CONTEMPORARY

PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM

THE REGIONS
COURSE MATERIAL #2

Image Source: The 10 Most Famous Filipino Artists and their Masterworks (theculturetrip.com)

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 WHAT WILL
YOU LEARN?

This module has been

A BRIEF HISTORY
designed to help you:

• identify major

OF PHILIPPINE
periods, artists, and
artworks of
Philippine art history

• create learning
outputs that shows
ART
how Philippine art
developed from
before colonizers
came to when
Philippines declared
its independence;
and

• Appreciate the
different art forms
from the early ages
to the present time.

Image Source: https://www.sutori.com/en/story/philippine-art-history--RCiwxD9na5RJrToDzyuA7NJP

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Dear Nationalians,

Welcome to Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Region!

WHAT’S INSIDE
This subject will open you to the creative side of yourself and THIS
appreciation of a broad range of styles in the various disciplines
with consideration on their elements and principles, and engage
MODULE?
you to an integrative approach in studying arts.
▪ Focus Questions 4
Among other things, this course will help you do the following:
▪ A Brief History of 4
• Create learning outputs that depict reflective and relevance Philippine Art
in expressing one’s understanding, connection, and action
using appropriate materials, artistic skills, and techniques ▪ Learning Activity 1 10
involved in the process of an art production
▪ Learning Output 11
• Utilize concepts and ideas in developing critical and creative
appreciation towards contemporary arts in the region ▪ Summary 12
• Advocate creative and goal-oriented contemporary forms to
expose and preserve lifestyle and culture through art ▪ References 13
exhibits of self-made and/or other artists’ works
• Demonstrate values and awareness of the significance of
contemporary arts from different regions
• Promote contemporary arts from regions to lead study,
preservation, and development of contemporary arts
• Explore innovative platforms with the help of Information
Communications Technology (ICT) to inform and promote
roles of artists from the regions and local materials used in
contemporary arts
• Evaluate contemporary arts based on its elements,
principles, and techniques to aid appreciation and
development
• Explore facts and developments to establish founded
research with the goal of creating something new using ICT
• Utilize language proficiently and appropriately both verbal
and non-verbal to evoke emotional, intellectual, creative and
critical response from the readers
• Research contemporary art forms found in the various
regions to educate readers of its elements and principles and
to be developed and adapted in our daily lives

Let’s learn together!

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 A Brief
FOCUS
QUESTIONS
History of
❖ Was there art before
colonization?

❖ How did Islam

influence art before
the coming of Spanish
colonizers?
❖ What kind of art were
developed during
Spanish colonization? I.
Philippine Art
“Art takes different forms, but it represents something
that is basic in all of us – our history”
George Clooney
PRE-COLONIAL ARTS

Pre-conquest in art refers to the art before coming of the first

How was the “modern”
interpreted in the 70s? How
did contemporary artists
rework its influences of the
Modern?
colonizers. Even before Philippines was colonized, our
forerunners have already been making art. Art during this time
was integrated within rituals or everyday use. There is a
complete difference with the art before and now. Our ancestors
do not refer to art as we do today, that is an expression of an
individual.
How was art applied during in pre- colonial Philippines? It is in
simple activities alone that evolved ritual, music, dance, theater
and literature. Telling stories about the hunt (literature),
mimicking the movements of the animals they hunted (theater or
play acting), and incorporating drum beating and attaching
rhythm to their movements (music and dance).

The existence of ethnic musical instruments are proof that the

pre-colonial people of the Philippines already possessed a varied
and vibrant musical culture.
Art of the past
continued and Native dance forms imitated from the movements of the animals:
continues to evolve 1. Pangalay dance (Sulu) – movements of the sea birds
until the present. 2. Mandayas’ Kinabua, Banog-Banog (Higaonon & B’laan),
and Man-Manok (Bagobos, Mindanao) – movements of
predatory birds

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 3. Talip dance (Ifugao) – used for courtship from the
movements of wild fowls
4. Inamo dnace (Matigsalugs) and Kadaliwas dance (T’Boli)
– comedic movements of the monkeys
As Philippines was 5. Tinikling dance (Leyte) – movements of the crane,
colonized by different balancing itself on stilt
countries, it gave us an
opportunity to learn Famous artworks during Pre-Conquest:
1. Carving
many art forms during
• Bulul (Cordillera) – a granary God that plays and
the different eras.
important rle in rituals
• Hagabi (Ifugao) – a wooden bench
• Okir (Tausug/Samal/Badjao) – mythical sarimanok,
the naga or serpent
• Manunggul Jar discovered at Manunggul cave in
Palawan

2. Weaving
• Textile weaving
o Pis siyabit (Tausug of Sulu) – headpiece woven
o Malong (Maranao of Lanao del Sur)
• Mat and basket weaving
o Tepo mat (Sama of Tawi-Tawi) – a double layered
made of Pandan leaves
o Overloid basket (Itbayat, Batanes) – a head sling
made of nito or bamboo used to carry the harvest
o Bubo (Ilocos region) – a sturdy bamboo strip used
to trap fish

3. Ornamentation – representation of various ethnological

groups
• Wearing gold jewelry – for upper class Tagalog
• Tattooing (Visayas) – it is believed to protect the
individual from evil spirits; sign of bravery and
maturity

II. ISLAMIC ERA (13TH Century to the Present)

Islamic art is characterized by geometric designs and

patterns, also the absence of human form. The latter is a
tradition that came from the belief that any figural
representation should not be used for the purpose of worship.

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Image Source:
https://alchetron.com/Manunggul-Jar
Munggul Jar discovered in Manunggul
cave in Palawan
3rd Term, AY 2021-2022
Even before the Spanish colonization, Islam was already well
entrenched in Southern Philippines.
In Islamic art, especially in the architectural design of
mosques in Mindanao where calligraphy is used as the main
form of expression. This is influenced by concept of the
Tawhid, the purpose of the design is to draw attention away
from the concrete object, towards the contemplation of the
divine.
III. SPANISH ERA (1521 – 1898)
Art during the Spanish Era formed to the demands of the
church and the colonial state. Serving to propagate the
Catholic faith and support the colonial order at the same time.
Following the religious order, natives were converted to
Catholicism. During this era, cruciform churches following
the shape of the Latin cross were built. There was a fusion of
both native and European elements, that gave way to the
style referred as colonial baroque or Philippine or tropical
baroque.
Famous Artists and their artworks during Spanish Era:
Visual Arts:
1. Damian Domingo – watercolor albums of tipos
2. Juan Luna – Spolarium, Espana y Filipinas
3. Felix Resurrection Hidalgo – Vigenes christianas
expuestas al populacho
4. Lorenzo Guerrero – The Water Carrier
5. Simon Flores – Portrait of the Quiazon Family
6. Jose Dans – Heaven, Earth, Hell
7. Esteban Villanueva – Basi Revolt
Miniature Painters:
1. Antonio Malantic
2. Isidro Arceo
3. Dionesio de Castro
4. Justiniano Assuncion
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Image Source:
https://www.hsrarebooks.com/detail/philipo-
v-rey-de-las-espanas-emperador-de-las-yndias
Portrait of Phillip V engraved by
Francisco Suarez, a native Filipino
3rd Term, AY 2021-2022
Engraver:
1. Francisco Suarez
2. Nicolas Engraver
3. Laureano Atlas
4. Felipe Sevilla
Musician – Composer:
1. Marcelo Adonay
Theater Artist:
1. Honorata “Atang” dela Rama
Writers:
1. Severino Reyes – Zarzuela
2. Hermogenes Ilagan – Zarzuela
3. Gaspar Aquino de Belen – Senakulo
IV. AMERICAN ERA (1898 – 1940) to the Post war Republic
(1946 – 1969)
Americans wanting to create a lasting influence on Filipino
culture, they established institutions of government and
education systems. The colonizers passionately taught their
language through an effective public school system.
After some time with the education system. The playwrights
of the Filipino were written in English. The demand for artists
who could do illustrations in textbooks or graphic design to
produce labels emerged. In 1909, after the establishment of
the University of the Philippines, School of Fine arts was
opened. It offered course on commercial design. Commercial
and advertising arts were integrated into the fine arts
curriculum.
Famous Artist during American Era
1. *Juan Abad – Tinikalang Ginto or Golden Chain in 1902
2. *Juan Matapang Cruz – Hindi Ako Patay or I Am Not
Dead in 1903
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 3. *Aurelio Tolentino – Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas or
Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
4. Lino Castillejo and Jesus Araullo – author of A Modern
Can you think of other artists Filipina and first Filipino written in English
5. Daniel Burnham – architect who designed Manila and
whose techniques may be
Baguio
traditional but can also be
6. William Parsons – implanted Burnham Plan, an urban
considered contemporary?
designed employed Neoclassic architecture
7. Thomas Mapua, Andres Luna de San Pedro, and
Antonio Toledo – Filipino architects who designed
buildings
8. Fabian dela Rosa – naturalist painter of Planting Rice
in 1921 and El Kundiman in 1930
9. Fernado Amorsolo – romantic painter of Dalagang
Filipino, still life landscapes, and historical paintings;
graphic artist of The Philippine Readers (book), and
The Independent (newspaper); logo designer of
Ginebra San Miguel
10. Guillermo Tolentino – person behind the sculptures of
Oblation (1935), UP Oblation (1958), and Bonifacio
Monument (1933)

*Artists whose works were emphasized deep yearning for

freedom

V. JAPANESE ERA (1941 – 1945)

During the Japanese colonization, art production slowed

down in pace. But early moderns and conservatives
continued to produce art and even participated in KALIBAPI
(Kapisanan sa Pahingkod ng Bagng Pilipinas) sponsored art
competitions.

The Japanese colonizers led the formation of the Greater East

Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, a propaganda movement that
sought to create a Pan-Asia identity rejected by Western
traditions.

Awit sa Paglikha ng Bagong Pilipinas was declared as the

anthem of the period, that bring allegiance to the nation
reared in East Asia. National artist Felipe de Leon was the
composer of the anthem.

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 Famous Artists and their Artworks During Japanese Era:

1. Fernando Amorsolo
• Harvest scene – painting in 1942
• Rice Planting, painting in 1942
• Bombing of the Intendencia, painting in 1942
• Ruins of Manila Cathedral, painting in 1945
2. Sylvia La Torre
• Sa Kabukiran (song)
3. Levi Celerio
• Sa Kabukiran (composer)
4. Felipe P. de Leon
• Awit sa Paglikha ng Bagong Filipinas (composer)
5. Crispin Lopez
• Study of an Aeta, painting in 1943
6. Diosdado Lorenzo
• Atrocities in Paco (painting)
7. Dominador Castañeda
• Doomed Family, painting in 1945

VI. MODERN ERA (Neo Realism, Abstraction Modern

Styles)

Modern era in the Philippine art started after the World War
2 and when Philippines was declared independent. Questions
of national identity as the main theme of various art forms
were posed by writers and artists.

The most well-known proponent of Modern art painting is

Victorio Edades whose work were initially rejected and
misunderstood but later was shared by several artist. During
this time, different mediums, techniques, and themes were
A lot of contemporary explored that were considered new.
art may be collaborative
Modern artists do not aim to copy and idealize reality, what
or participative,
they did was they change the colors, flatten the pictures
interactive, and
instead of creating illusions of depth, nearness and farness.
process-oriented,
They showed what might be seen as ugly and unpleasant
meaning that there is
instead of beautiful and pastoral.
less emphasis on the
finished product and a Abstraction is another part of Modern art, where it is
single “author ” or characterized by simplified forms that avoided mimetic
“creator” representation. Sometimes called as nonrepresentational or
non-objective art.

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 Famous Modern Artists and their Artworks:

Neo Realists Artists

1. Manansala – The Beggars (1951), and Tuba Drinkers

(1954)
2. Legaspi – Gadgets II (1949), and Bad Girls (1947)
3. HR Ocampo – The Contrast (1940), and Genesis (1968)
4. Ramon Estrella
5. Victor Oyteza
6. Romeo Tabuena

Abstractionist Actists

1. Constancio Abenardo
2. Lee Aguinaldo
3. Jose Joya
4. Fernando Zobel
5. Arturo Luz – Street Magician (1952)
6. Nina Saguil – Cargadores (1951)

Modern Architectural Structures:

1. Church of Holy Sacrifice (1955)

2. Church of the Risen Lord
3. Chapel of Saint Joseph the Worker

1 Understanding Check
LEARNING ACTIVITY
Directions: Choose a form (fiesta décor, culinary arts, performing
arts, etc.), describe and explain its origins.

• What fiesta traditions do you observe in your hometown or

the place where you currently live?
• When is the fiesta held and what does it commemorate?
• What does it commemorate?

Insight:

Great work! Let us learn more!

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 LEARNING OUTPUT
Human Timeline
Directions: The class will be divided into groups. Each
group will be assigned a topic. Line up the events and
present it through popular art pieces. After each event
is presented, students can suggest possible causes of
the event and can pose questions about what
happened and why.

Criteria for Grading:

➢ Creativity/Originality (10 points)

➢ Effort/Perseverance (10 points)

➢ Craftmanship/Skill/Consistency (10 points)

➢ Content (10 points)

Detailed rubric will be available on the Assignment Tab. Read it

carefully!

Practice makes for

proficiency!

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 In Philippine art history, Filipinos were influenced by different
colonizers, it gave us an opportunity to learn many art forms
during the different eras.

Ethnic era emphasizes on integral life; Islamic era focuses on

geometric designs; Spanish era teaches us about faith and
catechism; American era emphasizes on secular forms of art;
Japanese era focuses on Orientalizing; and Modern era teaches
us about national identity.

Our forefathers did struggle with the different eras but that did
not stop them in their pursuit of their passion in arts.

abstraction
pre-colonial
pre-conquest

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 References:

Informatics. (n.d.). Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions.

https://pdfcoffee.com/470133038-contemporary-philippine-arts-
docxpdf-pdf-free.html

Lahi PH. (2018, May 23). TUKLAS: Sining Saysay – Philippine History in
Art. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN75VyLipIU

Santos, A. (n.d.). Philippine Art History.

https://www.sutori.com/en/story/philippine-art-history--
RCiwxD9na5RJrToDzyuA7NJP

CONTRIBUTOR:
Ma. Erica Anne S. Flores

Fellanne Nicolette S. Labian

Renelyn O. Manacho

Femilene P. Oidem

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