Contemporary Philippine Arts From The Regions PDF

**CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGIONS** **[CHAPTER 3: PHILIPPINE CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS]** **[LESSON 1: THE FILIPINO ARTIST]** The present approach to the arts raises new questions about the **role of the artists in Philippine society**. In the past, the artist's role was well-defined --...

**CONTEMPORARY PHILIPPINE ARTS FROM THE REGIONS** **[CHAPTER 3: PHILIPPINE CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS]** **[LESSON 1: THE FILIPINO ARTIST]** The present approach to the arts raises new questions about the **role of the artists in Philippine society**. In the past, the artist's role was well-defined -- to create something that uplifted the spirit, something aesthetically pleasing and entertaining. **[BAYANIHAN]** -- The **[Philippine Bayanihan National Folk Dance Company]** is a multi-awarded company recognized both nationally and internationally. Bayanihan, the National Dance Company of the Philippines takes its name from an ancient Filipino tradition called bayanihan which means working together for a common good. In **[1956,]** **[Dr. Helena Z. Benitez]** founded the Bayanihan Folk Dance Group of the Philippine Women's University. The following year, ****, it was formally organized as the **[Bayanihan Folk Arts Center]** with the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company as its performing arm. The painter **[Fernando Amorsolo]** romanticized life, reminding us of **[tranquil rural landscapes.]** **[Carlos "Botong" Franciso]** drew, and painted genre paintings inspired by the life of his town, Angono, in Rizal. As a rule, the **Filipino artist's role is four-fold**: - the **[personal]**: the artist expresses what he or she feels - the **[social]**: the artist expresses what he or she sees around him or her - the **[physical]**: the artist finds a need to create something useful but also pleasing to look at - the **[immaterial]**: the artist gives form to the immaterial, the hidden truths of the universe and spiritual force that inhabits the world. Because of these roles, the artist is able to refine us and to elevate our sense of what is beautiful and sublime An **[artist reflects the time and culture of his period]** but seen in a different light. In this way, **[he or she gets to influence his reader, viewer, listener, intentionally or unintentionally]**. The late **[Nick Joaquin]**, a Manileño novelist, playwright, journalist, historian, and essayist is a good example. He started writing under the pen name of **[Quijano de Manila]** for the *Philippine Free Press Magazine*, chronicled the diverse heritage of the Philippines, and gave his opinion about the culture of his time for decades. The artist is a crusader, attempting to sway the viewer to his or her side. In the past decades, there has been a rise national fervor. The Filipino artist has become a social critic, exposing the inequalities of life, the effects of urbanization, globalization, and neocolonialism, evident in most contemporary works today. The artist has also become an advocate for what he or she believes in. He or she creates an artistic controversy, thereby becoming an agent of change. The Filipino artist is versatile. He or she creates, not only to realize his or her personal fulfillment but also to express a point of view. He or she is storyteller, narrating everyday life or extraordinary events; presenting cultures in different lights; and recording and preserving history for future generations to see. **[LESSON 2: THE FILIPINA ARTIST]** It is a phenomenon that world of art has been dominated by men ever since the beginning of history. In the early years of Philippine modern art, the **1950s**, only a *few notable women* were able to find access into this male dominated enclave: - ***[Anita Magsaysay-Ho]*** and ***[Nena Saguil]***, both *[painters]*; - ***[Lyd Arguilla]***, the [founder of ***Philippine Art Gallery***], which is the *[first official meeting place of artists]*; and - ***[Purita Kalaw Ledesma]***, the [founder of the ***Arts Association of the Philippines***.] But now, things have changed. Women artists have become visible because of the *[initial steps of three women graphic artists]* in the **1970s and 1980s**: ***[Imelda Cajipe-Endaya]***, ***[Brenda V. Fajardo]***, and ***[Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi]***. They have entered the art scene and changed the landscape from then on. They have [started as printmakers but later evolved their own genres], except for France-based **Gelvezon-Tequi**, who remained as [printmaker and a painter]. Her latest works are a *[series of Philippine madonnas]*. **Brenda Fajardo**, a doctor in Philippine Studies and Professor Emerita in the University of the Philippines, is a multi-awarded artist, educator, and cultural worker. Among her national and international awards and grants are the ***2012 Gawad CCP para sa Sining Biswal*** and the ***CCP Centennial Honors for the Arts in 1999***. Her nationalistic themes are taken from the Philippine folklore, legends, and mythology. She then relates them to contemporary life. Her works are mostly in pen and ink and acrylic. **Imelda Cajipe-Endaya** is a mixed-media artist, curator, writer, and organizer. She is ***one of the first to use nontraditional materials for her artworks*** which are usually fragmented arrangements of the artistic scenes. She is also an [active women's rights advocate]. These women artists paved the way for others to assert their own identity. Others soon followed: sculptors Agnes Arellano, Julie Lluch, Genera Banzon, Francesca Enriquez, and many more. In the late **1980s**, ***Fajardo and Endaya***, together with ***Ana Fer***, ***Julie Lluch***, and ***Ida Bugayon***, founded [***KASIBULAN*** ***(Kababaihan sa Sining at Bagong Sibol na Kamalayan)***], a group whose goal was to ***pursue women's agenda***. KASIBULAN addressed women's issues in culture and the arts. It had a message and a heritage to share. It manifested these issues through art. Among the members were Lia Torralba, Alma Quinto, June Dalisay, Vivien Limpin, and Tala Isla Contreras. Membership has spread since then. Another noteworthy Filipina is a model ***historical recorder and conservationist***. [***Ligaya Fernando Amilbangsa***] is an artist, educator, cultural researcher, and an advocate of indigenous arts of the South. Many said that growing up as a cultural dancer, Amilbangsa nursed as **an intense love for dance that made her study, conserve, and promote a pre-Islamic dance tradition called *[pangalay]*** -- **which means ["gift offering"] or ["temple of dance"] in Sanskrit** -- among the Samal, Badjao, Jama Mapun, and Tausug people of the South. Her exhaustive efforts to promote the Southern arts earned her the prestigious ***Ramon Magsaysay Award***, Asia's equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize. **[LESSON 3: NATIONAL ARTISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES]** Many of them have made significant contributions in their own fields, earning them the **[Order of National Artists]**. It has been established by virtue of the **[President Proclamation No. 1001's 1972]** and aims to ***"give appropriate recognition and prestige to Filipinos who have distinguished themselves and made outstanding contributions to Philippine arts and letters."*** The Order of National Artists is the ***[highest award conferred by the President of the Philippines]*** to the nation's artists. The **[categories for the Order of the National Artists]** are ***music***, ***dance***, ***theater***, ***visual arts***, ***literature***, ***film and broadcast arts***, and ***architecture or allied arts***. The awarding of the Order is administered by the Order of the National Artists Secretariat -- NCCA and CCP -- and is conferred by the President of the Philippines every three years. Cultural organizations, educational institutions, and private foundations and councils may submit nominations for the Order once the Secretariat announces the opening for nominations. The Secretariat then screens and deliberates these nominations before submitting a list of recommended nominees to the President. After this, the President will decide the final list of awardees and will then issue a proclamation, conferring the rank and title on the awardees. To qualify, the National Artists must have the following criteria, 1. **Living artists who are Filipino citizens** at the time of nomination, as well as those who dies after the establishment of the award in 1972 but **were Filipino citizens** **at the time of their death**; 2. Artist who, through the content and form of their works, have **contributed in building a Filipino sense of nationhood**; 3. Artists who have **pioneered in a mode of creative expression or style**, thus earning a distinction and making an impact on succeeding generation of artists; 4. Artists who have **created a substantial and significant body of work and/or consistently displayed excellence in the practice of their art form**, thus enriching artistic expression or style; and 5. Artists who **enjoyed broad acceptance** through -- a. **prestigious national and/or international recognition**, such as the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining, CCP Thirteen Artists Award, and NCCA Alab ng Haraya; b. **critical acclaim and/or reviews** of their work; c. **respect and esteem from peers**. The first order (then was National Artist Award) was given in **1972** and the lone awardee was **realist painter [Fernando Amorsolo]**. The next year (**1973**), **[seven artists]** were bestowed the prestigious awards: **[Carlos "Botong" Francisco]** for ***visual arts***; **[Francisca R. Aquino]** for ***dance***; **[Amado V. Hernandez]** for ***literature***; **[Antonio J. Molina]** for ***music***; **[Juan F. Nakpil]** for ***architecture***; **[Guillermo E. Tolentino]** for *sculpture*; and **[Jose Garcia Villa]** for ***literature***. **[LESSON 4: GAWAD SA MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN (GAMABA)]** The Philippines also honors artist who are engaged in **folk or traditional arts** and who have reached a **high level of technical skill and artistic excellence**. The award is called the ***Gawad ng Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA)***, or ***National Living Treasures Award***. The **[categories of GAMABA]** are ***folk architecture***, ***maritime transport***, ***weaving***, ***carving***, ***performing arts***, ***literature***, ***graphic and plastic arts***, ***ornament***, ***textile or fiber art***, ***pottery***, and ***other artistic expressions of traditional culture***. Below is an explanation of each category: 1. **Folk Architecture** -- traditional building techniques and structures developed by indigenous and rural communities, often influenced by local climate, materials, and cultural practices. 2. **Maritime Transport** -- category that celebrates traditional methods of building watercraft used for transportation, fishing, and trade. 3. **Weaving** -- the art of making fabric or textiles by interlacing threads, often using traditional techniques passed down through generations. 4. **Carving** -- involves the creation of decorative or functional objects by carving wood, stone, or other natural materials. 5. **Performing Arts** -- category that encompasses traditional music, dance, and theater performances that are intrinsic to indigenous rituals and cultural celebrations. 6. **Literature (Oral Traditions)** -- refers to oral storytelling traditions, epic poetry, folktales, and chants that preserve the histories, beliefs, and values of communities. 7. **Graphic and Plastic Arts** -- involves visual arts like painting, drawing, and sculpture, often created using natural materials and rooted in indigenous traditions. 8. **Ornament (Jewelry and Adornment)** -- the creation of traditional jewelry and adornments, often using precious metals, beads, or other natural materials that hold cultural significance. 9. **Textile or Fiber Art** -- refers to the making of intricate textiles, baskets, and other items from natural fibers using indigenous techniques. 10. **Pottery** -- the creation of functional and decorative objects from clay, such as pots, jars, and other vessels, using traditional techniques. 11. **Other Artistic Expressions of Traditional Culture** -- a broad category that includes any other traditional art forms not covered by the previous categories. These may include rituals, festivals, or other unique expressions of cultural heritage. This award (GAMABA) was institutionalized by ****, **[Republic Act No. 7355]**, with the NCCA in charge of its implementation. The process of awarding a *Manlilikha ng Bayan* is similar to that of the Order of National Artists. However, only NCCA's ad hoc of experts and reviewers will screen and review the nomination. They will then submit the list to the President of the Philippines for proclamation. Like the National Artists, an ***artist must have special qualities to become a Manlilikha ng Bayan***. Below are the criteria. 1. The artist should be an **inhabitant of an indigenous/traditional cultural community anywhere** in the Philippines that has preserved indigenous customs, beliefs, rituals, and traditions and/or has syncretized whatever external elements that have influenced it. 2. The artist must have **engaged in a folk art tradition** that has been in existence and documented **for at least fifty years**. 3. The artist must have **consistently performed or produced works of superior and distinctive quality** over a significant period. 4. The artist must **possess a mastery of tools and materials needed by the art** and must **have an established reputation in the arts as master and maker of works** of extraordinary technical quality. 5. The artist must **have passed on and/or will pass on to other members of the community his/her skills in the folk art** for which the community is traditionally known. A traditional artist who possesses all the qualities of a *Manlilikha ng Bayan* candidate but is **now incapable of teaching further his/her craft, may still be recognized**, given the following: 1. The artist has **created a significant body of works and/or has consistently displayed excellence in the practice of his/her art**, thus achieving important contributions for its development. 2. The artist has **been instrumental in the revitalization of his/her community's artistic tradition**. 3. The artist has **passed on to the other members of the community the skills in the folk art** for which the community is traditionally known. 4. The **community of the artist has recognized him/her as master and teacher of his/her craft**. The ***first group of recognized Manlilikha ng Bayan*** was composed of **[Ginaw Bilog]** of Oriental Mindoro, a Hanunuo Mangyan ***poet***; **[Masino Intaray]** of Brookes Point, Palawan, an ***epic chanter*** and a ***master of various traditional instruments***; **[Samaon Sulaiman]** of Mamasapano, Maguindanao, ***a kutyapi master***. Below is the ***list of Manlilikha ng Bayan from 1993 to 2012***. - **Ginaw Bilog --** Bilog preserved the ***[ambahan]***, a [Mangyan tradition of singing or chanting poetry]. - **Masino Intaray --** An ***[extraordinary musician and storyteller]***, Intaray mastered the arts of *basal* (gong music ensemble), *kulilal* (lyrical poem sung with two-string kudyapi), and *bagit* (instrumental musical played with kudyapi). He also played *aroding* (mouth harp) and *babarak* (ring flute); and is ***[prolific epic chanter and storyteller.]*** - **Samaon Sulaiman --** Sulaiman ***[perfected the art of playing kutyapi]*** (two-stringed plucked lute) and served as the master teacher of the art in his hometown and other tows in their area. - **Lang Dulay --** Lang Dulay was a ***[master weaver of the traditional t'nalak, or T'boli cloth]***, an abaca textile that can only be woven through tedious process - **Salinta Monon --** A ***traditional weaver*** since age twelve, Monon ***[preserved the dying art of Bagobo weaving]***. - **Alonzo Saclag --** Saclag ***[gained perfection in playing Kalinga instruments]*** and ***[dancing patterns and movements associated with rituals]***. He also advocated the Kalinga philosophies, and the promotion of their culture to the rest of the country. - **Federico Caballero --** Caballero ***[mastered ten epics of their region]***, including the *Labaw Dunggon* and *Humadapnon*. In addition to this, he also ***[advocated the preservation of traditions]*** in his region by travelling from barangay to barangay to encourage other indigenous groups to learn how to read and write. - **Uwang Ahadas --** Uwang Ahadas is a ***[partially blind musical genius who has mastered and taught several Yakan instruments]***, including the *kwintangankayu* (instrument with five wooden logs hung horizontally), *gabbang* (bamboo, xylophone), and *agung.* - **Darhata Sawabi --** Darhata Sawabi was ***[master weaver of the traditional pissiyabit]*** of the Tausug, preserving generations of Tausug designs. - **Eduardo Mutuc --** Mutuc is a ***[dedicated sculptor of religious and secular art]*** in silver, bronze, and wood. - **Haja Amina Appi --** Haja Amina ***[upheld the Sama women tradition of mat weaving]***, revolutionizing the traditional white mats with own tinted designs. - **Teofilo Garcia --** A farmer by principle, Garcia became ***[a master artisan of making tabungaw (casque)]*** that was due to his work and the demand of casques in his area. To promote art, he continuously made himself visible in the industry and thought of better materials to improve the quality of *tabungaw.* - **Magdalena Gamayo -** Gamayo is dubbed as ***[the best artist who has exemplified the art of Ilocos abel-weaving]***, threading the most intricate traditional designs that most modern weavers fail to master. **[LESSON 5: WORLD -- CLASS ARTISTS]** The Philippine contemporary arts have so ***developed and matured that our artists can now stand proudly on the world stage***. The most recent **[PERFORMERS]** to be acknowledged is ***[El Gamma Penumbra]***, ***a shadow play group of young locals from Tanauan, Batangas***. The group won first place in the first television production of *[Asia's Got Talent in Singapore]* in *[May 2015]*. They have conquered the hearts not only of the Filipinos but of Asians as well. In **[VISUAL ARTS]**, The Filipinos have also made a big scene. Once again, the Philippines is participating in the ***[Venice Biennale]*** after fifty-one years of absence. The *Venice Biennale* is ***a prestigious international art exhibition that started in ***. One of the aim s is ***to showcase the latest works of art from different nations***. **[Patrick Flores]**, professor of Art Studies and curator of the Vargas Museum of the University of the Philippines, **[was *chosen to curate the Philippine Pavilion*. He named the exhibit *"Tie a String around the World."*]** Representing the Philippines are artists ***[Jose Tence Ruiz]***, ***[Manny Montelibano]***, ***[Gus Albor]***, ***[Lito Carating]***, and ***[Jing Turalba]***. It is wonderful to know that the Philippine Pavilion has been named in the best list and a "must see" among the international pavilions. One of the pavilion's exhibits, ***[Shoal by Jose Tence Ruiz]***. Among the ***first contemporary artists to be acclaimed internationally*** is **[Cecil Licad]**, ***a gifted classical pianist***. As a child prodigy, she made her debut at the age of seven as a soloist with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. She was also one of the youngest musicians to *[receive the prestigious **Leventritt Competition Gold Medal** in **1981**]*. She is based abroad and when she is in the country, she gives concerts and outreach programs to budding musicians. And, of course, who can forget **[Lea Salonga]**? She is a former member of ***[Repertory Philippines]***, a ***[theater company founded by the late Zenaida Amador]** that produces Broadway and other plays*. Lea was one of the several hundred Asian aspirants to be *[chosen for the **role of Kim** in the **1989** musical **Miss Saigon**]* in London and later in Broadway, for which *[she received a Tony Award]*. The ***[Tony Award]*** *[is Broadway's equivalent to Hollywood's Academy Award, or "Oscars."]* Aside from being known as Kim, Lea also performed as **[Fantine]** and **[Eponine]** in *[another hit musical. **Les Miserable**]*; as **[Mulan]** in the *[Disney movie **Mulan**]*; and as **[Princess Jasmine]** in another *[Disney film **Aladdin**]*. **[Lisa Macuja -- Elizalde]**, the ***[country's first prima ballerina]*** is the *[first foreign soloist to join **Kirov ballet**]*, *[a famous Russian ballet company]*. She has won several awards -- both national and foreign -- for her recitals. One of these awards is a spot in the *[1997 Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the W]* *[orld in the USA]*. She was also given the *[Order of International Friendship by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2001]*. We also remember pop singer **[Charice Pempengco]**, who *[became famous when Ellen Degeneres discovered her on YouTube]* a few years ago. After a short stint in the United States, she has returned and is now a popular recording artist. Philippine arts today is active and vibrant because of the Filipino artists' talent, creativity, skill, and their perseverance even in times of turmoil that drive them to pursue their dreams.