MODULE 4

Historical Development of Philippine Arts

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. identify the characteristics of Philippine art;
2. Trace the development of Philippine art; and
3. explain how art can be a key element in the formation of a society’s culture.

Introduction
The Philippines has a larger and more vigorous artistic community than any other Southeast
Asian nations because it has four cultural heritages-Asian, European, Mexican and American.
With the foreign influences and the vibrant diversity of different ethnic and linguistic groups
from different parts of the country. It has become difficult to define Philippine Art or the
extent of Philippine art derivative from Western art.

The people of the Philippines are heirs of an artistic tradition long before the first European
stepped foot on Philippine island. The earliest examples of Philippine art include wood
carvings, weaving, ceremonial masks, artifacts and stylish body tattoos worn by the Visayans
in Tacloban known as “Pintados”. Other art form includes traditional music and folk dances.
Many of these ancient arts are still being practiced today but some have extended over time
to include more “Western” practices, in both classical and modern styles. These
combinations of different cultures cultivate a flourishing art scene in the Philippines. Hence,
this lesson will help you trace the development of Philippine art.

Enconter in the Land of Gold

Fernando Amorsolo, 1959

photo source: Herencia Legacy of Art and Progress

Your Initial Task. Background Check!

Name at least three Filipino Artists and their famous artworks.

 ARTIST ARTWORK
1. Pacita Abad Endless Blues

2. Ernesto Concepcion Birth of Dynasty

3. Benidicto Cabrera Sabel in blue

Task 2. Let’s Break the Tie!

Look at the picture below. What do you see in the photo? What does the painting trying to
reveal about the Philippine and Western art?

A well dressed white skin woman that

can easily be identified as a foreigner
(Spanish) hugging a tanned skin woman
whom resembles the simplicity of a
Filipina. This picture represents that
Western culture influenced Philippines
art. This became a significant matter in
the history of Philippines art where lots
of Filipino artists was being inspired by
the Western arts.

_____________________

Luna, España y Filipinas, 1886

photo source: wikepedia.org

YOUR TEXT: Let’s Get Down to Business!

Read the following text carefully.
1. Pre –Hispanic Period

Prior to Magellan’s arrival in 1521, accounts on pre-Hispanic Philippines were formerly

unknown to the historians. It is only in recent years that history’s facts have been revealed
through discoveries of the earliest documents and artifacts. The known history of the
Philippines is marked by the creation of the Laguna Copperplate inscription, the first written
document found in the Philippine language. This earliest record of the Philippine islands
corresponded with the records of Ferdinand Magellan’s arrival to the Philippines in 1521.

Evidences of the earliest Filipino civilization can be traced in the prehistoric relics and
artifacts unearthed from different part of the Philippines. This includes fossils, secondary
burial jars, body ornaments and artifacts. One of the finest Philippine pre-colonial artifacts is
the Manunggul Jar. At the top handle of its cover are two prominent figures representing
two souls on a voyage to the afterlife. This signifies that early Filipinos believed that each
individual has an immortal soul that travels to the other world.

Manungnul Jar

Excavated from a Neolithic brial site in

Manunggul cave of the Tabon Caves at Lipuun
Point in Palawan, Philippines.

photo source: Wikipedia

A new wave of changes took place in the Philippines at

about A.D. 1000 marked by the appearance in archaeological site of high-fired ceramics. This
gave proof of the increased marine trade with the mainland of Asia and the land farther
west. The increase in contact and trade with areas outside of the Philippine islands is shown
not only by the artifacts dating to this period that could only have come from other place,
but is also suggested by the ability of local peoples in reaching outlying areas through the
use of seagoing crafts (Sher, 2012).

1.1 Early Philippine Music

Being innately musical, the Filipinos, from the earliest to contemporary times, have imbibed
these traditions and have woven their musical creations along these mainstreams of musical
thought. Through time, Philippine society has witnessed to evolution of music expressed in
different forms and stylistic nuances. Indigenous music before the colonial era was largely
functional. Expressed either instrumentally or vocally or a combination of both, music was
deeply integrated with the activities of the natives (Hila, 2012). Filipino music is quite
diverse, composed of 140 ethnic groups spread across thousands of islands which vary from
region to region and has been used practically for every phase of life, from birth to death.

Philippine Indigenous Instruments are grouped into:

• Aerophones (wind instruments)

• Chordophones (stringed Instruments)

• Idiophones (percussion instruments)

• Membranophones (percussion instruments)

Examples of Philippine Indigenous Instruments:

1. Tungali (Aerphone instrument), Kalinga nose flute. Played by men to court a lady of
their liking.

2. Kaltsang (Chordophone instrument), half tube either played by the Ibaloi of the
Northern Luzon.

3. Kulintang (Idiophone instrument), Set of 8 gongs made of bronze, on a wooden

Sarimanok stand

Kulintang

Kulintang music ensembles have been playing for many centries in regions of the
Southern Philippines, Eastern ndonesia, Eastern Malaysia, Brunie, and Timor.

photo source: Wikipedia

4. Dadakan (Membranophone instrument), a single-headed Philippine drum, is normally

played while standing with player holding two sticks made either out of rattan or bamboo.
 2. Hispanic Period (1521-1898)
The arrival of Spanish colonizers in 1521 and the colonization of the Philippines from 1565
to 1898 brought about profound changes in the life and art of the Filipinos. Spanish colonial
government passed laws placing the arts under the supervision of the friars. Therefore, most
of the art created in the Philippines during the Colonial period was created to adorn
churches and other centers of worship (Wikipedia). Through arts, like religious paintings,
engravings and sculpture and colonizers propagate the Catholic faith, explain the concepts
behind Catholicism, and tell the stories of Christ’s life and passion.

2.1 Sculpture
There were known paintings in Philippines prior to the arrival of Spanish in 1521. Sculpture
was the man art form in the beginning of pre-Historic period. With the arrival of Spaniards
and the introduction of Christianity, carving of anitos was then replaced by the carvings of
saints. The carving of anito, images of the native religion, was replaced by the carving of
santos, images of Christ and the saints. At first the making of santos was under strict
supervision by church authorities to prevent the natives from adding pagan elements into
the prescribe iconography of the church. The transition may not have been too difficult, as
the Filipino carvers had grown familiar with the Christian subjects, but adjustment had to be
made on proportion and style.

Most of the santos that have been preserved are

carved out of wood, the most available material.
Bone and ivory were not rare either, but the
statues made of these materials belonged to the
wealthy families during those times (Ortiz et al.
1976:282). The usual subject of Santos is the many
scenes of Christ’s life. Many of these works were
works of unknown carvers as the church preached
anonymity
 Monastery of St. Agustine, Manila Filipino painters.
Juan de los Santos
photo source: tripadvisor.com.ph
With the establishment of the academy, many
as a prime virtue. The only 17th century Filipino sculptor we know by name is Juan de los
Filipino
Santos.
artists were
2.2 Painting also sent to

During the Spanish regime, painting was exclusively for the churches and for the religious Europe to
perfect their
purposes. Since painting was not a usual practice of the Filipinos, friars have to hire Chinese
skill. Among
immigrants to paint religious illustrations. Filipinos eventually learned this skill and inherited
both Chinese and Western technique. Paintings were introduced by the Spaniards to the them were
Filipinos in the 16th century to be used as religious propaganda to spread Catholicism Las
Virgenes
throughout the country. Most of these paintings appeared mostly on the walls of the Cristianas
churches and religious doctrines. The church became the center of arts and learning on theExpuestas
al
purpose of aiding the Catholic faith. Among the earliest collections are religious in themes Populacho
The painting was
and composed of 8th century icons and images created by local artisans under the tutelagea silver medalist
dring the 1884
of the friars. Expocision
General de ellas
Art portraiture gained importance by the beginning of the 19th century. Wealthy classes, Artes in Madrid,
Spain. This was
the mestizo and native elite wishing to document their wealth, commissioned artists to paint a landmark
their likenesses in all their finery and luxurious details. Portraits were also painted on lockets
achievement that
and kept as souvenirs of loved ones. proved the
ability of
Filipinos to
match the work

of Spaniards and laid claim to Filipino participation in

During the late Spanish colonial period, European culture.
photo source: wikipedia.org
the school of

Academism or
“salon” painting emerged and produced good
Juan Novicio Luna and Felix Resureccion Hidalgo who became the first international Filipino artists when
they won the gold and silver medals in 1884 Madrid Exposition. Luan and Hidalgo represented the
highest development of Philippine Art in the Western traditions and their accomplishments fortified the
self- esteem of Filipino artists. Historically, their names are inseparable and their paintings are the
measure of Filipino artistic excellence in the nineteenth century.

2.3 Architecture
There are many residences preserved in our cities and towns which date back to the Spanish times. They
are often referred to as Spanish colonial houses (Ibid, 286). In the early part of Spanish regime, houses
stills used light materials. Later on, it uses stronger materials like stone, brick and tile in the
construction. Basically, the concept Spanish colonial is that of the native hut, the difference being that
the former employed new materials. The interior of the Spanish colonial houses is very spacious. An
anteroom (lobby) just above the massive and very wide staircase leads to the main living room;
staircases, like the flooring of the house, is made of hard-wood planks. The ceiling of the entire house is
high; some ceilings are painted with scroll-like forms and other baroque motifs.

The religious orders that came to the Philippines erected churches that were in baroque style
architecture. These churches were parts of mission complexes which were also fortresses and were
composed of an atrium, a convent, a priest’s residence, and a belfry. With an increase of understanding
of the geographical conditions of the country and with the technological know-how they had brought
from their native land, they produced unique design buildings using available local materials.

1565
Basilica de Santo Ni ňo
Ceb City, Philippines

photo source: mypope.com

2.4 Fiesta Décor

Every major fiesta in the Philippines has its roots in the pre-colonial period and appreciation if Filipino
colonial art is incomplete without the mention of the decorations created especially for fiestas. Spanish
missionaries who entered Philippines found that the fiesta was a convenient tool to win Filipinos to the
new faith. They use the colourful processions and religious drama to attract and draw people to
participate.

2.5 Print
Alongside sculpture and painting, the art of printmaking also reached its height in the eighteenth
century that it is even considered as the golden age of the Philippine printmaking. The first book printed
in the Philippines was in 1593 the “Ang Doctrina

Christiana” written by Fr. Juan Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva. Both written in Tagalog and Spanish. It
contained various prayers. The Ten Commandments, Seven Mortal Sins, How to Confess and Catechism.

The oldest method of printmaking was woodcut printing which involved cutting the reverse of an image
on a plaque of wood. Printing from woodcuts was a popular practice until the 18th century, when
copper-plate engraving became more widely used.

In this method, the reverse image was etched in acid on a copper plate (Pigafetta).

2.6 Literacy
When Miguel de Legazpi came to Manila, he found that almost everybody could read and write. This
was documented by Pedro Chirino, a Jesuit historian, who wrote in his 1604 Relacion de las Islas
Filipinas. This prompted the friars to publish a book in the native script in 1593, forty-seven years before
the first book was published in the United

States. However, within the century of the Spaniards’ arrival, literacy in the Tagalog script that they
came upon was gone. It was not until the end of Spanish reign that it became known that remote
mountain groups had maintained their literacy in scripts similar to the Tagalog script. They are still in
use today (Santos).

Although use of the Philippine script was customary and widespread in the early days of the Spanish
regime, but by the end of the 17th century, its use slowly disappeared, relegated mainly to signing
documents that were written in the Latin alphabet. The ability to read and write is the mark of
civilization and, according to many early Spanish accounts, the early Filipinos had already been writing
for at least a century, unfortunately not much of this script survived now.

3. American Period (1898-1946)

Like the Spaniards, the Americans brought many changes in their forty-five years of reign in the country
and these influences can still be seen in the arts and culture of the Filipino people. The American
government gave priority to education and value formation, both the “American way of life.” The
spread of democracy and the formation of good citizens, including the rights and responsibilities of the
people, were the focus of American education in the country.

During the Spanish period, the Spaniards had given enormous land properties to Catholic Church. One
of the things the Americans did was to dis-establish the Catholic Church by purchasing an extensive
amount of church land and redistributing these land properties. To do so, they first had to pay an
amount of US $7.2 million to the Vatican in 1904. Arts and learning were no longer the center of the
church and religious theme. Focus shifted to the demand of the new patrons-American patrons who
sought tropical scenes for their new colony favoured genre, still life’s and landscape subjects. Also, the
merchants and tourists sought variety of themes and so the range of subjects for art also expanded
considerably. New styles such as art nouveau and art deco were also introduced.

3.1 Architecture
The architecture of the American colonial period was patterned after civic buildings of the
neoclassical style. The New York design influence is strongly reflective in this style (Mahanan, 2005:40).
These influences can be seen in the use of new materials such as reinforced concrete, glass and steel.

With the Americans taking over the Philippines, urban planning was introduced and new buildings are
needed to be constructed to house various government services as well as school buildings, hospitals,
commercial buildings and residential houses. Several Filipino architects who studied from the States
were employed to plan for a neo-classical style government building. Several of these examples are the
Congress, Post Office, Supreme Court, Philippine General Hospital and the Manila Hall.
 Philippine Post Office
Building
in Manila was built in 1926 by
Filipino architects Jan
Arellano and Tomas Mapua.

photo source: philstar.com

Later in the third and fourth decades, some architects who are knowledgeable in the
architecture developments in Europe and the United States began to introduce modern elements in the
design.

3.2 Painting
In painting, artist like Fabian de la Rosa worked on realistic subjects and a soft, cool palette of
colors, it was he who first defined Philippine landscape in art, the first to be sensitive to space as vital
element interacting with the forms of the land, and the first to discover the different tones of green in
forests and fields. Fabian de la Rosa was the brightest name in Philippine painting after Luna and
certainly the leading master of genre in the first quarter of the century.

Another popular artist who got his start during the

American era was Fernando Amorsolo, the nephew of
Fabian de la Rosa. Fernando Amorsolo was the first artist
to ever be awarded the Order of National Artist in 1972.
Amorsolo is renowned for his artworks romantically
depicting Philippine rural scenes and sun-drenched
countryside scenery. His work and his leadership as a
professor and the dean of the University of the
Philippines school of fine Fernando Amorsolo arts (1952- 1955)
inspired of the development of First National Artist in Visual
Arts
 photo source: wikipedia.org

the “Amorsolo School” of painting. This school based in the University of the Philippines (UP) School of
Fine Arts, functioned as the local Academy that set the standards and dominated the rural art scene.

3.3 Sculpture
In 1903, just a year after their success in the Philippine –American War, the Americans ordered the
erection of monuments to Jose Rizal in all the plazas of the country. It was only in 1913, however, that
the prototype of these monuments was built by a Swiss national showing Rizal in topcoat with a book in
the left hand (Ortiz, et al. 1970:294).

Where Amorsolo remained the dominant figure in painting, Guillermo Tolentino was the dominant
figure in sculpture. Having studied in the academy in Rome, he set the ground for classical sculpture in
the country. But while his figures observed the classical norms, he made them recognizably Filipino.
“Tolentino’s masterpieces include the Oblation in the University of the Philippines and the Bonifacio
Monument in Caloocan.

Supremo Bonifacio Monument

by Guillermo Tolentino
photo source: wikipedia.org

The 45 feet tall monument of Andres Bonifacio was completed in 1933 and now stands at the end of
Avenida and the beginning on Manila North Road. It is composed of 23 figures depicting scenes of
injustice, suffering and resistance of the Filipino masses. His Oblation, has become the symbol of the
country’s premiere State University, reflects the classical ideas-discipline, order, symmetry, and
restraint. The naked figure of a young man in a symbolic gesture of sacrificial offering of service to
country and humanity has become a landmark in every campus of the University. This piece was
commissioned by the first Filipino president of the University to translate the second stanza of Jose
Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios” into a visual form which would become the identifying landmark of the
University.

In 1973, Tolentino was named as a National Artist for Sculpture several sculptors followed the
standards set by Tolentino, such as Anastacio Caedo and his son Florentino.

3. Modernism to Contemporary
The first three decades of the 20th century in the Philippines were dominated by painter Fernando
Amorsolo and sculptor Guillermo Tolentino, until Victorio Edades returned to the Philippines and
introduced modernism to local artists. His first art exhibit after his return from the United States in 1928
caused quite a controversy, particularly his work, “The Builders”. Contrary to Amorsolo’s ever-smiling
dalagang Filipina. Edades showed the hardship of life for the working class. Instead of the smiling
farmers and fisher folks of Amorsolo, it depicted distorted, naked working men covered in sweat and
shirt. This exhibit was the first public’s exposure to modern art in the Philippines that it was met with
“shock and disdain” to the audience that there was not a single painting sold.

Edades joined the University of Santo Tomas in the 1930’s and became dean of its Department of
Architecture. He then introduced a Liberal Arts program that offers subjects as Art History leading to a
Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. Edades lessons in modernism did not fall on barren ground. He was soon
able to ally with Carlos V. Francisco and Galo B. Ocampo. Together they formed the pioneering
triumvirate of modern art in the country and produced a mural for the lobby of the Capitol Theater on
Escolta Street. This began the growth of mural painting in the Philippines.

The Sketch, 1928

by Victorio Edades
photo source: wikipedia.org

In time, Edades group expanded into the “Thirteen Moderns”, considered the pioneers of modern art
in the Philippines. This group was led by Victorio Edades with Diosdado Lorenzo, Vicente Manansala,
Cesar Legaspi, Anita Magsaysay-Ho, Hernando R. Ocampo, Demetrio Diego, Arsenio Capili, Ricarte
Purungganan, Bonifacio Cristobal, and Jose Pardo as members.

The support system for modern art was laid down with the founding of the Art Association of the
Philippines (AAP) and its annual painting competition which welcomed both modernist and
conservative works. Similarly, the Philippine Art Gallery (PAG) provided a venue for the exhibits of
fledging modernists. Central to these projects were two women: Purita Kalaw-Ledesma who founded
the AAP, and Lydia Villanueva-Arguilla who opened the pioneering PAG in Ermita in 1948 (CCP
Encyclopedia).

Market Scene
by Vicente Manansala
photo source: wikipedia.org

New group of postwar modernist, calling themselves Neo-Realists developed the style of transparent
cubism includes Vicente Manansala (Madonna of the Slums, Jeepneys, 1951), Cesar Legaspi (Sandman,
1947, Street Incident, 1968), Romeo Tabuena (Wash lines, Mujer, 1956), Galo Ocampo (Ecce Homo,
1953), and Carlos Francisco (Sungka Players). Their style reveals influence of western modern style in Art
such as abstractionism, cubism, expressionism and surrealism. Further developments in the
international art movements such as abstract expressionism, minimalism, constructivism, and other
non-figurative art from also influences the works of Ben Cabrera, Prudencio Lammasora, Manuel
Baldemor and other contemporary artists.

The influences of international style in Philippine modern painting, as well as the other aspects of
culture raise the question of Filipino identity in the Art. Some artists sought an answer to this concern by
representing in their works the existing condition and aspirations of the Filipino masses. Although much
modern art in the Philippines reflects the trends in the international art scene, a number of artists
continued to search for national identity by using local subject matter while others explore in the use of
indigenous motifs as in the works of Abdulmari Imao. Others find an answer in the review or
reinterpretation of history, as in the works of Ben Cabrera.

Ben Cabrera at
BenCab
Museum in
Tuba, Benguet
photo source:
asiatatler.com

In the area of Sculpture, experimentation with the new materials and new sculptural concepts are the
manifestations of development of modern sculpture in the Philippines. It is both a reaction against the
classical-conservative tradition and a dedication to the latest trends in the international school of
sculpture. Napoleon Abueva, the first modern Filipino sculptor, regards national identity in the sculpture
as necessary, believing instead that “pure from and good design” alone should be the consideration in
appraising their works (Ortiz et al. 1976:303). Other sculptors like Abdulao Imao, Solomon Saprid and
Eduardo Castrillo have done public sculptures like using brass, bronze, and wood by means of the
prevailing concepts in modern sculpture art.

5. Future of Philippine Art

Many forces have affected and will affect the development of Philippine Art and have stirred a
dazzling variety of forms, styles, and expressions. Along with the fascination of following the
international trend of trying new way and creating new forms, a growing national consciousness is also
awakened and inspires many artists to express nationalistic sentiments and serve the goals for freedom,
democracy and progress that it effect contributes to the benefit of the national art.

Many of the contemporary artists also gain experience with the new imaging and multi-media tools and
internet. With lots of information and more access to the resources, the works of the new generation of
Filipino artists are displaying constant change and exploration and in varieties of innovations. Their
performance in the coming years together will largely determine the future of Philippine art. With this,
the next generation of young artists, in any case, are the true heirs of the Philippine contemporary Art
movement.

Task 3. Make Sense of It!

To check your understanding of the lesson, answer the following essay questions in 3
– 5 sentences. See Rubric for essay in the appendices. (5 pts. each)

1. How do you define Philippine Art?

Philippine art has been developed from time to time by the enhancement of our civilization and
also by the influence of different countries who colonized us before . It shows the true identity of
Filipino being good in the aspect of art, we have lots of famous artist who help to boost our country
internationally in the field of arts. Philippine art shows the richness of our nation in terms of
cultures, the music, literature, paintings, sculpture and even architecture that was develop and
inspired by the histort.

2. To what extent is the Philippine Art derivative of western Art?

Western colonizers was the first one who introduced the art in our country, they are the one who
spread Christianity and arts by applying it in religious forms. Mostly the famous Filipino artist in our
history was inspired by those foreign people. We redeveloped what they had taught to us and
learned also to be a great artist who can compete globally in arts. Western art helps us to be
literate and knowledgeable in the skills of art.

Task 4. Let’s Have an In-depth Analysis!

From the aforementioned discussions, answer the following essay questions in 3 – 5 sentences. Provide
three (3) examples for each question. See Rubric for essay in the appendices. (5 pts. each)

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Spanish Colonization in Philippines in the area of
Art?
Spanish colonization has an advantages and disadvantages when it comes to the field of arts in the
Philippines. They made our country boosting up the numbers of well known artist and artisan, they
are the one who help us entering the world of creativity and arts. Because of them, we are educated
in religious matter by introducing the Catholicism, knowledge sculpturing has been applied and also
 architectural design. The time of their colonization doesn't only had a good effect but also bad effect
in Philippines art, it has been a rough discussion that somehow we are being called “a dependent
country” without them we aren't competitive having great artist and the fact that we are only
influenced by western tradition.

2. What makes Philippine Art Filipino?

This has been a question created long decades ago that until now are still being asked to us.
Philippine art as a Filipino because most Filipino artists produced paintings and artworks that
represent our own cultures and lifestyle. Even though we are being colonized by different
countries, we choose to be patriotic and nationalistic. We are proud to represent our nations
heritage, the product we had that seems to expose our characteristic as Filipino-ness. Fernando
Amorsolo, Vicente Manansala and BenCab are some of many Filipino artists who portraits the
Philippines lifestyle and culture in their paintings.

Your Final Task. It’s More Fun in the Philippines!

Art Activity No. 7

Title: “Proud of My Own” Local Art

Materials: Oslo paper/short bondpaper (use the template provided for art activities)

Instruction: 1. Along the sidewalks or local shops, find a native Philippine product

(work of art) such as basket, bracelet, bags, fans, hats, rags, textile,

sandals, placemats, etc.

2. Make a documentation of the artifacts. Use these questions as your

guide; What is its local name? What is it made of? Its color, size? Who

made it? Cultural significance? Other information.

3. Write a reflection answering the question: How does the product or artifact express the Filipino
concept of art? Include your answers in your portfolio. (See Rubric in the Appendices for scoring)
 “PROUD OF MY OWN”

This are some of the products that our locality are proud of, the pitsel and baso, toothbrush and the
furnitures that are made up of native bamboos. These products was made by Cauayanons and mostly
exhibit and present during Lubay-Lubay fiestival. Cauayan are known for the richness and abundancy of
bamboo trees (Kawayan).

I can say that the artifacts express the Filipino concept of art because it depicts the traditional arts that
our katutubo are fond of. It shows the creativity, artistic skills Filipino had.