Contemporary Philippine Arts

A BRIEF HISTORY OF
PHILIPPINE ART

MR. NINO D. ESTOLAS

INSTRUCTOR/AFFILIATE FACULTY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
DON MARIANO MARCOS MEMORIAL STATE UNIVERSITY
SAN FERNANDO CITY, LA UNION PHILIPPINES
 I. PRE-CONQUEST
• art before the coming of the first colonizers
• STYLISTIC TERM- “Indigenous”
• CULTURAL TERM- “Pre-Colonial”
Yes, there were “art” before
colonization.
ANCIENT FILIPINOS
- do not refer to “art” as we do today.
- Hunter-Gatherers
1. CAÑAO OR KANYAW (Cordillera)- officiated by
Shaman or Mumbaki. It involves animal sacrifice
and performed for healing, announcing of birth,
coming of age, during wakes, weddings, and
funeral.
2. KASHAWING (Lake Lanao, Mindanao)- to ensure
abundance during rice planting and harvesting.
3. TAGBANWA (Palawan)- believes that every 13th
moon, three goddesses descend from heaven to
bless the planting of rice.
PIPES ZITHERS

FLUTES

DRUMS KUDYAPI KULINTANG

GANGSA AGUNG
1. PANGALAY (Sulu Archipelago)- mimetic of the
movements of seabirds.
2. KINABUA (Mandayas)- imitating the movements of
eagles.
3. BANOG-BANOG (Higanon)- performed by the
healed patients and mimetic of the movements of
hawk.
4. MAN-MANOK (Bagobos, Mindanao)- a dance that
mimics fowl.
5.TALIP (Ifugao)- a dance used in courtship and is
mimetic of the movements of wild fowls.
6.INAMONG (Matigsalugs)- performed during
harvests and mimicking the motions of a pair of
flirting monkeys.
7.KADALIWAS (T’Bolis)- represent the comedic
movement of monkeys.
8.TINIKLING (Leyte)- a popular Tagalog folk dance
often showcased for tourists. It is evocative of the
movements of crane.
1. BULUL (Cordillera)- regarded as granary god that
plays an important role in rituals.
2. HAGABI (Ifugao)- wooden bench that marks the
socioeconomic status of the owner.
3. SANTOS (Laguna and Pampanga)- sculpture of
saint.
 Paete, Laguna- recognized for its carving tradition
 Betis, Pampanga- remains active today despite of
the many challenges posed to contemporary
practice.
OKIR (termed ukkil in
Tausug/ Samal/ Badjao)
- can be found in panolong
or sultan’s house called
Torogan.
-employed in
woodcarving, traditional
boats, weapons,
musical instruments,
1. MANUNGGUL JAR (890-710BC)- found in
Manunggul Cave, Lipuun Point, Palawan
- Secondary burial vessel, where buried and exhumed
bones are placed.
2. AYUB JAR (5BC-225AD)- anthropomorphic burial jar
3. PALAYOK- used for cooking
4.BANGA AND TAPAYAN- containers for fermenting
food or keeping liquids.
5.PAGBUBURNAY- in Vigan thrives and is currently
valued in Ilocos.
FORMS OF WEAVING:
1. Textile Weaving- imparts knowledge about
people’s belief systems.
Examples: Pis Siyabit and Malong

2. Traditional Weaving- fibers are gathered from

plants, and pigments are extracted from roots, etc.
3. MAT AND BASKET WEAVING
Examples: Tepo Mat and Ovaloid Baskets

Bubo- fish traps made of

bamboostrips from
Ilocos Region.
UPPER CLASS TAGALOG- BOXER CODEX
portrayed wearing gold
jewelry.
VISAYANS- covered with
tattoos to protect the
individual from evil spirit and
as a badge for maturity and
bravery.
*aside from tattoo, jewelry
is also believed to make the
wearer more attractive.
1. LOTOANS OR BETEL NUT BOXES
OF VARIOUS SHAPES (Maranao,
Del Sur)- made of brass or bronze.
SPECIAL TECHNIQUE: lost wax or
cire perdue process
2. BRASS KENDI AND THE GADUR-
used in ceremonies.
KENDI- a vessel used for pouring
liquids
GADUR- container with a tapered
top
 Islam was already in Sulu as early as 13th century.
Sayyid Abbubakar of Arabia married Princess
Piramisuli
 Established the Sultanate of Sulu
Introduced Quran, builds religious school called
Madrasa that facilitated the teaching of Arabic
Writing.
Islam was embraced as religion and as a way of life
by the people
 Filipino Muslims- belong to ummah
 Islamic Faith- doctrine of Tahwid
Muslim- “away from human forms and nature
toward the contemplation of the divine”
 MOSQUE- connected with the Tahwid.
- Mirah and Qibla is in the west as a sign of
unity.
- Mecca- where the Great Mosque of Mecca and its
Bulbous Dome are placed.
• Dome- how the universe was imagined
• Octagonal base- symbolizes the spirit
• Four-sided main base- material world
• Ka’bah (in courtyard)- a shrine that was built by
the Prophet Muhammad himself.
• Qibla- where they face whenever they pray
• Fountain- serves as the cleansing before one enters
the sacred space.
Kulul or Canopy

ISLAM- disregard material world and focus

more in upward orientation.
 PANOLON
TOROGAN G
BURRAQ-horse
with the head of a
woman believed to
carry the Prophet in
his ascension to
heaven