Teacher: JESSICA C.

NAVAJA FB Name: Jessica Navaja

CP #: 09552375954 Email Add: [email protected]

SIBUGAY TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

Lower Taway, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay
Tel-Fax #: (062) 333-2469
www.sibugaytech.com

Module 3 (Week 3): CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS AND PRACTICES FROM THE
REGIONS
Reference: Sandagan, Luviminda D.and Sayseng, Ayesha H., Contemporary Philippine Art from
the Regions, JFS Publishing Services,Manila., pp.2-6.
Mendez, Mario L. Jr.,Contemporary Philippine Art from the Regions, DIWA Learning
Systems Inc.,Philippines.,pp.2-6.

Module Overview
This lesson provides information about contemporary art forms mainly about Theater, Architecture and
Film. It aims to provide students’ knowledge about the various contemporary art forms and alo how to
conserved Filipino arts.

Lesson 3: Theater, Architecture and Film

Objectives/ Desired Learning Outcomes

Cognitive: Identifies various contemporary art forms and their practices from the various regions;
Affective: Appreciate contemporary art forms, found in the various regions;
Psychomotor: Classifies various art forms found in the Philippines.

CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS AND PRACTICES FROM THE REGIONS

Take time to Read!

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the official cultural agency of the government of the
Philippines, has categorized Filipino arts into traditional and non-traditional. Each category is split into
various arts, which in turn have sub-categories of their own.

1. THEATER
Theater has a long history in the Philippines. The basis of which is the folk performing arts under the
traditional arts. In the non-traditional category, theatrical direction, theatrical performance, theatrical
production design, theatrical light and sound design, and theatrical playwriting are the focal arts. Theater in
the Philippines is Malay in character, which is seen in rituals, mimetic dances, and mimetic customs of the
people. Plays with Spanish influences have affected Filipino theater and drama, notably the komedya, the
sinakulo, the playlets, the sarswela, and the Filipino drama. Puppetry, such as carrillo, is also a notable
theater art. In contrast, theater with Anglo-American influence has also mixed with various art forms such
as bodabil and the plays in English.

Tanghalang Pambansa Philam Life Theater National Cultural Treasure

Teacher: JESSICA C. NAVAJA FB Name: Jessica Navaja
CP #: 09552375954 Email Add: [email protected]

2. Architecture and allied arts

Architecture under the category of non-traditional arts focuses on non-folk architecture and its allied arts
such as interior design, landscape architecture, and urban design.
Non-folk architecture

The basis of Filipino non-folk architecture is the folk architecture of various ethnic groups within the
Philippines. The diversity in vernacular architecture range from the bahay kubo, bahay na
bato, torogan, idjang, payyo, and ethnic shrines and mosques. Upon the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th
century, various Western architectures were introduced such as Baroque, which was used to establish
the Manila Cathedral and Boljoon Church. However, due to the geologic nature of the islands, the Baroque
architecture was later turned into a unique style now known as Earthquake Baroque, which was used into the
building of Binondo Church, Daraga Church, and the world heritage sites of Paoay Church, Miagao
Church, San Agustin Church, and Santa Maria Church. Throughout the colonial eras, from Spanish to
American rule, various architecture styles were introduced. A notable Gothic Revival building is the San
Sebastian Church, the only all-steel church in Asia. Beaux-Arts became popular among the wealthy classes.
A notable example is the Lopez Heritage House. Art Deco continues to be a popular architecture in certain
Filipino communities, with the city of Sariaya considered as the country's Art Deco capital. Italian and
Italian-Spanish architecture can be seen on certain buildings such as Fort Santiago and The Ruins. Stick-
style is notable among some wood buildings such as the Silliman Hall. Neoclassical is perhaps the most
vividly depicted in the Philippines, as many government buildings follow the architecture. Examples include
the Baguio Cathedral, Manila Central Post Office, and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Even after
independence, architecture continued to evolve, with the usage of Brutalist architecture during the martial
law era. After the restoration of democracy, a revival of indigenous architecture into neo-vernacular
architecture occurred in the late 20th century and the 21st century. These buildings and structures have
become iconic bases for Filipino nationalism and ethnic representation. Modern-style architecture is
presently a popular style in the Philippines; with some examples include the Saint Andrew the Apostle
Church and the Manila Hotel. In the present era, demolitions of culturally important buildings and structures
have happened, despite the enactment of laws disallowing such acts. Many cultural workers and architects
have made advances to stop the demolitions of certain buildings and structures.

Zamboanga's Fort Pilar, a National Cultural Treasure Ipil Provincial Capitol (Zamboanga Sibugay)

Architecturally allied arts

The allied arts of architecture include interior design, landscape architecture, and urban design. Interior
design in the Philippines has been influenced by indigenous Filipino interiors and cultures, Hispanic styles,
American styles, Japanese styles, modern design, avant-garde, tropical design, neo-vernacular, international
style, and sustainable design. As interior spaces are expressions of culture, values, and aspirations, they have
been heavily researched on by Filipino scholars. Common interior design styles in the country for decades
have been Tropical, Filipino, Japanese, Mediterranean, Chinese, Moorish, Victorian, and Baroque, while
Avant Garde Industrial, Tech and Trendy, Metallic Glam, Rustic Luxe, Eclectic Elegance, Organic
Opulence, Design Deconstructed, and Funk Art have recently become popular. Landscape architecture in the
Philippines initially followed the client's opulence, however, in recent years; the emphasis has been on the
ecosystem and sustainability. Urban planning is a key economic and cultural issue in the Philippines, notably
Teacher: JESSICA C. NAVAJA FB Name: Jessica Navaja
CP #: 09552375954 Email Add: [email protected]

due to the high population of the country, marked with problems on infrastructures such as transportation.
Many urban planners have initiated proposals for the uplifting of urban areas, especially in congested and
flood-prone Metro Manila.

Dapitan Interior Church Obelisk rotunda of IPIL Wright Park in front of the Baguio Mansion

3. Film and broadcast arts

Film and broadcast arts focuses on the arts of direction, writing, production design, cinematography, editing,
animation, performance, and new media.
The origin of the cinematic arts in the Philippines officially began in 1897, upon the introduction of  moving
pictures into Manila. Filipinos aided foreign filmmakers in the Philippines for a time, until in 1919, when filmmaker José
Nepomuceno made the first ever Filipino film, Dalagang Bukid (Country Maiden). By the 1930s, the formative years of
Filipino cinema began as interest in film genre as art began among the common folk. Theatre became an important
influence to the boom of cinema in the Philippines. The 1940s created films that would point towards the reality of the
people, due to the occupation years during World War II. More artistic and mature films sprang a decade later under the
banner of quality films, as perceived at the time. The 1960s showed an era of commercialism, fan movies, soft
porn films, action flicks, and western spin-offs, until the golden age of cinema met the turbulent years from the 1970s to
1980's due to the dictatorship. The films under the period were overseen by the government, with various filmmakers being
arrested. A notable film made during the period is Himala, which tackles the concept of religious fanaticism. The period
after martial rule dealt with more serious topics, with independent films being made by many filmmakers. The 1990s saw
the emergence of films related to Western films, along with the continued popularity of films focusing on the realities of
poverty. Among the direst films at the time include Manila in the Claws of Light, The Flor Contemplacion Story, Oro,
Plata, Mata, and Sa Pusod ng Dagat. Cinema in 21st century Philippines has met a revival of popular watchings, with films
being produced by various fronts. Films regarding human equality, concepts of poverty, self-love, and historical narratives
have met popular success. Key films during the era include The Blossoming of Maximo Oliveros, Caregiver, Kinatay, Thy
Womb, That Thing Called Tadhana, The Woman Who Left, and the film version of the book Smaller and Smaller Circles.

A postcard for the film, Zamboanga

A cinema inside a Filipino mall Manila Film Center

Teacher: JESSICA C. NAVAJA FB Name: Jessica Navaja
CP #: 09552375954 Email Add: [email protected]

CONTEMPORARY FASHION DESIGN

Conservation of the Filipino arts

Museums are important vessels for the protection and conservation of Philippine arts. A number of
museums in the Philippines possess works of art that have been declared as National Treasures, notably
the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila. Other notable museums include Ayala Museum, Negros
Museum, Museo Sugbo, Lopez Museum, and Metropolitan Museum of Manila. University museums also
hold a vast array of art. Libraries and archives are also important, among the most known are the National
Library of the Philippines and the National Archives of the Philippines. Various organizations, groups, and
universities have also conserved the arts, especially the performing and craft arts.
Many conservation measures have been undertaken by both private and public institutions and
organizations in the country, in addressing the heritage management in the Philippines. The enactment of
laws such as the National Cultural Heritage Act have aided in Filipino art conservation. The act also
established the country's repository of all culturally-related heritages, the Philippine Registry of Cultural
Property. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts is currently the official cultural arm of the
Philippine government. There have been proposals to establish a Philippine Department of Culture.

ACTIVITY 1

Direction: Write the correct answer.

__________1. He is the one who introduced modern visual art in the country through his exhibition.
__________2. It is the kind of art which depicts the life after the war, and economic problems.
__________3. Another term for Filipino Pop Music.
__________4. It is a kind of poetry which uses colloquial language and built on concrete images which
tend to describe experiences.
__________5. It refers to the style in a painting showing minute details of subjects highlighting their
texture and color.

SELF- CHECK

Direction: Identify what kind of art forms are the following:

1. Dalagang Bukid __________ 6. Bodabil __________

2. Manila Cathedral __________ 7. Zarzuela __________
3. T’nalak Weaving __________ 8. Planting Rice __________
4. That Thing Called Tadhana __________ 9. The Meztiza __________
5. Puppetry __________ 10. Flor Contemplacion Story__________
Teacher: JESSICA C. NAVAJA FB Name: Jessica Navaja
CP #: 09552375954 Email Add: [email protected]

SELF- REFLECT

1. How can you describe the characteristics of different contemporary art forms which are Theater,
Architecture and Film?
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2. What are the regional initiatives in preserving and promoting contemporary arts like Theater, Dance,
Architecture and Film?

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3. Define contemporary arts in the Philippines.

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