Philippine Art History Quiz

Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions

• Philippine art reflects unique cultural identity, history, and diverse influences shaping its development.
• Indigenous roots: Traditional weaving, pottery, tattoos, and jewelry are deeply connected to Filipino culture and communities like the Ifugao, T'boli, and Maranao; often symbolizing community, nature, and spirituality.
• Colonial influences: Over 300 years of Spanish colonization introduced religious art like retablos (altar pieces), santos (religious icons), and murals in churches; a blend of indigenous and colonial styles created a unique, hybrid characteristic of Philippine art.
• Nationalism in art: During the Philippine Revolution and independence movements, art became a medium for expressing nationalism and resistance; seen in the works of Juan Luna ("Spoliarium") and Felix Resurrección Hidalgo; folk dances like tinikling and singkil, and music forms like kundiman reflect pride in Filipino identity.
• Themes of daily life and struggles: Philippine art often portrays the lives, struggles, and triumphs of ordinary Filipinos; from Amorsolo's idyllic rural landscapes to the social realism of artists like Carlos Francisco and Benedicto Cabrera, the Filipino experience is a central theme.
• Religious Syncretism: Philippine art frequently blends indigenous beliefs with Christianity, as seen in fiestas, processions, and religious sculptures; the Ati-Atihan festival integrates tribal traditions with Catholic devotion.
• Multicultural diversity: The archipelago's nature and multiethnic society mean that art varies significantly across regions; examples include the vibrant geometric patterns of the T'boli t'nalak, intricate Maranao okir designs, and the kalinga tattooing tradition known as batok.
• Pre-Colonial Era: Early Filipinos painted on surfaces like rocks and bark, often using natural pigments; paintings were symbolic, connected to rituals, storytelling, and daily life; the Angono Petroglyphs are the oldest known artwork in the Philippines, featuring carvings of human and animal figures.
• Spanish Colonial Era (1521-1898): Paintings were largely religious; churches adorned with biblical scenes, saints, and imagery promoting Catholicism; Damian Domingo is known as the "Father of Philippine Painting" depicting both religious and secular themes; Juan Luna, with his masterpiece "Spoliarium", won awards, highlighting themes of oppression and heroism.
• American Period (1898-1946): Shift in themes focused on Filipino life, identity, and nationalism; Fernando Amorsolo created idyllic rural landscapes, portraying the beauty of the Filipino countryside; Painters like Carlos "Botong" Francisco began highlighting social issues.
• Post-War and Contemporary Periods: Modernism introduced new styles, breaking away from traditional techniques; artists like Victorio Edades; Contemporary art includes identity themes, globalization and social commentary; artists like Benedicto Cabrera (Bencab) gained prominence for their unique blend of realism and abstraction.
• Looking Back at Philippine Art: Sculpture; Pre-Colonial Era: Wood, stone, and metal were commonly used; sculptures were functional and spiritual, including anitos (ancestor figures) and bul-uls (rice granary guardians); the Manunggul Jar showcases early Filipino artistry; Spanish Colonial Era: Santos and relief carvings became central to Filipino art; the Black Nazarene is a revered religious sculpture; American and Japanese Periods: Monuments like Guillermo Tolentino's Bonifacio Monument represented nationalism and heroism; the introduction of Western techniques like bronze casting; focus on historical events, leaders, and everyday life; Modern and Contemporary styles: Modern artists used diverse materials; contemporary sculptures embrace abstraction and social commentary; Eduardo Castrillo (People Power Monument); Large-scale public art installations reflect Filipino culture and history.
• Looking Back at Philippine Art: Weaving; Pre-Colonial Roots: Weaving using natural fibers like abaca, cotton, and pineapple leaf; symbolic, representing community identity, social status, and cultural narratives; Geometric designs inspired by nature and spiritual beliefs; Northern Philippines (Ilocanos and Kalinga) specialized in intricate textiles; Southern Philippines (the T'boli tribe) renowned for their t'nalak, featuring sacred patterns; Colonial Influences: The Spanish colonial period introduced European looms; weaving was used for church vestments and religious ceremonies; Piña fabric from the Visayan regions (particularly Aklan) became famous for traditional attire (barong tagalog, terno); Traditional Weaving in Key Regions: Abel Iloco, Kalinga Weaves, Cordillera Region, Southern Philippines (T'boli T'nalak, Maranao Malong) Post-Colonial and Modern Era: Efforts to preserve traditional weaving; National Living Treasures like Lang Dulay (T'boli) recognized for preserving the art; weaving is incorporated into modern fashion
• Looking Back at Philippine Art: Architecture; Pre-Colonial Structures: Filipino architecture influenced by environment and available materials; early Filipino homes were often built with bamboo, wood, nipa palm, and rattan; structures include Bahay Kubo, Ifugao Rice Terraces, and Torogan; Spanish Colonial Influence: Spain introduced European architectural styles, prominent in religious and civic buildings; Spanish missionaries built churches to promote Catholicism and their colonial presence; the legacy of colonial churches is significant; Examples such as San Agustin Church (Manila); American Colonial Architecture (1898-1946): Large monumental structures like Manila City Hall & Manila Hotel; incorporation of Western architectural styles like Beaux-Arts; examples like UP, PGH, and the Bureau of Science (now the National Museum of Natural History); Post-War Architecture (1946-1970s): Examples like the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) and the PICC (Philippine International Convention Center).
• Looking Back at Philippine Art: Pottery; Pre-Colonial Roots: Neolithic period; utilitarian, storing food, water, grains, and for cooking and burial rituals; Craftsmanship used hand-shaping, firing pots in open kilns; Designs reflected local traditions and spiritual beliefs; Key Artifacts like Manunggul Jar and Maitum Jars; Colonial Period: Introduction of glazing and potter's wheels, leading to more durable and decorative ceramics; Religious items (clay lamps, ceremonial jars) for churches and missions; Post-Colonial Revival of Traditional Techniques: Burnay Jars (Ilocos, Vigan) using age-old methods; Kalinga Pottery, reflecting agricultural lifestyle.
• Looking Back at Philippine Art: Music; Indigenous Roots: Music closely tied to rituals, community gatherings, and daily activities; Instruments like Kulintang, Kudyapi, Agung; Spanish Colonial Period: Introduction of European music traditions; Catholic liturgical music; religious music like Pasyon (a musical narration of the passion of Christ), sung during Holy Week; and Mass Hymns; Harana- A traditional serenade performed by men to women, characterized by its romantic and melodic style; Kundiman- A genre of traditional Filipino love songs, often expressing themes of patriotism disguised as romantic longing; American Period: Music education introduced classical music and band traditions; Filipino composers like Francisco Santiago (Father of Kundiman) and Nicanor Abelardo elevated kundiman to an art-form; Popular music(Jazz, swing, and folk songs); Philippine Bands (Military brass bands); Post-War and Contemporary Periods: Rise of OPM (Original Pilipino Music); Artists like Freddie Aguilar (Anak) and Ryan Cayabyab (Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika); Social and Political Commentary; Cultural Preservation; Bayanihan Dance Troupe.
• Looking Back at Philippine Art: Literature; Pre-Colonial Period- Oral tradition; myths, legends, epics, riddles, proverbs; preserving history, natural phenomena, moral lessons; Famous Epics like Biag ni Lam-Ang, Hinilawod; Spanish Colonial Period: Religious and Didactic Literature; texts to propagate Catholicism, such as the Pasyon & Senakulo, religious texts; Secular and secular literature; Awit and Corrido narrative poems, about chivalry and adventure, Balagtas's Florante at Laura critiquing Spanish rule; American Period- Shift to English language; Emergence of Nationalist themes in literature; Jose Garcia Villa; Paz Marquez Benitez; Modern Poetry and prose; Post-War & Contemporary: Exploration of modern themes like social realism, politics, and identity; Mga Ibong Mandaragit by Amado V Hernandez; Diverse languages & genres, recognizing Filipino language & regional languages; Global recognition of Filipino writers; writers like Nick Joaquin, F. Sionil Jose, Lualhati Bautista.
• Looking Back at Philippine Art: Theater; Pre-Colonial Period: Ritual and Folk Theater- rituals, festivals, gatherings; Bayok (epic chants); Duplo & Karagatan (poetic games); indigenous dances & performances honoring deities & ancestors; Spanish Colonial Period- Religious Theater- Passion plays (Senakulo); Christian-Muslim conflicts (Moro-Moro); Secular Theater- Comedia or Zarzuela- combined song, dance, dialogue; American Period- Educational influence- English Language plays, Western theatrical forms like vaudeville; Philippine Zarzuela flourished; writers used zarzuela to critique; Post-War & Contemporary: Experimental & modern theater; Groups like PETA & Tanghalang Pilipino explored contemporary issues; Martial Law era: plays as protest platforms like Bonifacio llagan's Pagsambang Bayan;
• Looking Back at Philippine Art: Dance; Pre-Colonial Period: Ritual and Spiritual Dance- Honoring ancestral spirits; types of Dances include Anito Dance; War & Harvest Dances; Courtship Dances; Spanish Colonial Period: introduction of European dance forms (ballet, folk dances); Religious Dances- influenced by Catholicism, incorporated into church rituals; Secular Dances like Fiesta dances (Fandango & Jota); American Colonial Period- introduction of more Western dance styles (ballroom dance, jazz); Post-War: Emergence of contemporary dance and the influence of ballet and other dance companies; National Artists of Dance like Francisca Reyes Aquino & Leonor Orosa Goquingco bridging traditional and modern dance forms. Dance as expression and protest; The Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company in reviving and preserving Filipino dances; Traditional and Folk Dance Revival;
• Looking Back at Philippine Art: Key Visual Arts Regions; NCR- Metro Manila (Benedicto Cabrera, Carlos "Botong" Francisco); Ilocos Region, Northern Luzon (Imelda Cajipe-Endaya); Cordillera Administrative Region, Northern Philippines (Michael Cacnio); Visayas Region (Rodel Tapaya, Dex Fernandez); Mindanao Region (Sultan Ali) and significant Contemporary Visual Arts from the Regions.
• Craftsmanship: Various examples of crafts are explored throughout the different regions of the Philippines.