ARTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Art or “Sining” is defined as the different manners of expressing human skills

and imagination in the creation of aesthetic conditions, objects and p resentations.
Art is not confined only to what is seen. Art involves the use of all the physical
senses in order to appreciate it.

Philippines has diverse art forms from its different regions. These diverse art
forms, when integrated, give a clear picture of how abundant the culture and
tradition of the Philippines is. It continues to evolve up to the present and progress
to contemporary art tradition. As a Filipino, we should have the knowledge about
the different art forms in the Philippines to fully understand the culture, tradition,
and nation’s identity. In this module, you will have an understanding and
appreciation of the Philippine Arts specifically the Contemporary Philippine Arts.
To start your learning of the different art forms in the Philippines, examine the
following images of arts and process your thoughts with the help of the guide
questions below.

The development of the Philippine arts comes in three major traditions. These are
the Ethnic Tradition, Spanish Colonial Tradition, and American Colonial and
Contemporary Arts Traditions. Even before the colonization, the Philippines
already has its indigenous arts. In this era, art forms were primarily influenced by
the area where our ancestors prosper. However, the Spaniards came who tend to
replace indigenous arts with western arts. For the period of Spanish rule, art forms
were primarily influenced by religion and secularization. Consequently, after more
than three centuries of Spanish colonization, Americans came. During American
rule, development of Philippine art forms was mainly influenced by education and
governance. Subsequently, concept of modern art was introduced and practiced by
many artists. It is in this time wherein urbanization, consumerism, changes in the
political system, and rise of new technology influence the development of art. Due
to the technological advances, new forms of expression came in the field of arts
and modern art continuously developed which led to the contemporary arts
nowadays (Luzviminda & Sayseng, 2016).
 3 MAJOR TRADITIONS OF PHILIPPINE ARTS

1. ETHNIC TRADITION
Art forms are primarily influenced by the geographical location and the
experiences of the Filipinos (Luzviminda & Sayseng, 2016). In this time, the purpose
of arts is integral to life. Arts reflected the pagan beliefs and practices, everyday
activity such as fishing and farming, and specific decorative art pattern to the
community.
Before Colonization, the Philippines already has its indigenous art. The arts f orms
are primarily influenced by the geographical location and the experiences of the
Filipinos. In terms of visual arts, pottery, weaving, wood carving, and metal crafting
were dominant during the pre-colonial period making use of the available materials
surrounding them. When it comes to Architecture, they used materials that are
accessible in their area, such as anahaw, bamboo, cogon, and other light materials to
build structures. Also, during this time, our ancestors already have their folk literature
that verbalized their experiences in forms of folk speeches, songs, and narratives.
Regarding theater arts, tribal presentations and rituals were the early theatrical
performances. In music, our ancestors already have the bamboo flutes and brass gongs
as their indigenous musical instruments.

Various Art Forms:

Angono Petroglyphs
The Angono Petroglyphs is situated in
Binangonan, Rizal. It was discovered by the National
Artist, Carlos “Botong” Francisco, in 1965. There are
127 human and animal figures engraved on the rock
wall and dated back to circa late Neolithic.

Manunggul Jar

Manunggul jar is found in Manunggul Cave,

Lipuun Point, Palawan in the early 1960s. Manunggul
jar is a burial jar which signifies the belief of early
Filipino in life after death.
 Banga
Banga literally means pots. The Banga or pot
dance is a performance of Kalinga of the Mountain
Province of the Philippines. This dance shows the
elegant grace of Igorot tribe and the skill and strength of
women.

2. SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD

Art forms were primarily influenced by religion and secularization. In this time,
Spaniards used arts to propagate the Catholic faith.
During the Spanish regime, religion and secularization played a great influence
in the Philippine art. Friars were the ones supervising the practice of art with
propagation of Christianity and maintaining the power of the colonizer as their agenda.
In literature, literary works could be classified into religious and secular prose and
poetry. In theater arts, secular and religious plays like the “komedya” became popular.
In choreography, religious dances commonly performed to venerate patrons and saints
proliferated. In music, they introduced the piano and other Western instruments. In
visual arts, Spaniards introduced painting and sculpture which mostly depicted
religious matters. In architecture, stones and bricks were predominantly used in
constructing buildings like churches, houses, and government office.
.
Various Art Forms:

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral is located in

Burgos, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. The original structure
was built in 1574 and replaced as a church in 1641. The
cathedral follows a Baroque architectural design.
 Langit, Lupa, at Impyerno
by Josef Luciano Dans

This wall painting by Josef Luciano Dans will be

found in St. James the Apostle Church in Paete,
Laguna. This painting was dated 1850 and depicts the
heaven, crucifixion of Christ; earth, Adan and Eve; and
hell, sinners with different transgressions.

3. American Colonial and Contemporary Arts Traditions

Modern Arts
Modern art refers to the practice of art from 1860s to 1960s. the main theme
of art works in this time is national identity.

Various Art Forms:

The Making of the Philippine Flag

by Fernando Amorsolo

This painting was made by Fernando Amorsolo,

“Grand Old Man of Philippine Art” and born in Manila.
It shows a reminder of the reminder of traditions and
customs of the Filipino.

Bayanihan
by Carlos “Botong” Francisco

Carlos “Botong” Francisco was born in Ango,

Rizal. This painting by him was dated in 1962. This
mural painting of Carlos “Botong” Francisco shows the
Filipino’s bayanihan tradition. This also shows the
distinctive style of Francisco’s painting that showcased
his mastery in arts.
 Contemporary Arts
Contemporary art refers to the practice of art from 1970s to the present.
Contemporary arts mirror contemporary culture and society. Diverse and emerging
art practices were being introduced in this era.

Various Art Forms:

Cinco Marias (Tres Marias)

by Federico Aguilar Alcuaz

Federico Aguilas Alcuaz was born in Santa Cruz,

Manila. Cinco Marias (Tres Marias Series) depicts the
variety of domestic activities (Guillermo, 2007).

Art Installation in Sand Dunes of

Paoay
by Leeroy New

Leeroy New is one of the Philippines

contemporary artists. He is born in General SANTOS
City. This art installation of Leeroy New was made f or
the La Milagrosa Festival in Ilocos Norte. According to
Leeroy New, the art installation symbolizes the great
festivals, feasts and celebrations.

These art forms from various regions or from various artists contributed to the picture of
Philippine’s identity as a country. And as a Filipino, it’s important that we have knowledge to
describe these art forms based on its details and elements, in relation to our country’s culture and
tradition that makes it an artistic piece. In the field of arts, knowing the elements and principles
of arts is important, not just to the artist but also to the viewer, to have a deeper understanding of
an artwork.
ELEMENTS OF ART

1. Space
In visual arts, space pertains to emptiness which may
either be positive space or negative space. Positive
space refers to a part which is enclosed in a shape,
while negative space refers to the opposite part which
the shape is enclosing.
2. Line
In visual arts, a line is a series of connected points. It
may come in two characteristics: form – curved,
dotted, or broken lines; and direction – vertical,
horizontal, or diagonal lines. Different types of lines
may convey different meanings. For example, a
horizontal line usually suggests calmness, vertical lines
may convey strength, diagonal lines create an
impression of action, curved lines create an expression
of gradual change of direction, and circular line may
pertain an abrupt change of direction.
3. Shape and Form
Shape is an area that is enclosed by a line or lines.
Shapes are two dimensional figures with height and
width. There are different kinds of shapes and these
are geometric shapes (triangle, squares, rectangle,
etc.), organic shapes (shapes found in nature, e.g.
shape of a leaf or cloud), abstract shapes
(asymmetrical and free flowing shapes). Meanwhile,
forms are three dimensional figures. Its dimensions
are height, width, and volume. Unlike shapes, it has
more depth.
4. Color
In visual arts, color is associated with the natural phenomenon in our
environment. Scientifically, when a light passes through a prism, it will
produce different hues of different wavelengths. These colors may pertain to
lightness, darkness, coolness, or warmth.
5. Value
In visual arts, value is considered a property of a color which pertains to its
lightness or darkness.
6. Texture
In visual arts, texture is the element that appeals to our sense of feel on
things, rough, smooth, bumpy, or slippery. It pertains to the surface of an art
piece.
Why Are the Elements of Art Important?
The elements of art are important for several reasons. First, and
most importantly, a person can't create art without utilizing at
least a few of them. No elements, no art—end of story. And we
wouldn't even be talking about any of this, would we?
Secondly, knowing what the elements of art are enables us to:
1. describe what an artist has done
2. analyze what is going on in a particular piece
3. communicate our thoughts and findings using a common
language

The elements and principles of art and design are the

foundation of the language we use to talk about
art. The elements of art are the visual tools that the artist uses
to create a composition. These are line, shape, color, value,
form, texture, and space.

The principles of art represent how the artist uses the

elements of art to create an effect and to help convey the artist's
intent. The principles of art and design are balance, contrast,
emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity/variety. The
use of these principles can help determine whether a painting is
successful, and whether or not the painting is finished.
PRINCIPLES OF ART

1. Proportion
Proportion refers to the relationship of the size of elements in a body
of art. For example, when drawing a human standing beside a house,
it is important to ensure that the size of the human is proportional to
the size of the house.
2. Harmony
In visual arts, harmon y is the unity of the artwork, specif ically
about the arrang ement of the related elements.
3. Variety
In other terms, variety may be referred to as diversity. This means
adding multiple, different elements to break the monotony of an
artwork and make it more interesting.
4. Movement
In arts, movem ent is the illusion of motion in a paintin g,
sculpture design, or in a piece of art.
5. Rhythm
This refers to the repetition of certain elements to produce a pattern.
In visual arts, repeated design elements may create a certain flow and
may lead the viewer’s eyes.
6. Balance
Balance refers to the even and equal distribution of elements.
7. Emphasis
Emphasis is a principle which may refer to the greater impact given
on a certain element.

These elements and principles of arts are essential to understand the meaning of a piece of
art clearly and deeply. In relation to that, diverse art forms in the Philippines convey its
meanings through the elements and principles present to them. So, as we described some art
forms from the various regions through the development of Philippine arts, let’s use the
elements and principles of arts to understand it.