CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE

ARTS FROM THE REGION

First Semester-First Quarter

TRADITIONAL ARTS
● Evidence in monuments and statues during
Introduction
ancient and traditional times are the essence
Our country is home to many traditional arts which
to commemorate heroism or other deeds of
could be traced back to pre-colonial times. The fact
greatness. While contemporary monuments
that we have strong family ties makes it easier for our
and statues suggest reimagining of the
practices, beliefs, traditions, and arts to be handed
character or event to evoke more intense
down from generation to generation. The various kinds
emotions from its spectator.
of traditional art in our country are informally learned
● Up to the present times, it can be observed in
and usually produced in indigenous closely knitted
most buildings and structures in the country
communities as a reflection of one's history and
the incorporation of traditional and
culture.
contemporary style. Both traditional arts and
Animism is the usual theme of traditional arts with
contemporary arts exist in mutual acceptance
an intention to depict people's gods and
and respect for each other's freedom of
goddesses, thus resulting in the creation of
expression, practices, and principles
abstract symbolic of animistic figures like the sun,
the moon, and other human figures.
NATIONAL ART CENTERS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Traditional art is culture-bound, and it revolves
around the artist and his/her feelings, thoughts, ● In 1969, the Cultural Center of the
and messages to his/her audience. For example, the Philippines (CCP) was established through
sculpture of Northern Philippines may be in the executive order No, 303. The main goal of the
form of human beings or animals while in establishment is "to preserve, develop and
Southern Philippines the carvings may stem from promote arts and culture in the
plant forms, displaying its curvilinear designs. Philippines". It houses several
companies-some of which are the
● Philippines Philharmonic Orchestra,
Basketry of the Mangyans
● UST Symphony Orchestra,
● The Mangyans are a group of indigenous
● Tanghalang Filipino,
people from Mindoro Island in the Philippines.
● BAYANIHAN National Dance Company of
the Philippines,
T’nalak ● Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group,
● Tapestry woven by the Tbolis in South ● Philippine Madrigal Singers,
Cotabato ● Philippine Ballet Theatre,
Embroidered piña jusi cloth of Lumban, Laguna ● Ballet Philippines,
● Piña is a natural fiber derived from the leaves ● and National Music Competitions for Young
of the Native Philippine Red Pineapple. A Artist.
luxury fabric softer than hemp and glossy like Concerts, theatrical performances, and art exhibits for
silk. both local and international.
● Philippine traditional arts are rich in songs ● The Pasinaya: CCP's Open House festival,
and dances in the regions. These songs and the largest multi-arts festival for the
dances are handed over by master craftsmen Filipino Public.
to their younger generations like any traditional In 2010, CCP started an outreach program called
art. Ugnayan sa Sining that promotes regional arts
● In literature and the performing arts, the through cultural interactions and exchange. Cultural
traditional style is evident in their adherence to Center of the Philippines (CCP) and National
classical structures and standards. These Commission On Culture and the Arts (NCCA) made
classics are considered timeless and a conscious effort in promoting cultural events in the
enduring. A very good example of a classic different regions because in theN past Manila has
literary work is Jose Rizal'sNoli Me Tangere. been regarded as the center of cultural and artistic
activities.

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 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE
ARTS FROM THE REGION
First Semester-First Quarter

TRADITIONAL ARTS
It started with four groups: ● Subcommission on Culture Dissemination
● Sining Bulakeño (SIBUL) from Malolos, (SCD), which handles committees on
Bulacan; Communication, Cultural Education, and
● St. Louis University from Baguio City: Language and Translation.
● CPU Handbell Choir from Iloilo City; ● Subcommission on Cultural Communities
● and Tagum City Comprehensive National and Traditional Arts (SCCTA), which takes
High School Rondalla from Davao del care of the committees on Northern Cultural
Norte. Later, the Youth. Advocates for Theater Arts of Communities, Central Cultural Communities,
Dumaguete (YATTA) and Mindanao State University in and Southern Cultural Communities.
General Santos city exchanged cultural visits followed February has now been known as the National Arts
by other groups across the country. Month (NAM). In celebration of the NAM, NCCA-SCA
In 2014, CCP launched Kaisa sa Sining: The came up with the annual Philippine Arts Festival
Regional Arts Centers with its goal to "further which consists of several activities and highlight the
strengthen its linkages and cooperation with local artistic talent and brilliance of the Filipinos. Seven of
organizations in the Regions. Below is the map of the nineteen national committees - architecture,
regional centers participating in Kaisa sa Sining cinema dance, literature, music, theater, and the
The CCP is also in charge of the National Art Center in visual arts prepare the following programs for the
Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna, which is home of Philippine Arts Festival.
the Philippine High School for the Arts. The school
was established in 1976 for young aspiring artists.
The student population is about 135-140 to ensure
Cinema National This activity
quality of instruction with full scholarship and living Rehiyon Committee on focuses on
assistance. Grace Nono, Sharmaine C. Cinema film
Buencamino, Nick Pichay, Gerry Leonardo are production
among the products of the said school. from the
regions where
THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR independent
filmmakers
CULTURE AND THE ARTS
showcase their
In 1992, under Republic Act No. 7356 the NCCA was latest films.
formed and is responsible in "preserving, promoting
and developing culture and the arts in the Philippines" Sayaw Pinoy National It is a tour
just like CCP. An overall policy- making body and Committee on dance concert
coordinator among cultural agencies is one of its Dance showcasing
functions. It aims to encourage artistic creation within different types
of dances such
a climate of artistic freedom".
as ballet,
NCCA has four sub-commissions: hip-hop,
● Subcommission on the Arts (SCA), which contemporary,
facilitates the committees on Architecture and folk
and Allied Arts, Cinema, Dance, Dramatic dance.
Arts, Literary Arts, Music, and the Visual
Literary Art National For this event,
Arts.
Festival Committee on writers,
● Subcommission on Cultural Heritage Literary artd publishers,
(SCH), which includes committees on teachers, and
Archives, Art Galleries, Historical students
Research, Libraries and Information gather for
Services, Monuments and Sites, and literary talks
Museums. and lectures

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 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE
ARTS FROM THE REGION
First Semester-First Quarter

TRADITIONAL ARTS
Tunugtugon National This is a
Committee on week-long In 2013, NCCA sponsored Tanghal Theater Festival
Music ensemble that featuring regional theater organizations and
uses musical university drama groups with the theme "Ani ng
instrument Sining". NCCA also provides support to
made from community-based theater groups. Together with
traditional government agencies like the Department of
instruments,
Education, the Department Social Welfare and
like gong,
bamboo, or Development, and Non-Government Organizations
recycled believing that community-based theaters help fortify
materials to the spirit of nationalism, patriotism, thereby
promote becoming agents of change. An example of a
Philippine younger community-based theater group is Dulaang
Culture and Kasing Sining in the province of Bohol. With the help of
ingenuity,
NCCA, artist -leader Lutgardo "Gardy" Labad founded
‘tangal National ‘This is a the group in February 2015 to address the concerns of
Committee on festival the Boholanos regarding the devastation generated by
Dramatic Arts featuring the the earthquake that struck the region in 2013.
works of
community and
university-base
d theater
groups

Philippine Philippine To Celebrate

vVisual Arts Visual Arts the visual arts
Festival for the regions,
the committer,
holdcrtifi sears

Likha Asya NCCA Aimed to be the

first Asian,
conference,
community-ba
sed tourism
for
sustainable
livelihoods.
The said
conference was
joined by
Cambodia,
indonesia,
Japan,
Thailand and
the
Philippines

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