ARTS AND CRAFTS OF REGION IV

SANTACRUZAN
Santacruzan is a religious-historical beauty pageant held in many
cities, town and even small villages throughout the Philippines during
the month of may.It honors the finding of the True Cross by Helena of
Constantinople (known as Reyna Elena) and Constantine the Great.
 TAKA
Taka is refers to paper mache made using carved wooden
sculpture used as a mold. The craft originated in the town of
Paete, Laguna in the Philippines
 Taka makers begin this process by hand carving
hardwood sculptures which later on becomes the positive
wooden molds (takaans). The takaans are then coated
with wax release agents or gewgaw (starch) then hand-
painted in a variety of bright and happy colors for
embellishments.
 WOOD CARVINGS
Wood Carving - the Church of Santiago Apostol, a declared National
Historical Site. It is filled with wood carvings that Paeteños have carved
collectively for many decades,centuries even. This includes the beautifully
carved retablo and the life-size Last Supper, complete with the 12 apostles,
sitting around the rectangle dining table.
 BALISONG
BALISONG also known as a fan knife, butterfly knife or Batangas knife, is a
folding pocketknife. Its distinct features are two handles counter-rotating around
the tang such that, when closed, the blade is concealed within grooves in the
handles. A balisong typically has the latch on the handle facing the cutting edge,
and is commonly called the bite handle
 HIGANTES FESTIVAL
HIGANTES FESTIVAL- Higantes are giant papermache images measuring
four to five feet indiameter and ten to twelve feet in height. The street event
leads to a fluvial procession in Lagunade Bay, however, the festivities
continue until the image is returned to its sanctuary
One popular theory about the origin of the Higantes Festival is
that, it was originally a form of mockery or protest by the
locals against despicable landlords or hacienda owners during
the waning years of the Spanish colonial rule. This is allegedly
why the higantes are traditionally created with their hands on
their waist and their faces seeming to make commands.
Opposed to the other famous origin stories, the Angono local government
describes the Higantes Festival as a secular celebration, which is aimed at
expressing gratitude to their patron saint, Saint Clemente.

Although there are several contradicting origin stories about the Higantes
Festival, one thing is for sure, it has become a big part of the people of
Angono's culture and heritage. Moreover, the higantes or giant puppets are
now said to symbolize their people's aspiration to become great or “big” in
their respective fields and contribute to the growth and development of their
hometown.
 PAHIYAS FESTIVAL
PAHIYAS FESTIVAL- Quezon Province, which is celebrated on the 15th of May.
Quezon, formerly known as Tayabas, is the second largest province in the Southern
Tagalog region. The Pahiyas festival is simultaneously celebrated in the towns of
Lucban. Because of its extravagant preparations which by tradition started during the
16th century as a way of thanks giving for the people’s bountiful harvest
 KIPING

Kiping - Colorful thin rice wafers used to

decorate houses during
the pahiyas Festival
THANK YOU!