HISTORY OF ARTS IN CENTRAL LUZON

The most popular art forms in Central Luzon

Central Luzon has a total land area of 21, 470 square kilometers and is home to the seven (7)
provinces namely: Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales. This
region is also known as the “Rice Granary of the Philippines” because of its wide rice field. Here
are some examples of art forms in the Central Luzon:

 Tanglawan Festival – was successfully launched in 2016 during the 16th City
Anniversary Celebration of the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, headed by the City
Mayor, Honorable Arturo B. Robes and Congresswoman Honorable Florida P. Robes in
cooperation with the City Government employees, Barangay Officials and Civic Society
Organizations. The Tanglawan Festival, derived from the term "Ilaw," or "light,"
represents the light that will lead San Jose residents to a more sustainable city. San Jose
del Monte is being promoted as "The Rising Metropolis," having the potential to become
Bulacan's top city. Tanglawan Festival celebrated the city's vibrant culture and tradition,
as well as the unique characteristics of its residents. St. Joseph the Worker, the light that
guides the San Joseos, was honored with this event.
 Chicharon and Iniruban festival – a.k.a. Tarlac’s best. In the town of Camiling.
Celebrated during the last week of October as part of the preparations for All Saints Day
and as a thank-you celebration for a bountiful harvest (Iniruban) and high-quality meat
products, particularly the Chicharon or Bagnet. It also has the delectable chicharon,
which is popular with tourists, and the strange yet delicious rice cakes known as Iniruban,
which are made by the Ilocano. The street dancing competition, Miss Iniruban beauty
pageant, and the municipality's agri trade are among the fiesta's highlights. Since 2000, it
has been the province's oldest cultural event.

When and how has the contemporary art in Central Luzon emerged?

“Unang Daloy”: The 1st Central Luzon Visual Arts Congress

“Daloy” is a term common among the people of Central Luzon that means “flow,” specifically,
the flow of water in the many rivers that descend and cross over its seven provinces, uniting
them through the traditional settlement pattern of riverine communities. This is reflected in
people's names: both "Tagalog" and "Kampampangan" are derived from people who lived along
the river's side. (The word "taga-ilog" means "people of the river," and "pampang" means
"riverbank"). In some ways, the presence of rivers enabled people to establish and identify with
Central Luzon's unique physical and social environment. As a result, Daloy also connotes a
symbolic unity and direction through which the people of Central Luzon might come together to
develop the common cultural heritage by infusing their own artistic contributions.
This is the premise behind Unang Daloy: The 1st Central Luzon Art Festival. Occuring from
October 3-4, 2012, the festival unites for the first time visual artistic communities from all seven
provinces of Central Luzon (or Region III): Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija,Pampanga,
Tarlac, and Zambales. The many notable artists who were born and raised here, or whose
ancestors are from here, such as National Artists Guillermo Tolentino, Vicente Manansala, Jose
Joya, or Benedicto Cabrera, are testimony of the region's rich visual aesthetic tradition. Simon
Flores, Teodoro Buenaventura Sr., Diosdado Lorenzo, Amadeo Manalad, Vicente Alvarez
Dizon, Cesar Buenaventura, Miguel Galvez, and Jose D. Castro are among the great masters
represented.

Artists from Central Luzon

 Elito Circa (born January 28, 1970), better known as “Amangpintor”, is a Filipino
painter and internationally known folk artist who uses indigenous human hair and blood
fluids to create paintings with mythology and mythicalism themes. Legend of Minggan
was his signature subject, and he was known as the "First Hair and Blood Painter" of his
generation. A patriarch of indigenous art, he promoted and upheld contemporary
indigenous Philippine art, as well as hand painting performances on a canvas of 432
square inches in 5 to 10 minutes utilizing the three primary colors.
 Francsico “Balagtas” Baltazar was identified as “Prinsipe ng Makatang Tagalog”
because of his masterpiece called Florante at Laura. He is also considered the pioneer of
literary changes during the Spanish period. He was born on April 2, 1788 in Panginay,
Bigaa (now Balagtas), Bulacan. His parents are Mr. Juan Balagtas and Mrs. Juana Cruz.
When he was a child, his mother sent him to one of their relatives in Tondo, Manila, who
provides for his studies but in return he will become their house helper.

Examples of the contemporary work in Central Luzon

BUHAY NA OBRA HUMAN ERROR

Elito Circa Eliseo Perreras