CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION

ART Art as expression and

communication
 It is the expression or
application of human creative  We express our emotional state
skill and imagination producing by some visible signs and
to be appreciated primarily for activities.
their beauty or emotional  Expression in the arts however
power. is not limited to the revelation
 Art can be in a form of creative of emotional alone.
activity such as paintings,  The personal and his
dance, music, and literature. penetrating psychological
 Art is not for everyone – a work insights into human reality are
of art is something not also conveyed through the arts.
everyone is meant to  As in other system of
understand. communication, the artist uses
symbols which the organizes
THE NATURE OF ART into some comprehensible
 Art is everywhere – The equivalent of the experience
popular feeling about art is that he is trying to convey
that it exists only in concert  If the symbols understood by
halls, museums, and art his audience, the
galleries in a world by itself. communication has been
 Art is found everywhere it is established.
very much part of our lives.  But sometimes it is not the
 Accessible only to those who artist main intention to
can afford to pay for its communicate.
enjoyment and the critics and Art and nature
scholars who have time to
study the art objects.  Art is not nature.
 A work of art is man-made,
Can we ignore the Presence of although it may closely
Art? resemble nature, but you can
 We find art in the clothes and never duplicate nature.
accessories we wear, in the  Nature is evanescent (quickly
design of our furniture and the fading or disappearing) and
style of the houses we build always wreck creating itself art
and vehicles we use. is a non-repeatable and
 We find at objects at home and unchanging.
in community, school, church, History of arts
and in trade
The origin of art history can be traced
Art is everywhere back to the Prehistoric Era. The
 Art is not confined to our cities earliest artefacts came from the
towns alone. Art also exists Palaeolithic era, or the Old Stone
among ethnic groups. Age, in the form of rock carvings,
 Art exists in all forms of human engravings, pictorial imagery,
society and in every generation sculptures and stone arrangement.
because it serves some
foundation of human needs.
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
 Arts and politics
 Arts and society
Art in history

 Prehistoric
 Civilizations Pablo Picasso
 Continental
 Medieval  There is a story about ancient
 Renaissance art and Pablo Picasso. The
 Baroque story is that he wants visited at
 Neoclassic Altamira. The famous
 Romantic Palaeolithic cave in northern
 Modern Spain. Picasso was said to
have emerged from the cave
Arts through the Ages shaking his head. When
questioned about his reaction
 Contemporary art –new arts to the art Picasso the leading
forms modern artist on his time-
 Romantic art- self expression replied “In 15,000 years we
 Modern art- fine arts have invented nothing”.
 Renaissance – genius and
design CONTEMPORARY ARTS
 Christian period –
craftsmanship  Refers to art being created
 Roman period – skills now.
 Greek period – techniques  Derived from the Latin prefix
“con”, which means
Contemporary art (1980s-20th “together” or “with”, plus
century) “tempus” means “time”.
 The chronological view defines
 Is the art that springs out of the contemporary art as related to
present-day events and his current period in art history,
passions of the society. and refers to art that is new,
recent, modern, or pertains to
What makes it unique? the present moment.
 Emerged in the Philippines in
 This art functions in a global reaction to social and
society that is culturally cultural realities during the
diverse and technology 1970s which is an era of
oriented. repression and censorship of
 It has become a collaborative artistic expressions.
process and the audience plays  Philippine art became a means
an active role in a reality and to oppose the regime in the
constructing meaning about political art of social realism
the work of art. flourished at this time.
 Social realism is an art
Why do we need to study
movement which sought to
contemporary arts?
the expose the real condition of
 It serves as a form of the Philippines society and use
expression of the people’s are the transformed it.
present feeling and longings. Progressive art develop a
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
culture that would convey the Contemporary art for Pleasure
authentic aspiration of the
Filipino people.  A visual delight in the work of
 The end of martial law in the art, can take many forms
wake of EDSA people power including an appreciation of
revolution in 1986 brought in beauty or decoration, or delete
the Philippines into the an element of surprise.
contemporary period, and the  Most cultures that have a
art produced in this period definition of beauty, define it is
regarded as contemporary art. something pleasing to the
eye, and often resembling an
Contemporary art as a Breaking of idea of some sort.
Norms
Contemporary art as Profession
 Contemporary art can be seen
as a transgression of  Artists earn a living through
established norms and their arts in art and ideas are
rules. never free.
 Established art forms are  They possess value in the
scrutinized and contemporary complex web of the creative
art reworks them to see them industries that combine the
with fresh eyes. creation, production and
 Appropriation is an important commercialization of creative
preoccupation in contemporary contents which are tangible
art which is the practice of and cultural in nature.
creating a new work by Contemporary art as Commentary
taking a pre-existing image or
from another context and  Art has been used to answer
combining the borrowed image our need for information.
with new ones.  Artists fulfill our need for
commentary often speaks in a
Contemporary art and Local language easy to understand.
Heritage  They view art as primary goal
 Contemporary art professes an to communication by means
awareness of local heritage of subject matter.
which is something that can be Contemporary art in Spirituality
passed from one generation to
the next, can be conserved or  Artist may create art express
inherited and has historic spiritual beliefs about the
and cultural value. destiny of life controlled by the
 These are physical objects, force of a higher power.
places of heritage and the
Contemporary art as a
various practices of heritage
remembrance
unique to the region of locality
that are conserved or handed  Art can be a remembrance
down from one generation to which is something done as an
the next. aid to memory.
 We need to commemorate
FUNCTIONS OF CONTEMPORARY
important event and people
ARTS
that have shaped our history
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
and show reverence for those komedya, sarsuela, and
who have done before us. sinakulo the popular forms of
theater in the country.

Collage

 A form of painting that involves

VISUAL ARTS: PAINTING combine images in a single
Contemporary art artwork. This entails cutting
and pasting materials such as
 Art produced today. Can be paper, fabric, tin foil and other
true the form of painting, relatively flat materials onto a
sculpture in the Philippines, board or canvas.
photography, performance and
video art. THEMES PAINTING

Paintings Genre Painting

 The process of applying color  Portrays people in daily

on a flat surface. activities.
 Forms can be created using a  During the contemporary
wide variety of materials such period, it took several
as watercolor, acrylic, oil, directions.
pastel, and charcoal.  One of these new approaches is
 Surface for painting include folk genre, which mainly
wood, canvas, cardboard, and a focuses on the everyday
paper. activities of the folk.
 Considered as two-  Another approach is using the
dimensional meaning only has style of cubism in depicting
height and width. folks or urban subjects.
 On the other, folk-naive is
FORMS OF PAINTING another style wherein it uses a
lot of color and spontaneity.
Easel Painting
Historical Painting
 The most common form of
painting which involves  Depicts a scene from the
applying color to a board or a past, if often has a lesson
canvas that is fixed on the concerning national values.
upright support called easel.
 These are meant to be Interiors
framed and hanged on a wall  Painting of the space inside of
after creating them a part of a house or a building.
Murals  Usually reveals the social class
of the family living in the
 Huge wall-sided painting particular house, as well as the
used to impact message to the traits of the people living in it.
public.
Landscapes
Telon Painting
 Portrays natural scenery or
 Backdrop or background for urban scene.
the stage which are used for
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
 Mixed media is now used in go to sleep. Reviewing the, will
creating landscape painting. make you more conscious that
 Closely related to landscapes they are part of the
are seascapes, which focus on environment and everyday
large bodies of water, living, being aware of the
particularly the ocean of the elements educates your senses
sea. and enriches your lives.

Portraits Space

 A painting portraying one or  Can be defined as a void, an

more specific individuals. This emptiness which can be either
usually portrays the physical be positive or negative. The
characteristic of the subjects positive space refers to a space
and seeks to show an enclosed in a shape, while
understanding of the person the negative space denotes the
character. opposite
 In other art forms, space can be
Nudes referred to as an interval or
 Portray the unclothed human pause, in literature, it is the
figures. pause between words whereas
 Nowadays, a wide variety of in music, is the interval
materials and style can be used between notes.
in painting nudes. Nude Line
painting sessions are
conducted in galleries.  The extension of a point, a
short or long mark drawn or
Religious painting carved on a surface. It is an
 Common subject of religious implied path suggesting.
painting includes alone a.) direction; vertical, horizontal,
religious image, lives of the diagonal
saints and scenes based from
the sculptures like the nativity b.) character: jagged, curved, series of
scene, and the station of cross. dots or broken lines.

THE ELEMENTS OF ART  It is to pin point line in painting,

drawing, and other artworks of
 Art forms in the different the similar type. But in other
regions vary I subject, theme, type of art, such as performing
style medium, and technique. arts and literary arts, a line is
 There are certain describes differently. In
characteristics that are theatre, a line may refer to the
common to all. First, the art script, alone; it’s the steps that
share the same tradition and a dancer makes.
influences which our country
goes undergo for more than Shape and Form
centuries.
 The element of art all around  When the ends of the line
you all the time – from the meet, they form a shape.
moment you wake up until you  Shape can also be describes as
a figure separate from it
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
surrounding area of  Like color, value suggests an
background. It can be either be atmoephere or mood, also
geometric (angular) and found in other art forms (e.g.
organic (curvy). strong contrast, suggests a
 Form is slightly similar to strong emotional response,
shape. It is an enclosed line, a especially in writing.)
figure separate from its
background. But remember Texture
that shape is two-dimensional.  Texture is the surface of an
For instances the square is an artwork.
example of shape, the cube is a  Can be actual or tactile,
form. The circle is a shape, the meaning, it can really felt by
sphere is a form. touch; or it can be simulated or
Color illusory, which means it can
only be see, not felt.
 Probably the most striking art
element that catches the eye is SCULPTURE AND OTHER FORMS
color. OF VISUAL ARTS
 It is a sensation created by  Sculpture is the branch of the
visible wavelength of light visual arts that operates in
caught in a prism. three dimensions.
 It is a mixture of organic or  Durable sculptural processes
synthetic substances called originally used carving and
pigments used a paint or dye. modelling; in stones, metals,
 Color creates a mood or tone, ceramics, woods and other
such as red for passion, anger, materials but, since
love; blue for peace, nobility, or modernism. There has been an
sadness; and yellow for gaiety, almost complete freedom of
innocence, or jealousy. materials and process. In
 Color also varies from dull to contrast to painting, sculpture
bright depending on its has 3-dimensions - height,
intensity, like in music, when width, and depth. It is created
intensity can also refers to the by carving, modelling, or
loudness or softness and a assembling parts together.
sound.
 Color can also have different GENERAL KINDS OF SCULPTURE:
meanings, depending on one’s FREE-STANDING
culture.
 This is a kind of sculpture that
Value can independently stand in
space. It has a flat horizontal
 In visual arts, value is the base. All its sides contribute to
degree of lightness and a overall form of the sculpture.
darkness of color.
 In music, it is called pitch, RELIEF
which is the highness or
 Does not have a flat horizontal
loudness of a tone, the tone
base. The form is projected
color or timbre refers to the
from a flat surface. There are
quality of the sound.
two types of relief – low relief or
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
bas-relief which is slightly from BAMBOO ART
the flat surface; and high relief.
Cagayan de Oro’s legendary  Works made of bamboo that
river monster is an example or may be used for everyday
relief sculpture purposes, for decorations or
ornaments.
ASSEMBLAGE
BASKETRY
 Is formed by putting together
materials such as found  Art of creating containers by
objects, pieces of paper, weaving, plaiting, braiding
sponges, wood scraps, and materials into hollow tree-
other materials. dimensional shape that can
either be used for carrying
KINETIC SCULPTURE storage and trapping animals.

 Considered as a sculpture in COSTUMES

motion because the entire
sculpture or some parts of the  Garments, hairstyles, and
sculpture are moving with the accessories that are worn by
wind or are vibrating with the individual members in a
surrounding air. particular society.

WEIDED SCULPTURES EMBROIDERY

 Creating these involves the  This refers to the art of

process of connecting sheets of stitching ornaments on cloth by
metal together by using an hand.
acetylene or electric torch. FOOD ART
USE OF GLASS  Involves packing and/or
 A kind of sculpture where the presentation of food in an
medium of expression used by artistic way. Involves enhancing
the artists is glass. the food itself or its packaging
in an artistic ways
SYMBOLIC SCULPTURE
KOMIKS AND EDITORIAL CARTOON
 It is a kind f sculpture in which
an abstract idea is represented  Both komiks and editorial
by means of allegory and cartoon involve illustrations and
personification. stories or events.
 An editorial cartoon is a single-
OTHER FORMS OF VISUAL ART: frame illustration that may
either makes fun or political
ADVERTISING ART leaders or institutions, or
 Using paid space or time is any comments in current events.
of the media to inform and  Komiks may use equal single or
influences the public. multiples frames with
 Used to encourage the public to conversations of people or
patronage certain goods and animals placed inside
services, or to support policies “balloons”.
or persons. LEAF ART
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
 Leaf art is used in religious to a pliable surface, such as
rituals food wrapping, and even cloth or paper, using pressure.
a form of modern artistic This is different from
expression. This makes leaf art production because
different from basketry. printmaking involves making
the plate either by hand (of the
PERSONAL ORNAMENTS artist) or mixed with
 Objects that are worn on the mechanical means.
human body, jewellery fall TATTOO ART
under this form. These are
worn either to enhance a part  Body adornment permanently
of the body of the wearer, to engraved on the skin using a
exhibit rank or status, or to sharp instruments and plant
symbolize ritualistic and dyes or inks.
emotional states.
TEXTILE WEAVING
PROTOGRAPHY
 Process of creating cloth by
 The process of producing interweaving a series of
images using a light-sensitive horizontal threads at right
chemical plate or film. angles.
Photographs are taken to serve
as portraits and as propaganda
which is highly useful medium
for an artist.

POTTERY

 Is a general term for decorative

and useful objects made from
clay and set off at high
temperatures,
 This is frequently interchanged
with “ceramics”. It is important
to note that application of
ceramic is wider and even
includes industrial use.

a.) Earthenware or Terracotta – this

type of pottery is made from clay and
is usually fired at 1,700-2,100 F.

b.) Stoneware – made from clay and

feldspar.

c.) Porcelain – made from kaolin, a

special type of clay that is extra fine,
white and feldspar.

PRINTMAKING

 Transferring images from a firm

surface, such as metal or wood,
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
NATIONAL ARTISTS OF THE representational and modem abstract
PHILIPPINES sculptures using a wide variety of
materials. He was also known for
To be a National Artists is considered creating "buoyant sculpture," a type of
to be the highest national recognition sculpture to be viewed from the
given to Filipino individuals who have surface of a pool.
made significant contributions to the
development of Philippine arts which is Victorio C. Edades (December 23,
awarded by the National 1895-March 7, 1985)
Commission for Culture and the
Arts together with Cultural Center Recognized as the Father of Modern
of the Philippines. Philippine Painting and was known for
using dark somber colors in his
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL paintings. His works focused on factory
ARTS: workers, laborers or other simple
townspeople.
Femando Amorsolo (May 30, 1892-
April 24, 1972) Vicente Manansala (January 22,
1910-August 22, 1981)
Amorsolo is the first National Artist in
the country and was known for using He was known for his paintings
backlighting technique in painting, depicting realistic themes using an
making his creations bright and abstract or a cubist style. He believed
cheerful. that "the beauty of art is in the
process, in the moment of doing a
Carlos "Botong" Francisco particular painting, closely associating
(November 4, 1912-March 31, it with the act of making love.
1969)
Hernando R. Ocampo (April 28,
Francisco revived the art of mural and 1911-December 28, 1978)
was considered to be the most
distinguished mural painter for about Ocampo was largely known for his
three decades and was known for abstract paintings. His works featured
using historical events as subject shapes bounded with curved lines
matter for his murals. painted in intense colors. His
masterpiece "Genesis" was used as
Guillermo E. Tolentino (July 24, the basis of the design of the curtain
1890-July 12, 1976) of the Cultural Center of the
Honored as National Artist for Philippines (CCP) Main Theater.
Sculpture in 1973 and was known for Cesar Legaspi (April 2, 1917-April
designing the seal of the Republic of 7, 1994)
the Philippines, and the gold and
bronze medals for the Ramon Legaspi was known for utilizing and
Magsaysay Award. Tolentino's works refining cubism, a style involving
include the "UP Oblation". breaking parts into geometric shapes,
in his paintings.
Napoleon V. Abueva (January 26,
1930) Elizalde Navarro (May 22, 1924-
June 10, 1999)
Abueva was considered to be the
Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture. He was known for his hardwood masks
He is skilful in creating both reflecting the human and the animal,
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
abstract paintings in oil and popular art. He has influenced
watercolor, and assemblages. He was cartoonists such as Larry Alcala, Ben
also known for his fiction works for Infante and Nestor Redondo.
This Week of the Manila Chronicle, and
for his figurative drawings for Lydia
Argulla's Juan tamad. Jose T. Joya (June 3, 1931-1995)
Ang Kiukok (March 1, 1931-May 9, Joya is known for pioneering abstract
2005) expressionism in the Philippines. His
He was known for his paintings most notable work is the Granadean
expressing nationalism and Arabesque (1958). He also
sociological agenda during the 60's represented the Philippines in the
through vivid cubistic figures. His 1964 Venice Biennale.
works include "Geometric "Pieta," and NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR
the "Seated Figure." ARCHITECHTURE:
Benedicto Cabrera (April 10, 1942) Pablo S. Antonio (January 25,
Known as "Bencab." Cabrera was 1902-June 14, 1975)
noted as the bestselling painter of his He was considered a pioneer in
generation of Filipino artists and also modem Philippine architecture. A
known for his sketches of a scavenger prominent feature of his designs is the
named "Sabel, a symbol of dislocation, use of natural light and cross
despair and isolation-the ventilation. According to Antonio,
personification of human dignity buildings should be planned with
threatened by life's circumstance.” austerity in mind and its stability
Abdulmari Asia Imao (January 14, forever as the aim of true architecture:
1936-December 16, 2014) that buildings must be progressive,
simple in design but dignified, true to
Imao was instrumental in popularizing a purpose without resorting to an
the ukil, sarimanok and naga motifs in applied set of aesthetics and should
the country as original Filipino eternally recreate truth.
creations. He helped in developing
trust and confidence among cultural Leandro V. Locsin (August 15,
groups, which is needed in building a 1928-November 15, 1994)
more humane community and society His designs usually features themes of
Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (June 6, floating volume and a mix of both
1932 - February 2, 2011) eastern and western aesthetics.

Alcuaz was mainly known for his oil Ildefonso P. Santos (September 5,
and acrylic paintings, and sketches in 1929 - January 29, 2014)
ink. pencil, and watercolor. Santos pioneered landscape
Francisco Coching (January 29, architecture in the Philippines. His
1919-September 1, 1998) work in the Makati Commercial Center
incorporated fountains, sculptures and
Tagged as the "Dean of Filipino landscapes to a shopping area.
illustrators," Coching is best known for
his work on comics and illustrations
which lead to its recognition as
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
F. Sionil Jose (December 3, 1924)

F. Sionil Jose is one of the most widely

read Filipino writers founded the
NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR Philippine chapter of the international
LITERATURE: organization PEN.
Historical Literature Alejandro Roces (July 13, 1924-
Carlos Quirino (November 4, 1910- May 23, 2011)
May 20, 1999) Roces is known for his comic short
He is the first and so far the only stories which includes "My Brother's
National Artist for Historical Literature Peculiar Chicken." He also led the
and was also known for writing "The campaign to change the country's
Great Malayan," which considered to Independence Day from July 4 to June
be one of the earliest biographies of 12.
Jose Rizal. Edith L. Tiempo (April 22, 1919-
Literature August 21, 2011)

Francisco Arcellana (September 6, Tiempo is a poet, fictionist, teacher

1916-August 1, 2002) and literary critic who founded the
Siliman National Writers Workshop in
Arcellana is a writer, poet, essayist, Dumaguete City with her late husband
critic, journalist and teacher, who is Edilberto K. Tiempo.
recognized as one of the pioneers in
writing modern Filipino short stories in Virgilio S. Almarlo (March 9, 1944)
English. He also originated the lyrical Also known as Rio Alma, who is among
prose-poetic form in writing short the notable modemist poets. He
stories. reinvented the traditional Filipino
N.V.M Gonzales (September 8, poetry forms.
1915-November 28, 1999) Amado V. Hernandez (September
Nestor Vicente Madall Gonzales is a 13, 1903-May 24, 1970)
fictionist, essayist, poet and teacher. Hemandez is known for his
He earned numerous recognitions contribution in the development of the
including the First Commonwealth Tagalog prose through the use of
Literary Contest in 1940, the Republic colloquial style
Cultural Heritage Award in 1960 and
the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining in 1990. Carlos P. Romulo (January 14,
1899-December 15, 1985)
Nick Joaquin (May 4, 1917-April
29, 2004) Romulo is noted as a diplomat and an
awarded journalist He is the first Asian
He is considered as the most President of the United Nations
distinguished Filipino writer in English General Assembly and the only Asian
writing. His body of work extends from to win the Pulitzer Prize in Journalism
short stories to poems to essays which for his articles on the World War II
includes journalism and reportage. He
used the name Guerre Quijano de Blenvenido Lumbera (April 11,
Manila as journalist. 1932)
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
Lumbera is a multi-awarded poet, Conde is known for producing and
critic and librettist His works includes directing films based on old Filipino
Likhang Dila. Likhang Diwa (poems in tales such as Siete Infantes de Lara
Filipino and English). 1993. Balaybay (1950). Si Juan Tamad (1974). Ang
Mga Tulang Lunot at Manibalang, 2002 Ibong Adarna (1941). He also brought
Sa Sariling Bayan Apat na Dulang May to the silver screen stories from the
Musila 2004 Tales of the Manuvu and other parts of the worlds like Genghis
Rama Hari. Khan (1950).

Cirilo F. Bautista (July 9, 1941) Eddie S. Romero (July 7, 1924-May

28, 2013)
Bautista is a poet fictionist and
essayist. He founded Philippine He is a screenwriter, film director and
Literary Arts Council in 1981 the lligan producer who is behind the Filipino
National Writers Workshop in 1993, classics such as "Ganito Kami
and the Baguio Writers Group Noon...Paano Kayo Ngayon?", "Banta
ng Kahapon" and "Aguila" as well as
Lazaro Francisco (February 22, the 13-art series "Noli Me Tangere".
1898 - June 17, 1980)
Lino Brocka (April 3, 1939-May 22,
Francisco is among the prominent 1991)
writers in the Tagalog language He
established the Kapatiran Ng Mga Catalino "Lino" Ortiz Brocka is
Alagad Ng Wikang Pilipino (KAWIKA) in recognized for his films which explores
1958 to support Tagalog as national the lives of people in the marginalized
language. sectors. Brocka also directed for
theater organizations such as the
Jose Garcia Villa (August 5, 1908- Philippine Educational Theater
July 7, 1997) Association (PETA) and the Concerned
Villa is recognized as one of the best Artists of the Philippines (CAP).
contemporary poets He is best known Gerardo de Leon (September 12,
for introducing the reversed 1913-July 25, 1981)
consonance rhyme scheme and his
use of punctuation, especially commas De Leon is a prominent film maker in
the 50's and 60's producing classics
NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE, such as "Daigdig ng Mga Api." "Noli Me
MUSIC, FILM, AND THEATER: Tangere," "El Filibusterismo,"
Cinema/Film "dyesebel" and "Sisa."

Lamberto V. Avellana (February Ishmael Bernal (September 30,

12, 1915-April 25, 1991) 1938-June 2, 1996)

Avellana was tagged as the "The Boy Bemal, who was hailed by the critics
Wonder of Philippine Movies" as early as "The Genius of the Philippine
as 1939. Kalderang Pilak was the first Cinema," is known for directing films
film by a Filipino filmmaker shown in that projects the realities of the
Cannes International Film Festival. Filipinos. He was hailed as Director of
the Decade of the 1970s by the
Manuel Conde (October 9, 1915 - Catholic Mass Media Awards: four-time
August 11, 1985) Best Director by the Urian Awards
(1989, 1985, 1983 and 19771: and
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
given the ASEAN Cultural Award in choreographed different Philippine
Communication Arts in 1993. folk, ethnic dances, pageants and
festivals.
Ronald Alan K. Poe (August 20,
1939 - December 14, 2004) Alice Reyes (October 14, 1942)

More known as Fernando Poe, Jr. He is Reyes is known in blending styles and
an icon in film industry as an actor, movements from Philippine indigenous
director, writer and producer. He dance, classical ballet, and modern
starred in films like "Mga Alabok sa dance in expressing Filipino subject
Lupa" (1967), "Partida" (1985). "Ang matters. This is said to be the
Probinsyano" (1996), and among "contemporary dance language that is
others. uniquely Filipino."

Dance Music

Francisca Reyes Aquino (March 9, Antonino Buenaventura (May 4,

1899-November 21, 1983) 1904-January 25, 1996)

She was known for her research on He was known for his marches
Philippine folk dances, which later including the "Triumphal March."
resulted to a thesis entitled "Philippine "History Fantasy," "Echoes from the
Folk Dances and Games." It was Philippines," and "Ode to Freedom."
distributed to public and private He was a conductor of the Philippine
schools. Army Band. He wrote compositions for
solo instruments, symphonic and
Leonor Orosa Goquingco (July 24, orchestral works, which are based on
1917-July 15, 2005) Philippine folksongs.
She was known as the "Mother of Emani Cuenco (May 10, 1936-June
Philippine Theater Dance," Goquingco 11, 1988)
blended folkloric and Asian styles in
ballet choreography. She was a He was known for the following songs:
founding member of the Philippine "Bato sa Buhangin," "Gaano Kita
Ballet Theater and the Honorary Chair Kamahal," "Inang Bayan." "Isang
of the Association of Ballet Academies Dalangin." "Kalesa," and "Pilipinas."
of the Philippines. These works brought contemporary
Filipino music to a higher level. The
Ramon Obusan (June 16, 1938- song. "Gaano Kita kamahal" he added
December 21, 2006) elements of Kundiman He played with
A dancer, choreographer, artistic the Filipino Youth Symphony Orchestra
director, researcher, and documentary and the Manila Symphony Orchestra
filmmaker. He was able to promote from 1960 to 1968
Filipino culture in other countries using Francisco Feliciano (February 19,
the art of dance through the Ramon 1941-September 19, 2014)
Obusan Folkloric Group.
His major works include "Ashen
Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula (June 29, Wings." "Sikhay sa Kabila ng Paglam,"
1929-August 24, 1999) and "Pamugun." He was known for the
Reyes-Urtula was the dance director of use of modal scales in his operas and
the Bayanihan Philippine Dance orchestral works. He used indigenous
Company, for which she music in his compositions
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
Jovita Fuentes (February 15, 1895- Felipe Padilla de Leon (May 1,
August 7, 1978) 1912-December 5, 1992)

She was best known for her portrayal He was known for Filipinizing western
of Cio-cio San in Giacomo Puccini's music forms. His works, which include
Madame Butterfly in Italy in April "Mariang Making Overture." "Maynila
1925. When she returned to the Overture" "Payapang Daigdig" and
Philippines, she established the Artists' "Ako'y Pilipino." expressed sentiments
Guild of the Philippines in an effort to and aspirations of the Flipino in times
instill love for opera in her of strife and peace.
countrymen.
Lucrecia R. Kasilag (August 31,
Jose Maceda (January 31, 1917- 1918-August 16, 2008)
May 5, 2004)
She was known for fusing Filipino
He conducted researches and ethnic music with Western musical
fieldwork to explore Filipino traditional influences. She was also known for
music further and to understand the incorporating Filipino indigenous
nature of Philippine ethnic and musical instruments in orchestral
traditional music. His efforts gave birth works,
to a huge number of recorded
Philippine ethnic and traditional music. Antonio J. Molina (December 16,
1894-January 29, 1980)
Lucio San Pedro (February 11,
1913-March 31, 2002) Molina was known for introducing the
pentatonic scale, whole tone scale,
Best known for his compositions "Sa Linear counterpoints and the use of
Ugoy ng Duyan," "Sa Mahal Kang dominant ninths and eleventh chords
Bayan," "Dance of the Fairies," in Philippine music
"Triumphal March" and "Lahing
Kayumanggi." Lucio San Pedro was the Ramon P. Santos (February 25,
conductor of the Peng Kong Grand 1941)
Mason Concert Band, the San Pedro Santos is a Filipino composer
Band of Angono, and the Benda musicologist and ethnomusicologist
Angono Numero Uno. Working with who was made a Chevalier de l'Orde
these bands and other town bands des Arts et Lettres in 1987. He helped
helped in the development of a civic in advocating modem Philippine music
culture among Filipino communities. that is still based on early Asian
Levi Celerio (April 30, 1910-April practices and way of life.
2, 2002) Andrea Veneracion (July 11, 1928-
Celerio is most known for his July 9, 2013)
recognition as the only man who could She was the founder of the world-
play music with a leaf in the Guinness renowned University of the Philippines
Book of World Records. He also earned Madrigal Singers or simply the
Lifetime Achievement Award of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, which is
Film Academy of the Philippines for the first choir in the world to win the
writing songs for local movies. He was European Grand Prix for Choral Singing
also known as the dean of Filipino twice. Veneracion is also recognized as
lyricists. an important authority in the
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
development of Philippine choral He organized the Arena Theater
music Playwriting Contest which became the
initial ground for playwrights to
showcase their talents in writing while
serving as Dean of Instruction of the
Philippine Normal College
Theater

Daisy Avellana (January 26, 1917-

May 12, 2013)

She co-founded the Barangay Theatre GAWAD SA MANULIKHA NG BAYAN

Guild. together with her husband, (GAMABA)
National Artist Lamberto Avellana in Eduardo Mutuc (2005 awardee)
1939 This move made theatre and
dramatic arts popular in the country He dedicated his life in creating
She was known as director of films religious and secular art in silver,
"Diego Silang" (1968) and "Walang bronze and wood. According to him,
Sugal (1971). craftsmanship begins with respect for
one's tools and the medium, and the
Honorata "Alang" dela Rama only way to improve one's skills is to
(January 11, 1902-July 11, 1991) immerse oneself, learn the technique,
She was named National Artist for and to practice.
Theater and Music in 1987. She was Darhata Sawabl (2005 awardee)
known as the Queen of Kundiman, and
the first actress to portray a 15-year- She is a Tausug weaver of pis syabit-
old in the very first Tagalog film, which the traditional cloth tapestry worn as a
was the film version of the Sarsuela head cover. Women in Sulu province
"Dalagang Bukid." have grown up learning in weaving the
pis syabit and she is one of those who
Salvador F. Bernal (January 7, look the art of pis syabit making to
1945-October 26, 2011) heart
Honored as National Artist for Theater Haja Amina Appi (2005 awardee)
Design in 2003. Bemal used local
materials including bamboo, abaca, She is recognized as a master mat
hemp twine, and rattan in theater weaver among the Sama indigenous
design for local productions. community for her unique designs
straightness of her edging (tabig), and
Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (January 22, fineness of her sasa and kima-kima
1910-May 1, 1995)
Lang Dulay (1998 awardee)
He served as the director of UP
Dramatic Club for 16 years since 1947. She is a l'boli traditional weaver of
He founded the UP Mobile Theater, "finalak" or T'boli cloth made of
which started the concept of theater colorful abaca fabrics. She used abaca
campus tour fibers as fine as hair which speaks
more eloquently than words can.
Severino Montano (January 3,
1915-December 12, 1980) Salinta Monon (1998 awardee)
 CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGION
She is a Tagabanwa-Bagobo traditional connected as it is with both the
weaver of distinct abaca fabrics called agricultural cycle and the social realm.
inabal. She developed a keen eye for
the traditional designs and can identify Ginaw Bilog (1993 awardee)
the designs as well as the author of a He is a Hanunoo Mangyan who is
woven piece just by a glance. considered as a master of the
Alonzo Saclag (2000 awardee) ambahan poetry. He shares old and
new ambahans with his fellow
He is a Kalinga master of dance and Mangyans and promotes this poetic
the performing arts who mastered not form in every occasion. A common
only the Kalinga musical instruments cultural aspect among cultural
but also the dance patterns and communities nationwide is the oral
movements associated with his tradition characterized by poetic
people's ritual verses which are either sung or
chanted.
Federico Caballero
Magdalena Gamayo (2012
He is a Sulod-Bukidnon epic chanter awardee)
who works for the documentation of
the aral literature. He is considered as She is a master weaver who makes
bantugan which means a person who "inabel", an llokano handwoven cloth.
has attained distinction. He strikes to She was awarded for her wide array
dispense justice in the community skills in textile weaving. Her
through his work as a manughusay handiworks are finer than most abel.
which is an arbiter of conflicts. Her blankets have a very high thread
count and her deigns are the most
Masino Intaray (1993 awardee) intricate that sometimes take up to
He is a prolific and pre-eminent epic five colors.
conter and story teller recognized for
his outstanding mastery of various
traditional musical instruments of the
Palawan people, Such as basal, kulilal
and bagit. He is an outstanding master
of the basal, kulilal (musical ensemble)
and bagit: a gifted pot, bard artist, and
musician.

Samon Sulaiman (1993 awardee)

He is Magindanaon, who is highly

sophisticated in weaving, okir designs,
jewelry, metalwork and brassware
which art is Southeast Asian yet
distinct in character.

Uwang Ahadas (2000 awardee)

His near-blindness eyesight made

music his constant companion. He is a
Yakan, a people to whom instrumental
music is of much significance,