What comes in to your mind when you hear the word Contemporary?

Unit 3: Contemporary Arts in the Philippines

Looking at Art: The Higantes of Angono, Rizal

• Spanish colonial times; Angono was ruled by Spanish hacienderos

• The traditional body of higantes are made of bamboo, and colorful cloth and itsfaces of paper mache.

• The three old higantes of Angono- Father, Mother, & Child Higante

• It measures 4-5 feet in diameter and 10-12 feet in height.

• Bamboo strips or Yantok were used as the skeleton frame for the body. It wouldthen be covered with yards of cloth resembling their characters.

• The head was attached to the body and a person could go inside and carry it.

Looking at Art: The Sculptures of Paete, Laguna

• Derived from the Tagalog word Paet- which means Chisel.

• Jose Rizal described Paete as a town where “carpenter shops” were issuingimages “even those more rudely carved”. (Chapter 6, Noli Me Tangere)

• They are being called as Paetenos/Paetenians.

• Mariano Madrinan- the official town hero (Mater Dolorosa)- wood carver

• The Carving Capital of the Philippines

• ModernYoyo was believed to be invented here.

Looking at Art: The Taka of Paete, Laguna

• It refers to the paper mache made using carved wooden sculpture used as a mold.

• Maria Piday- Taka was pioneered by her.

• Common and traditional subjects of taka include manok, kabayo, kalabaw, and dalaga which is made primarily for local use.

• Taka images now include those of Santa Claus, reindeer, giraffes, and other subjects.

Looking at Art: The Giant Lantern Festival of Pampanga

• An annual festival held in December (Saturday before Christmas Eve) in the City of San Fernando in the Philippines.

• It features a competition of giant lanterns

• “Christmas Capital of the Philippines”

• 1931- the electricity was introduced to the San Fernando lantern.

• The first lantern festival was held to honor President Manuel L. Quezon.

Looking at Art: Saniculas Cookie Mold Carvings of Pampanga

• Are arrowroot cookies that have the image of St. Nicholas molded on it.

• St. Nicholas- also known as “the healer”; the go-to saint for those who need “healing” from illnesses.

• Legend has it that if you consume these cookies when one is ill, you get healed and recover in a shorter amount of time than it would usually take.

• It is considered as a family heirloom.

Looking at Art: The Singkaban or Bamboo Art of Bulacan

• It is the art of shaving bamboo into artful creations that can be used as décor for arches or for the home.

• Singkabans are artfully-made entrance arches used during fiestas and other important events in Bulacan.

• Bamboo is primarily used in creating a Singkaban.

• Singkaban Festival- annual provincial event of Bulacan where Bulakneyoculture and arts are featured in a week-long celebration.

Looking at Art: The Bul-ul of the Ifugao

• It is carved wooden figure used to guard the rice crop by the Igorot of northern Luzon.

• Are used in ceremonies associated with rice production and with healing.

• It is important to Ifugaos because they believe that they can have abundant harvest when this is placed near rice granaries.

• Handed down to the first child of a family.

Looking at Art: The Okir Design of Maranao

• Is the term for geometric and flowing designs which are often based on an elaborate leaf and vine pattern and folk motifs that can be usually found in Maranao and Muslim-influenced artwork, especially in the Southern Philippines and some parts of Southeast Asia.

• It is a symbol of power and prestige usually adorned during festivities.

• It is found woven or printed in textiles, wooden boxes, and it can also be found etched into knife or sword blades and handles.

Looking at Art: The Sarimanok of Maranao

• It is a legendary bird of the Maranao people who originate from Mindanao.

• Sari- cloth or garment, which is generally of assorted colors; Manok- means chicken.

• It is depicted as a bird with colorful wings and feathered tail, holding a fish on its beak.

• It is said to be a symbol of good fortune.

Looking at Art: The Torogan of Maranao

• It is also known as Bahay Lakan; a type of house indigenous to Maranao communities which is a symbol of high social status.

• It is elevated above the ground by its columns cut from trees of huge girth.

• The walls are covered with plywood sticks and the roof thatched with dried coconut leaves.

• It looks liked a huge hall; Okir is also found in the house.

• It will never be complete without the legendary bird, Sarimanok being displayed inside.

Looking at Art: The Hagabi of Ifugao

• It is a long wooden bench placed under the eaves in the stone-paved yard that surrounds the house.

• It signifies an individual or family’s wealth and prestige belonging to the rank of Cadangyan (wealthy) who can afford to perform the Hagabi Feast.

• The Hagabi Feast today is conducted by the Ifugaos for the purpose of building a modern house instead of making a wooden couch.

Looking at Art: Pabalat or Borlas de Pastillas of Bulacan

• The Pastillas in Bulacan are wrapped with decorative papers known as Pabalat or Borlas de Pastillas.

• Made of colorful Japanese papers which are cut with intricate designs.

• The designs range from Bahay Kubo, rice fields, farmers, flowers, Maria Clara to landscapes and figures.

• The way to make it is so delicate that only those with skilled hands and have perfect control of their motor skills can produce the best kind.

Looking at Art: The Puni or Palm Leaf Folding of Bulacan

• It refers to the art of coconut leaf weaving.

• The tagalog term from the province of Bulacan which means to beautify or decorate with the use of coconut leaf.

• Coconut leaves are fashioned by folding, plaiting, braiding, and weaving, which may have functional as well as aesthetic uses.

• The most common example of Puni art is the Palaspas we see every Holy Week; food containers, form of toys, etc.

Looking at Art: The Malong of Maranao

• It is a traditional “tube skirt” made of handwoven or machine-made multi-colored cotton cloth, bearing a variety of geometric or okir designs.

• It traditionally used as a garment by numerous tribes in the Southern Philippines and the Sulu archipelago.

• It has a lot of uses.

Looking at Art: Tribal Costumes of B’laan, Kalinga, Bagobo, and T’boli

• B’laan

- One of the indigenous people of Southern Mindanao in the Philippines. They are famous for their brass works, beadworks, etc. The people of these tribes wear colorful embroidered native costumes and beadwork accessories.

• Kalinga

- “Peacocks of the North” because of their attention to appearance and dressing.

- It is a landlocked province of northern Cordillera.

- “Kalinga” means enemy; because of their headhunting attacks; accepted by the natives themselves.

• T’boli

- Distinguish themselves from other tribal groups by their colorful clothes, bracelets, and earrings. This tribe is famous for their complicated beadwork, wonderful woven fabrics, and beautiful bass ornaments.

• Bagobo

- They have ornate traditions in weaponry and other metal arts. They are noted for their skills in producing brass articles through the ancient lost-wax process. These people also weave abaca cloths of earth tones and etc.

Looking at Art: The Pagbuburda of Laguna and Batangas

• It is an art used in decorating textiles which was brought to the Philippines by the Spaniards.

• Needlework- was considered an important accomplishment for women and was part of the curriculum in girls’ schools throughout Spanish times.

• Embroidery- was used to embellish household linens and clothing then, and stitched pictures were also made.

• Sometimes hair were used as a thread.

• There are methods in doing embroidery.

Thank You for Listening! Keep Safe Always! ☺