LESSON 1: ART IN THE PHILIPPINES

DISCOVERING AND DEVELOPING

The development of Philippine Art comes in three major traditions. These are the Ethic
Tradition, Spanish Colonial Tradition, and the American Colonial Tradition, and
Contemporary Traditions. Before colonization, the Philippines already has its
indigenous art. The ethic art forms are primarily influenced by the geographical
location and the experiences of the Filipinos. For instance the dances in the country
during the pre-colonial times vary depending on the area where our ancestors thrive.
In the highlands, dance steps were imitations of the movements of certain animals like
birds while the choreography of the Filipinos near the sea were mimics of the
movement of the fishes ((Sayseng and Sandagan, 2016)

GENERALIZATION
In terms of visual arts, pottery weaving, wood carving and metal crafting were
dominant during pre-colonial period making use of the available materials
surrounding them. About architecture, the early Filipinos used local materials such as
anahaw, bamboo, cogon cane, rattan, and other light materials in constructing
structures since these were the materials accessible in the area, also our , also our
ancestors already have their folk literature which came in the forms of folk speeches,
songs, and narratives. This folk literature verbalized their experiences. Regarding
theatre arts, tribal presentations and rituals were the early theatrical performances
depicting their beliefs. In music our ancestors also have their indigenous musical
instruments like the bamboo flutes and brass gongs. (Sayseng and Sandagan, 2016).
Then came the Spaniards who tend to replace the Philippine indigenous art with
Western art forms , religion and secularization greatly influenced the art in the
Philippines under the Spanish regime. And here are the list of the following influence
and effect of Western art forms during Spanish colonial tradition.
1. Friars were the ones supervising practice of arts in the country
2. Propagating their agenda and the Christianity
3. Maintaining the powers of colonizers
4. The literary works could be classified into religious and secular prose and
poetry
5. In the area of theatre arts religious plays like the komedya became popular
6. In choreography religious dances are commonly performed to venerate patrons
and saints
7. Secular dances in social functions like (valse, fandango , polka and minuet)
8. Spaniards introduced westerns instruments and also the Piano (bands and
orchestra)
9. Zarzuelas and operas became prevalent
10.In visual arts, they introduced painting and sculpture which mostly depicted
religious subject matters
11.In architecture stones and bricks were predominantly sed in constructing
buildings(churches, houses, and government offices)
12.Exterior and interior of the buildings were embellished with wood carvings or
metal works with intricate decorative design
However, despite the strong influence of the Spaniards, the arts in the Philippines
did not result in pure influence, though they have introduced western art but it
resulted to western and indigenous art. The Filipino artists still put touches on
their art pieces. After more than 300 years of Spanish colonization, the Americans
took over the country which led to the declaration of the independence on June 12,
189. The American brought about many changes in terms of politics, economy,
education and culture of the Philippines. (Sayseng and Sandagan, 2016)

These are the following changes brought by the Americans:

1. In the area of education, there are Filipinos who went abroad to study, some
studied under the tutelage of American educators while some learned through
observation and personal experiences
2. Those who went abroad to study came back to the country carrying the concept
of modern art.

3. Modern art the practice of art in the 1860s-1960’s during these years western
world was significantly developing
4. The urbanization, consumerism, rise of the middle class, change in the political
system, secularization, and the emergence of new technology affected the way of
art making in that period.
5. Technological innovations and experimental approaches in developing art rose
above traditional art practices and methodologies.

6. New forms of expression came which were Avant garde in nature.

7. Modern art continuously develops even after World War.
Contemporary art refers to the recent and current practice of art ranging from the
1970’s up to the present. It mirrors the society and culture of the present times. It
uses a combination of different methods, materials and ideas that transcend the
traditional way of making art. All Philippine art forms had different twist as the
American way life became a part of lives of the Filipinos. The art forms and art
practices in the country broadened. Artist experimented with different materials and
methodologies and produced non-conventional artworks with wide-range of themes.
(Sayseng and Sandagan, 2016)

LESSON 2: CONTEMPORARY ART FORMS AND

PRACTICES FROM THE REGIONS

DISCOVERING AND EXPLORING

According to Sayseng and Sandagan(2016) The Philippine Contemporary Art is divided
into seven major art forms: visual arts, literature, music, theatre, dance, architecture,
and film.

GENERALIZATION
VISUAL ARTS
In the American period, education was introduced to the Philippines. There were
Filipinos who studied abroad and influenced the art making in the country. Juan
Arellano, Diosdado Lorenzo, and Victorio Edades were among those who studied
outside the Philippines. These three artist went back and introduced the concept of
modern art in the country. They were also called as the triumvirate.
VICTORIO EDADES- introduced the modern visual art through his art exhibition
which shocked many Filipino audiences due to his different style in painting. Instead
of using bright and happy Colors, he used dull and dark hues in his works with the
life of the laborers, workers, and lower sector of the society as his subjects.
THIRTEEN MODERNS- Vicenete Mansala, Cesar Legaspi, Anita Magsaysay-
ho,Hernando Ocampo, Carlos Francisco were few of those composing the thrirteen
Modern, it was noticeable that during the American period, the subjects artworks
shifted from rural to urban themes.
URBAN SETUPS BECAME THE USUAL SUBJECTS OF VISUAL ARTS- after World
War II, artist started creating proletarian art which depicts the lie after the war, social
issues, and economic problems.
MODERNISM- garnered a larger influence since there were institutions created like
the art Association etc.

Through the year’s different artist carrying different styles in making arts became
popular and various visual art trends emerged. There were stylistics arts and drawings
thematic artworks reflecting historical, social economic, and political themes. Different
mediums were also employed in art making. It was also during this period Paris
Cubism took its scene. It is a kind of cubism showing fragmented figures in larger
planes, color harmonies and texture. (Sayseng and Sandagan, 2016)
According to Sayseng and Sandagan (2016) Most known cubist in their times, Vicente
Manansala, Romeo Tabuena, and Cesar Legaspi. Also, during the modern period,
abstraction
was employed. Among the known abstractionist during those time were H.R. Ocampo,
Constantino Bernardo, Frederico Aguilar Alcuaz, Arturo Luz and Jose Joya.
Napoleon Abueva- became famous in sculpture because of his technique and
materials that he is using like the variety of woods, metals and stones. He also
combined these materials to produce unique sculpture and because of that other
sculptors joined Abueva in his modernism and produced creative works.
Arts in the Philippines during these period reflects dynamism, freedom of expression
and concern to the masses. This kind of art continued to flourish, and the number of
artist’s eager of creating innovations increased. (Sayseng and Sandagan, 2016)
Ang Kiukok painted in expressionistic style
BenCab worked with realism and experimental devices
Sculptors like Ramon Orlina and Impy Pilapil Explored the use of glass in
making sculptures.

Figure 5. Impy Pilapil’s Glass Work

There were also social realist who continued
doing proletarian art but this time, they used
other popular art forms in conveying
nationalistic messages like a comic, posters
and cartoons.
MAGIC REALSIM- entered the art scene. This
refers to the style in a painting showing minute
details of the subjects and Highlighting their texture and Color. An Example of this is
the Bigas Artwork by Nestor Leynes.
Figure. 6 Nestor Leyne’ Bigas
Genre painting is showing the lives of town-
folks, legends and traditions stayed in the
Philippine Contemporary period. Moreover
the use of indigenous materials became a
trend in sculptures and installation art to
promote environmental awareness
Indeed, visual art has developed and
transformed through the years. The significant development of the modern and
contemporary art in the country only shows how creative, innovative and free thinkers
the Filipinos are. In order promote and preserve the rich artistry in the country.
(Sayseng and Sandagan, 2016)
LITERATURE
The bond between the Philippines and the American still continues even after the
declaration of independence in 1946 which is evident in the continual flourishment of
modernism.
IN THE FIELD OF POERTY- during the contemporay period, publication of young
poets to campus journals emerged. The “Bagay” Movement also took the scene, it is a
kind of poetry which uses colloquial language and is built on concrete images which
tend to describe experiences, poets Jose F. Lacaba, Rolando Tinio, Bienvenido
Lumbera, Antonio Samson, and Edmundo Martinez started the Bagay Movement.
AMADO V. HERNANDEZ- introduced another type of poetry through his work “Ang
Bayang Malaya” it is along narrative piece about a peasant leader , oppression and
fighting for human rights are the main themes of the said piece. In the succeeding
poems developed by the Filipino poets, the influence of Amado V. Hernandez was
evident.
Figure 7. Amado V. Hernandez
Social protest and social realism became the theme of
the poems. Protest poetry proliferated. The nationalist
spirit of many writers arose because of the Marshall
Law during the contemporary period, the works of
American and British poets influenced the English
poems in the Philippines. Poets like Edith Tiempo,
Emmanuel Torres and Dominador Ilio were among
those who influenced by Western poets. Their works revolved on subjects like the
search for love and identity, oppression and those subjects concerning the poet’s
private worlds. This kind of poetry was followed by poems containing social issues.
The rise of the nationalistic poetry discussing poverty, in equality, political turmoil and
other social problems started during the Marcos Era. (Sayseng and Sandagan, 2016)
Figure 8. From left to right Nick Joaquin, Alejandro Roces, Editha Tiempo, NVM
Gonzales.
In the area of short story, after the World War II, short stories focused on the self-
consciousness and self-expression of the writer. Some of the know English short story
writers during those times are N.V.M Gonzales, Nick Joaquin, Alejandro Roces,
Francisco Arcellana, Gregorio Brillantes, Bienvenido Santos, Edith Tiempo,etc. During
the contemporary period there are also short stories produced whice use vernacular
language. However, it was only the publication of Filipino literary works that
continued due to the lack of moral and financial support, and due to the writer’s
choice of producing works using a language that can be understood by more readers.
In the area of novels, the production of novels with socio political themes continued
after the World War II. English novelist, on the other hand, like the English poets and
short story writer, focused on the search for identity
In the area of essay and criticism, literary criticism was produced after the World
War II aiming to analyse the Philippines writings. Informal essay, on the other hand,
also took the scene which was developed by women writers. The Contemporary
Literature was a mixture of a variety of subjects. It is also a product of different
innovative

MUSIC

Figure 9. Freddie Aguilar

Based on the book of Sayseng and Sandagan (2016) During the early American period,
the music of the country was mostly classical due to the influence of the European.
This kind of music continued flourishing until 1950s. It was in the 1960s that avant-
garde music emerged. The Philippine Music at the time evolved into a combination of
classical and traditional or ethnic music at the time evolved into a combination of
classical and traditional or ethnic music. As time goes by, due to the introduction of
radio, film, and other entertainment technology, the theater music that once
flourished gradually declined. However, the rondallas or the srting bands remain even
up to the present.
Philippine music continuously evolved, and Pinoy pop music took place, Pinoy pop
covers different forms like jazz, dance hits, folksong revival, rock and roll, rap, etc.
western-derived with English lyrics jut with pure Filipino spirit. Later on the OPM or
the Original Pilipino Music became popular. The OPM is a kind of music purely
Filipino and is composed and sung by Filipino composers and singers. The OPM is a
kind of music purely Filipino and is composed and sung by Filipino composers and
singers. The OPM was followed by another form of popular music called “alternative
music” Folk balladeers influenced by the alternative music. This type of music
sprouted out of protest that later on included themes like Filipino values, political and
environmental concerns, and other societal themes. Some example of alternative
music are Freddie Aguilars’s Anak, Herbert Bartolome’s Tayo’y mga Pinoy, and
Florante De Leon’s Akoy Pilipino. (Sayseng and Sandagan, 2016)
At present, different music genre like pop, rock, OPM, indegenous music, jazz, rap a
mixture of different genre like ethnic rock, and many other forms exist in the music
industry. Also, rock bands and pops stars entered the lime light.
 In the original set up, through the establishment of CCP (Cultural Center of the
Philippines), Filipinos music as well as the Filipino artists were given importance.
 There were provincial art councils established which preserves the traditional
music and innovate Philippine Music.
 Indigenous music continuously thrives and spread in different localities.
 Local composers continuously create a vernacular songs. Moreover, local festivals
were established.
 However American introduced the bodabil stage show
 Bodabil in the American period was not a form of stage play, because it was
composed mainly of songs dances and skits.
 During the Japanese period bodabil included short drama.
The educational system established by the American in the country paved the
way to the development of legitimate theater.
 Through the western education, production of Shakespearean plays and others.
 Western contemporary classics entered the scene.
In the early stage of Philippine theater:
 Western culture greatly influenced theater production
 Artist imitate popular American actors and actresses
 Philippine theater was Americanized
However, later on because of the exposure of different theatrical styles and dramatic
theories, the Filipinos were able to expand their horizon and create stage plays that
reflect Philippine realities and set up. Those Filipinos in the field of theater started to
experiment on traditional theater forms like:
 Sarswela
 Komedya
 Senakulo
Included in the directors who significantly contributed in the progress of the Philippine
theater are the national Artists Lamberto Avellana, Severino Montano, and Wilfedo Ma.
Guerrero.
There are different styles employed in the Philippine Contemporary theater.
 Representational style -composed of psychological and social realism
(Psychological realism- deals with the problems of individuals)
(Social realism- deals with the problems of individuals, considering their
society)
Highlights discussion of social ideas - this Style was employed during the Marcos
Regime, realistic portrayal was prohibited. (Sayseng and Sandagan, 2016)
Presentational style made use of different methods like dance, song, mime etc. to
summon ideas from the audience.
Here is an example of “ theater of the oppressed” by Augusto Boal click the link below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CrDoDZ3DGg
There are other forms of theater art that emerged like dula-dula. This is a short drama
poem. Musicals with contemporary themes, dance dramas employing ethnic music and
choreography, plays mixing realistic and non-realistic styles, and traditional drama
forms with contemporary messages are also among the different theater art forms
today.

Figure 10. Philippine Dance, Source;

Figure 11. Philippine Architecture

Figure 12. Philippine Film

Fernando Amorsolo
National Artist Award
Levi Celerio
National Commission for Culture and the Arts
(NCCA)
200,000.00
150, 000.00

_____________________1. It was created by virtue of President Proclamation No. 001 dated

April 27, 1972 to give appropriate recognition and prestige to
Filipinos who have distinguished themselves and made outstanding
contributions to Philippine arts and letters.
_____________________2. They are task to gives awards to those notable contemporary artist
and the most prestigious recognition of is the Order of the National
Artist Award (Orden ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining)
______________________3. He was tagged as the very first awardee of Naational Artist Title
______________________4. He was known as the National Artist for music and recipient of
Guinness World of Records because aside from being a good
musician using violin he is proficient also play leaf.
_____________________5. It is the minimum cash award receive for living awardees of
National Artist award.
The order of national Artist also known as Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng
Sining, was created Dby virtue of President Proclamation No. 001 dated April 27,
1972 to give appropriate recognition and prestige to Filipinos who have distinguished
themselves and made outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and letters the first
award was conferred posthumously later that year on Fernando Amorsolo.
The deserving individual should be recommended by the (CCP) as well as the (NCCA).
Acting as the order of National Artist Award Secretariat (ONAA) shall plan, organize
and implement the order of National Artist Award. It shall enlist the support and
cooperation of private sector experts from the various field of art to ensure that the
awards are implemented in a successful and impartial manner. The proclaimed
National Artists are awarded a Grand Collar as a symbol of their title. (Magalona,
Zoleta,&Arlos, 2017)
Figure 13. Grand collar,
The honor is given during a ceremony at the
Malacañang Palace and granted by the
Philippine President who gives symbol of the
request as this acknowledgment depends on the innovativeness, creative mind,
specialized capability with the furthest extent remarkably communicating Filipino
culture, customs just as their goals

The symbol of the request for the National Artists is involved a Grand neckline made of
silver blame and bronze demonstrating round connections introducing expressions of
the human experience, and an eight-pointed conventionalized sunburst suspended
from a sampaguita wreath in green and white veneer. An emblem in the inside is
shaded, red, white, and blue, like the Philippine banner. Found in it also is the "KKK
which uncovers the CCP's witticism: "Katotohanan, Kabutihan, at Kagandahan"
(Magalona, Zoleta,&Arlos, 2017)
As reiterated by the Commission, the Order of National Artist aims to recognize
the following:
1. The Filipino artist who made significant contributions to the cultural heritage of
the country.
2. Filipino artistic accomplishment at its highest level and to promote creative
expression as a significant to the development of a national cultural identity.
3. Filipino artists who have dedicated their lives to their words to forge new paths
and directions for future generations of Filipino artists.
The rewards of being conferred as a National Artist:
1. The rank and the title of national artist, as proclaimed by the president of the
Philippines
2. The National Artist gold-plated medallion minted by the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas and citation.
Lifetime emolument, material and physical benefits such as minimum cash award of
(200,000.00) for living awardees; minimum cash award of (150,000.00), for
posthumous
3. awardees; life insurance coverage for awardees who are still insurable; a state
funeral benefit not exceeding (P500, 000.00)
The criteria for the Selection of a National Artist.
1. Living artists who are natural-born Filipino Citizens at the time of nomination,
as well as those who died after the establishment of the award in 1972 but were
Filipino citizens at the time of their death. Filipinos who have lost and re-
acquired Filipino citizenship, through dual citizenship status for at least the
minimum period of five years shall be eligible for nomination.
2. Artist who through the content form of their works have contributed in building
a Filipino sense of nationhood.
3. Artists who have pioneered in a mode of creative expression or style, thus,
earning distinction and making an impact on succeeding generations of artists.
4. Artist who have made a generous and big impact collection of works and
additionally reliably showed greatness in the act of their specialty from hence
improving aesthetic articulation or style.
5. Artist who enjoy broad acceptance through prestigious national and/or
international recognition; critical acclaim and/or review of their works and
finally respect and esteem from peers.
The Procedure in being nominated as a Candidate for National Artist.
1. Candidates may be nominated under one or more of the following categories:
a. Dance – choreography, direction and/or performance.
b. Music – composition, direction, and/or performance.
c. Theatre- direction, performance and/or production design.
d. Visual arts- painting, sculpture printmaking, photography, installation art,
mixed media works, illustration, graphic arts, performance art and/or
imaging.

2. Nominations for the order of National Artists may be submitted by government

and non-government cultural organization and educational institutions, as well
as private foundations and councils.
3. Members of the special Research Groups, as well as agencies attached to the
NCCA and CCP shall not submit nominations.

4. NCCA and CCP board members and consultants and NCCA and CCP officers
and staff and NCCA committee members are automatically disqualified from
being nominated.
5. Nominations shall be accepted only when these are submitted in writing and
with proper supporting documentation which includes a cover letter; a duly
accomplished nomination form; a detailed curriculum vitae of the nominees; a
list of the nominee’s significant works; portfolio of the nominees’ art works and
copies of published reviews.

NATIONAL ARTIST FOR DANCE

1. Francisca Reyes Aquino

Early in 1920’s Aquino researched about the different
folk dances in the Philippines and it made her the
“Folk Dance Pioneer” of the country. The tittle of her
research was Philippine Dances and Games. It
contains the Philippines unrecorded celebrations, Folk
Dances, rituals and games. Way back 1940’s, the Bureau of Education where she
served as the supervisor of physical education, she is kind enough because her works
distributed for the teaching of folk dances in the schools as mean to promote our
cultural heritage to the Filipino Students. She also published numerous books about
Philippine dances. Sayseng Sandagan (2016)
2. Ramon Obusan
Obusan promoted the Philippine Ethic Dances and
performed them with respect and aunthenticity. He made
a researched about the different Philippine Ethnic
Groups throughout the country to perfectly perform their
dances. His presentations tries to demonstrate the ethnic dances and its original
routine and harmony. Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, outreach works, and tours and
inspired many Filipinos to embrace the Filipino culture. Some of Obusan’s
presentation Kayaw’68, Kayaw’74, Vamos a Belen Series, Noon sa Amin, Kasaysayan
ng Lahi, Maynila, and the Rare and Unpublished Dances. Sayseng Sandagan (2016)
3. Alice Reyes
The name Alice Reyes has become a significant part of Philippine dance
parlance. As a dancer, choreographer, teacher and
director, she has made a lasting impact on the
development and promotion of contemporary
dance in the Philippines. Her dance legacy is
evident in the dance companies, teachers,
choreographers and the exciting Filipino modern
dance repertoire of our country today.
Reyes’ dance training started at an early age with classical ballet under the tutelage of
Rosalia Merino Santos. She subsequently trained in folk dance under the Bayanihan
Philippine National Dance Company and pursued modern dance and jazz education
and training in the United States. Since then, during a professional dance career that
spanned over two decades, her innovative artistic vision, firm leadership and passion
for dance have made a lasting mark on Philippine dance.
Perhaps the biggest contribution of Alice Reyes to Philippine dance is the development
of a distinctly Filipino modern dance idiom. Utilizing inherently Filipino materials and
subject matters expressed through a combination of movements and styles from
Philippine indigenous dance, modern dance and classical ballet she has successfully
created a contemporary dance language that is uniquely Filipino. From her early
masterpiece Amada to the modern dance classic Itim-Asu, to her last major
work Bayanihan Remembered which she staged for Ballet Philippines, she utilized this
idiom to promote unique facets of Philippine arts, culture and heritage. Alice Reyes
National Artist for dance (n.d) retrieved from
http://gwhs-stg02.i.gov.ph/~s2govnccaph/about-culture-and-arts/culture-profile/
national-artists-of-the-philippines/alice-reyes/

4. LEONOR OROSA GOQUINGCO

Also known as the “Trailblazer Mothern of Philippine
Theater Dance” and she was hail as the “Dean of
Filipino Performing Arts Critics” she contributred to the
progress of the Philippine dance by developing the
distinct productions using balletic Folkloric and Asia styles. For over 50 years,
she proficiently produced numerous unique and original choreographies.
Sayseng Sandagan (2016)

5. LUCRECIA REYES-URTULA

She studied the country’s folk and ethic dances for

four decades and developed ethnic choreographies
applying her findings. She is also the dance director of
Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company for three
decades who choreographed various dances for the
group. These dances harvested overwhelming praises and good review from
critics from different parts of the world. Among her major works are cultural
dances namely singkil, vinta, tgabili, pag diwata, and salisid. . Sayseng
Sandagan (2016)
Her orchtral music include Love Songs, Legend of the Sarimanok, Ang
Pamana, Philippine Scenes, Her Son, Jose, Sisa and chamber music like Awit ng mga
Awit Psalms, Fantaisie on a 4-Note Theme, and East Meets Jazz Ethnika. Lucresia R.
Kasilag National Artist for dance (n.d)

NATIONAL ARTIST OF THEATER

6. DAISY H. AVELLANA
She was called the First Lady of the Philippine Theater
because of her amazingly magnificent performances in
numerous classic Filipino and International theatre
productions and plays. These are some of her most
significant were she became a part also: Othello,
Macbeth in BLACK, Tatarin, portrait of the artist as Filipino, Diego silang, walang
sugat, etc. she also made popularized the Philippine theatre and dramatic arts by
founding the Baranggay Theater Guild with her husband which is also a National
Artist Lamberto Avellana. They utilize the radio and television to make theatre and
dramatic arts are known to the Filipinos. (Sandangan, 2006)
7. ROLANDO S. TINIO
Rolando S. Tinio, playwright, thespian, poet, teacher,
critic, and translator marked his career with prolific
artistic productions. He was an outstanding stage
director because of his numerous and remarkable
productions and notable scripts. He drama. established and became the administrator
of the Ateneo experimental Theater. He also Handled Teatro Pilipino where he revived
the sarswela and other traditional Filipino drama and introduced contemporary
western, aside from being a National Artist fir Theater he was hailed also as National
Artist for Literature. (Sandangan, 2006)
Aside from his collections of poetry (Sitsit sa Kuliglig, Dunung – Dunungan, Kristal na
Uniberso, A Trick of Mirrors) among his works were the following: film scripts for Now
and Forever, Gamitin Mo Ako, Bayad Puri and Milagros; sarswelas Ang Mestisa, Ako,
Ang Kiri, Ana Maria; the komedya Orosman at Zafira; and Larawan, the musical.
Rolando S.. Tinio National Artist for Theater (n.d

8. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero

Aside from being a theatre teacher and artist, he mentored

and trained many performing artist for 35 years. He also
made introduced and popularized Philippine theatre to
different parts of the country by establishing the most known
UP mobile theatre, this theatre has delivered a thousands of
performances for almost 19 years to many campuses in the Philippines. His major
works include wanted: A chaperon, Condemned, perhaps, in Unity, Three rats, the
Forsaken House, Frustrations, etc. (Sayseng & Sandangan, 2016)

9. HONORATA “ATANG” DELA RAMA

She started her theatrical career in early age. At the

age of seven she already became a part of different
Spanish zarzuelas. And from then on she played
many roles in numerous productions and she became popular and hailed as
the Queen of Kundiman. She always performed kundiman and Filipino songs
for indigenous communities all over the country. She believes that kundiman
and sarswelas mirrors he Filipino people. (Sayseng & Sandangan, 2016)

10. Salvador F. Bernal

He was an exceptional Theater Designer who designed

hundreds of theatre productions for a span of four
decades. The superior quality of his designs made him
in comparable to other designers. He used local
materials in producing creative and unique sets and costumes.
Bernal is also a professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman and
Ateneo De Manila, he established the Philippine Association of Theatre
Designers and Technicians. (Sayseng & Sandangan, 2016)
11. Severino Montano
Hailed as the Titan of the Philippine Theater, he
took the lead in promoting Legitimate Theater in
the country. Montano as the top calibre
playwright, theatre artist, and director who took
up degrees in and outside the country to master
theatre arts and later on to share his learnings
and competencies to the younger Filipino generation. Montano became the dean of the
Philippine Normal College where he established and founded the Arena Theater year
1953. The arena theatre served the grassroots and promoted drama to the masses
through the school community theaters. He developed graduate programs for the
theatre arts in PNC, and oit produced equally talented artist like National Artist Lino
Broka and Rolando Tinio. (Sayseng & Sandangan, 2016)

National Artist for Visual Arts

12. Fernando Amorsolo

The Grand old Man of the Philippine Art. Amorsolo was the
first National Artist of the country. Lighting is the most
prominent element of Amorsolo’s Painting. His knownk for
his trademark which is backlighting technique it made the
subjects of his painting seem to glow. Also aside from the application of light pieces,
his works of art were also notable for reflecting the artistoic and natural Heritage of
the Philippines. (Sayseng & Sandangan, 2016)
Among others, his major works include the following: Maiden in a Stream(1921)-GSIS
collection; El Ciego (1928)-Central Bank of the Philippines collection; Dalagang
Bukid (1936) – Club Filipino collection; The Mestiza (1943) – National Museum of the
Philippines collection; Planting Rice (1946)-UCPB collection; Sunday Morning Going to
Town (1958)-Ayala Museum Collection.
Fernando Amorsolo The country had its First National Artist (n.d)
13. Hernando R. Ocampo
Hernando R. Ocampo, a self-taught painter, was a
leading member of the pre-war Thirteen Moderns, the
group that charted the course of modern art in the
Philippines. His works provided an understanding
and awareness of the harsh social realities in the
country immediately after the Second World War and contributed significantly
to the rise of the nationalist spirit in the post-war era. It was, however, his
abstract works that left an indelible mark on Philippine modern art. His
canvases evoked the lush Philippine landscape, its flora and fauna, under the
sun and rain in fierce and bold colors. He also played a pivotal role in
sustaining the Philippine Art Gallery, the country’s first. (Sayseng &
Sandangan, 2016)
Ocampo’s acknowledged masterpiece Genesis served as the basis of the curtain design
of the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater. His other major works
include Ina ng Balon, Calvary, Slum Dwellers, Nude with Candle and Flower, Man and
Carabao, Angel’s Kiss, Palayok at Kalan, Ancestors,Isda at Mangga, The
Resurrection, Fifty-three “Q”, Backdrop, Fiesta.
Hernando Ocampo National Artist for Visual Arts (n.d)
14. BENEDICTO ‘BENCAB’ CABRERA
Benedicto R. Cabrera, *who signs his paintings
“Bencab,” upheld the primacy of drawing over the
decorative color. Bencab started his career in the
mid-sixties as a lyrical expressionist. His solitary
figures of scavengers emerging from a dark
landscape were piercing stabs at the social
conscience of a people long inured to poverty and dereliction. Bencab, who was
born in Malabon, has christened the emblematic scavenger figure “Sabel.” For
Bencab, Sabel is a melancholic symbol of dislocation, despair and isolation–the
personification of human dignity threatened by life’s vicissitudes, and the vast
inequities of Philippine society.
Bencab’s exploration of form, finding his way out of the late neo-realism and high
abstraction of the sixties to be able to reconsider the potency of figurative expression
had held out vital options for Philippine art in the Martial Law years in the seventies
through the contemporary era.
Benedicto ‘BenCab’ Cabrera National Artist for Visual Arts (n.d)
15. Carlos “Botong” Francisco,
A muralist who lives in Angono Rizal, for about three
decades, Francisco painted different Murals showing the
historical past of the Philippines. Most of his Subject
defines the life in his hometown and highlight the lives
of those farmers and Fishermen. The significant elements in Francisco’s painting were
their lines and shapes that seem like cut-outs and their lush tropical colores.
His other major works include the following: Portrait of Purita, The Invasion of
Limahong, Serenade, Muslim Betrothal, Blood Compact, First Mass at Limasawa, The
Martyrdom of Rizal, Bayanihan, Magpupukot, Fiesta, Bayanihan sa Bukid, Sandugo.
Carlos ‘Botong’ Francisco National Artist for Visual Arts (n.d)
16. Cesar Legaspi
One of the members of Thirteen Moderns, who promoted
and introduced modern arts in the country. These
artists pioneered Philippine Modernism, he was a neo-
realist whose important contribution to art was refinement of cubism in the Philippine
context, especially he indigenized cubism and produced artworks showing local
temperaments.
Among his works are Gadgets I, Gadgets II, Diggers, Idols of the Third
Eye, Facade, Ovary, Flora and Fauna, Triptych, Flight, Bayanihan, Struggle,Avenging
Figure, Turning Point, Peace, The Survivor, The Ritual.
Cesar Legaspi National Artist for Visual Arts (n.d)
17. Abdul Asia Imao
A visual artist from Sulu who proficiently articulated the
Muslim Culture and Art in the country. He also
preserved and promoted the Philippine Indigenous art.
(Sayseng & Sandangan, 2016) Through his works, the
indigenous ukkil, sarimanok and naga motifs have been popularized and instilled
in the consciousness of the Filipino nation and other peoples as original Filipino
creations.
His U.P. art education introduced him to Filipino masters like Guillermo Tolentino and
Napoleon Abueva, who were among his mentors. With his large-scale sculptures and
monuments of Muslim and regional heroes and leaders gracing selected sites from
Batanes to Tawi-tawi, Imao has helped develop among cultural groups trust and
confidence necessary for the building of a more just and humane society.

Selected works:
Industry Brass Mural, Philippine National Bank, San Fernando, La Union
Mural Relief on Filmmaking, Manila City Hall
Industrial Mural, Central Bank of the Philippines, San Fernando, La Union
Sulu Warriors (statues of Panglima Unaid and Captain Abdurahim Imao), 6 ft., Sulu Provincial
Capitol
Abdulmari Asia Imao Artist for Visual Arts (n.d)

18. Guillermo Estrella Tolentino

A master sculptor who introduced classical sculpture in
the country. His classical style, are still identifiable
Filipino. He was best known for creating monuments and
bust figures of Philippine Heroes. He was also the one who created the UP Oblation
which became the representation of the academic freedom of the university (Sayseng &
Sandangan, 2016). His works include the bronze figures of President Quezon at
Quezon Memorial, life-size busts of Jose Rizal at UP and UE, marble statue of Ramon
Magsaysay in GSIS Building; granolithics of heroic statues representing education,
medicine, forestry, veterinary science, fine arts and music at UP.
He also designed the gold and bronze medals for the Ramon Magsaysay Award and did
the seal of the Republic of the Philippines.
Artist for Sculpture Guillermo Estrella Tolentino (2015, June 2).

19. Arturo Luz,

An abstractionist known for his minimalist paintings and
sculptures which exude sophisticated simplicity. He then
started doing his art at the age of 17 without prior training. He also studied abroad in
US and Europe, to further improve his skills in art making. (Sayseng & Sandangan,
2016)
Among his other significant paintings are Bagong Taon, Vendador de Flores, Skipping
Rope, Candle Vendors, Procession, Self-Portrait, Night Glows,Grand Finale, Cities of
the Past, Imaginary Landscapes. His mural painting Black and White is displayed in
the lobby of the CCP’s Bulwagang Carlos V. Francisco (Little Theater). His sculpture of
a stainless steel cube is located in front of the Benguet Mining Corporation Building in
Pasig.
Arturo Luz National artist for Visual arts(2015, June 2)
20. Federico Aguilar Alcuaz
Federico Aguilar y Alcuaz, who signed his works as
Aguilar Alcuaz was an artist of voluminous output. He is
known mainly for his gestural paintings in acrylic and
oil, as well as sketches in ink, watercolor and pencil. He
was also a sculptor of note and has rendered abstract and figurative works in
ceramics, tapestries and even in relief sculptures made of paper and mixed media,
which he simply calls “Alcuazaics.” The preference to use his maternal name was
more for practical reasons; Alcuaz was rarer than the name Aguilar, and thus
ensured better recall; it was also simpler to drop the customary y between the two
names.
His works are highly favored, not only for its studied refinement and European flair,
but also for the ease and pleasure conveyed by his choice of light, color and
composition; all of which add up to scenes which are always quite playful but never
cluttered. His love for classical music is also apparent in this constant fluidity. 
Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (2015, June 2).
21. Napoleon Abueva
He is known for being the father of Modern Philippine
Scupture, who made use of wide range of materials in his
works. He uses hand-wood, stones and metals. He is also the
sculptor who started the trend in mixing different materials,
like metal and stone n making sculpture. (Sayseng & Sandangan, 2016)
In the 80’s, Abueva put up a one-man show at the Philippine Center, New York. His
works have been installed in different museums here and abroad, such as The
Sculpture at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
Some of his major works include Kaganapan (1953), Kiss of Judas (1955),Thirty Pieces
of Silver, The Transfiguration (1979), Eternal Garden Memorial Park, UP
Gateway (1967), Nine Muses (1994), UP Faculty Center, Sunburst (1994)-Peninsula
Manila Hotel, the bronze figure of Teodoro M. Kalaw in front of National Library, and
murals in marble at the National Heroes Shrine, Mt. Samat, Bataan.
Napoleon Abueva (2015, June 2).
22.Jeremias Elizalde Navarro
He was a painter and sculptor who created both abstract
and figure paintings using oil and water color. The
prominent elements in his abstract woks were its
geometric froms spontaneous storkes, his works are
insired by Balinese art and culture. He is also popular for his masks, carved in
hardwood, with combine features of human and animal. J. Elizalde Navarro sampler
includes his ’50s and ’60s fiction illustrations for This Week of the Manila Chronicle,
and the rotund, India-ink figurative drawings for Lydia Arguilla’s storybook, Juan
Tamad. Three of his major mixed media works are I’m Sorry Jesus, I Can’t Attend
Christmas This
Year (1965), and his Homage to Dodjie Laurel (1969: Ateneo Art Gallery collection),
and A Flying Contraption for Mr. Icarus (1984: Lopez Museum).
J. Elizalde Navarro (2015, June 2).
23.Francisco Conching
Francisco Coching, acknowledged as the “Dean of Filipino
Illustrators” and son of noted Tagalog novelist and comics
illustrator Gregorio Coching, was a master storyteller – in
images and in print. His illustrations and novels were products of that happy
combination of fertile imagination, a love of storytelling, and fine draftsmanship. He
synthesized images and stories informing Philippine folk and popular imagination of
culture.  His career spanned four decades.Starting his career in 1934, he was a
central force in the formation of the popular art form of comics. He was a part of the
golden age of the Filipino comics in the 50’s and 60’s. Until his early retirement in
1973, Coching mesmerized the comics-reading public as well as his fellow artists,
cartoonists and writers.
The source of his imagery can be traced to the Philippine culture from the 19th
century to the 1960s. His works reflected the dynamics brought about by the racial
and class conflict in Philippine colonial society in the 19th century, a theme that
continued to be dealt with for a long time in Philippine cinema. He valorized the
indigenous, untrammeled Filipino in Lapu-Lapu and Sagisag ng Lahing Pilipino, and
created the types that affirm the native sense of self in his Malay heroes of stunning
physique. His women are beautiful and gentle, but at the same time can be warrior-
like, as in Marabini (Marahas na Binibini) or the strong seductive, modern women of
his comics in the 50s and 60s.
There is myth and fantasy, too, featuring the grotesque characters, vampire bats,
shriveled witches, as in Haring Ulopong. Yet, Coching grounded his works too in the
experience of war during the Japanese occupation, he was a guerilla of the Kamagong
Unit, Las Pinas branch of the ROTC hunters in the Philippines. He also drew from the
popular post-war culture of the 50s, as seen in Movie Fan. At this point, his settings
and characters became more urbane, and the narratives he weaved scanned the
changing times and mores, as in Pusakal, Talipandas, Gigolo, and Maldita.
Francisco Coching (2015, June 2).
24. Victorio Edades
“Father of Modern Philippine Painting”. And also he is one of
the “Triumvirate” who introduced modernism in Philippine
Visual Art. Edades shocked many Filipinos upon his arrival
after studying from abroad because of his exhibit due to non-conventional style of
painting. He used dark and sad hues in his painting instead. (Sayseng & Sandangan,
2016) It was during this time that he introduced a liberal arts program that offers
subjects as art history and foreign languages that will lead to a Bachelor’s degree in
Fine Arts. This development brought about a first in Philippine education since art
schools then were vocational schools.
It was also the time that Edades invited Carlos “Botong” Francisco and Galo B.
Ocampo to become professor artists for the university. The three, who would later be
known as the formidable “Triumvirate”, led the growth of mural painting in the
country. Finally retiring from teaching at age 70, the university conferred on Edades
the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, for being an outstanding “visionary,
teacher and artist.”
mong his works are The Sketch, The Artist and the Model, Portrait of the
Professor, Japanese Girl, Mother and Daughter, The Wrestlers, and Poinsettia Girl.
Victorio Edades (2015, June 2).

25. Ang Kiukok

He was known for his highly expressionistic works
which contains powerful meanings. Angst, anguish and
anger are the glaring emotions contained and content
in his cubistic works as these were created in the time
of Martial Law. (Sayseng & Sandangan, 2016)
He crystallized in vivid, cubistic figures the terror and angst of the times. Shaped in
the furnace of the political turmoil of those times, Ang Kiukok pursued an expression
imbued with nationalist fervor and sociological agenda.
Some of his works include Geometric Landscape (1969); Pieta, which won for him the
bronze medal in the 1st International Art Exhibition held in Saigon (1962); and
the Seated Figure (1979), auctioned at Sotheby’s in Singapore.
His works can be found in many major art collections, among them the Cultural
Center of the Philippines, National Historical Museum of Taipei, and the National
Museum in Singapore.
Ang Kiukok died on May 9, 2005
Ang Kiukok (2015, June 2)

26.Jose Joya
An abstractionist known for his “gestural paintings” the
prominent elements of his artworks include their color
harmony inspired by the country’s landscapes.
He espoused the value of kinetic energy and spontaneity
in painting which became significant artistic values in Philippine art. His paintings
clearly show his mastery of ‘gestural paintings’ where paint is applied intuitively and
spontaneously, in broad brush strokes, using brushes or spatula or is directly
squeezed from the tube and splashed across the canvas.  His 1958 landmark
painting Granadean Arabesque,a work on canvas big enough to be called a mural,
features swipes and gobs of impasto and sand. The choice of Joya to represent the
Philippines in the 1964 Venice Biennial itself represents a high peak in the rise of the
modern art in the country.
Joya also led the way for younger artists in bringing out the potentials of multimedia.
He designed and painted on ceramic vessels, plates and tiles, and stimulated regional
workshops. He also did work in the graphic arts, particularly in printmaking.
His legacy is undeniably a large body of work of consistent excellence which has won
the admiration of artists both in the local and international scene. Among them are his
compositions Beethoven Listening to the Blues, and Space Transfiguration, and other
works like Hills of Nikko, Abstraction, Dimension of Fear, Naiad, Torogan, Cityscape.
Jose Joya (2015, June 2)
27.Vicente Manansala
A cubist and painter who painted with a wide range
of subject matters from the happy and bountiful
rural to poverty-stricken urban set-ups. He
contributed modernism in Philippine Visual arts by
his style transparent cubism.
He trained at Paris and at Otis School of Drawing in Los Angeles. Manansala believes
that the beauty of art is in the process, in the moment of doing a particular painting,
closely associating it with the act of making love. “The climax is just when it’s really
finished.”
Manansala’s works include A Cluster of Nipa Hut, San Francisco Del
Monte,Banaklaot, I Believe in God, Market Venders, Madonna of the Slums, Still Life
with Green Guitar, Via Crucis, Whirr, Nude.
Vicenete Manansala (2015, June 2)