
Basyang)
TULA-DULA – play poem; poem is
dramatized by a narrator who recites the
piece while actors provide movement and
sound effects
DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE – individual
actor
speaks and acts out thoughts and
emotions
MELODRAMA – nonmusical play intended
to elicit tears and emotional attachment
to the characters that are victims of
tragedies/cruelty
ABSURD – deliberately exaggerates events
and situations to emphasize a point;
characters are often made stereotypes
STAGE SHOW – bodabil; theatrical
presentation of various acts and
performances (comedy skits, circus acts,
musical/ dance numbers, etc)
BRECHTIAN THEATER – epic theater;
based on Bertolt Brecht’s: stimulate self-
reflection and critical analysis of events
unfolding in the play, recognize injustice
and awaken change in society
MUSICAL THEATER – music is essential
part of the production; sarswela and
ritualistic dramas
POLITICAL THEATER – intend to transform
current system of the government; use
symbolisms and allegory (seditious);
played during rallies, marches, strikes
(street theater)
REALISM – accurate depiction of real-life
situations; well-developed and authentic
portrayal of characters, realistic plot,
dialogue, etc.
* National Artists of the Philippines
 CONTEMPORARY ARTS OF THE
PHILIPPINES FROM THE REGION
*Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan Award
(GAMABA)
- an award that acknowledges folk
and indigenous artists who remain true to
their traditions
- administered by the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts
(NCCA) - (1992) it was adopted by the
government and institutionalized through
Republic Act No. 7355 - these artists are
also recognized as the country's
National Living Treasures
Criteria
1.Should be a Filipino citizen or group of
citizens belonging to an indigineous or
traditional cultural community anywhere
in the Philippines, engaged in Filipino
traditional art.
2. Should have been engaged in the
tradition and craft for a significant period
of time with at least fifty years of
existence and documentation. 3. Should
have produced and performed of artistic,
distinctive, and superior quality.
4. Should possess mastery of the
tools and materials that are needed for
the art and must have a reputation for
being an art master and craft-maker in the
community where he/she belongs to.
5. Should have pass on/or will pass
traditional crafts and skills to other
members of the community by virtue of
teaching.
In case when a Manlilikha ng Bayan
candidate is incapable of teaching further
his/her craft and skill due to age or
infirmity,:
1. He/She should have created a
significant body of work and has
contributed to the development of the
tradition and craft.
2. He/She should have played a role
in the preservation and revitalization of
artistic tradition in the community.
3. He/She has been recognized as a
master of his/her craft and admired for
his/her character and integrity in his or her
community.
Awards and Incentives
• medallion or plaque
• Php 100,000 initial grant
• Php 14,000 lifetime stipend per month
• Php 750,000 medical and
hospitalization benefits
• Funeral assistance
1993
GINAW BILOG (Oriental Mindoro)
- Hanunoo Mangyan poet -master of the
Ambahan poetry (7 syllables in 1 line)using
Baybayin
Theme: love, sage advise, etc.; used
metaphor and creative images
MASINO INTARAY (Palawan)
- a prolific and pre-eminent epic chanter
and story teller
- outstanding mastery of traditional
musical instruments - such as basal,
kulilal and bagit
Style: lyrical poems
SAMAON SULAIMAN (Maguindanao)
- kudyapi master and teacher of this
instrument - proficient in kulintang,
agong, gandingan, palendag, and tambul.
1998
LANG DULAY (South Cotabato)
- T'boli traditional weaver of tinalak
- cloth made of colorful abaca fabrics
SALINTA MONON (Davao del Sur)-
Tagabanwa-Bagobo traditional weaver of
distinct abaca fabrics called ikat/inabal
- bestfriend of Lang Dulay
2000
ALONZO SACLAG (Kalinga Province)
- Kalinga master of dance and the
performing arts - dance patterns and
movements associated with his people’s
ritual: Tadyok (tribal / war dance);
Salip (courtship); Salidumay (folk song)
FEDERICO CABALLERO (Bukidnon)
- an epic chanter who ceaselessly works for
the documentation of the oral literature,
particularly the epics, of his people. Style:
kinaray alignment, archaic language
UWANG AHADAS (Basilan)
- a Yakan musician who is a master of the
kwintangan, kayu, and tuntungan
instruments. - founded Yakan Musical
Ensemble
- uses kulintang and gabbang (bamboo
xylophone)
2004
DARHATA SAWABI (Sulu)
- a Tausug textile weaver of pis syabit
(traditional
cloth tapestry worn as a head cover
EDUARDO MUTUC (Pampanga)
- a metal smith or pukpok - dedicated his
life to creating religious and
secular art in silver, bronze, and wood
HAJA AMINA APPI (Tawi-Tawi)
- a master mat weaver among the Sama
indigenous community for her unique
designs, straightness of her edging (tabig),
and fineness of her sasa and kima-kima. -
uses pandan leaves in mat weaving.
2012
MAGDALENA GAMAYO (Ilocos Norte)
- textile weaver, Abel weaving
- uses Kapas (a locally grown cotton) Style:
patterns of binakol, inuritan (geometric),
kusikos (spiral), and sinan-sabong
(flowers)
TEOFILO GARCIA (Abra)
- creates Tabungaw (gourd casques)
- uses gourd, rattan, nito, and varnish
*Contemporary Artists who use
Indigenous Materials
Luzon
RODEL TAPAYA (Bulacan)
- traditional medium: paintings /
installation
- plexiglass: reversed painting
Subject/s: culture and history of
Philippines (folktales and Filipino myths)
Work/s: Rodel Tapayan: Folkgotten;
Modern Manananggals
DEXTER SY (Manila)
- installation art and fine arts
Subject/s: mix heritage of being a Chinese
(folk arts and symbol) and a Filipino
(Catholic images, Indigenous Filipino
motifs)
Work/s: DNA (2015); Self Recognized by
the Others
RONALD RIEL JARAMILLO HILARIO (Ilocos
Sur)
- wood carving
Subject/s: Catholicism
Work/s: Rebulto-Carving
“Sculptures should not just be an artifact of
the past but as expressions of our
worldviews – sense
of identity.”
CLIFFORD ESPINOSA (Manila)
- Filipino architect, artist and
environmentalist Subject/s: functional
things can be at the same time beautiful
Work/s: (assemblage) creating furniture
without the use of nail; Perlas ng Silangan
JOHN PAUL ANTIDO (Antipolo City)
-Impasto technique: bright vivid colors
Subject/s: allegory of the situation of the
Filipinos where their psyche seem to live in
two contradicting eras when compared to
the global situation
Work/s: contemporary setting but
depicted wearing traditional Filipino
costumes
RICKY AMBAGAN (Manila)
- way to honor the masses
Subject/s: depiction of chaotic and
crowded
streets of Manila
Work/s: Mga Langgam Sa Syudad
ALMA QUINTO (Pangasinan)
- installation artist
- art has a social responsibility to the
community, and that art can be used as a
tool for healing and collaboration
AZE ONG (Antipolo)
- installation and crochet artist
- inspired by the culture of the Talaandig
tribe - artworks are a realization of
experiences of
enlightenment nature
Visayas
PETER JAMES FANTINALGO (Capiz) &
MOREEN AUSTRIA (Bacolod)
- collaborated in 2016 for LAWIG
(umbilical cord) exhibit to celebrate
unique relationship between Negros and
Panay
- hoped for people to reflect and
reevaluate what they know about their
region historically and
sociologically
NUNELUCIO ALVARADO (Bacolod)
- rooted on the problems his home
province faces, namely, injustice and
poverty Style: very bold in expression and
emotions, full of conflict and demanding
the viewer’s attention, uses a lot of
ornamentation that spirals from his
composition
MARTINO ABELLANA (Cebu)
- Dean of Cebuano painters
- muralist and portraiture artist
- known for his seascapes depicting
beautiful
shores and beaches of Cebu
MANUEL PAÑ ARES (Cebu)
- historical themed paintings
Subject/s: etymology and history,
paintings exude expression and life,
tableaus of historical events, time
machine-like artworks that make viewers
witnesses of the past events
Work/s: Sugbu sa Karaang Panahon;
Trading at Port of Sugbu
Mindanao
MARIANO AMAR CATAGUE (Davao)
- Lumad paintings, “Painter of the Lumads”
Subject/s: feel of serenity and peace but
still calls attention to the suffering that the
ethnic tribe faces
RAMEER TAWASIL (Sulu)
- paintings of Muslim Vinta
Style: vibrant and bold colors, applies
indigenous Muslim motifs inspired by the
okirs of the
Maranao
Work/s: Poetry of the Sea Butterflies
SAUDI AHMAD (Zamboanga)
- subtraction technique
- one of Mindanao’s greatest painters -
through his work he can connect the
values of the past to the present making
it more relevant to the younger
generation Subject/s: genre paintings of
community life
BERT MONTERONA (Iligan City) - (mixed
media) tapestry painting / bamboo stick
paintings
- an artist should still retain the “basic
native creativity” and use local materials
 to create a more authentic art in terms of
form and emotions.

ABDULMARI IMAO (Sulu)

- painter and metal brass sculptor -
first Moro to be honored as National
Artist of the Philippines
Style: indigenous ukkil, sarimanok and
naga motifs