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ARTS
MODULE 1 – FOLK ARTS AND
CRAFTS OF LUZON
(HIGHLANDS AND LOWLANDS)
CONTENT STANDARDS
 Demonstrates art elements and processes by synthesizing and applying prior
knowledge and skills
 Demonstrates the salient features of the arts of Luzon (highlands and lowlands) by
showing the relationship of the elements of art and processes among culturally
diverse communities in the country
 Demonstrates the Philippines as having a rich artistic and cultural tradition from
precolonial to present times

PERFORMANCE STANDARD
 Creates artworks showing the characteristic elements of the arts of Luzon
(highland and lowlands)
 Exhibits completed artworks for appreciated and critiquing.

LEARNING COMPETENCIES
 Analyzes elements and principles of art in the production of one’s arts and crafts
inspired by the arts of Luzon (highlands and lowlands)
 Identifies characteristics of arts and crafts in specific areas in Luzon
 Reflects on or derive the mood, idea or message emanating from selected artifacts
and art objects
 Appreciates the artifacts and art objects in terms of their uses and their distinct use
of art elements and principles
 Incorporates the design, form, and spirit of the highland/lowland artifact and
object in one’s creation
 Traces the external (foreign) and internal (indigenous) influences reflected in the
design of n artwork and in the making of a craft or artifact
 Creates crafts that can be locally assembled with local materials, guided by local
traditional techniques
 Discusses the elements from traditions/history of a community for one’s artwork
 Shows relationship of the development of crafts in specific areas of the country,
according to functionality, traditional specialize expertise, and availability of
resources
 Shows relationship of Luzon (highland and lowlands) arts and crafts to Philippine
culture, traditions, and history

CONCEPT MAP
ARTS AND CRAFTS OF LUZON
 Northern (highlands and lowlands)
 Cagayan valley and Central Luzon
 Southern Tagalog and Bicol Regions
 Relationship of art elements used in the arts and crafts of different Luzon’s
cultural communities

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 Organic, inorganic, curvilinear, and geometric lines
 Principles of design:
o Rhythm/pattern
o Balance and proportion Reference:
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 o Emphasis
o Variety, unity, and harmony
 The processes of drawing, painting, sculpture, assemblage, and mounting an
exhibit
 Art and cultural terminologies such as:
o Folk arts
o Aesthetics
o Artifacts
o Drawing
o Painting
o Sculpting
o Assemblage
o Bul-ul
o Siwsiwan
o Burnay
o Buri
o Lufid
o Ivatan
o Singkaban
o Buntal
o Callado
o Taka
o Kiping
o Higantes, etc.

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INTRODUCTION
The presented lessons will also bring you back in time as you study and analyze Luzon’s folk arts and
crafts like bul’ul, burnay, buntal hats, taka, manunggul jars, and indigenous fabrics. The Luzon culture’s
application of the art elements and principles of designs proves that the artistic and creative expressions of the
Filipino are truly unique.
The lessons also trace external (foreign) and internal (local) influences that are reflected in the design of
their artworks and in their manner of making their distinctive attire, fabrics, crafts, accessories, body
ornamentation, architecture, sculptures, and everyday objects.

Lesson 1 – FOLK ARTS AND CRAFTS OF NORTHERN LUZON

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Luzon is the largest and referred to as one of the three primary group of islands in the country which
includes the Luzon mainland, the Batanes and Babuyan group of islands in the northmost part, Polillo Islands to
the east, and other outlaying islands like Catanduanes, Marinduque, Masbate, Romblon, Mindoro, and Palawan.

As you study the different places in Luzon and learn the varied motifs and representations of their own
local’s attire, fabrics, body ornamentation, accessories, architecture, and sculptures, you will get to deeply
understand the significance of folk arts in reliving Filipino identity.

QUICK CHECK
Activity 1.1

 What makes the art of the people of Northern Luzon Filipino?

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
 WHAT MAKES THE ART OF THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN LUZON FILIPINO?

__________________________________________________________________
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 LESSON FOCUS

FOLK ARTS are art expressions and productions of the community that are usually passed on from generation
to generation. These crafts are not only for aesthetic purposes alone but also for utility and function too.

AESTHETICS is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of art, beauty, and taste.

MOTIF in art is a distinctive feature or element of an image. It may be repeated in patterns or design.

FABRIC refers to a flexible woven material that consists of an organized arrangement of a natural or artificial
fiber often referred to as thread or yarn.

ILOCOS REGION

The Philippines has a large number of cultural and linguistic groups. One of the largest is the Ilocano
group. The mainstreams are living in Abra, Isabela, La Union, and other parts of the country. They are
historically highly influenced by Christianity. This is evident in the architectural structures built during the
colonial times in various places in the region.

Architecture is both the process and the product of planning, designing, and
constructing buildings and other physical structures. Architectural works are often
perceived as cultural symbols and as works of arts.

Paoay Church is declared as a National

Observe the designs and structures of St. Cultural Treasure by the Philippine Government
Augustine Church (Iglesia de San Agustin de Paoay) in 1973 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
or commonly known as Paoay Church. under the collective group of Baroque Churches
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The historic town of Vigan was established in the

sixteenth century. It is considered as one of the best-
preserved examples of planned Spanish colonial town in
Asia. Its architecture exhibits the fusion of cultural
elements from Philippines, China, and Europe.

Vigan houses are unique for having preserved much of its colonial character and influences. The

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distinctiveness of the structures of the houses is evident in their grid street patterns and historic urban layout.

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 DID YOU KNOW THAT?

Vigan City is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List due to the preservation of around 187
residential, institutional, commercial, and religious structures that transport visitors to the past. It is officially
recognized as one of the New7Wonders Cities in My 2015.

The Ilocos Region is known for inabel fabrics. This special fabric is made from cotton that underwent
the process of binatbat.
Binatbatan is one of the Ilocano ways of processing textile. The word comes from an Ilocano term
batbatin which means separating cotton balls from seeds of the local fruit tree kasapanglay. The cotton balls
are the spun and used in meaning the abel (woven cloth). It is also an occupational dance from Paoay,
Ilocos Norte.
Pagabel or Panagabel or loom weaving is one of the oldest industries that Ilocanos have acquired
from their ancestors. Inabel or Abel Iloco simply means “handwoven cloth”.
Loom is a device used to weave cloth.
Weaving is to interlace threads, yarns, strips, and other fibrous materials so as to form a fabric.
Dyes are coloring materials that are made of natural or synthetic pigments from coloring fibers that are
used for loom weaving processes.

The traditional threads are dried from the sap of the black plum known as sag-ut. However,
artificial dyes are already being use d nowadays for commercial productions. The products from this process are
blankets, bags, bathrobes, and a lot more.

The Ilocanos are also known for their centuries-old tradition of

burnay pottery. In some other regions, it is known as tapayan or banga.
Burnay is an unglazed earthenware jar. It has dark color because the clay is
burnt before it is molded. The clay is tempered with fine sand, making it
more solid and heavier as compared to terracotta jars. It is done with just the
use of the potter’s skillful hands with pottery wheel and kiln.

Burnay is used for storage of water, rice grains, basi (sugarcane

wine), and condiments like salt and bagoong (fish paste). The Ilocanos also
use burnay jars in fermentation of their well-known sukang Iloco (vinegar).

Nowadays, people buy burnay jars mostly to serve as decorative items for their homes and gardens.

PANGASINAN
PANGASINAN comes from
Pangasinan is a province located at the northern end of the the word “asin” meaning
Central Luzon plain and its shores form a lap for Lingayen gulf. “salt”, and interprets as “a
Known as the salt capital during the pre-Hispanic times,
Pangasinan’s arts and culture are also rich and diverse. Their local
place where salt is made”.

stories tell us that this place used to be a Muslim kingdom, which trades with the Arabs and Chinese, led by a
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 The province of Pangasinan thrives in various visual arts and crafts. Their handicrafts are usually made
of swampland grasses, bamboo, and rattan.

In the past, some farmers in Pangasinan left their farms when the fields had been parched during dry
season. Aboard covered cattle caravans, they were peddling and selling their bamboo and rattan-based products
like duyan (hammock), baskets, mats made of buri or raffia, chairs, hampers, tables, lamps, and other crafts to
the different places of Central Luzon and metro Manila. However, these cattle-drawn carriages that were once a
familiar feature of Philippines roads are now disappearing. Through their cartwheels or cattle caravans; these
farmers from Pangasinan are considered as the connectors of Philippine art history, culture, and commerce.

Some of the noteworthy murals painted by Pangasinan’s local visual artists are found in the shrine of the
Nuestra Señora de Manaoag was discovered by the locals.

CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (CAR)

BENGUET

Benguet is a highland province of the Philippines located in the southern tip of the Cordillera
Administrative Region in the island of Luzon. Its capital is la Trinidad.

Benguet is also known as the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines” because of its large production of upland
vegetables.

Most of the people living in Benguet province are commonly known as Igorots. However, the term is
politically corrected as Cordilleras. They are hillside dwellers, which explains why most of them are into
farming. Even their artistic inclinations are related to their nature and field of work.

Aside from Cordilleras, there are other people from other places living in Benguet such as Tagalogs,
Ibalois, Kankanaeys, Ilocanos, and others.

Benguet is known for its kayabang basket. It symbolizes abundance. It is narrow at the base and
gradually widens at the mouth. It is usually strapped at the woman’s head and used to carry loads of root crops,
vegetables, and fruits.

The Cordilleras’ ingenuity, skill, and greatness in sculpting is evident in how they carved the mountains
into terraces.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

Whang-Od Oggay is a Filipina tattoo

artist from Buscalan, Tinglayan,
Kalinga. She is considered as the last
mambabatok from the Butbut ethnic

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group and possibly the oldest tattoo
artist in the Philippines.
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KALINGA

The people of Kalinga are also known as great weavers. Their art of cloth weaving and basketry are
among the finest products in the whole country. The Kalinga fabrics are characterized by dominant red stripes
and various motifs of geometric shapes and patterns, with inclusions of varied symbols interlaced with white,
yellow, and sometimes with blue or black fibers.

IFUGAO

The term Ifugao means “people from the heal”. The Ifugao women usually weave a loincloth utilizing
the tie. Observe the fabric on the previous page. It is rectangular cotton fabric worn as a wraparound skirt. The
Ifugaos are also known for their amulets that are made from glod, bronze, beads, and other materials. These are
called dinumug.

It is usually worn around the neck by women and men. Believed to be fertility symbol, its shape possibly
connotes a uterus.

The Ifugaos treats their bul’ul with respect and praise because it is said that their dead ancestors reside in
it and if not properly cared for, can bring plaguye and sickness. Bul’ul is also believe to drive away evil spirits
and keep the owner away from bad luck. Bul’ul is also referred to as the “Rice God”.

MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

Mountain Province is located at the center of the Cordillera mountain. Its capital is Bontoc. The
province is known for its mummy caves and hanging coffins particularly in the municipality of Kabayan. The
municipality is recognized as a center of the Ibaloi Culture. This ethno-linguistic group has a long traditional
cultural practice of mummification. It has been observed that most mummified bodies reveal the Ibaloi’s art of
tattooing.

Tattoo art is another form of folk arts in Mountain Province. For them, it is a part of clothing. It is
considered as a part of the decoration of what they are wearing. It signifies their rite of passage from youth to
adult life, or even a symbol of heroism, courage, and status in the community.

The Kadangyan burial cloth is a popular kind of textile in Mountain Province. It is status symbol for the
rich families in this area. During the early times, only the grandmothers are allowed to weave such clothing.
Rhythm or Pattern is the repetition of elements such as lines, colors, shapes, or forms, which create a
feeling of visual motion in an artwork. Rhythm is a principle of design. In music, it refers to the pattern
of a melody. Observe the rhythm or pattern of the Benguet fabric below:

The Bontocs are also skillful weavers. Their fabrics are used for blankets and clothing. They are called
galoy (pronounced as “galey”).

The fabrics are used by the men as G-strings are called in their locality as wanes. The women use a
fabric called getap as their wraparound skirt and wear a type of belt known as ginaspala wanes. This belt is
composed of unbroken zigzag woven patterns or a double laced motif. 28
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 The people from Bontoc are known for their skill in the art of basket making. One of that is their
suklang basket. It is either a bamboo or rattan made everyday basket hat worn by men that commonly serves as
a container for their matches, tobacco, leaves, lime, beetle nut for chewing, etc.

They married men wear suklang while the unmarried adorn the hat with decorations during rituals and
celebrations.

Like the ifugaos, the Bontocs also weave fabrics following the process of ikat or ikkat. For generations,
they are also weaving abaca fibers after a delicate process of tying and dyeing.

ABRA

Abra is known as the “Natural Dye Capital of the Philippines “. It is an inland province in the Cordillera
Administrative Region. Bontocs and Ifugaos are the original incomers in this place.

The people from Abra are known for their greatness in loom weaving. They have embellished the woven
fabric cloth of embroideries in their fabrics.

The place is rich in natural dye-yielding plants extracted from the barks, leaves, fruits, and roots to color
food, beverages, fabrics, cosmetics, furniture, and other products. Loom weaving and embroidery are famous
folk arts and crafts in Abra.

Lines are basic elements of art, referring to a continuous mark, made on a surface by a moving point.
Organic lines exhibit marks with length and direction that form an irregular shape rather than a regular
shape.
Inorganic lines show marks with length and direction that are straight and forms a geometric shape.
Curvilinear lines are formed, bounded, or characterized by bended, curled, or twisted lines.
Geometric linear is commonly seen in symmetrical objects that are straight, infinitely long and infinitely
thin.

Early Cordillerans may not have reached formal schooling on the various art elements and principles of
designs but they were able to create their own organic, curvilinear, and geometric linear designs.

Observe the Cordillera Administrative Region’s fabrics below. What do you notice?

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 LET’S RECALL

Identify which art term is being described below. Write the letter of your answer on the line.

_______ 1. It is a basic element of art referring to a continuous mark made on a. Curvilinear

a surface by a moving point.
_______ 2. It is a mark with length and direction that is straight and forms a b. Ethnic arts
geometric shape.
_______ 3. It is formed, bounded, or characterized by bended, curled, or c. Folk arts
twisted lines.
_______ 4. It is commonly seen in symmetrical objects that are straight, d. Geometric
infinitely long and infinitely thin. linear

_______ 5. It is one of the principles of designs in art that shows repetition of e. Inorganic lines
elements, such as lines, colors, shapes, or forms, which creates a feeling of
visual motion in an artwork.
_______ 6. These are art expressions and productions of the community that f. line
are usually passed on from generation. These crafts are not only for aesthetics
alone, but also for rhythmutility and function too.
g. rhythm
h. visual arts

LET’S CONNECT
Activity 1.2
In this lesson, you have learned that weaving is significant part of the Northern Luzon folk arts. In
almost every region, people have used a variety of art elements and principles to express their distinctiveness.

Observe the fabrics below what makes an authentic Northern Luzon design?

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__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

REFLECTION
Activity 1.3

1. If I were to change something in my artworks, it would be

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Because
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________
2. I will change it by
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

LET’S APPLY
Activity 1.4

The Philippine Northern Luzon Artists Association, Inc. will hold its 50th year anniversary at the
Cultural Central of the Philippines. As a stage designer, you are tasked by the creative head of the program
committee to propose a stage background design that is based on the association’s cultural motifs.

Your proposed stage design is encouraged to be drawn on a whole oslo paper using colored pencils,
your output is required to integrate the art elements and design principles that emphasize authentic and
distinctive Northern Luzon’s linear designs, colors, and patterns. Your standard of success will be based on the
following criteria: design, creativity, craftmanship. And theme-related concept.

Criteria Advanced (4) Proficient (3) Developing (2) Beginning (1)

Artistic
perception/
awareness and

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sensitivity to
natural and
human-made
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environments
Creative art
process/
inventive and
imaginative
expression
through art
materials and
other tools
Art history/ art
appreciation
through
historical and
cultural context
Art criticism/
aesthetic valuing
Total points
Remarks:

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LESSON 2 – FOLK ARTS AND CRAFTS OF CAGAYAN VALLEY AND
CENTRAL LUZON

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QUICK CHECK
Activity 2.1

If I were hired by Central Bank of the Philippines to redesign the Philippine one-thousand-peso
bill and asked to include arts and designs from the Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon regions, how
would you make it? Which among the cultural figures or artifacts from those areas will you include?
Why?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
What defines a Cagayan Valley or Central Luzon culture? Why? Draw your ideas below.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:

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WHAT MAKES A GOOD CULTURE? WHY?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
WHAT MAKES THE ART OF THE PEOPLE OF CAGAYAN VALLEY FILIPINO? EXPLAIN.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON FOCUS

The Filipino culture reflects the nations’ complex history. It is a blend of various countries from
Malayo- Polynesians and Hispanic Culture, to that of Chinese, Americans, and other countries as well.

Prior to the Spanish colonization, the Filipinos had their own culture particularly in the field of visual
arts. They have created unique designs in pots, jars, textiles, jewelries, and the like.

Artifact is a combination of two Latin words: arte meaning “skill” and factum meaning “to make”. It is a
human- made object with cultural significance.

CAGAYAN VALLEY
Cagayan Valley, also designated as Region II, is the second largest region (MIMAROPA/ Region IV- B
is the largest) of the Philippines in terms of land area. The longest and largest river in the country is also named
after this place – Rio Grande de Cagayan or Cagayan River.

During the early times, it is believed that this place is dominated by mammoths and other extinct
animals. Some fossils are displayed in the National Museum. Recent archeological findings show that it is in
Cagayan Valley that the earliest human in the Philippines appeared, which dates back as far as 22,000 years
ago.

Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino are the Provinces in Cagayan Valley.

Even as early as 6,000 B.C.E, there have been a number of evidences that Filipinos are indeed artistic
and innovative.

BATANES
Batanes is a place often visited by typhoons. The people in
Batanes are called Ivatans. They are able to adapt to the frequent weather
disturbances. Their houses are made of limestones. Observe how an
Ivatan artist named Xavier Abelador painted a traditional Batanes house.
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The Ivatans wear a headgear called vakul. It protects them from the head of
the sun and during rainy seasons. This headgear is made of fiber derived from a
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locally- grown palm tree called vuyavuy or voyavoy. Vakuls are used by women when its counterpart, the
talugong, are worn by Ivatan men.

NUEVA VIZCAYA
Nueva Vizcaya is known for creative and unique styles of crafts and textiles. It is mountainous place
near Ifugao, Benguet, and Quirino.

The Gaddang tribe mostly lives in the highlands of southeastern kalinga Apayao, eastern Bontok, Nueva
Vizcaya, and Isabela provinces. They are skilled weavers and are known fo their traditional woven bakwat belt.
This cloth is used by mothers after giving birth.

Gaddang comes from the word ga meaning “heat” and dang meaning “burned”. This like generally refers
to gaddang’s darker akin compared to other Cordillerans

CENTRAL LUZON
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BULACAN
Prior to the Spaniards’ colonization, this place is known for canon-
making. It was in Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan where the first
written institution in Asia was adopted. This province is known for so
many historical events.

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The people of Bulacan are rich in creativity. One of their known
folk arts is the singkaban. Singkaban is a local term for arches made of
bamboos with elaborate designs called kayas. This is usually displayed or
used during fiestas and important occasions.

The town of San Miguel is known for making pastillas and its unique way of
www.bing.com creating intricate wrappers. The wrappers are cut in varied liner, curvilinear, and
geometric designs that blend with the colors of the paper.

The weaving of buntal straw locally known as paglalala originated in Baliuag,

Bulacan in the early 1900s. Dolores Maniquis is credited as the pioneer weaver of this
straw-hat type. The straw is obtained from leaves of the talipot palm. www.bing.com

During the early times, young and old women from San Ildefonso, Bulacan were making these hats as
part of their folk arts and livelihood. They sell these hats to the entrepreneur in Baliuag, Bulacan.

PAMPANGA
Aside from the Betis’ woodcraft making, Pampanga is internationally known for its art of making
dazzling Christmas lanterns or locally known as the Pampanga parol. These big lanterns have many lights,
geometric shapes, and colors. They are used to adorn houses, buildings, parks, and streets especially during

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Christmas season. These lanterns have become part of our identity as Filipino people.
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 The province of Pampanga is also known for their culinary arts. It has been part of their culture and
artistic expression. Nature has been part of their food presentation. Look at the tamales. What can you say about
its wrappings?

The Kapampangan tamales is made of ground rice, peanut, and coconut milk cooked into paste and
then wrapped with meat, commonly with chicken, and salted egg in banana leaves then boiled.
Tamales is originally a Mexican delicacy made from corn masa (a finely ground corn flour made into a
dough) with chicken, pork or beef wrapped in corn husk or banana leaves.

NUEVA ECIJA, BATAAN, AND ZAMBALES

Slippery industry is a growing business in the community level in Gapan City. The Novo Ecijanos’
metal, rattan, and other wooden industries are becoming part of the local’s folk ats and livelihood.

In Mt. Samat, Bataan, a sculpture 302-feet memorial cross www.bing.com

known as “Dambana ng Kagitingan” (Shrine of Valor) has been part of
the main landmark and tourist attraction in the province. The shrine is in
honor of the heroism of the brave men who walked from Bataan to
Tarlac during World War II, also known as the Bataan Death March.
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The Aetas from Mount Pinatubo are known for their indigenous
ways of making baskets and bilao made of rattan and other indigenous
materials from their mountains.

LET’S RECALL

Each work of artists listed in the box appears in this lesson. Use the terms to complete the sentence
below.

BILAO
BUNTAL
GADDANG
SINGKABAN
VAKUL 36
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 1. ________________ refers to a community of people who mainly inhabit Nueva Vizcaya region in
Philippines. This term can also be used in reference to the language spoken by these people.
2. ________________ is a fine white Philippine fiber from the stalks of unopened leaves of talipot palm
and being used in making hats.
3. ________________ is artfully- made entrance bamboo arches used during fiesta and other important
events and most prevalent in the old towns of Hagonoy, San Ildefenso, and Malolos in Bulacan.
4. ________________ is a headgear used by woven Ivatans to protect them from rain, wind, and sun.

LET’S CONNECT
Activity 2.2

Choose and observe closely three or more types of folk arts of Cagayan and Central Luzon that were
discussed. Describe the characteristics of their elements and principles of design. Formulate your
generalizations about their different art styles.
-
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________

REFLECTION
Activity 2.3

1. As a young Filipino, do you still have the passion to creatively and continuously create new designs to
enhance traditional art forms? Explain your answer.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________

2. Which among the folk arts from this lesson would you like to learn more from? Why?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________
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 3. What distinctive Cagayan Valley and central Luzon cultural figure or artifact most inspired you to
create your works of art?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________
4. Which style of art in this lesson did you find most intriguing or had caught your curiosity? Why?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________

LET’S APPLY
Activity 2.4

The Likhang Sining Gallery will hold its annual painting exhibit. Different ambassadors from different
countries expressed their eagerness to purchase paintings that speak about the Cagayan and Central Luzon
history, arts, and culture.

As Fine Arts graduate, you are commissioned by the curator to create a painting showing authentic
designs, color schemes, figures, and objects coming from the arts and cultural communities of the people
from Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon. You have the option to use watercolor as your materials.

Criteria Advanced Proficient Developing Beginning

(4) (3) (2) (1)
Artistic Perception/
awareness and
sensitivity to natural
and human- made
environments
Creative art Process/
inventive and
imaginative expression
through art materials
and other tools
Art history/ art
appreciation through
historical and cultural
context
Art criticism/ aesthetic 38
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valuing
Total points
Remarks

39
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LESSON 3 – FOLK ARTS AND CRAFTS OF SOUTHERN TAGALOG AND
BICOL REGION

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When the Spaniards rediscovered the Philippines in 1521, they used art in presenting beautiful images to
propagate the catholic faith. Since they were having a hard time communicating with the early Filipinos, the
friars used these images to explain the concepts of Catholicism and to tell the stories of Christ’s passion.
Several images like the Holy Family and various saints were introduced to the Filipino psyche. They were
presented through estampitas, retablos of saints, via crucis, paintings on church walls and ceilings.

Despite the fact that the ethnic art forms like pottery, weaving, and even metal works were retained
during those times, the Spanish friars and the Chinese entrepreneurs slowly introduced newer art forms. The
Spanish friars then capitalized on the Filipino artistry by making sculptured icons while the Chinese brushwork
techniques in painting were taught to the Filipino artisans. They were commissioned to engrave, paint, carve,
embroider, and even weave.

The following Southern Tagalog and Bicol region have acquired these skills and talents from historical
influences.

1.
2.
3. QUICK CHECK
a. Activity 3.1

1. If you were a sculptor, what would be your carving design?

_______________________________________________________________________
2. If you were fashion designer, what would be your textile design for a wedding dress? Why?
_______________________________________________________________________
3. If you were an abaca bag designer, what would be your design?
_______________________________________________________________________

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
 WHAT CAN FOLK ARTS AND CRAFTS OF THE SOUTHERN TAGALOG AND BICOL
REGION TELL ABOUT THE CULTURE OF THE FILIPINOS?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________

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 LESSON FOCUS

SOUTHERN TAGALOG

LAGUNA
This lakeside place is known as the home province of our hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Its soil is very rich and
the area is surrounded with natural resources.

Generally, the locals in Paete, Laguna are associated with the art of sculpting. Paete is branded as the
“Wood Carving Capital of the Philipines”. Their distinct designs are flowers full of curves and hooks, which is
locally known as ukit.

Laguna is also known for its taka or papier- mache art technique and kayas, an
art craft using scrapping techniques of softwood thriving in the Sierra Madre mountain
range to produce floral and faunal decorations. www.bing.com

The town of Lumban is known for handcrafted and embroidered barong Tagalogs. In
Liliw, Laguna, the beaded art of making alfombra slippers has been part of their local’s folk
arts.
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RIZAL
Angono, Rizal is known as the “Arts Capital of the Philippines”. Two of our famous National Artist
came from this place. They are Lucio San Pedro for Music and Carlos “Botong” Francisco for Visual Arts.

Most of the noted artists nowadays also live in Angono like Orville Tiamson, Nemesio Miranda, and
many more. The town is also known for its existing petroglyphs which date back to 3,000 B.C.E and have been
shown as evidence of the early artistic expressions of the Filipinos and listed as a national cultural treasurer.

Angono is also known for its Higantes Festival. It

is historically a festival showing the big faces of the
hacienderos made of papier mache. Traditional higantes
are composed of father, mother, and a child that measure
around 4-5 feet tall.

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CAVITE AND BATANGAS
Taal, Batangas is known for its embroidered pinya fabric made from pineapple fibers called callado.
The silky but delicate fibers of pineapples are woven into a costly fabric for barong Tagalog, saya for wedding
gowns, and other formal attires.

41
The Batangeños take pride in their art of making balisong, a knife that can be
folded like a fan that comes from various sizes and designs. Balisong is also known as the
www.bing.com butterfly knife.
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QUEZON
Lucban, Quezon is known for its Pahiyas folk arts. They create kiping, a décor www.bing.com
that is made of glutinous rice wrapped around with special leaves as packaging and
cooked over low fire. The kipings can also be colored. Other municipalities in Quezon
also have their own versions of Pahiyas like the Araya’t Baluarte Festival in Gumaca,
Quezon, Pabitin, San Isidrohan, and many more.

BICOL REGION

Bicolanos are popular for their exemplary skills in the art of basketry, slipper making, bag making, and
other modern decorative crafts.

Abaca and raffia are abundant in their natural resources. These prompted them to maximize their local
materials into traditional and century- old folk-art techniques like paghahabi in the town of Buhi. Their
weaving includes garments, mosquito nets, and blankets.

www.bing.com
Abaca
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LET’ RECALL
Look closely at the chart below. In your activity, identify the places of origin and local term that
describes the pictures:

Place of Origin Local Term

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 LET’S CONNECT
Activity 3.2

After learning about the Southern Tagalog and Bicol regional folk arts, describe the Filipino
intelligence and ingenuity in your own words. Write your answer on the space provided.

43
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 REFLECTION
Activity 3.3

Answer the reflective thinking graphic organizer below.

These are the four things I have learned about the folk arts and crafts of Southern Luzon and Bicol region.

This question is still circling my mind. These are the three important things I want
to remember about the folk arts and crafts
of Southern Luzon and Bicol region.

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 LET’S APPLY
Activity 3.4

Make a slogan with the theme “Promoting Southern Tagalog and Bicol Regions”. Your standard of
success will be based on the following criteria: design, creativity, craftmanship, and theme- related concept.

Criteria Advanced Proficient Developing Beginning

(4) (3) (2) (1)
Artistic
Perception/
awareness and
sensitivity to
natural and
human- made
environments
Creative art
Process/
inventive and
imaginative
expression
through art
materials and
other tools
Art history/ art
appreciation
through
historical and
cultural context
Art criticism/
aesthetic valuing
Total points
Remarks

45
Reference:
MAPEH for
Today’s Learner -
PHOENIX
PUBLISHING
HOUSE