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CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE

REGIONS Modern artists do not aim to copy and idealize reality.
Instead, they change colors and flatten the picture instead
What is Contemporary Art? of creating illusions of depth.

Art is the expression or application of human creative skill

Neoclassic Style Modern Art
and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting
or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for Creates illusions of They change colors and
their beauty or emotional power. depthness, nearness, flatten the picture
and farness
It can be used as a form of self-expression (paintings, music, Familiar and New-looking and
poetry, fashion, etc.), therapy, aesthetic, inspiration, comfortable shocking
motivation, and to promote awareness.
Neoclassical art is “academic” as it was and continues to be
What is Contemporary Art? Is it similar to Modern Art? taught in school (UP Fine Arts) where Fernando Amorsolo
and Guillermo Tolentino were influential.
Modern is defined as being up to date and technologically
advanced. Art that is current and new is also referred to as Modern art is referred to as “traditional” compared to
modern as opposed to the terms “traditional” or contemporary art. Contemporary art is the art of the
“conservative”. present, which is continuously in process and in flux.

Comparison and Contrast of Contemporary and Modern

Art

Social realists of the 70s are considered heirs of neorealists.

Contemporary art is influenced by social realism.

Imelda Cajipe-Endaya is a social realist but the style and

medium of installation is markedly different.

Contemporary Modern

1970 and still emerging 1880 - 1960

Produced by living “Traditional”

artists today

Arturo Luz is a Philippine National Artist who produced

paintings in the 90s and well into the 21st century. His work
was characterized by hard-edged and abstract minimalistic
styles.

Contemporary is a fluid term and its use can change

depending on the context in which it is used.

Historical and Stylistic Context

Aside from style, it is also very useful to know where the
Victorio Edades is considered to be the Father of Philippine artists are coming from and the circumstances of making
Modern Art. He is famous for initiating the modern art and disseminating their art.
movement that challenged the neoclassic style, which was Characteristics of Contemporary Art
dominant during that time.
● Site-specific
Neoclassical art depicts reality as closely as possible and ○ They cannot be experienced in the same
idealizes it: beautiful and pastoral. Meanwhile, modern art way if removed from their original places
depicts what might be thought of as “ugly” and unpleasant.
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of exhibit, whether in a gallery, out in the Native Dance Forms

streets, in the forest, on the internet, etc. ● Pangalay (Sulu)
○ Mimetic dance of seabirds.
● Process-based
○ Integrates various mediums and art forms. ● Kinabua of Mandaya
○ Performed with swooping movements
● Collaborative and Interactive that of an eagle.
○ The art is never complete without the
audience’s active input. ● Banog-banog of the Higaonon and B’laan
○ Courtship dance that portrays the flight
Contemporary art is distinguishable from modern art in of birds.
historical, stylistic, and cultural terms. It is never fixed, but
open to many possibilities. To study and appreciate the ● Man Manok (Bago Tribe)
contemporary is to experience and understand art as a ○ Dance that dramatizes three roosters who
window to the Philippine contemporary life. compete against one another to be able to
get the attention of a hen, Lady Lien.
History of Philippine Art
● Talip (Ifugaos)
A. Pre-conquest ○ Courtship dance mimetic of the
- In art historical terms, “pre-conquest” movements of wild fowls.
- In stylistic terms, “indigenous”
- In cultural terms, “pre-colonial” ● Inamong of Matigsalugs and Kadaliwas (T’boli)
○ Represent the comedic movements of
Before, art was everyday expressions and were all integrated monkeys.
within rituals.
● Tinikling (Tagalog)
Art Before Colonization ○ Evocative of the movements of the crane
Earliest forms of Theater or Rituals balancing itself on stilt-like legs or
● Mayvanuvanua (Batanes) flitting away from the clutches of
○ Ritual that opens the fishing season of bamboo traps.
dibang or flying fish.
● Cañao or Kanyaw (Cordillera Administrative Carvings
Region) ● Bulul (Cordillera)
○ Officiated by a shaman or mumbaki. It ○ Granary god that plays an important role
involves animal sacrifice where the entrails in rituals.
are read through a process of divination. ○ Anthropomorphic bulul appears in
containers, bowls, and spoons.
● Kashawing (Lake Lanao of Mindanao)
○ Ritual to ensure abundance during rice ● Hagabi (Ifugao)
planting and harvesting. ○ Wooden bench that marks the socio-
economic status of the owner.
● Tagbanwa (Palawan)
○ Shamans go into a trance amidst ritual
chanting and dancing and are believed to
be taken over by the goddesses themselves. ● Burraq
○ A horse with the head of a woman, is
Ethnic Musical Instruments also an important figure.
● Kudyapi
○ A two-stringed guitar. On the other hand, Christianized communities in Paete
Laguna and Betis Pampanga are known for carving santos.
● Kulintang In the Southern Philippines curvilinear decorations called
○ An array of bossed gongs. the okir are employed in woodcarving.

● Agong ● Sarimanok
○ A large bossed gong.
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○ The stylized design of a bird holding a fish ○ Made of nito and bamboo and are used as
in its beak and/or standing on a base in the a head sling to carry harvest.
shape of a fish.
● Bubo
● Pako Rabong ○ Fish traps made of sturdy bamboo strips
○ Stylized growing fern with a broad base in the Ilocos region.
gracefully tapering upwards.

The sarimanok and naga are found in the panolong, the Adornments and Various Items
extended floor beam, and the interior beams and posts of the ● Tattoos
large sultan’s house or torogan. The panolong is an ○ Visayas is also known as “Islas de los
elaborately carved protrusion akin to a wing attached to the Pintados”.
torogan. ○ Shared by Southeast Asia and New
Zealand, other ethnolinguistic groups that
Pottery practice tattooing are the Kalinga,
The Manunggul Jar, excavated in Manunggul Cave Lipunan Kankanay, Ibaloy, and Ifugao.
Point Palawan is dated to the late Neolithic Period (890- ● Jewelry
710).It has two anthropomorphic or human forms atop the ○ The T’boli in particular are known for
lid. wearing brass chains, bells, and colorful
beads.
During the Metal Age (5 BC225 AD) another type of ○ Filipino bawisak earrings — Traditional
anthropomorphic jars was produced; the human figure is Ifugao tribe wears bead and shell
more pronounced with lid as the head and base as the body. bawisak earrings. Ifugao warriors also
wear silver earrings and pendants called
In later years pottery would become more and more linglingo.
associated with objects for daily use, such as the palayok
(clay pot) for cooking, and the banga and tapayan (clay pot) Physical ornamentation can be categorized to three areas
for storing liquids. In Vigan Ilocos the making of burnay specifically the use of traditional costumes (textile),
pottery continues as a lively tradition. jewelries and tattoos. The designs vary depending on the
location, users and function of the ornaments.
Weaving
According to Respicio “textile weaving has a long history, ● Lotoans
Philippine ethnolinguistic groups have a rich textile weaving ○ Betel nut boxes or various shapes.
tradition”.
Textiles are not only functional, they also impart knowledge ● Brass Kendi and Gadur
about people's belief systems: the reverence for spirits and ○ Used in ceremonies and are cherished as
nature criteria for beauty and the society's sociopolitical status symbols or as heirloom pieces.
structure. B. Islamic Colonial (13th Century to the Present)

● Pis Syabit Islam was already well entrenched in the Southern

○ A headpiece woven by Tausug of Sulu. Philippines where it continues to be culturally dominant. It
gained significant grounding in Sulu as early as the 13th
● Malong century.
○ It has exquisite tapestry panels called
langkit, woven by the Maranao of Lanao Sayyid Abubakar of Arabia married Princess Piramisuli,
Del Sur. daughter of Rajah Baguinda. Abubakar succeeded to the
throne and established the Sultanate of Sulu. This allowed
● Tepo Mat for Islamic touches to be introduced to the country,
○ A colorful double layered mat from Sama examples of this are the Quran and Madrasa (Tausug,
of Tawi-Tawi. It is made of pandan leaves. Maranao, Maguindanao, Yakan, Samal, Badjao, Some
areas in Palawan).
● Luhul
○ A canopy mat that takes inspiration from How art is influenced by Islam
the tree of life. Notion of Tawhid or Unity with God, emphasizes the
impermanence of nature and the incomprehensible
● Ovaloid Baskets greatness of the divine Being.
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○ Santos
1. Interiors of mosques are covered with elaborate ■ From Western models to
patterning in the form of reliefs. Chinese features, and techniques
2. Abstract forms and patterns with Greek and Roman classical
3. Parts of the Mosque like the mihrab or niche and the influence.
Qibla wall are oriented toward the west. ■ The Greek and Roman classical
4. The bulbous dome expresses all levels of cosmic influence can be seen in the
existence, while the octagonal base symbolizes that proportion and the formality of
spirit, and the four-sided main base refers to the expression while the Baroque
Earth or material world. style is evident in the expressive
5. The courtyard or Ka’bah, a black shrine that is and emotional characteristics of
believed to have been built by the Prophet the santo.
Muhammad himself. ○ Retablo
6. The areas of water supply serves as the function of ■ Integrates architecture and
ablution or cleansing. sculptures and is often
7. The gardens within the mosque’s compound or even embellished with rosettes,
outside homes. scrolls, pediments, and
8. Islamic forms are inclined to project, grow, or have solomonic columns which may
an upward orientation. be gilded or polychromed.
○ Via Crucis
C. Spanish Colonial (1521 - 1898) ■ A series of 14 paintings or relief
structures depicting Christ’s
Lowland Christian Art crucifixion and resurrection.
● Architecture ○ Trompe I’oeil
○ Plaza Complex ■ A French word meaning
■ The complex was designated as “fooling the eye”. It refers to
the town center and consisted of paintings that give a heightened
the municipio or local government illusion of three-dimensionality.
office and the church. ○ Relleves
○ Cruciform Churches ■ Carved figurative protrusions.
■ Churches were built following the ○ Plateria
shape of the Latin Catholic cross. ■ Organic designs of hammered
○ Baroque Style silver.
■ Characterized by grandeur, drama,
and elaborate details that ● Music
purposely appealed to the ○ Western Musical Instruments
emotions. ■ Pipe Organ
■ Seen in San Agustin Church in ■ Violin
Manila, Morong Church in Rizal, ■ Guitar
Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, and ■ Piano
Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Church ○ Catholic Liturgical Music
in Miag-ao, Iloilo. ■ Introduced in 1742 by the then
■ Colonial Baroque / Philippine or Archbishop of Manila, Juan
Tropical Baroque. Rodriguez Angel.
■ The Santo Domingo and San
To suit the native’s sensibilities, local intervention was made. Agustin convents taught chorale
The facade of Miag-ao Church features St. Christopher, music to young boys, including
surrounded by reliefs or relleves having tropical motifs like Filipino composers like Marcelo
palm fronds and papaya trees. Adonay (1848 - 1926).
○ Pasyon or Pabasa
The use of adobe, limestone, or brick and the construction of ■ Biblical narration of Christ’s
thick buttresses or wing-like projections are used to reinforce passion, chanted in improvised
the church’s structure to make it more resistant to melodies.
earthquakes. ○ Awit and Corrido

● Sculpting
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■ Musical forms that were chanted entirely from the Biblical

stories based on European account of Christ’s passion and
literature and history. death on the cross, adapted into
○ Balitao verse form and translated into
■ Sentimental love songs. the local language.
○ Kundiman
■ Usually spoke of resignation and ○ Komedya
fatalism, it became a vehicle for ■ Depicts the conflict between the
resistance. Muslims and Christians.
■ Kundiman ni Abdon, a kundiman ■ Komedya de Santo or Religious
which became a feature of protest Komedya.
actions against martial law. ■ Secular Komedya or Moro-
■ Bayan Ko, a kundiman which moro.
experienced renewed popularity
during the EDSA People Power ● Folk Music and Dance
Revolution. ○ Cariñosa
○ Pandango
● Literature ○ Polka
○ Catechism and Prayer books. ○ Dansa
○ Rigodon
Among Mangyans who inhabit the island of Mindoro,
bamboo poles are cut into smaller nodes and are etched with ● Secular Art
Baybayin script, this was used to compose short poems of ○ Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de
courtship and other emotional concerns. las Yslas Filipinas, the first scientific
map of the Philippines.
In Ticao, Leyte, a huge stone was discovered that contained ■ In 1734, the Jesuit Priest Fr.
baybayin writing, it is believed to be an invocation for a safe Pedro Murillo Velarde
journey by sea. collaborated with artists
Francisco Suarez and engraver
● Theater Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay to
○ Religious Processions make Carta Hydrographica y
■ The earliest forms of theater were Chorographica de las Yslas
replaced by the pomp and Filipinas. They were the first to
pageantry of religious processions, acknowledge their role as artists
complete with embellished by signing their names at the
carrozas containing religious bottom of the map. Other known
tableaus of Catholic saints and engravers include Laureano
scenes from the Bible. Atlas and Felipe Sevilla, who
○ Zarzuela also produced religious images.
■ A popular form of musical theater
from Spain, imported during the ○ Flora de Filipinas
19th century, it is an opera which ■ An extensive compilation of
features singing and dancing Philippine plants by Augustinian
interspersed with prose dialogue botanist, Fr. Manuel Blanco.
which allows the story to be
carried out in song. ● Visual Arts
■ Severino Reyes and Hermogenes ○ Heaven, Earth, and Hell (1850)
Ilagan were the most distinguished ■ A mural by Jose Dans in Paete
playwrights of their day, and Church, Laguna.
Honorata “Atang” dela Rama ○ Basi Revolt
(National Artist for Theater and ■ A series of fourteen paintings by
Music, 1987) as their most Esteban Villanueva.
celebrated leading actress.
○ Senakulo The opening of Manila to international trade and the Suez
■ Written in 1704 by Gaspar Aquino Canal in 1869 gained economic benefits for the native
de Belen. Its narrative was culled elites.
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Drama Simbolico
The rise of new elites in art:
➔ Bahay na Bato 1. Tanikalang Ginto (Golden Chain) by Juan Abad
➔ Paintings 2. Hindi ako Patay (I am not Dead) by Juan
Matapang Cruz
● Paintings 3. Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas (Yesterday, Today,
○ Miniaturist Style and Tomorrow) by Aurelio Tolentino
■ Allowed the artist to reveal the
meticulous details that signify the These plays came to represent a deep and profound
wealth and refinement of the yearning for freedom.
sitter, or the one who is posing for
the portrait. A Modern Filipina (1915) — The first Filipino play written
■ A portrait of the Quizon Family, in English by Lino Castillejo and Jesus Araullo.
in 1800, documents the family’s
affluence: the magnificent interior Vaudeville or Bodabil — A combination of pantomime,
of their house, the mother’s dialogue, dancing, and song. During the Japanese
jewelry, the delicate fabric, and occupation, it was used to convey hidden messages for
the embroidery of their clothing, guerillas.
as well as their dignified poses.
■ Other known painters of the same The architecture of the time heavily focused on
style are Antonio Malantic, Isidro neoclassicism. It was inspired by the City Beautiful
Arceo, Dionisio de Castro, and Movement that was introduced in the Chicago World Fair
Justiniano Asuncion. in 1893.
○ Letras y Figuras
■ Combining names of individuals The inclination toward genre, still life, and portrait
and vignettes of everyday life. paintings persisted.
○ Academic Paintings
■ Championed European academic Landscapes became cherished as travel souvenirs,
styles. especially those that captured the exotic qualities of
■ In 1821, Damian Domingo Philippine terrain.
established the first art school in E. Japanese Occupation
the country, right at his studio in
Binondo, Manila. The Academia ● KALIBAPI
de Dibujo was eventually ○ Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod ng Bagong
absorbed by Real Sociedad Pilipinas or KALIBAPI sponsored art
Economica Filipina de Amigos del competitions during this period.
Pais, where Domingo served as ○ In 1943 and 1944, Puruggan and
director. Francisco won KALIBAPI awards.

In 1884, Juan Luna won gold for Spoliarium and Felix ● Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
Hidalgo won silver for Virgenes Christianas Expuestas Al ○ A propaganda movement sought to create
Populacho (The Christian Virgins Exposed to the Populace) a Pan-Asian identity that rejected
in Madrid Exposition. Western traditions.

The Virgenes Christianas Expuestas Al Populacho, currently ● Shin-Seiki, Liwayway, and Tribune
on long-term loan to National Art Gallery in Singapore, is a ○ “Asia for Asians” made its way to the
part of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila or MET public through posters, ephemera,
Collection. Whilst the Spoliarium may be viewed at the comics, and Japanese sponsored
National Art Gallery of the Philippines publications.
○ Production of images, texts, and music
D. American Colonial Period (1898 - 1940) underwent major scrutiny.

“The colonial government took charge of initiating the ● Felipe P. De Leon

natives into the American way of life, creating a lasting ○ He composed “Awit sa Paglikha ng
influence on Filipino culture.” Bagong Pilipinas”, an anthem that was
made specifically for this period.
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● The Contrast by HR Ocampo

● Fernando Amorsolo’s Painting ○ HR Ocampo’s “The Contrast” is a
○ Many of his works showed little or no distinctive work which exposes dire
indication of war’s atrocities. human conditionals amid the backdrop of
○ Harvest Scene, 1942. modernity.
○ Rice Planting, 1942. ○ Ocampo’s paintings are a combination of
○ These paintings evoked a semblance of geometric and biomorphic shapes with
peace, idealized work in the countryside, vibrant colors.
and promoted values of docile
industriousness. ● Genesis by HR Ocampo
○ This painting became the basis of a
● Sa Kabukiran stunning tapestry hanging at the Main
○ A hit song by Sylvia La Torre, written in Theater or Bulwagang Nicanor Abelardo
Tagalog in the 1940s which was composed of the CCP.
by Levi Celerio. ○ Other artists identified with neo-realism
are Ramon Estrella, Victor Oteyza, and
● Portraits of High Officials Romeo Tabuena.
○ His Excellency, Jorge B. Bargas, Chairman
of the Philippine Executive Commission, ● Art Association of the Philippines
1943. ○ It was established in 1948 under the
○ “Independence this Year,” said His leadership of artist Purita Kalaw-
Excellency, Premier Tojo, 1943. Ledesma.
○ AAP’s initiative is to sponsor contests to
● “Study of an Aeta” by Crispin Lopez encourage art production.
○ Portraits representing different ○ “Job as Also Man” by Martino Abellano,
ethnolinguistic groups were produced. and “Carroza” by Fernando Zobel.

● Bombing of the Intendencia & Ruins of the Manila ● Philippine Art Gallery
Cathedral by Amorsolo ○ It was put up in 1951 through artist-
○ Although scenes from the war were also writer Lydia Aguilla, and others.
made, the imagery remained neutral, ○ Provided a venue and laid out early
focusing rather on the aesthetic qualities of programs for modern art.
ruin and disaster.
● Construction of Modern Architectural Structure
Neo-realism, Abstraction, and other Modern Styles ○ Church of Holy Sacrifice and Church of
the Risen Lord in UP Diliman Campus.
➔ E. Aguilar Cruz named this movement neo-realism. ○ Chapel of St. Joseph the Worker in
➔ Exploration in subject-matter, content, and form. Victorias, Negros.
➔ Exposition of true social condition. ■ It was built by Architect
➔ Artists explored folk themes, commentaries on the Antonin Raymond and it
urban condition and effects of the war. features a striking mural of
➔ Manansala, Legaspi and HR Ocampo were among Jesus Christ by Alfonso Ossorio
the National Artists associated with neo-realism. —Angry Christ.

Many of Manansala’s paintings are characterized by ● Abstraction

transparent cubism, a style marked by the soft fragmentation ○ Consists of simplified forms, which
of the figures by using transparent planes instead of hard- avoid mimetic representation.
edged ones. ○ Sometimes referred to as non-
representational or non-objective art as it
● Cesar Legaspi emphasized the relationship of line,
○ Most of Legaspi’s figures in this period are color, and space or flatness on the canvas
distorted by his elongating or making rather than illusion of three-
rotund forms in a well-ordered dimensionality.
composition, as seen in the painting, “Bar
Girls”. NATIONAL ARTISTS
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Architecture  Levi Celerio

 Pablo S. Antonio  Resil B. Mojares
 Leandro V. Locsin  Ramon L. Muzones
 Juan F. Nakpil  Gemino H. Abad
 Ildefonso P. Santos
 Jose Maria V. Zaragoza Fashion Design
 Francisco T. Mañosa  Ramon Valera
 Salvacion Lim-Higgins

Cinema Theater Design

 Lamberto V. Avellana  Salvador F. Bernal
 Lino Brocka
 Ishmael Bernal Dance
 Manuel Conde  Francisca Reyes Aquino
 Gerardo de Leon  Ramon Obusan
 Fernando Poe Jr.  Alice Reyes
 Eddie S. Romero  Leonor Orosa Goquingco
 Kidlat Tahimik  Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula
 Marilou Diaz Abaya  Agnes Locsin
 Nora Aunor
 Ricky Lee Historical Literature
 Carlos Quirino
Visual Arts
 Fernando Amorsolo Music
 Hernando R. Ocampo  Antonino Buenaventura
 Benedicto Cabrera  Jose Maceda
 Carlos “Botong” Francisco  Lucrecia R. Kasilag
 Cesar Legaspi  Ernani J. Cuenco
 Abdulmari Asia Imao  Lucio San Pedro
 Guillermo E. Tolentino  Antonio J. Molina
 Arturo Luz  Francisco Feliciano
 Federico Aguilar Alcuaz  Levi Celerio
 Napoleon V. Abueva  Ramon P. Santos
 J. Elizalde Navarro  Jovita Fuentes
 Francisco Coching  Felipe Padilla de Leon
 Victorio C. Edades  Andrea Veneracion
 Ang Kuikok  Honorata “Atang” dela Rama
 Jose T. Joya  Ryan Cayabyab
 Vicente Manansala  Fides Cuyugan-Asensio
 Larry Alcala
Theater
Literature  Daisy Avellana
 Francisco Arcellana  Rolando S. Tinio
 Edith L. Tiempo  Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero
 Bienvenido Lumbera  Honorata “Atang” dela Rama
 N.V.M. Gonzalez  Salvador F. Bernal
 Virgilio S. Almario  Severino Montano
 Cirilo F. Bautista  Lamberto V. Avellana
 Nick Joaquin  Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio
 Amado V. Hernandez  Tony Mabesa
 Lazaro Francisco
 F. Sionil Jose
 Carlos P. Romulo
 Jose Garcia Villa
 Alejandro Roces
 Rolando S. Tinio