Philippine contemporary art can be classified as paintings, sculpture, architecture, film, literature,
music and theater, and dance.
Art- play a significant part in the rich cultural identity of Philippines.
-mirrors the Filipino people, its history, traditions, and the country as a whole
Visual Arts- in American period, education was introduced to the Philippines. Juan Arellano, Diosdado
Lorenzo, and Victorio Edades studied outside the Philippines and went back and introduced the concept
of modern art.
Literature- field of poetry during the contemporary period, publication of young poets to campus
journals emerged, music.
Music- during early American period, the music of the country was mostly classical due to the influence
of the European until 1950s. in 1960s, evolved at time into a combination of classical and traditional or
ethnic music.
The visual arts are art forms such as paintings, drawings, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography,
video, film making, design, crafts, and architecture.
The Higantes of Angono
Made of paper-mache from town in Paete(Laguna calls it “taka”)
Four to five feet in diameter and ten to twelve feet in height
Represents “mag-anak” (family)
Festival in Angono, Rizal in honor of St. Clement Patron (saint of the fisher)held every
November 23
Sculpture- made of variety woods, metals, and stones
Example: The Manunggal Jar
Secondary burial jar excavated from a Neolithic burial site in Tabon Cave at Lipuun, Palawan
One of the finest pre-colonial artworks
Masterpiece of Philippine ceramics
Made from clay
The Bohol Blood Compact Sculpture
Made by national artist, Napoleon Abueva, a boholano himself
Represent “friendship” and commonly known as “sandugo”
Painting- practice of applying pigment such paper, canvas, or wall
-also used to express spiritual motifs and ideas
- Fernando Amorsolo y Cueto was one of the most important artists
Example:
Bigas by Nestor Leynes
Bayanihan- masterpiece of Carlos “Botong” Francisco
Mural painting- applied directly on the wall
Cloth Weaving- living tradition that are still preserved until this day
Examples:
T’nalak- deep brow abaca-based cloth tie-dyed with intricate design
-commonly use in the well-known Barong Tagalog
Jewelry- demonstration of the skilled craftmanship
The Philippine Architecture
- Characterized as simple, rational, and functional in the early 20 th
TSALET- type of house that made of wood and concrete
Literature- is any body or collection of written work
-oscillated between personal expression and social commentary
Examples:
Bagay- form of poetry that uses colloquial language and built on concrete images which tend to describe
tendencies
Spoken word- poetic performance art that is word-based
Theatre- collaborative form of performing arts that uses live performers, typically actors or actress.
In the Philippines, the American introduced “bodabil” it was composed mainly of songs, dances,
and skits. It was only during Japanese period when “bodabil”included short-melodrama
Philippine Dance- showcasing how diverse Philippine dances are
Example:
Tinikling- Philippine traditional folk dance originated during Spanish colonial era
Cariñosa- Philippine dance of colonial era originated from the Maria Clara
Various Art Forms Found in the Philippines
Art- play a significant part in the rich cultural identity of Philippines.
-mirrors the Filipino people, its history, traditions, and the country as a whole
Three traditions in the development of Philippine art:
1. Ethnic Tradition- location and the experience of the Filipinos were the major factors in art
production.
2. Spanish Colonial Tradition- religion and secularization were the dominant themes of the arts
forms
3. American Colonial and Contemporary Traditions- modernalism entered field of art wherein
Filipinos started to explore different materials, methodologies, and technique through non-
conventional art.
Balenismo sa Tarlac
Art of Making Belen, was organized by the Tarlac Heritage Foundation
Tarlaquenos are encouraged to make belens from indigenous and recyclable materials
Rice Fields of Nueva Ecija
Nueva ecija is a landlocked province located in Central Luzon region
Its capital is Palayan City
Food bowl and rice granary of Central Luzon
Giant Lantern of Pampanga
Kapampangan locals or natives call this festival as “Ligligan Parul”
Held during the Saturday before Christmas in December
Beach of Aurora
Birthplace of the late President Manuel L. Quezon is considered one of the most prominent
Mango Festival of Zambales
Held in Iba, Zambales
The yearly event is held in April
Main point of the mango festival is the celebration of the bountiful harvest
The Making of Pastillas De Leche Wrapper of Bulacan
Transformed local folk tradition into a popular art
May 5-7, 2006, the town of San Miguel celebrated the first ever “Pastillas Festival”
Mt. Samat of Bataan
Landscape with beautiful plants and decorated with World War 2 military equipments
The based of the cross is designed with murals of the Filipino figures and event in different
colonial eras of the country
Philippine Artists and Their Contributions to Contemporary Arts
Notable Filipino Artist in the field of Music
1. Antonio Buenaventura
Popularized Philippine folk songs and dances in 1935
Panadanggo sa Ilaw (1936)
2. Jose Maceda
Focused on understanding and popularizing filipino traditional music
3. Lucrecia R. Kasilag
Western influences on Philippine ethnic music
4. Ernani J. Cuenco
One of the remarkable singers, composer, film scorer, musical director, music teacher, and
musician
5. Lucio San Pedro
Master composer known for creatively using folk idioms in his musical compositions
6. Antonio Molina
Use folk music in his works
7. Francisco Feliciano
View Asian culture as a rich source of inspiration and a celebration of our ethnicity
8. Levi Celerio
He composed an estimate of 4,000 musical works
“Ang Pasko ay Sumapit” song by Celerio
9. Ramon Santos
Philippine rich artistic tradition and features elements from western and non-western areas
10. Jovita Fuentes
“Most sublime interpretation of the part”
11. Felipe Padilla
Epitome of a “people musician”
12. Andrea Veneracion
Choirmaster and choral arranger
Notable Filipino Artist in the Field of Dance
1. Francisca Reyes Aquino
Folk dance Pioneer
2. Ramon Obusan
Dance, choreographer, stage designer, and artistic director
3. Alice Reyes
Interweaved Philippine ethnic dance, modern dance, and ballet
4. Leonor Orosa Goquinco
Mother of the Philippine Theater Dance
5. Lucrecia Reyes Urtula
Dance director of bayanihan Philippine dance
Notable Filipino Artist in the Field of Theater
1. Daisy Avellana
First lady of the Philippine Theater
2. Rolando S. Tinio
Playwright, thespiah, poet, teacher, critic and translator marked his career with prolific artistic
profuctions
3. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero
Teacher and theater artist whose 35 years of devoted proferssorship
4. Honorata “Atang” Dela Rama
“Queen of Kundiman”
5. Salvador F. Bernal
Local production
6. Severino Montano
“Titan of the Philippine Theater”
Notable Filipino Artist in the Field of Visual Arts
1. Fernando Amorsolo
“First National Artist in Painting”
2. Hernando Ruiz Ocampo
Known for his abstract painting
3. Benedicto Cabrera (BenCab)
Master of the Philippine contemporary arts
4. Carlos “Botong” Francisco
Muralist
5. Cesar Legaspi
Promoted modern arts in the country
6. Abdulmaria Asia Imao
Muslim culture and art in the country
7. Guillermo Tolentino
Known for creating monuments and bust figures of Philippine heroes like Andres Bonifacio
8. Vicente Manansala
Transparent cubism
9. Ang Kiukok
Emotions
10. Napoleon Abueva
Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture
11. Francisco Coching
Komiks and drawings
