CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGIONS

LEARNING MODULE

Chapter 1

A. Introduction – To understand better the contemporary art, let us first look at it in macro view.

1. Humanities – refers to the study of the human experience, how people process and record
their thoughts, beliefs, and longings.

2. Science – it deals with the object study of the external world, what we see in it and all the
processes that happen within it.

B. Contemporary Art – It is the art that springs out the present-day events and passions of the society.

1. Modern art – it emerged in the late 1800. They believe in here that less is more.

2. Integrative art – it is the crossbreeding in the contemporary scene that resulted in a hybrid art
called integrative art. These art forms are interactive and multi-disciplinary in nature.

C. The Subject of Art – Every work of art has a subject and subject is also called the topic and it could be
a person, animal, things, or issues being described or represented in a work.

1. Realism – the subject is done the way it actually looks.

2. Distortion – the artist uses his or her imagination and alters the subject according to his or her
desire.

3. Abstraction – the artist breaks apart a subject and rearranges it in a different manner.

4. Non objectivism – there is totally no subject at all and it is an interplay of pure elements like
line, shape, or color and so on.

D. The Elements of the Art – these elements are just around us. They serve as the basic and common
expression of the art forms in the regions.

1. Space – it can be defined as a void, an emptiness which can be positive or negative. Positive
space refers to the space in an enclosed line or shape while negative is the opposite.

2. Line – it is the extension of a point, a short or long drawn mark or carved surface. Line could
also imply directions like the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines.

3. Shape and Form – when the end of the line meet, they form a shape. Shape could also be
geometric (angular) or organic (curvy). Form is slightly similar to shape, it is also an enclosed line
but it is three-dimensional.

4. Color – it is a sensation created by visible wavelengths of light caught in prism.

5. Value – it is the degree of the lightness and darkness of a color.

6. Texture – it is the surface of an artwork. A texture could be actual or tactile and simulated or
illusory.

E. Principle of Design – Design is the overall structure of an art form. It is the plan for order. The
principles of design are also called the organizations of the elements.

1. Harmony – this refers to the wholeness of the design, the pleasing arrangement and the
agreement between parts of a composition.

2. Variety – it pertains to the assortment or diversity of a work of art.

3. Rhythm – it is slightly contrary to variety. Rhythm or beat is the regular, repeated pattern in
the elements of art.

4. Proportion – the elements in a work of art should have a relationship to one another. This
relationship is called proportion.

5. Balance – it pertains to the even distribution of weight. It is the principle that deals with
equality.

6. Movement – This is a fundamental principle in choreography and the theater. Movement is

away to convey feelings and emotions.

7. Emphasis and Subordination – Emphasis is the principle that gives importance or dominance
to a unit or an area. Subordination gives less importance to a unit or area.

F. Form, Content, and Context – these three are the key elements in the art

1. Form – it is the surface feature of an artwork. It does not have anything with the art’s in depth
meaning.

2. Content – contains the subject matter that carries the message of the work. Content is the
substance of an art.

3. Context – it means clarifying a word or a subject by describing the relevant circumstances

surrounding it. Context in art refers to the varied situations in which the works have been
produced or interpreted.

Chapter 2

A. Traditional Arts and Contemporary Arts – Philippines is home to many traditional arts. These are the
arts that started in the pre-colonial times and have been handed down from the generation to
generation.

1. Traditional Arts – it is culture-bond

a. Bulul by the Ifugaos

b. People power monument by Eduardo Castillo

c. Okil stem by the people in Mindanao

B. Contemporary Arts in the Philippines

1. Pastiche – it refers to the blurring of divisions between fine art and commercial art,
high culture and low culture, and highbrow and lowbrow.

2. Bricolage – another feature of postmodernism is bricolage or also called assemblage,

popularly used visual arts. It refers to a creation or construction that uses a diverse
range of materials.

3. Appropriation – it is also called borrowing. Postmodernism finds inspiration in an artwork

from the previous periods.

4. Installation – it is an art made indoors or outdoors where a particular space is transformed

into a three-dimensional artwork.

C. National Art Centers in the Philippines

1. The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) – CCP was established in 1996 through Executive
Order No. 303. Its goal was to preserve, develop, and promote arts and culture in the Philippines.

The regional centers participating in Kaisa sa Sining

a. City of Vigan
b. St. Louis University (SLU) – Baguio City

c. Barasoain Kaunangan Foundation Inc. (BKFI) – Malolos, Bulacan

d. City of Batangas

e. Diverse initiatives for Bicolano Artists Inc. (DIBAI) – Naga City, Camarines Sur

f. Province of Capiz

g. Central Philippine University (CPU) – Iloilo City

h. Negros Cultrural Foundation (NCF) – Bacolod City

i. Silliman University (SU) – Dumaguete City

j. Arts Council of Cebu Foundation Inc. (ACCFI) – Cebu City

k. City of Calbayog

l. Holy Name University (HNU) – Tagbilaran City, Bohol

m. Arts and Sciences Educator’s Culture and Arts Region X (ASECA) – Cagayan de Oro
City

n. Mindanao State University Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) – Iligan City

o. La Salle University (LSU) - Ozamiz City

p. Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges (RMMC) – General Santos City

q. City of Koronadal

r. Musikahan sa Tagum Foundation Inc. (MSTFI) – Davao del Norte

2. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) - like CCP, NCCA is responsible for
preserving, promoting, and developing culture and the arts in the Philippines. It was formed
under the Republic Act No. 7356 in 1992.

a. Subcommission on Cultural Arts (SCA) – facilitates the committees on architecture,

arts, music, and the visual arts.

 Cinema Rehiyon – National Committee on Cinema

 Sayaw Pinoy – National Committee on Dance
 Literary Arts Festival – National Committee on Literary Arts
 Tunug-tunugan – National Committee on Music
 Tanghal – National Committee on Dramatic Arts
 Philippine Visual Arts Festival – National Committee on Visual Arts

b. Subcommission on Cultural Heritage (SCH) – includes the committees on archives, art

galleries, historical research, libraries, and information services, monuments and sites,
and museums.

c. Subcommission on Cultural Dissemination (SCD) – handles the committees on

communication, cultural education, and language and translation.

d. Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (SCCTA) – takes the

committees on the northern cultural communities, central cultural communities, and
southern cultural communities.

D. Integrative Art Applied to Philippine Contemporary Art – the arts in the regions have combined to
create integrative art. Contemporary art forms in the regions now include the choreography, musical
instruments, literary and musical composition, visual design, theatrical performance, and cinema.
1. Choreography – an arrangement or design for dance movements usually accompanied by
music.

2. Musical Instruments – any tool or device that produces sound. It consists of array of shapes
and styles from the simple to the complex.

3. Literary and Musical Compositions – literary works are written works meant to be read, sung,
or delivered in a play. They can be written in prose or poetry form. Musical compositions on the
other hand are not written or but notated.

4. Visual Design – a composition or layout of lines, shapes, and colors to form patterns on paper,
textile, or any piece for that matter.

5. Theatrical Performance – The staging and execution of a production, like drama, opera,
festivals, and theater will fall under this. It pertains to a public presentation of a dramatic or
musical entertainment.

6. Cinema – the most popular of the art forms, yet it is the youngest of all. It appeared only in
the early 1900s in Manila and later spread in the regions.

Chapter 3

A. The Filipino Artists – the present approach to the arts raises new questions about the role of the
artists in the Philippines society. A Filipino artist is versatile. He or she creates, not only to realize his or
her personal fulfilment but also to express a point of view.

1. Fernando Amorsolo – romanticized life, reminding us of tranquil rural landscapes.

2. Nick Joaquin – a novelist, playwright, journatlist, historian, and essayist is a good example. He
started writing under the pen name of Quijano de Manila for the “Philippines Free Press
Magazine”

B. The Filipina Artist – in the early years of Philippines the men are the dominant artist but when in the
year 1950s, Filipina artists started making their own art works and master piece.

Order of National Artists has been established by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1001’s
1972, and aims to give appropriate recognition and prestige to Filipinos who have distinguished
themselves and made outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and letters.

Visual Arts

1. Cesar F. Legaspi – 1990 – Morning Dance, Tree Planting, Man and Woman

2. Hernando R. Ocampo – 1991 – Man and Carabao, Ina ng Balon

3. Arturo R. Luz – 1997 – Candle Vendors, Bagong Taon, Cities of the Past

4. Ang Kiukok – 2001 – Angry Figure, Fighting Figures, Crucifixion

5. Benedicto R. Cabrera – 2006 – Sabel in Blue, Yellow Confetti, The Oriental Fan

Painting

1. Fernando C. Amrosolo – 1972 – Planting Rice, Fruit Gatherer, Under the Mango Tree

2. Carlos V. Francisco – 1973 – Planting of the First Cross, Filipino, Struggles through the Years (at the
Manila City Hall), First Mass at Limasawa

3. Victorio C. Edades – 1976 – The Builders, The Sketch, The Wrestlers

4. Vicente S. Manansala – 1981 – Cubist paintings; Bayanihan, Luksong - Tinik, Stations, of the Corss (at
the UP Chapel)

5. Jose T. Joya – 2003 – Abstract paintings; Hills of Nikko, Granadean Arabeque, Dimension of Fear
Sculpture

1. Guillermo E. Tolentino – 1973 – Oblation (at UP Diliman), Bonifacio Monument (in Caloocan City),
Bonifacio Monument (at the Manila City Hall)

2. Napoleon V. Abueva – 1976 – Siyam na Diwata ng Sining (at UP Diliman), Blood Compact Monument
(in Bohol), Fredesvinda

Fashion Design

1. Ramon O. Valera – 2006 – Philippine terno

Dance

1. Francisca R. Aquino – 1973 – Researches of Philippine folk dance; known as “Mother of Philippine
Dancing”

2. Leonor O. Goquingco – 1976 – The Elements, Trend: Return to the Native, Festival in Maguindanao

3. Lucrecia R. Urtula – 1988 – Choreography of folk dance and ethnic dances for the Bayanihan Dance
Company

4. Ramon Obusan – 2006 – Founder of Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group; Vamos A Belen! Series; Noon Po
sa Amin

5. Alice Reyes – 2014 – Founder of Ballet Philippines; Amada, Itim-Asu, Bayanihan Remebered

Literature

1. Amado V. Hernandez – 1973 – Luha ng Buwaya, Mga Ibong Mandaragit, Si Atang at ang Dulaan

2. Jose Garcia Villa – 1973 – The Anchored Angel, The Emperor’s New Sonnet, Footnote to youth

3. Nick Joaquin – 1976 – Manila, My Manila; Cave and Shadows; A Portrait of the Artist as a Filipino

4. Edith L. Tiempo – 1999 – A blade of Fern, Commend Contend, The Builder

5. Cirilio F. Bautista – 2014 – Boneyard Breaking, Sugat ng Salita, The Archipelago

Music

1. Antonio J. Molina – 1973 – Known as the “Dean of Filipino Composers”; Hatinggabi, Ang Batingaw,
Kundiman-Kundangan

2. Lucio D. San Pedro – 1991 – Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (co-writer), Lahing Kayumanggi

3. Levi Celerio – 1997 - Guinness Book of Records Holder for being the only leaf-player in the world;
Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit), Ikaw, Sa Ugoy ng Duyan (co-writer)

4. Francisco Feliciano – 2014 – La Loba Negra, Pokpok Alimpako, Yerma

5. Ramon P. Santos – 2014 – Ding Ding Nga Diwaya, Ang Hardin ni Ligaya, Ang Putting Waling-waling

Chapter 4

Festivals in the Philippines – perhaps one collaborative art that is common to every region is the festival.
The Philippines have festivals of every kind: festivals honoring patron saints, thanksgiving for a bountiful
harvest, commemoration of an event, and tribute to a special occasion or a local specialty. A festival
may be composed of street-dancing, singing competitions, architectural decors like floats, and a lot
more.

1. Sinulog Festival in Cebu – celebrated every third of January to honor the image of St. Niño de Cebu,
which was brought by the Spaniards when they landed in Mactan in 1521.
2. Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo – celebrated every fourth Sunday of January, they also honor Sto. Niño,
commemorating the arrival of the Malay settlers in Panay and the selling of the island to them by the
Atis.

3. Ati-Atihan of Kalibo, Aklan – held every third Sunday of January, it features a parade of drumbeating
Ati-Atihans (make believe Atis) and the cryof “hala bira!”

4. Pahiyas of Lucban, Quezon – it is held annually on May 15 and honors San Isidro Labrador, the patron
saint of farmers.

5. Moriones Festival of Marinduque – it features an outdoor theatrical performance that reenacts the
story of Longinus, the centurion who pierced the side of Jesus Christ on the cross. This festival is held
during the Holy Week of Lent.

6. Pamulinawen Festival in Laoag, Ilocos Norte – honors Our Lady of Peace every tenth of February.

7. Sambali Fiesta of Piat, Cagayan – honors Our Lady of Piat in a week-long festival during the last week
of June. It also commemorates the Sambali tribe who converted to Christianity.

8. Hermosa Festival of Zamboanga del Sur – also known as the Fiesta Pilar and it is a month-long festival
held in October, honoring the image of Our Lady of the Pillar.

9. Tabako Festival of Candon, Ilocos Sur – it is held during the last week of March and to give gratitude
for a bountiful harvest.

10. Butanding Festival of Donsol, Sorsogon – from April 28 – 30, not only ushers in the butanding or the
whale shark season but also to give thanks for the blessings given to the people of Donsol, Sorsogon.

11. Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City – the festival of flowers and it was started to revive the city’s
industry after the devastation of the 1990 Luzon earthquake.

12. Maskara Festival of Bacolod City – pays tribute to sugar industry that once flourished in the region. It
is celebrated every third week of October.

13. Bangus Festival of Dagupan City, Pangasinan – held form April to the first week of May

14. Our Lady of Peñafrancia in Naga City, Camarines Sur – a fluvial parade celebrated every September
to honor Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Techniques in Contemporary Arts

1. Choreography Techniques

a. Mirroring

b. Retrograde

c. Canon

d. Levels

e. Shadowing

f. Unison

2. Acting Techniques

3. Cinematic Techniques

4. Literary Techniques

5. Techniques in Visual Design