Art Forms of Luzon Regions II-V

Art Forms and Practices of Luzon (Region II - Region V)

• Luzon is a major island of the Philippines.
• Regions II through V are discussed, showcasing diverse art forms.
• Regions are identified by a variety of crafts and traditions.

Region II (Nueva Viscaya)

• Bakwat: A woven cotton belt worn by mothers after childbirth.

Region II (Isabela)

• Butaka: A wooden chair with long armrests; the armrests are actually designed for the legs. It was originally used by women during childbirth.

Region II (Cagayan)

• Sambali: A war dance meant to depict the fight between Christians and non-Christians who opposed Spanish influence; it's performed during the Sambali Festival.

Region II (Batanes)

• Vakul: A headgear made from dried Voyavoy leaves. Women wear it for protection from the heat; it is waterproof.

Region III (Central Luzon)

• Pabalat: A type of paper art; intricate designs are created by cutting Japanese paper to wrap pastillas. (Bulacan)
• Parol: An ornamental, star-shaped lantern made for Christmas to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. (San Fernando, Pampanga)
• Pyrotechnics: The craft of creating fireworks. (Bulacan)
• Singkaban: The art of decorating entrance arches with bamboo. (Bulacan)
• Subic Spanish Gate: A gate built in 1885; it originally served as the entrance to a Spanish naval station, and later became a US Navy base. (Zambales)

Region IV-A (Calabarzon)

• Balsa: A bamboo boat, elaborately decorated, used during the Balsa Festival in Batangas; the boat is recognized for its importance in transport, fishing, and tourism. (Batangas)
• Barong Tagalog: A formal traditional Filipino garment; the official formal wear of men in the Philippines. (Laguna)
• Higantes: Giant paper mache figures, often used to satirize the treatment of farmers by landlords during the Angono hacienda festival (Rizal)
• Kiping: A delicacy made of glutinous rice, shaped into a leaf–a decorative item used in the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon. (Quezon)
• Maglalatik: An indigenous dance where dancers utilize halved coconut husks strapped to their bodies. (Laguna).
• Taka: The art of making paper mache crafts, using wooden statues as molds. (Paete, Laguna)

Region IV-B (Mimaropa)

• Ambahan: A poem created by the Hanunuo Mangyans; often chanted and carved on bamboo. (Mindoro)
• Morion: A large mask resembling Caucasian features; used in street plays of the Moriones Festival. (Marinduque)
• Pandanggo sa Ilaw: A dance influenced by the Spanish dance, fandango; dancers balance oil lamps on their hands and heads. (Mindoro)

Region V (Bicol Region)

• Pantominá: Also known as the "dove dance". It's a dance performed during weddings by the couple and their visitors.