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Contemporary
Philippine Arts
from Regions
QUARTER 2
LESSON
Contemporary Visual
1 Arts from the Regions
LEARNING COMPETENCIES
a. Explicates the use of available materials and the application of techniques
b. Conceptualizes contemporary art based on techniques and performance practices
in their locality.
c. Appreciate contemporary arts from the regions

o Sculpture is the most familiar art forms among Filipinos. From the transitional
carving of onitos to the santos to Christ and down to the saints, Filipinos find it
rather not difficult as they are already familiar with the ways of the wood.
o Philippine sculpture have undergone changes in terms of shape, form, content as
well as the mediums used. First sculptures were primitive and native materials used
are stones and clays. During that time, sculptures created depicted normal life and
acts of worship and colors were also limited.
o Ethnic culture has been done using traditional media of wood and stone, by carving,
molding using clays, and casting when using metals. Carving involves removing of
materials from the wood or stone. Wood carving has been a part of the ancient
tradition of Malay wood carving in Southeast Asia.

Contemporary Arts and its Descriptions

a. The Higantes of Angono, Rizal
o It was said that the higantes started during the
Spanish colonial times. It was borrowed to
Kampong of Binangonan when Angono was once
a hacienda and ruled by Spanish hacienderos,
The Guido. The Angono land tillers way of
protesting their struggle is by making a giant
effigy of their landlords whose hands are usually
high up on their waist.
o The body of the traditional higante are made of
bamboo and colorful cloth and its faces of paper
mache. The three old higantes of Angono consists
of the family of giants – father, mother and child
higantes, they traditionally odd color and fun
during the fiesta celebration. It was in the late
80s when the late Angono artist Perdigon Vocalan
brought the idea of the Higantes Festival by going
out of the traditional family of giants and
 advocating having more higantes in the fiesta by coordinating with the barangays
of Angono to come up with Higantes that will represent their barangay.
o At present, the Higantes of Angono canbe seen in fiest celebratiobs around the
Philippines and in national cultural presentations, the major being the Centennial
Parade in the Quirino Grandstand for the Philippine Centnnial celelbration in
1998.

b. The Sculpture of Paete, Laguna

o T h e n a m e o f P a
town has had a long reputation for its craftemen
highly skilled in wood carving and its
embellishment. In 1887, Jose Rizal described
Paete as atown where “carpenter shops” were
issuing images “even those more rudely carved”.
Even now, its inhabitants (called Paetenos or
Paetenians) continue their centuries-old tradition
of carving and painting. Its statues, pulpits,
murals, and bas relief are found in churches,
palaces, and museums all over the world. The official town hero is not a stateman
nor a soldier but a woodcarver, the master artisan Mariano Madrinan, whose Obra
Maestra, the lifelike Mater Dolorosa, was honored by the King of Spain with a
prestigious award in Amsterdan in 1882. The town was proclaimed “the Carving
Capital of the Philippines” on March 15, 2005.
o Many descendants of these artisans have found a niche in the culinary world. Ice
sculptures and fruit and vegetable carvings done by Paetenos abound on buffet
tables of cruise ships and world-class hotels and restaurants. Today the town thrives
mainly on the sale and export of woodcarvings and taka (papier mache), tourism,
poultry industry, farming and fishing.

b. The Taka of Paete Laguna

o Taka refers to paper mache made
using carved wooden sculpture
used as a mold. The craft
originated in the town of Paete,
Laguna in the Philippines.Taka
was pioneered by Paete local,
Maria Piday. During Christmas,
Piday was incharge of the church’s
decorations. The wooden angels
and cherub were heavy causing
the carving s to fall. Piday devised a lightweight taka paper mache as an alternative
to wooden sculptures. Piday was also a maker of of local toys such as the yoyo and
the small acrobat hand puppet. Taka eventually became folk art and was sold to
nearby towns for festivals. In the 1970s, Tere Afuang, a knowledgeable practitioner of
the craft, popularized the craft.
 o Common ana traditional subjects of taka include the manok, kabayo, kalabaw,
dalada (chicken, horse, carabao, maiden) which is made primarily for local use. Due
to exposure and migration of Paete residents to Manila and abroad, European –
influenced paper mache toys began to be made for export to other countries, such as
Germany. Taka images now include those of Santa Clause, rindeer, giraffes, and
other subjects that are in demand.

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c. The Giant Lantern Festival of Pampanga

o The Giant Lantern Festival is an annual festival

held in December (Saturday before Christmas
Eve) in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga in
the Philippines. The festival features a
competition of giant lanterns. Because of the
popularity of the festival, the city has been
nicknamed the “Christmas Capital of the
Philippines”.

o San Fernando lantern industry evolved from the Giant Lantern Festival of San
Fernando. The festival which is held every December, finds its roots in Bacolor where
much simpler activity was held. Following the transfer of the provincial capital from
Bacolor to San Fernando in August 1904, this lantern event followed as well.
“Ligligan Parol” was said to have started in San Fernando in 1904. But some say that
the “Ligligan Parol” did not happen immediately after the transfer and in fact began
in 1908.
o This predecessor of the modern day Giant Lantern Festival was actually a religious
activity which we know today as “lubenas”. The lanterns measured just two feet in
diameter, a far cry from the fifteen feet that we see today. These were created in each
barrio from bamboo and other locally available materials. During the nine-day
novena before Christmas, which coincided with the simbang gabi from December 16
to 24, these parols were brought around each barrio in procession to their visita.
Before the midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the lanterns were brought to the town
church together with the barrio patrons.
o This tradition gradually evolved as the lanterns became bigger and the designs more
intricate. Later, one big lantern was made for each barrio, which was created through
the cooperation effort. Each resident contributed to its construction, from the
concept and design to the materials and labor. In the end, these lanterns became a
symbol of unity for the barrios.
o It was in 1931 that electricity was introduced to the San Fernando lantern, thus
sparkling the birth of the first Giant Lantern Festival. The added illusion of dancing
lights highlighted the bright colors and intricate designs of these Giant Lanterns. At
this time, the lights were controlled by individual switches that were turned on and
off following the beat of the music.
 o In the years that followed, more innovations were introduced to the giant lanterns.
Colored plastics replaced traditional papel de Hapon. The use of colored plastics will
continue on until 2010, where fiberglass and handmade paper will make their first
appearances on the lanterns. Large steel barrels called rotors also substituted the
hand-controlled switches to manipulate the lights. And lanterns have grown in size,
approximately 20-feet today, and illuminated by about 3,500 to 5,000 light bulbs.

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d. Saniculas Cookies Mold Carvings of Pampanga
o Saniculas cookies are arrowroot cookies that have the
image of St. Nicholas molded on it, hence the name
Saniculas. St. Nicholas is also known as “the healer”
and is 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.
o The moulds are an exceptional piece of folk art and a rarity. Saniculas cookies
makers would commission the carvers of these molds with one of a kind design. They
would also have the initials of the owner monogrammed on the molds. This is why it’s
so rare – it is considered a family heirloom. The molds are made of hardwood and are
of different shapes and sizes. They would have a carved piece and a wooden presser.
o It was introduced by the Augustinian Friars. These religious biscuits were molded
with the image of St. Nicholas de Tolentino, the patron saint of the children. I used to
be made only on September 10, the feast of the saint, then brought to the church to
be blessed then given to children.
o The “Saniculas” designs vary, the moulds always have the abstracted figure of the
saint in the center, surrounded by floral, vegetal and curlicue patterns. The shapes of
“saniculas” may also vary. Masantol churned out round “saniculas”, while Sta Ana
favored harp-shaped cookies that echo the calado transoms of old houses. The
“saniculas” of San Fernando and Mexico are leaf-shaped, with pointed ends.

e. Singkaban or Bamboo Art of Bulacan

o Singkaban is the art of having bamboo
into artful creations that can be used a
décor for arches or for the home. Skilled
craftsmen patiently shave off the
bamboo, layer by layer, to create curls
and delicate twirls of thin bamboo.
o Singkabans are artfully-made entrance
arches used during fiestas and other
important events in Bulacan. Bamboo is
 primarily used in creating a singkaban, and the art is most prevalent in the old towns
of Hagonoy and Malolos.
o Singkaban Festival is an annual provincial event of Bulacan where Bulakenyo
culture and arts are featured in a week-long celebration. It showcases the traditional
arts of the literary form “Balagtasan”, folk dances, and the traditional song known as
“Kundiman”. The main focus is on the singkaban, a Bulakenyo art of creating an
entrance arch and other decorative materials mainly from bamboo.

f. The Bul-ul of Ifugao 4

o B u l - u l i s a c a r
Luzon. The sculptures are highly stylized
representations of ancestors, and are thought
to gain power from the presence of the
ancestral spirit. The Ifugao are particularly
noted for their skill in carving bul-uls.
o B u l - u l s a r e
Creation of a bul-ul involves alwen bul-ul
ritual by a priest to ensure that the statue
gains power. The bul-ul is treated with care
and respect to avoid the risk of the spirits of the ancestors bringing sickness.The
figures are placed in rice granaries to bring a plentiful harvest. Bul-ul is important to
Ifugaos when this is placed near rice granaries.

g. Okir Design of Maranao

o Okir 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 in some
parts of Southeast Asia.

o Okir a datu refers to the ornamental design for men and okir a
bay to that for women. In okir a datu (gentlemen’s design), the
scroll is the dominant feature in the men’s work composed of
various priral forms. In contrast, okir a bay (ladies design) the zigzag and angular
forms are the dominating motifs in women’s geometric art.

o An ancient proof of okir’s style of flowering symbols is the torogan, the ancestral
home of the highest titleholder in a Maranao village. It is a symbol of power and
prestige usually adorned during festivities. Its prominent part is the panolong, a
carved beam that protrudes in the front of the house and styled with okir motif. The
 okir design is found woven or printed in textiles, carved into wooden cemetery
markers and wooden boxes, and it can also be found etched into nife or sword blades
and handles, and cast or etched into various brass and silver objects.

o Other variations of the okir involves the use of ñaga or serpent motif. Maranao
instruments usually are styled with okir. A prominent variatiions is the sarimanok, a
chicken-like figure that carries a fish in its beak. Okir is said to be firstly madde in
Tugaya, Lanao del Sur, as Tugaya is known as the home of Maranao artisans and the
Industrial Capital of Lanao del Sur. It has been long known as the home of arts and
crafts of Maranao tribe since time immemorial.

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h. The Sarimanok of Maranao
o The Sarimanok is a legendary bird of the Maranao
people who originate from Mindanao. It comes from
the words “sari” and “manok”. “Sari” means cloth or
garment, which is generally of assorted colors.
“Manok” means chicken.

o The Sarimanok has become a ubiquitous symbol of

Maranao art. It is depicted as a fowl with colorful
wings and feathered tail, holding a fish on its beak
or talons. The head is profusely decorated with
scroll, leaf, and spiral motifs. It is said to be a
symbol of good fortune.
o The “Sarimanok” is derived from a totem bird of the Maranao people, called Itotoro.
According to the Maranao people, the Itotoro is a medium to the spirit world via its
unseen twin spirit bird called Inikadowa. The Sarimanok is also believed to have
originated from Garuda of Hindu epic Ramayana adopted into Maharadia Lawana of
Maranao people, which in turn was later adopted to an Islamic legend after Southern
Philippines converted to Islam.
o According to the later Islamic legend, Muhammad found a rooster in the first of the
seven heavens. The bird was so large its crest touched the second heaven. Its crow
roused every living creature except man. Judgment day would come once this
celestial rooster ceased to crow.

h. The Hagabi of Ifugao

o The Hagabi of the Ifugaos 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”.
 o Today, the hagabi feast is conducted by the Ifugaos for the purpose of building a
modern house instead of making a wooden couch. Also in the present
technology, they now use trucks instead of man power to carry the
loads. Though much of the tradition behind the hagabi was lost the
general feasting still remains.

i. Pabalat or Borlas de Pastillas of Bulacan

o The Pastillas in Bulacan are wrapped with
decorative wrappers known as pabalat or borlas
de pastillas. Through the years the “pabalat”
making in Bulacan has transformed from a
local, folk tradition into a popular art.
o The pabalat or borlas are made of colorful
Japanese papers which are cut with the
intricate designs. The designs range from bahay
kubo, rice fields, farmers, flowers, Maria Clara
6 The way to make it is so delicate that only
to landscapes and figures.
those with skilled hand and
have perfect control of their motor skills can produce the best kind. Fiestas are not
complete without these elaborate paper-cut pastillas wrappers often used as decoration,
table centerpiece, as well as souvenirs.

Weaving
o Weaving in the Philippines has different forms, functions, and materials. They also
vary in design and techniques used. Most of the common forms of weaving in the
Philippines are in the form of hats, mats, bags, baskets, and textiles.

Costume/ Garment and its Description

1. The Malong of Maranao

o The malong is a tradiltional “tube skirt” made of handwoven or machine-made multi-
colored cotton cloth, bearing a variety of geometric or okir designs. The malong is
similar to the sarong qorn by peoples in Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. The malong
is traditionally used as a garment by numerous tribes in the southern Philippines
and the Sulu Archipelago.
o Handwoven malongs are made by Maranao, Maguindanao, and T’boli weavers on a
backstrap loom. The pattern and style of the malong may indicate the weaver’s tribal
origin, such as the Maranao malong landap.
o The malong can function as a skirt for both men and women, a turban, a dress, a
blanket, a sunshade, a bedsheet, a “dressing room”, a hammock, a prayer mat, and
other purposes. A newborn is wrapped in a malong, and as he grows this piece of
cloth becomes a part of his daily llife. When he dies, he is once again wrapped in a
malong. Among traditional peoples, the malong is used in everyday life. Even in areas
where people wear Western-style clothing during the day, the malong is commonly
 used as sleepwear. The malong is also used in very big festivals, they wear this to
show respect.

2. Pagbuburda of Laguna and Batangas

o Different methods of embroidery or decorative sewing arts were subsequently
developed by Filipinos. It is mostly done bby women who are wives of the farmers and
fishermen. However, it is not uncommon to see fishermen and farmers who are also
carefully and delicately embroidering floral designs during their “off season”.
o Among these traditional embroidery methods are:

Calado (Piercing) – is a method of decorating

a textile by pulling out threads from
certain areas, reinforcing other areas,
and sewing them together to make
intricate lacy designs.

Sombrado – is a method in which curvilinear

patterns are appliqued to thin cloth to
make sillouette designs.

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Tribal Costumes of B’laan, Kalinga, T’boli and Bagobo

1. B’laan
o The B’laans are one of the most indigenous peoples of Southern Mindanao in the
Philippines.
o They are famous for their brassworks, beadwork, and the t’nalak weave.

o The people of this tribes wear colorful embroidered native costumes as beadwork
accessories.

2. Kalinga
o The Kalinga are called “peacocks of the north” because eof their attention to
appearance and dressing.
o Kalinga is a landlocked province of northern Cordillera, Philippines.

o “Kalinga” means enemy, a name that the bordering inhabitants called this tribe
because of their headhunting attacks.
o The name stuck and became accepted by the natives themselves.

3. T’boli
o The 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 brass ornaments.
4. Bagobo
o The Bagobo are proud people with oroto-Malayan features.

o They have ornatetraditions in weaponry amd other metal arts.

o They are noted for their skill in producing brass articles through the ancient lost-was
process.
o These people also weave-abacca cloths of earth tones and make baskets that are
trimmed with beads, fibers, and horse’s hair.

TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

1. The Philippines has many

popular folk dances which
have evolved and changed
as they have been passed
down from generation to
generation. A particular
dance might be performed
slightly differently from one region to the next but it remains
true to its roots.Itik-Itik from SurigaoIs a mimetic folk
dance in the Philippines.
o It originated in the province of Surigao in Mindanao.

o It comes from the Tagalog word for “duck”.

o The dance steps imitate the movements of ducks among rice paddies and
swamplands, such as wadding, flying, and short choppy steps, as well as the way as
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it splashes water on its back to attract a mate.
o According to popular tradition, the dance was created by a lady named Kanang who
choreographed the steps while dancing at a baptismal party.
o Itik-Itik’s current form originated in the Philippine towns of Carrascal, Cantilan,
Lanuza, and Carmen, all in Surigao del Sur.
o Other versions of the dance do exists, although the Itik-Itik Surigaonon remains the
most popular.These alternate versions are foundin the Visayas such as Samar,
Cebu, and Tibiao.

2. The Tinikling from Leyte and the Visayas Regions

o A traditional
Philippines dance
originated from
Leyte during the
Sapnish colonial
era.
o Its movements
imitate the
 movement of the tikling bird as it walks around
through tall grass and between tree branches.
o People perform the dance using bamboo poles.

o The dance is compose of three basic steps which

include singles, doubles, and hops.
o It involves two people hitting bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in
coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between the poles in
dance.
o It looks similar to playing jump rope, except that the dancers perform the steps
around and between the bamboo poles, and the dance becomes faster until someone
makes a mistake and the next set of dancers takes a turn.
o It is traditionally danced to rondalla music, a sort of serenade played by an ensemble
of stringed instruments which originated in Spain during the Middle Ages.

3. The Sayaw sa Bangko from Pangasinan

o Sayaw sa Bangko
or Sayaw ed Tapew
na Bangko (dance on
top of a bench), is a
dance which
originates from
Pangasinan.
o Performers dance
on top of a narrow
bench that is
normally six inches wide, inching and
hopping from one another.
o Dancers need good balance as they go through a series of movements that include
some impressive acrobatics.
o Dancers show skill in staying up the bench as they exchange palces by moving their
way around or the girl thrown in the air while boys moves to the other end.
o They do not compete rather complement each other so that no one falls.
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o This dance traces its roots back to the areas of Pangapisan, Lingayen, Pangasinan.

o It is usually performed during town fiesta.

4. The Binasuan from Pangasinan

o Dancers carefully balanced three half-filled glasses of rice wine on their heads and
hands as they gracefully spin and roll on the ground.
o The arms are rotated over and under the shoulder in irder to keep palms facing up so
as not to spill the liquid while nevertheless allowing the radius to cross over the ulna
via pronation.
 o It is an entertaining dance that is usually performed on festive social occasion like
weddings and birthdays. The dance originated in Bayambang, Pangasinan.

5. The Pandanggo sa Ilaw from Mindoro

o It is a very popular folk
dance in the Philippines.
o It is similar to a Spanish
Fandango.
o The phrase sa ilaw is
Tagalog for “in light” and it
refers to the three oil lamps that a dancer has to balance –
one on the head, and one on the back of each hand.
o The oil lamp is called tinghoy.

o Sometimes, candles in glasses are used instead of an oil lamp.

o It’s a lively dance that originated on Lubang Island, Mindoro.

o There are many versions of this dance and each locality has its own version.

o It may be dance at any social gathering andis usally accompanied by clapping.

o The musicians paly faster and faster after each repetition until the dancers are
exhausted.

6. The Maglalatik from Binan, Laguna

o It is also known as Magbabao.

o It is a mock-war dance that

depicts a fight over coconut
meat, a highly - prized food.
o Coconut shells halves are
secured onto the dancers’
hands and on vest upon which
are hung four or six more
coconut shell halves.
o The dancers – all male – perform the dance by hitting one coconut shell with the
other – sometimes the ones on the hands, sometimes, the one on the body, and
sometimes the shells worn by another performer, all in time to a fast drumbeat.
o The dance is broken onto four parts: two devoted to the battle and two devoted to the
reconciling.
o The men of the dance wear coconut shells as part of their costumes, and they slap
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them in rhythm with the music.
o The name of the dance comes from the Filipino word “Latik” which means “fried
coconut milk curd”, a coconut product that is used in Filipino cooking, particularly in
snacks.
 o The Maglalatik is danced in religious procession during fiesta of Biñan as an offering
to San Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.

5. The Kuratsa from the Visayas Regions

o The Spanish-influenced Kuratsa or Curacha is described
as a dance of courtship and is often performed at
weddings and other social occasions.
o The dance has three parts. The couple first performa
waltz. In second part, the music sets a faster pace as the
man pursues the woman around the dance floor in a
chase. To finish, the music becomes even faster as the
man wins over the woman with his mating dance.
o The Kuratsa must be done the amenudo-way; that is, only
one couple dances it at a time. Believed to be Mexican
import (supposedly from La Cucaracha dance typical to
Monterry region of Mexico) – the Kuratsa is, however, very
different in the manner of execution to the Mexican counterpart.
o Even the “basic” Kuratsa music is not based on Mexican or even Spanish melodies
but just bolero-inspired lilting music.

6. La Jota Moncadeña from Ilocos

o It is adapted by the Filipinos from an old Spanish dance.

o It’s a combination of a Spanish and Ilocano dance steps set to

Spanish music and castanets.
o A more solemn version of this dance is sometimes used to
accompany a funeral procession, but it is also performed at
celebrations.
o La Jota Moncadeña is one of the most famous interpretation and adaptation of the
Aragonese Jota dance.
o People of Moncada, Tarlac, call it rather by a different name: Jota Florana.

o The Jota Florana was danced to the Ilocano/Yogad bamboo musical instrument
ensemble called tallelet.
o The high pitched clicking of the bamboo clickers is supposed to represent melancholy
wails. The slow portion of the dance is in fact named patay (death) or desmayo
(fainting) that is performed to a very slow marcha funebre.

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7. The Kappa Malong-Malong from Mindanao
The Kappa Malong-Malong or Sambi sa Malong is a Muslim-
influenced dance.
 o The malong is a tubular garment, and the dance essentially shows the many ways it
can be worn.
o The traditional women’s version shows this cloth of countless colorful designs; used
mostly as a skirt, woven in many different ways, depending on the purpose of the
wearer.
o Other ways the womwn wear malong is a shawl, a mantle, or a head-piece.

o The men’s version shows in masculine rendition, how men don the malong –
displaying its use as a sash or waist-band, shorts or bahag, and a head-gear that can
be either functional while working in the fields, or decorative as turban.

8. The Pantomina from Bicol Region

o A traditional Bicol dance

o It is a love dance with its movements

mimicking or patronizing the mating
or love making of adoves or the
“salampati” (Bicol term for dove).
o It is performed as courtship and
wedding dance where the couple
dances and each expresses love for
each other.
o Pantomina (Spanish for pantomime) was originally a wedding dance from the
towns of Bicol’s Estandarte and Sorsogon subregions.
o This dance is traditionally performed during wedding festivities by the couple and
visitors.
o This dance is popular in the Bicol region even uo to this time.

o This dance is important part of the Sorsogon Kasanggayahan Festival held each
October, where it is mainly performed by the elders of the community.

9. The Habanera Botolena from Zambales

o A folk dance that originated from Cuba.

o It is known aas Danza or Danza Habanera.

o It is a social dance in duple time and it is

usually performed in ballroom or on a
stage.
o It is a strongly flamenco-influenced dance
that comes from Botolan, Zambales.
o It combines Filipino and Spanish steps, and is a popular dance at weddings and
includes a procession of the bride and groom’s parents, the bridesmaids, and
groomsmen, as well as an exclusive performance by the newlyweds.
o It is also considered a courting dance in some situations.
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10. The Surtido from Cebu and Samar
o Surtido literally means
“assortment”, and this square
dance combines influences of
French, Sapanish, and Mexican
dance.
o Traditionally, the Surtido is
performed by a head couple
accompanied by two other couples
who lead all the dancers through
various formations that resemble an old-fashioned quadrille.
o The Surtido Cebuano is a square dance said to have originated from Bantayan,
Cebu.
o It is a cobbling together of Spanish, Mexican and French influences along with the
indigenous elements.
o Surtido is performed by several pairs of dancers, with the head pair called
cabeceras, and the side pairs, costados, guiding the other dancers in varied quadrille
formations.
o Surtido Borongan is a version of the surtido that came from the town Borongan, the
cabecera of the Eastern Samar province.

11. The Singkil from Maranao

o The Singkil is a dance
traditionally performed by single
women to attract the attention of
potential suitors.
o Dancers perform a series of
graceful movements as they step
in and out from between bamboo
poles which are rhythmically
clapped together.
o Fans and scarves are often used

o It is originated from the Maranao people who inhabit the shores of Lake Lanao.

o It is derived a story in the Darangen, the Maranao interpretation of the ancient

Indian epic, the Ramayana.
o The name of the dance itself means “to entangle the
feet with disturbing objects such as vines or
anything in your path”.
o It is a popular dance performed during
celebrations and other festive entertainment.

12. The Polkabal

 o It shows some European influence in its steps.

o The dance is composed of nine different steps which include various movements
such as fluttering, steping heel – to – toe, a
reenactment of a bull fight, and even a leisurely walk.
o The dance got its name from two popular dances in the late 1800s: the polka and
balse (waltz).
o The step pf this dance are identified as13the luksong uwak (jumping crow), wagayway
(fluttering), hardin (garden), punta y tacon (heel and toe), corrida (bull fight (paseo
(leisurely walk), ensayo (practice), contragansa (hop-cross) and the contragansa doble
(double hop cross).

13. La Estudiantina from Samar and Quezon

o La Estudiantina is a Spanish-
inspired dance of the Philippines.
o The country was under the rule of
Spain for more than three hundred
years, during which time the local
culture was markedly influenced.
o Young women who were studying used to be called estudiantina.

o This dance was originally performed by womn carrying a book or a fan, items
associated with female students.
o Philippine dances derived from Spanish influences, such as the La Estudiantina, are
classified as Sayawing Maria Clara (Maia Clara Dances).
o Maria Clara also refers to a women’s style of clothing popular during Spanish times,
which is worn as traditional Filipino costume even today.
o Filipina performers of dances like the La Estudiantina wear Maria Clara-style dresses.

14. The Pasiguin from Capiz

o It is a frolicking-dance
representing fishes
getting out from torn
fishnets, localy called
sibot in Capiz.
o The dance is among
the discoveries of
dance researcher Petronila Suarez.
o The word pasiguin literally means “ring net” which is used for catching fish.

o This dance is about a fisherman trying to catch bangus, shrimps, and sugpo with the
use of the sibot (fish net), not knowing it has a big hole in it. This gives him a difficult
time because the fish keeps slipping out of the net.
o The movements of the girls imitate those of the bangus, shrimps, and sugpo.
 o The girls wear an ankle-length skirt and a kimono while the boys wear kamisa de
chino and colored trousers.
o All dancers are barefooted. A touch of comic relief adds color to the dance as the
fishermen find out in the end that the ring net has a big hole, enough for the fish to
escape.

15. The Cariñosa from Panay 14

o It is a Philippine folk dance of

Hispanic origin.
o It is closely associated with the
Island of Panay and the Visayas
region in general.
o The word cariñosa is from the
Spanish cariñosa meaning the
affectionate one.
o This is a courtship dance that portrays acts of flirtation between a man and a
woman.
o The dancers performs steps resembling hide-and-seek movements.

o The woman holds a handkerchief or sometime a fan.

o The essence of the dance is the courtship between two sweethearts.

o The dance originated in Panay Island in the Visayan Island and was introduced by
the Spaniards during their colonization of the Philippines.
o It is related to some of the Spanish dances like the bolero and the Mexican dance
Jarabe Tapatio or the Mexican Hat Dance.
o Originally, the Cariñosa was danced with Maria Clara dress and Barong Tagalog for it
is a Maria Clara Spanish Dance when it was introduced.

16. The Mazurka Boholana from Bohol

o A Spanish-inspired ballroom dance from the Bohol
province.
o It is classified as the Sayawing Maria Clara (Maria
Clara Dances)
o Performers wore Maria Clara costumes.

17. The Alcamfor from Leyte

 o It is a couple dance from Leyte.

o In this dance, the girl holds a

handkerchief laced with camphor,
a substance that is locally thought
to induce romance. She flirts with
the man by waving her scented
handkerchief in front of his face.
o The word alkamfor comes from the
Spanish alcanfor, meaning camphor.
o The dance is also called Pandanggo han Panyo.

MODERNISM AND POSTMODERNISM

15
Postmodernism
o describes broad movement that developed in the mid – to late 20 th Century across
philosophy, arts, architecture and criticism which mark a departure from
modernism.
o alright to copy a masterpiece

DIFERENCE BETWEEN MODERNISM AND POSTMODERNISM

MODERNISM
School of thought that took place in late
1800s and early 1900s
Advocated rational thinking and the use of
science and reason for the advancement of
man
The modernist era was characterized by the
simple and elegant original works of gifted
artists
Modernists believe in universal truth
Modernists were not political.
Modernism in all art forms evolved into a
variety of expressions and media that
turned the entire world into a “creative
upheaval”.
POSTMODERNISM
School of thought that took place after
World War II
Believed in the irrationality of things.
The postmodernist era was characterized by
the advancement in technology and it’s
used in different media.
Postmodernists did not believe in universal
truth.
Postmodernists were very political.
Postmodernism has several features. The
most common feature is pastiche, which
refers to the blurring of divisions between
fine art and commercial art, high culture
and low culture, and highbrow and
 lowbrow. It also means artistic, musical,
and literary works that come from diverse
sources – a mixture, a medley of different
ideas.
Even architecture developed a modernist Another feature of modernism is bricolage,
style. or assemblage, a popularly used visual
arts. It refers to the creation or
construction that uses a diverse range of
materials – from mass-produce to recovered
objects. A simplification of collage, bricolage
can also pertain to the use of words as the
central artistic element. In the literary arts,
it is the use of varied sources of writing.
Appropriation, or borrowing is another
feature. This refers to the use of the style
and content of another culture for a
performance, for example, the music of
Bach being played by a Filipino rock band.
Another popular feature includes
installation art. It is an art made indoors or
outdoors where a particular space is
transformed into a three-dimensional
artwork. It is made of diverse materials,
using a realistic or abstract style. It is a
conceptual art that presents diverse
themes, but it is usually temporary.
Another feature of postmodernism are the
recycling of past styles and themes, putting
them in a modern-day context; breaking up
barriers between low and pop cultures, fine
and high arts, highbrow and lowbrow. New
themes in all the arts forms consist of
certain socially conscious issues which
have arisen with this period: feminism,
consumerism, multiculturism,
globalization, health awareness, migration,
and so on. A perfect example of this is
Delotavo’s painting.

INTEGRATIVE ART APPLIED TO PHILIPPINE CONTEMPORARY ART

Contemporary art forms in the regions now include the following:

a. Choreography

b. musical instruments
c. literary and music composition

d. visual design

e. theatrical performance

f. Cinema

Choreography
o Choreography is an arrangement or design for dance movements usually
accompanied by music.
o It is the art of Dancing that is composed of a series of dance steps and movements by
music.
o It has become an integrated art, for it incorporates both dance and music.

o In the regions, there is a minimal number of contemporary dances because the

17 practiced. However, the choreography of
traditional dances are still being widely
these traditional dances have varied through generations. Modifications are done to
adapt contemporary times.
o Contemporary choreography are mostly seen in the productions of street dancing for
regional festivals.

Musical Instruments
o A musical instrument is any tool or device that produces sound. It consists of an
array of shapes and styles from simple to the complex.
o One interacts with a musical instrument in a way that it produces sound, like a
guitarist plucking the strings of his guitar or a drummer beating his gong.
o Example of traditional musical instruments in the Philippines are the kulintang,
gangsa, and the kutyapi.
o Integration of arts is seen through the intricate design of musical instruments,
representing visual arts; and their function, which is primarily to create music.
o A musical instrument alone is an example of integrated art.

Literary and Musical Composition

Literary
o Literary works are written works meant to be read, sung, or delivered in a play.

o They can be written in prose or in poetry form.

Musical Composition
o Musical compositions are not written but notated (represented by musical symbols)
 o Since they use symbols particular to their field, they must be learned.

How are literary and musical compositions integrated then?

These two types of musical compositions are some of the easiest art forms to
integrate with another form. Literary pieces, such as novels, short stories, and epics are the
most common bases of other forms like theater and cinema. A theater without a playwright
is nothing; so is a cinema without a scriptwriter.

In contemporary times, the most common example are the movie adaptations of
some well-known literary pieces, such as “Bata Bata, Pa’no ka Ginawa” and “Decada 70”,
novels by Lualhati Bautista that were turned into films by Chito Roño.

It is the same with musical compositions. A notated work must be performed to be

appreciated. Aside from recitals, compositions are now being enjoyed in dance, theater,
cinema and broadcast arts, and even in new media.
18
Visual Design
o Visual design is a composition or layout of lines, shapes, and color to form patterns
on paper, textile, or any piece for that matter.
o It can be found in either two-dimensional works like painting and drawing; or three
dimensional works like installation and sculpture.
o Integration of arts in visual design happens in several hybrid art forms like
installation videos and the like.

Theatrical Performance
o The staging and execution of a production, like drama, opera, festivals, and the like
fall under the form called theatrical performance.
o It pertains to a public presentation of a dramatic or musical entertainment.

o It involves a lot of teamwork that includes the producer, the director, the cast, and
the crew of workers.
o Technology, whether traditional, digital, multi-media, innovative, or alternative is a
vital part of any performance.
o Contemporary theatrical performance is experimental, innovative, controversial, and
interdisciplinary, going beyond theater and other art forms, like puppetry, cinema,
and sculpture.
o It also goes out to other disciplines like psychology, and the social and political
sciences.

Cinema
o The cinema is the most popular of the art forms; yet, it is the youngest off all.
 o It appeared only in the early 1900s in Manila and later spread in the regions.

o It has gained public acceptance since then.

o The characteristics of the cinema is similar to the theater, except that is not a live
performance and the action is seen on a flat screen.

Activity 1
Do what is asked and answer the following questions:

o Research about the contemporary arts of the various regions in the country.

o What are the most common contemporary art practices in each region? Describe
them thoroughly.
o Provide at least two contemporary arts19for each region. Then, compare your region’s
contemporary arts with that of your neighboring region(s).

Activity 2

Instructions:
Research about the integrated contemporary arts of the province of Sultan Kudarat and
discuss the following available art forms of the province:

a. choreography

b. musical instrument

c. Literary and musical composition

d. visual design

e. theatrical performance

f. cinema

Activity 3

Instructions:
1. Enumerate examples of the following art forms found in the province.

a. Choreography b. Musical Instrument

c. Literary and musical composition d. visual design

e. theatrical performance f. cinema

2. Which of these art forms is/are most distinct in the province? Why do you say so?

3. How is the province responding to the promotion of culture and the arts?
4. What can you do to preserve and promote this distinctive art form in the province?

5. What can you do to preserve and promote this distinctive art form outside of the province
(to other provinces or regions)?

6. What is the significance of the contemporary arts of the province to its citizens?

References:
Philippine Contemporary Arts (Expressions and Experimentations)

By: Angelita Benavides – Perez, M. A., pp. 31 – 37

Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions

By: Marjueve M. Palencia, et al., pp. 40 - 65

20
LESSON
Contemporary Art
2 Practices in the Philippines
LEARNING COMPETENCIES
a. Identify contemporary practices in the arts, and local materials used in creating arts.
b. Describe traditional and nontraditional materials used by contemporary Filipino
artist, and techniques used in the arts.
c. Critiques available materials and appropriate techniques.

1. Contemporary Art Practices in the Philippines

o Contemporary art practices are actual practices of the arts in everyday life. They are
expressed in different ways, by an individual or by a collaboration of several artists.
o The form and content of an artwork that is done by an individual artist are products
of a single person’s thoughts and emotions.
o One example of a collaboration product is Jose Tence Ruiz’s Shoal. The idea is the
brainchild of Ruiz, but the execution of the entire artwork has been done by several
artists. This type of collaboration showcases an idea from a single person.
o A sample of a complete collaboration – an anthology of artworks that showcases
different ideas from different persons – can be seen in the Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice
in the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Four national artists
were involved in creating the circular chapel: the design of the building by Arch.
Leandro Locsin; the main crosses at the altar carved by Napoleon Abueva; the
 Stations of the Cross painted by Vicente Manansala; and the mosaic floor
surrounding the altar done by Artuzo Luz.

Festivals and Rituals: Representations of Philippine arts

The Philippines have festivals of every kind: festivals honoring patron saints,
thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest, commemoration of an event, and tribute to a special
occasion or local specialty. The celebration for festivals have become a collaborative art that
involves many art forms and styles.

Festivals: 21
A festival may be composed of street dancing, singing competitions, architectural
decors like floats, and a lot more.

Festival Location/Region Description

Sinulog Festival Cebu It is held every third of January to honor
the image of Sto. Niño de Cebu, which was
brought by the Spaniards when they
landed in Mactan in 1521.
Dinagyang Festival Iloilo Celebrated every fourth Sunday of
January, is also in honor of the Sto. Niño,
commemorating the arrival of Malay
settlers in Panay and the selling of the
island to them by the Atis.
Ati-Atihan Festival Kalibo, Aklan Held on the third Sunday of January, it
features a parade of drumbeating Ati-
Atihans (make-believe Atis) and the cry of
hala bira!.
Pahiyas Lucban, Quezon Held on May 15 in honor of San Isidro
Labrador, the patron saint of the farmers.
Houses along the procession route are
decorated with the colorful kiping made of
colored and cooked rice dough with leaf-
shape design.
Moriones Festival Marinduque It feature an outdoor theatrical
performance that reenacts the story of
Longinus, the centurion who pierced the
side of Jesus Christ on the Cross. This
festival is held during the Holy Week of
Lent.
Pamulinawen Festival Laoag, Ilocos Norte In honor of Our Lady of Peace every 10th
day of February
Sambali Fiesta Piat, Cagayan In honor of Our Lady of Piat in a week-
long festival during the last week of June.
It also commemorates the Sambali tribe,
who converted to Christianity.
Hermosa Festival Zamboanga It is known as the fiesta Pilar. It is month-
long festival held in October, honoring the
image of Our Lady of the Pillar.
Tabako Festival Candon, Ilocos Sur Held during the last week of March, as a
gratitude for a bountiful harvest.
Butanding Festival Bicol Held from April 28 to 30, not only ushers
of butanding (whale shark) season but also
gives thanks for the blessings given to the
people of Donsol, Sorsogon.

Kadayawan Annual Davao City A thanksgiving for the gifts of nature and a
Festival celebration of life every third week of
August.
Panagbenga Festival Baguio City A festival of flowers. It was started to
revive the city’s industries after the
devastation of the 1990 Luzon earthquake.

Pattaraday Festival Santiago City, Held during the first week of May
Cagayan commemorates the founding anniversary
of the city and the coming together of
several ethnic groups. The Ybanag word
pattaraday means “unity”.
Maskara Festival Bacolod city Pays tribute to the sugar industry that
once flourished in the region. It is
celebrated during the third week of
October. The performers wear smiling
masks to give brighter light to the fall of
their industry which occurred in the
1970s.
F’lomlok Festival Polomolok, South Showcases the local products of the
Cotabato region. F’lomlok is the B’laan term for
“hunting grounds”.
Empanada Batac, Ilocos Norte Honoring food specialties in Batac, held in
December.
Gameng Festival Solsona, Ilocos Hels in January honoring food specialties
Norte llike penakbet, bagnet, tinadok, and exotic
foods.
Bangus Festival Dagupan city, Held from April to the first week of May.
Pangasinan
Our lady of Naga City Held every September. It is a fluvial parade
Peñafrancia where procession of decorated boats are
held to honor particular patron saints, and
millions of pilgrims, tourists, and devotees
gather to join the festivities. Also in Aparri,
Cagayan, a procession of a hundred
decorated boats to honor St. Peter Thelmo
on May 10.

Rituals
o Rituals or rites, are also examples of Philippine folk tradition and art, practiced in
almost every region.
o These are part of the culture.
o They are a series of ceremonies or prescribed actions performed for a specific
purpose.
o These are ceremonial rites, religious rites, betrothal and marriage rituals, the rite of
passage, and others.
o Rituals can be simple of complex, private or public, and can last for a few minutes, or
stretch for days.
o The rituals are often accompanied by dancing.
o Rituals exist in the region because of a certain need, such as the need to obtain order
and harmony in the individual, village,23or community.
o There is a belief about the interrelationship of man, nature and the spirit world and
that balance must be maintained to achieve the state of order and harmony.
o The baylan (priest) or the babaylan (priestess) performs the rite.
o In other rituals, the shaman, a seer, or healer, acts as intermediary between the man
and the spirit world, using the art of magic.
o Rituals are found in ordinary, everyday life. Even personal daily routines undergo a
process of ritual, like the ritual of preparing for school, washing of hands, combing
the hair, etc. The family has social rituals for greetings: the beso for friends and
pagmamano, a respectful greetings of children from the elders.

MATERIALS:

o Artists need physical materials to work on. They are the means by which the artists
make their feeling or thoughts visible. Through them, they transform their idea or
experience into something tangible in order to be received by their audience, viewer,
or listener.

o Materials for visual design come in two forms: the support and the medium. The
support may refer to the primary materials of which the work of art is made (e.g.
paper, canvass, stone, textile) or the secondary material (e.g. paper, glued or
mounted on cardboard, textile over wood). The medium stands for the substance
applied to the support (e.g. crayon, paint, dye).
 o Filipino contemporary artists do not conform to any fixed standard in choosing
materials. They know that they have many choices. They can just look around their
surroundings and find possibilities.

o Various musicians and bands use alternative materials today. A number of Filipino
bands that play with unconventional musical instruments, like bamboo, have
emerged.

o The rondalla, an ensemble of stringed instruments played with a pick, is popular in

the regions. It is a carry-over from our Spanish heritage but has evolved with
instruments made from indigenous Philippine wood. The picks are made from
tortoise shell. Some of the instruments are the banduria, the octavina, and the laud.

o The kulintang is a set of gongs placed on a narrow supporting table, played in

particular by the Maranao and Maguindanao people.The kutyapi is a two-stringed
lute played by the Maguindanao people.

o In traditional choreography, dancers wear soft shoes. Today, they can now wear
alternative footwear, and even design the footwear themselves.

o Today, there is a crossover, or hybridization of materials. Local and traditional ones

have combined their art forms. Before, materials were restricted to standard
mediums and tools that were most 24 borrowed from the West. Now, whatever is
available locally, suitable, and applicable to the art form is the norm. Local,
traditional, and alternative materials have combined, creating a new unique Filipino
style. Mixed media have become popular.

o Filipinos are ingenious. They are adept at holding tools and using materials in
different ways. They are also intuitive; they know that materials can be formed and
fashioned in diverse ways and applied to their work with varying result.
Experimentation and innovation are parts of the Filipino artist’s daily life.

Local Materials in the Philippines

Materials Description Product
Abaca  Belong to Banana family.  Slippers
 Its fiber has a natural luster with  Ropes
colors ranging from pure white to  Twine
ivory and dark brown.  Hammock
 Frame
 Display jar
 Jars
 Chelsea chair
Bakbak  The outermost covering or leaf  Mat
sheath of the abaca stalk.  Bangkuay bin
 It is a flat thick durable sheath as  Bin
twine or braided.  Boxes
 The strong brown fiber used to  Bin display
 make furniture.  Jar
 Cecilia dining table
 Arm chair
Bamboo  It is used as a raw material in  Kubing
creating many products.  Bungkaka
 It is used in construction, textile,  Tongatong
musical instruments, weapons,  Angklung
and many more  Pateteg
 Gabbang
Buntal  Is a cylindrically shaped fibers  Bags
 The supple ivory white strands  Shoes
are quite durable, pliable, and  Desk accessories like pin holder,
have good dyeing qualities. picture frames, file trays
 Wallets
 Place mats
 Braide
 Lampshades
 Window blinds
Buri  Is extracted from the matured  Hats
leaves of the buri palm.  Bags
 The fiber is durable and resistant  Baskets
to moisture.  Memorabilia boxes
 Perfume tray
 Other woven products
Coir  Fibrous material surrounding the  Indoor or outdoor fiber carpets
fruit of the coconut tree.  Wall covering
 Doormat
 Trellises
 Geo textiles
Nito  A plant belonging to the fern  Bags
family that grows abundantly in  Bread tray
the hinterlands of Mindanao  Lamp shades
 Decorative jar
Pandan  A tropical plant.  Basket
 It is processed and transformed  Hats
into splints that are being used  Picture frames
as raw material.  Bags
Raffia  A fiber extracted from unopened  Hats
buri leaf in 3 stages.  Placemats
 It is loom woven fabrics or used  Folder
as wall coverings, upholstery  Shoes
material, folding doors and  Slippers
window hangings.  Boxes
 Portfolio and ladies bags
 Circular boxes
 Document boxes
Rattan  Belong to the palm family.  Basket
 There are different types of rattan  Picture frames
pakms, such as high or low  Furniture and other novelty items
climbers, single stemmed or  Zoya lounge chair
clustered rattan species.  Valencia queen size bed
 Rest divan
Tikiw  A large, erct, and aquatic or  Baskets
marshy herb plant.  Hampers with lids
 It is found in Central Luzon to  Bags
Mindanao.  Rugs
 It aboundis in fresh water  Carpets
swamps, and in newly opened  Placemats
Riceland at low altitudes  Jar
 Other decorative items
Tikog  Belongs to sea grasses.  Bags
 It is a native reed plant used as a  Decorative mats
raw material for mat weaving.  Hampers
 Newspaper racks
 Table mat
 Waste bin
 Tower candle holder
 Wall décor
Kulintang  is a genre of an entire ensemble 
of musicians utilizing a diverse
array of traditional musical
instruments

26
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28
29
30
31
 Material is what the artwork is made of. It can also be a combination of objects used
in the artwork.
Contemporary artists salvage materials that can be recycled and made into creative
forms. They can make artworks that combine structure and wood and interact with the
wind to make music. Some artists combine indigenous materials with textile and mount
these on a painted flat surface. Paper as an art medium is also explored by artists.
In outdoor sculpture, there is a lot of use of brass welded together and mounted on
concrete. Wood and glass are used for indoor sculpture. Found objects are combined and
are covered with resin.
Painting is no longer confined to canvass hang on the wall. They can also be found on
ceilings and floors. Some are done outdoors. Many local artist lead the community or
students in painting murals on the walls to make a more pleasant environment and raise
consciousness toward environmental protection.
In architecture, there is an extensive use of glass and steel. Color combination is either
complementary or strong contrasting such as orange and blue, red and white.
In performance art, artists use variety of props. Such as a rope, plastic, textile, and
found objects. Paint is also used in body art. Technology has also redefined art in many
ways.

Activity 1

Subject:
Traditional and alternative materials used in visual design, musical instrument,
music and writing composition, choreography, theatrical performance and cinema.

Materials Needed:
6 sheets of bond paper (for each art form)
Cutout images or drawings of materials used in different art forms
Pen
Coloring tools
Glue
Scissors
Folder, envelop, box, or other container

32
Instructions:
1. Look for samples to cut out from old newspapers and magazines or you can
use actual samples. If you find materials in a book or the computer, just print,
photocopy, or draw them.
2. Get at least 6 samples of traditional and alternative materials for each art form,
(e.g. pencil for visual art, music, and literary composition, and as a musical
instrument).
3. Use one paper for every art form sampler.
4. Arrange the layout in either of the following:
a. formal way – neatly arrange in rows and columns
b. informal way – design with your own arrangement, as in collage
5. Label each material and describe (briefly) how each one is used or treated in
the art form (e.g. texture paper used for collage, musical instrument, etc.).
6. Note the materials that are used particularly in the art forms of your region.
7. Place the samples in a folder, box, or similar container. Be creative in
designing your sampler’s casing.

TECHNIQUES:

Technique in the creation of arts can be defined in two ways: first, as the process or
method that makes use of the materials on hand; and second, as the skill of the artist to
execute his or her work and produce the effect he or she wants to achieve. It is a system in
everything that artists do.

There are diverse techniques for different art forms.

o A writing technique is the way a writer arranges words and thoughts to create
moods or atmospheres, or to evoke the feeling he or she wants to express.
o A musical technique is the way the musician handles his or her instrument to
interpret a musical composition and to express the feeling he or she wants to evoke.
o In visual design, the visual artist’s technique is his or her approach in using the
medium to come out with the desired result.
o In theater, an acting technique is the manner of using facial expressions, gestures,
and body movements to portray a character.
o A dance technique is the way of moving one’s body to express an emotion or desired
state or condition.

Traditional techniques are still being used. These are mirroring, retrograde, canon, levels,
shadowing, and unison.

Traditional Technique Explanation/Characteristics

Mirroring Technique where dancers face each other while doing the
same steps.
Retrograde Reverse performance of a sequence of dance steps
Canon Dancers performing similar steps in a successive manner
Levels Varying positions of dancers
Shadowing Technique where a dancer is standing behind another while
doing the same steps.
Unison Unanimous performance of steps

33
TECHNIQUES CHARACTERISTICS
A. Choreography  In choreography, the technique involves human and form
Techniques within the elements of time, space, and shape. It also
involves energy in a nonverbal and emotional context.
Fundamental Dance
Methods in
Choreography

a. Planned
The first method is
planned: The
choreographer prescribes
the movements and forms
in detail, giving little or no
opportunity for the
dancers to be creative.

b. Improvisation
The other method is
improvisation: the
choreographer allows the
dancers freedom to
interpret the general
instructions. This is
oftentimes referred to as
“interpretative dancing”.

B. Acting Techniques  Acting techniques deal with the characterization of the

Acting Techniques human experience.
a. learning the rhythm  It is used to create a mood and to heighten tension.
of one’s lines  It involves the coordination of facial expression, gesture,
b. employing word and speech to produce the emotion or feeling called for in
stress the part.
c. giving and receiving  Other techniques are “breathing life” into the character
cues and adding action to words to get the meaning across.
 Particular acting techniques deal with movement, pace,
pause, silence, voice, eye contact, physical contact,
contrast, positioning, and timing.
 Both theater and film actors practice these techniques.
 In theater, an actor’s performance can also be attributed to
the plays director and playwright. The director guides the
actor in the accuracy of his or her movements and
gestures on stage. The playwright, on the other hand,
takes care of the lines that serve a vital role in a play.
Acting is a part that require a three-person compact in
theater.
C. Cinematic Technique  In cinema or film, different techniques are also necessary.
These techniques vary from its screenplay,
cinematography, special effects, sound effects, and editing.
34
D. Literary Techniques  In modern Philippine literature, writers in all genres used
English, Filipino, and the vernacular. Their works mirror
Philippine society and culture in a constantly changing
environment that shows patterns of contradictions (e.g.
being a Filipino dreaming of living abroad). However, they
acknowledge the historical background and tradition that
have made Filipinos the way they are, a group people who
are able to cope with the challenges of the world.
 Contemporary Filipino writers are socially committed
group. Their writing techniques put emphasis on
fragmentation and paradox in the human experience, a
feature of postmodernism, which results in disorientation
or confusion (e.g. lack of unifying center, no father image).
 They expose the plight of the marginalized in our society,
the urban poor, and the indigenous and ethnic
communities.
 They depict diaspora or migration as basic part of the
Philippine experience.
 They are gender conscious.
 As in postmodernism, they show the breakdown of old
barriers, between Eastern and Western cultures, high and
low cultures, and between men and women.
 In fiction, there were writers who were influenced by the
magic realism of the writers in the Third World countries of
Latin American in the 1980s.
 The contemporary writer, has remained a social realist, an
advocate of the marginalized sector.He or she continues to
explore new ideas, encourage by literary competitions that
play a key role in the field.
 Technically-wise, many contemporary Filipino writers in
the recent times tend to deviate from the “grammar
perfections” of the traditional writers. These writers
practice unconventional syntax in arranging their thoughts
on paper by using Filipino slangs and/or combinations of
Filipino and English languages.

E. Technique in Visual  In visual design, artists use their materials in various ways
Design – a simple pencil can be used creatively in different ways:
the brush can be manipulated by the artists into any
stroke they desire. Like the other artists, they improvise,
using traditional, non-traditional, innovative materials,
and techniques for their artwork.

Activity 2

Instructions:
Watch a dance performance choreographed by any of the following on Youtube.
1. Lucrecia Urtula
2. Leonor Orosa
3. Ramon Obusan
4. Alice Reyes
5. Agnes V. Locsin
35
Analyze the techniques used in the performance.

What were these techniques? How did these make up the whole performance?

Activity 3

Instructions:

Watch two notable films directed by:

1. a Filipino National Artist

2. any of the Filipino directors

Analyze the techniques used in these movies. Consider the following film aspects.
1. screenplay
2. cinematography
3. special effects
4. sound effects
5. editing

References:

Philippine Contemporary Arts (Expressions and Experimentations)

By: Angelita Benavides – Perez, M. A., pp. 74 -90

Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions

By: Marjueve M. Palencia, et al., pp. 129 – 140
 36
LESSON
Artistic Skills and

3 Techniques in the Process

of Creation
LEARNING COMPETENCIES

a. Identifies artistic skills and techniques in creating artworks.

b. Applies artistic skills and techniques in the process of creation.
c. Creates the intended final product using appropriate materials for the best
possible.
A. Collage
o Are the techniques of an art production used in the visual arts, where the artwork is
made from assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole.
o May sometimes include magazines and newspaper clippings, ribbons, paints, bits of
colored or handmade papers, portion of other artworks or text, photographs, and
their found objects, glued to a piece of paper or canvas.
Examples:

B. Decollage

o Is the opposite of collage; instead of an image is being built up all or parts of existing
images, it is created by cutting, treating away or otherwise removing pieces of an
original image.
o Similar technique is the lacerated poster, a poster in which one has been place over
another, and the top poster or posters have been ripped, revealing to a greater or
lesser degree or posters underneath.
Examples:
C. Graffiti 37
o Are writings or drawings that have been scribed, scratched, or painted illicitly on a
wall or other surface, often in a public space.
o It ranges from simple written words to elaborate wall paintings.
o It may express underlying social and political messages, and a whole genre of artistic
expression often made from based spray paint graffiti styles.
Examples:

D. Land Art

o Earth work or earth art is an art movement in which landscape and the work of art
are inextricably linked.
o It is also an art from that is created in nature, using natural materials such as soil,
rock (bed rock, bolder, stones), organic media (logs, branches, leaves), and water
which introduced materials such as concrete, metal, asphalt, or mineral pigments.
o Sculpture is not placed in the landscape rather, the landscape is the means of their
creation. Often earth moving equipment is involved. The works frequently exist in
the open located well away from civilization, left to change and erode under natural
conditions.

Examples:

E. Digital Arts

o Artistic work or practice that uses digital technology as an essential part of the
creative or presentation process.
o It is placed under the larger umbrella term “media art”.
 o It is a term applied to contemporary art that uses the method of mass production or
digital media.
o Are used extensively by the mainstream media in advertisement and by film-makers
to produce visual effects. Both digital and traditional artist use many sources of
electronic information and programs to create their work.

Examples: 38

F. Mixed Media

o Refers to the artwork in the making of which more than one medium has been
employed.
o It refers to a work of visual art that combines various traditionally distinct visual art
media.
o When creating a painted or photograph work using mixed media, it is important to
choose the layers carefully and allow enough dying time between the layers to ensure
the final work will have structural integrity, if many different layers are imposed.
Many effects can be achieved by using mixed media. Found objects can be used in
conjunction with the traditional artist to attain a wide range of self-expression.

Examples:

G. Print Making

o Is the process of making artworks by painting, normally in the paper.

o Prints are created by transforming ink from a matrix or through a prepared screen to
a sheet of paper or other material. Common types of matrices include metal plates,
usually copper or zinc, or polymer plates for engraving or etching; stone aluminum or
polymer for lithography; blocks of wood crafts and wood engraving; and linoleum for
linocuts. Screen made of silk or synthetic fabrics are used for the screen printing
process.
Examples:
 39
Activity No. 1
Directions:

o Write a brief response to the following questions below.

o Write your answer in a one-whole sheet of paper.

1. What exactly is creativity?

2. What is the most recent among the techniques mentioned? Why?
3. Have you seen one land art? What is it made of?

Activity No. 2
Direction:
o Do what is asked and write your answer in a short bond paper.

Think about a famous artist that you know personally or familiar to you based on
their work. Your answer must be patterned to the given questions below.

a) Write a brief background about the artist.

b) Write how this artist behave as an ordinary person or as famous one?
c) Provide examples of his/her works.
d) What generalizations would you make about this artist?

Activity No. 3
Make a Collage of your own design in a long bond paper. Make sure to have a short
description of the collage written at the back portion of the paper.
Note: Materials to be used must be within your respective home only. Used and indigenous
materials are encouraged.
Rubric for Scoring:
Variety of pictures used to develop the main idea 20 points
Ideas (Originality/ Interest) 35 points
Relevance of Material (Connections to the main idea) 25 points
Visual Impact (Effectiveness of overall presentation) 20 points
TOTAL 100 points
Activity No. 4

If you are to make a Land Art, what would it be? You can present it through a
drawing on a long bond paper. A brief description of your land art must be provided right
below the drawing.
Rubric for Scoring:
Natural materials used to develop main idea 20 points
Ideas (Originality/ Interest) 35 points
Relevance of Material (Connections to the main idea) 25 points
Visual Impact (Effectiveness of overall presentation) 20 points
TOTAL 100 points
Online Sources: 40
o Google Downloadable Images
o https://www.slideshare.net/cherainew1987/artistic-skills-and-techniques-to-
contemporary-art-creations
 41
LESSON
Characteristics of
4 Contemporary Arts
LEARNING COMPETENCIES

a. Incorporates contemporary characteristics to one’s creation with attention to detail.

b. Promotes arts from the region.

Origin:

o Contemporary art is art of today. From a painting to

a sculpture and from photography to a performance,
it can be anything as long as it is produced in today’s
era. With no specific medium of apparatus,
Contemporary art has been interpreted differently in
different times and different regions. This genre of art
is believed to have started in the late 1960s by the
end of the modernism art era.

Characteristics:

1. Innovation in Art
o Contemporary artists have been the pioneers in introducing new forms of art to the
world. Different art forms have been combined or newer ideas employed to bring out
newer types of arts.
o Collage art is an example of innovation that proved to be a great example of modern
contemporary art. Likewise, mixed forms of assemblage, different variants of kinetic
art as well as different categories of photography, animations and land art are a
result of bringing together newer ideas.

2. Using New Materials

 o Another characteristic that was employed to bring about modern art was the
employment of different objects, materials that looked useless to the common man
but were brought to great use by modern artists. For instance, painters used piece of
newspapers as a backdrop to their canvases and created masterpieces of modern at
from it. It was unprecedented to use something like a newspaper in a painting.
Similarly, sculptors used pieces of junk to produce what is now known as junk art.
Also, common items like cars, chairs, boxes have been masterfully to create
assemblages.

3. Use of Color
42
o Traditionally, color was used as means to bring realty to paintings and art pieces.
However, modern artists experimented with colors and used it unconventionally to
make new textures and themes and used them in their pieces of art.
o Expression was mostly based on the vibrant and expressive use of colors as a tool to
innovate their paintings.

4. Newer Techniques
o Modern art is not only about playing and experimenting with colors and objects,
rather it has also given birth to newer techniques that from the basis for
contemporary art today. Chromolithography is a prime example of a technique that
was developed by Jules Cheret. Similarly, surreal artists introduced automatic
drawing to the world of art.
o After the World War 2, several movements by artists began that gave the world newer
forms of art that shaped up to be known as contemporary art today.
o Today, contemporary art is the most-widely demanded form of art.

Contemporary artists use their masterpieces to comment on cultural, political, and

global issues, including race, feminism, human rights, civil, rights, gender equality, wars,
economic inequality, and global conflicts. Change is a very significant aspect of humanity,
still, art remain as part of living.  And it draws on the movements of:  
o Modern art ;
o Minimalism; and
o Assemblage art
Philippines has a collection of contemporary art that tells us the story of our country.
There are so many artists that popularized some of them and influenced the perception of
Filipino. The art of the Philippines can in fact refer to the:
Genres of Contemporary Art In 1960's

o Abstract Expressionism o Minimalism

o Computer Art o Performance Art
o Conceptual Art o Pop Art
o Kinetic Art o Video Art

Genres of Contemporary Art In 1970's

o Body Art o Artist's Book

 o Environmental Art o Installation Art
o Feminist Art o Robotic Art
o Holography o Funk Art

Genres of Contemporary Art In 1980's

o Appropriation Art o Live Art

o Electronic Art o Postmodern Art
o Fractal Art o Neo-Conceptual Art
o Graffiti Art o Sound Art
o Late Modernism o Video Installation

Genres of Contemporary Art In 1990's

43
o Art Invention o Information Art
o Bio Art o Internet Art
o Cyberarts o Massurrealism
o Digital Art o Maximalism
o Hyperrealism o Software Art

Genres of Contemporary Art In 2000's

o After modern o Pseudorealism

o Classical Realism o Street Art
o Cynical Realism o Urban Art
o Excessivism Ideas o Videogame Art
o Post-contemporary o Virtual Art
o Metamodernism

Popular Contemporary Artists in the World

o Marina Abramovic - Performance Art

o Vito Acconci - Installation Art
o Bansky - Graffiti Art
o Lucio Fontana - Spatial Concept
o Sol LeWitt – Brushstrokes
o Yayoi Kusama - Minimalism, Feminism, Pop Art
o Yoko Ono - Conceptual Art
o Jean-Michel Basquiat - Neo-Expressionism
o Andy Warhol - Pop Art

Popular Filipino Contemporary Artists

Martha Atienza - Contemporary Art for Social Change

 Erik Matti – Filmmaker

44

Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan - Complex Installation Art

Activity No. 1

1. Write an essay on the topic: As a Filipino, How can I Promote Arts from the Region?
Have it in a long bond paper (hand written/computerized).
Rubric for Scoring

Activity No. 2
Direction:

o Do what is asked and write your answer in a short bond paper.

Think about a famous artist that you know personally or familiar to you based on
their work. Your answer must be patterned to the given questions below.

a. Write a brief background about the artist.

b. Write how this artist behave as an ordinary person or as famous one?
c. Provide examples of his/her works.
d. What generalizations would you make about this artist?

45
Activity No. 3
Make a Collage of your own design in a long bond paper. Make sure to have a short
description of the collage written at the back portion of the paper.
Note: Materials to be used must be within your respective home only. Used and
indigenous materials are encouraged.
Rubric for Scoring:
Variety of pictures used to develop the main idea 20 points
Ideas (Originality/ Interest) 35 points
Relevance of Material (Connections to the main idea) 25 points
Visual Impact (Effectiveness of overall presentation) 20 points
TOTAL 100 points

Online Sources:
o Google Downloadable Images
o http://suzinassif.com/characteristics-of-contemporary-art/

Related Links
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help you: brainly.ph/question/1041954.
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