History of Philippine Cinema

• FILM: Technological translation of theater, using special effects to enhance storytelling.
• Film started in the Philippines in 1897, initiated by foreign businessmen.
• The Philippine film industry regained strength and flourished in the 1950s.

Key Figures

• Jose Nepumuceno: first Filipino to produce a film, known as the "father of Philippine movies," his work “Dalagang Bukid".

• Edward Gross and Harry Brown: They produced a film about the life of Jose Rizal, initiating filmmaking in the country in 1912.

• Early Philippine film was heavily influenced by Hollywood however, Filipino films portrayed the lives of Filipinos and used Tagalog due to limited budget and outdated technology.

• The "Big Four" film studios: Premiere, Lebran, Sampaguita, and LVN.

• FAMAS and Maria Clara Awards: Film awards established in the Philippines.

• During the Marcos era, new directors like Lino Brocka initiated "New Cinema," exploring themes of nationhood, love, and social issues.

• Contemporary Philippine films cover themes like martyr wives, superheroes, action, melodramas, and comedies.

• Indie films are feature-length or short films made without major studio backing, with low budgets and realistic storylines.

Elements of Cinema

• Time: Most significant element.
• Techniques include cutting/editing, camera movement, and framing.

Forms and Types of Films

• Includes action, animation, bomba (sex films), horror, documentary, historical, and comedy.
• MUSIC: A human activity satisfying psychological and emotional needs through lyrical and auditory representation.
• Early music featured a mix of indigenous Islam and Asian sounds.
• The Spanish Era involved various musical instruments, songs, dances, and festive events musical instruments, songs, dances, and festive events.
• The American Era was mostly classical until the 1950s.
• The 1960s saw the emergence of avant-garde music and a combination of classical and traditional music.
• Later evolution led to Pinoy Pop Music (OPM).
• Original Pilipino Music - Filipino music composed and sung by Filipinos.
• Contemporary Philippine Music features improvisation with instruments not typically used in European orchestras.

Key Figures in Music

• Levi Celerio (1910–2022): Known for playing music with a leaf, and dean of Filipino lyricists; earned a Lifetime Achievement Award.

• Lucio San Pedro (1913–2002): Best known for "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan."

• Andrea Veneracion (1928–2013): Founder of the University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers, an important authority in Philippine choral music.

• Ernani Cuenco (1936–1988): Known for songs like "Bato sa Buhangin," "Gaano Kita Kamahal," and "Kalesa."

• THEATER: An art form using visual and auditory elements, media, techniques, and conventions.

• Includes actors, colors, shapes, sound, music, drama, and acting.

Elements of Theater

• Plot: Arrangement of events in the plot
• Character: Central to the performance.
• Thought: Main idea or concept.
• Language/Diction: Expression of meaning through language
• Song/Music: Includes singing, dancing, actors' voices, and background music.
• Spectacle: Visual elements, like movement, lighting, and costumes.

Basic Stages in Theater

• Proscenium: Picture frame stage; like seats in a theatre facing the screen
• Arena: Circle stage.
• Thrust: A semi-circle with seating on three sides.
• Created & Found: Structures maintaining original architectural elements.
• ARCHITECTURE: Art designed based on function, purpose, and space.
• Considered "the art to inhabit" and a functional branch of Visual Arts.

Three Principles of Architecture

• Firmitas (Strength): Ability to stand robustly and remain in good condition.
• Utilitas (Utility): Should be useful and functional for the people it is intended for.
• Venustas (Beauty): Should delight people and raise their spirits.
• Spaniards introduced stones for housing and building
• Christianity contributed European Churches and architecture
• Americans introduced new architectural structures of PH (Greek/ Roman architecture)
• Architects shifted away from tradition to deviate into abnormality

Forms of Contemporary Architecture

• Apartment: Composed of residences/units, Populated urban areas
• Bahay Na Bato: wealthy residents/two storey- ground stone/brick, upper wood
• Bungalow: One story w/ front porch and large windows, terrace included
• Barong - Barong: Houses of the poor landless built on any local area.
• Bahay Kubo: Home for peasant in lowland
• Houseboat: Housing for Badjaos
• Market: Place to buy or sell
• Town Hall: Building for Municipal government

Public Buildings Structure

• Includes schools, churches, mosques, movie houses, and theaters.

• Kamalig: Used for storing grain.

• Cemetery: Contains chapel, vaults and nichos

• Fort (Kuta):

• Lighthouse (Parola): Supports land navigation

• NATIONAL ARTIST AWARD: Highest acknowledgment to Filipinos for improving Philippine expressions (Music, Dance, Theater, Visual Arts, Literature, Film, Broadcast Arts, Architecture, etc).

• Established on April 27, 1972, by President Ferdinand Marcos.

• Managed by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

Criteria

• Must be a Filipino citizen for at least 10 years.
• Must have contributed to building a Filipino sense of nationhood.
• Must have pioneered a creative expression or style.
• Must have created significant works displaying artistic excellence.
• Must have broad national/international recognition.

Visual Arts Award Recipients

• Fernando Amorsolo (1892–1972): First National Artist, known for backlighting in paintings.
• Carlos "Botong" Francisco (1912–1969): Revived mural art, used historical events as subjects.
• Vicente Manansala (1910–1981): Painted realistic themes using abstract or cubist style.
• Cesar Legaspi (1917–1994): Used and refined cubism in paintings.
• Benedicto Cabrera (born 1942): Known as "Bencab," sketches of "Sabel" symbolize dislocation and despair.
• Hernando R. Ocampo (1911–1978): Developed new style of abstraction using bold colors.
• Abdulmari Asia Imao (1936–2014): Popularized indigenous ukkil, sarimanok, and naga motifs.
• Victorio C. Edades (1895–1985): "Father of Modern Philippine Painting," used dark, somber colors, focused on laborers.
• Guillermo E. Tolentino (1890–1976): National Artist for Sculpture in 1973, designed the seal of the Philippines.
• Napoleon V. Abueva (born 1930): "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture," skillful in representational and abstract sculptures, and used a wide variety of materials.