Like in any other country, art influenced the life of the Filipinos and the things that surround

them.
The Philippine arts reflect a Filipino society with diverse cultural influences and traditions of the
Malayan peoples such as the Chinese and Indians. Islamic traditions were introduced to the
Philippine Islands in the14th century.

Likewise, Europe and the United States intensely influenced Filipino artists. However, while drawing
on Western forms, the works of Filipino musicians, painters, and writers are imbued with distinctly
Philippine themes. By expressing the richness of the culture of the archipelago in all its diversity,
Filipino artists have helped in shaping a sense of national identity. Many Malay cultural traditions
have continued until this time despite foreign rule. Muslims and tribal groups maintained distinct
traditions in dance, music, and sculpture.

Indigenous arts in the Philippines are labors of love and patience. The intricate carvings on wood,
metal, stone or glass are products of skillful hands and imaginative minds of the different tribes of
the archipelago. Indigenous musical instruments like the flute, drums, rainsticks, native guitars, and
bells made of bamboo, animal skin, seeds, and seashells. The careful manipulation of these materials
produces sounds and unique instruments used mostly in tribal dances and rituals (Ramirez, 1999).

Pre-Colonial Art forms in the Archipelago

The arts in the Philippine archipelago had its past and continued to develop by numerous modern
artists. With their different context regarding history, style, cultural symbols, and meanings, these
artworks are portrayed (Estrella, 2017).The following are some known artforms in the Philippines:

Agung. It is a musical instrument of the Kulintang ensemble which is played by one or two persons
depending on its number. By using a rubber-padded beater, this instrument is performed on both the
boss/knob and the face of the gong.

Banog-banog. It is a dance that portrays hunters shielding in their chickens from the famishing
hawk.

BlitB’laan. It is a courtship dance of the Bilaan of Davao del Sur mimicking birds during mating
season. The females scurry to safety, burying their heads under their wings (using the malong), but
the aggressive males follow them wherever they go.

Cañao. It is a ritual-dance performed during native feasts or celebrations in the highlands of the
Cordilleras in the Luzon area of the Philippines. It is a symbol of triumph or expectation for
abundant crops.
Gangsa. It is an indigenous musical instrument of the Bontoc tribes of Kalinga, Ifugao in the
mountain regions (the Cordillera) of the northern Philippines.
Inamong. It is an ethnic dance among Tigwahanon Manobos in the Province of Bukidnon and
performed during their harvest time. This type of dance shows a couple, with their bodies and arms
slightly bent forward, mimicking the movement of a pair of flirting among monkeys.
Kadal Iwas. It is a dance performed by the T-boli and Tausug tribes respectively which mimic a
mealtime of monkeys in removing nits and lice from each other. A variation of this dance is to
mimics a monkey who sits on an anthill by mistake and is attacked by angry ants all over his body.
Kashawing. It is a ritual among the Maranaos and is performed to ensure a good harvest.
Kinabua. It is ritual dance among the Mandaya tribes in Northern Mindanao. This type of dance
portrays the Hawks’ use of sweet songs to lure out the hen and the chicks that are made into a meal.
Mamakar. It is a Bontoc War Dance performed during the planting season and a bountiful harvest.
Man-manok. It is a dance performed in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. This type of dance mimics fowls
wherein a tribal blankets that represent the colorful plumage of wild cocks are shown off by the
warriors who intend on winning the attention of the maiden hen.
Mayvanuvanua. It refers to a sacrificial rite performed at the beginning of the summer fishing
season among mataw fishers in Batanes Island. This type of dance is an act of invitation to capture
the fish dorado successfully.

Mumbaki. It is a local term which refers to the “sayer of prayers” among the Ifugaos in Northern
Luzon. These prayers are performed during funerals, wedding, Thanksgiving, and other celebrations.
This is offered to the supreme deity, Maknongan.

Ngilin. It is a cultural dance performed among the Kalinga tribe during Marriage rituals and other
celebrations like the budong (peace pact). This type of dance is played to simulate the romantic or
peaceful interactions of a rooster and a hen.

Pagdiwata. It refers to a ritual performed among the ethnic group in the north and central Palawan.
The ceremony is held on various occasions including bountiful harvests and weddings.

Pangalay (also known as Sea Gypsies).It is a native dance of the Badjao performed during
weddings and other social gatherings. This type of dance emphasizes the agility of the upper body
wherein the rhythmic bounce of the shoulder with the simultaneous alternating waving of arms is the
essential movement.
 Sampak. It is a war dance performed by the Mandaya tribe. This type of dance requires
excellent skill in the handling of a shield, spear, and a sword.

Saut. It is a ritual dance performed by a male Talaanding tribe presenting their expertise in
style and arts in fighting their opponent. This ritual dance is also an offering to their
magbabaya (god).

Talip. It is a courtship dance among the Ifugao. This is performed during the celebration of
the intaneg (wedding). In this dance, the man traps a woman with an attractive blanket to place
on her shapely shoulders.

Famous Indigenous Musical Instruments in the Philippines

Aerophones. It refers to any musical instrument which produces sound without the use of
strings or membranes. Examples of these are as follows:
a. Baliing- Nose flutes of the Apayao
b. Bansik - Bamboo flute of the Negrito
c. Kaleleng- a Long bamboo tube of the Bontoc
d. Bulungudyong -Vertical & long flute of the B'laan
e. Kalaleng - Bamboo flute of the Tinggian
f. Lantoy– Nose flute of the Mangyan
g. Palandag (Palendag) – Lip-valley flute of the Bagobo
h. Paldong and Tongali – Lip valley flutes of the Kalinga
i. Pulalo – Lip valley flute of the Mansaka
j. Sahunay - Pipe with reed (clarinet) of the Tausog

Chordophones. It refers to any musical instrument which makes sound by way of trembling
strings stretched between two points. Examples of these are as follows:
a. Faglong – Two-stringed, lute-like instrument of the B'laan
b. Kolitong – Bamboo guitar of the Kalingga
c. Kudlong - Two stringed boat lute of the Bagobo
d. Kudyapi -Two stringed boat lute of the Maranao
e. Kulit-en – Guitar of the Tinggian
f. Pas-ing – Guitar of the Igorot
g. Serongagandi – a Decorated bamboo tube of the Maranao
h. Saludoy –Bamboo guitar of the T’boli

Idiophone. It refers to any musical instrument which produced sound primarily by way of the
instrument's vibrating, without the use of strings or membranes.
a. Afiw –Jaw Harp of the Bontoc
b. Agung - Bossed gong of the Maranao
c. Balingbing – Bamboo buzzer of the Kalingga
d. Bangibang – Percussion bar of the Ifugao
e. Gabbang – Bamboo xylophone of the Tausog
f. Kinaban – Jaw Harp of the Hanunoo
g. Kubing –Jaw Harp of the Ata and Maranao
h. Kulintang - Metal xylophone of the Maranao
 i. Kumbing – Jaw Harp of the Manobo
j. Palipal – Bamboo clapper of the Ifugao
k. Tagutok – Decorated bamboo scraper of the Maranao
l. Tanggunggu – Gong chime of the Kalagan, B'laan, Manuvu, Bagobo
m. Tongkaling - Pellet bells or crotal bells of the B’laan

Membranophone. It refers to any musical instrument which produces sound by way of a

vibrating stretched membrane.Most membranophones are drums, such as:
a. Dabakan - Glass shaped drum of the Maranao
b. Gandang – Double headed cylindrical drum of the Maranao
c. Libbit – Conical drum of the Ifugao
d. Sulibao – Conical drum of the Ibaloy

Importance of Philippine Artistic Handicrafts

The Philippines is abundant in natural resources that scattered throughout its islands.
Filipino artist used the parts of trees, plants, and other natural resources as the raw materials and
turned them into simple, yet useful tools or instruments. This type of work is called Artistic
Handicrafts (sometimes called artisanry). Although this type of art changes from time to time it
is still imperative to continue and is preserve due to the following reasons:
1. It promotes our cultural legacy through the use of indigenous materials.
2. It shows an individual's creativity and superior ingenuity.
3. It encouraged producers to produce more raw materials.
4. It generates employment.
5. It developed values of perseverance and resiliency.

Common Handicraft Materials

Every Filipino family owns handicraft products like baskets, brooms, feather dusters, and
other furniture. Likewise, accessories like earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and other clothing
apparel made from native products such as beads, shells, and seeds. These are clear indications
that our handicraft industry is enjoying the patronage of Filipinos.

Filipino handicraft makers fashion them into accessories, bags, bamboo sofa sets, baskets,
cabinets, clothes, lamp shades, wall décor, and others. The following are the typical materials
needed in the making of Filipino handicrafts:

a. Abaca (Musa Textilis) - It is a tree-like herb resembling the banana plant. It is durable
and dyed in different colors.
b. Bamboo (BambusaSpinosa) - It is for the furniture industry because of its strength
and durability. It is also valuable material for basket and hat making.
c. Buri (CoryphaElata)- It is a palm from which three kinds of fibers, namely buri, raffia,
and until, are taken. It can be dyed merely and woven into many shapes. The buri leaf is
the most flexible material used for making hats, boxes and other novelty items.
d. Caragumoy (Pandanus Simplex) - It is greenish grey as it dries and is used
traditionally in making bags, baskets, hats, and mats.
 e. Coconut (CocosNucifera) - It is the most utilized palm in the Philippines. Its
cocomidrib is used primarily as handicraft material for the production of baskets, and
brooms (tingting). The coco shells are used for manufacturing articles such as buttons,
coin banks, lamp shades, pins, and others.
f. Kalas- It is a by-product of the buri palm. Locally, the term "kalas" (which means “to
loosen") refers to the loosened strands of a buri rope. It creates an unusual, rustic pattern
with distinct characteristics from its original material when artistically woven.
g. Leather- It is a material created through the tanning of skins of animals like carabaos,
horses, snakes, alligators, goats, lizards, and others.
h. Pandan-Dagat (PandanusTectorius) - It is a variety of screw pine abundantly
distributed along sandy beaches and coastal brushes in the Philippines.
i. Rattan (Calamus Maximus) - It is the most flexible material used in the
manufacturing industry and been known to extend up to hundreds of meters long.
j. Seagrass (RhynchosporaCorymbosa) – It is a type of grass in shallow salty and
brackish waters. The stems are distinctly triangular, and the leaves are broad and long.

Traditional Handiwork in the Philippines

The following are some handicrafts in the different regions of the Philippines:

1. Jewelry (Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, and Mindanao Regions). This handicraft is
mostly in Central Luzon region, mainly from the province of Bulacan. You can also find
related of this from Mindanao regions, but down south, you can even get powerful brass
amulets and other accessories.
2. Metal Craft (Southern Luzon and Mindanao Regions). This type of handicraft is in
Southern Luzon region, particularly in the province of Batangas. A very popular metal
craft which is locally and internationally as an excellent source for a portable knife is
called Balisong. Traditional weapons made from brass, bronze, and gold, are also
abundant in the island of Mindanao.
3. Pots and Jars (Ilocos Region).The pots and jars known as burnay can found explicitly
in the province of Ilocos Sur. These creations are made from Grade A clay through a
method that has been practiced by locals since the pre-colonial times.
4. Woven fabrics (Mindanao Regions). These fabrics are woven traditionally, by
interlacing threads using a manual machine called a loom. One of the common materials
in this region is called malong which is historically used as a skirt and sometimes as a
blanket.
5. Wood Carvings (Cordillera and Southern Luzon Regions). Fantastic wood carvings
produced by the Ifugao in the northern region of the Cordilleras. Often, these wood
carvings are depicting their indigenous gods. Excellent kitchenware like wooden bowls
and utensils are in this region.

Philippine GAMABA Awards

Gawad sa Manlilikhang Bayan Awards or GAMABA is an award that recognizes folk and
indigenous artists who remain loyal to their traditions. This award is managed by the
 National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) through Gawad ng Bayan Committee. It
began as a project of the Philippine Rotary Club Makati- Ayala but was adopted by the
Philippine government in 1992 and become an institution through a Republic Act 7335.

This award aims to support and motivate these artists to preserve their artistic heritage for
the present and future generations. These artists are recognized as the Country’s Intangible
National Living Treasure.

To become a National Living Treasure, the candidate must have the following
qualifications:
1. Must be an occupant of an indigenous/traditional cultural community anywhere in the
Philippines that has preserved native customs, beliefs, rituals, and traditions and has
syncretized whatever external elements that have influenced it.
2. Must have involved in a folk art tradition that has been in existence and documented for at
least 50 years.
3. Must have consistently performed or produced over a significant period, works of superior
and distinctive quality.
4. Must acquire a mastery of tools and materials needed by the art, and must have an
established reputation in the art as master and maker of works of extraordinary technical
quality.
5. Must pass on and will pass on to other members of the community their talents in the folk art
for which their group is traditionally known.

GAMABA Awardees and Nominees

1. Ginaw Bilog (1993).A native of Oriental Mindoro who faithfully helps preserved the
Hanunuo Mangyan script and their Ambahan poetry.
2. Masino Intaray (1993).A native of Palawan who exemplary shared his skills in basal or
gong music ensemble. He is a musician and epic chanter (Kulilal and Bagit).
3. Samaon Sulaiman (1993). A Maguindanao of Mama SaPano who showed outstanding artistry
and dedication to his chosen instrument, the Magindanao kutyapi.
4. Lang Dulay (1998). A T'boli of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, for her skills in weaving the
abaca ikat cloth known as t'nalak.
5. Salinta Monon (1998). A Tagabawa-Bagobo of Bansalan, Davao del for fully demonstrating
her creative and expressive aspects of the Bagobo abaca ikat weaving called inabal.
6. Alonzo Saclag (2000). A Kalinga of Lubuagan for his mastery of the Kalinga dance and the
performing arts.
7. Frederico Caballero (2000). A Panay-Bukidnon of Calinog, lloilo for his mastery of chanting
the epic tradition of Central Panay, the Sugidanon.
8. Uwang Ahadas (2000). A Yakan of Lamitan, Basilan for his dexterity in playing Yakan
musical instruments such as the agung, gabbang, tuntungan, and kwintangan.
9. Darhata Sawabi, (2005). A weaver of Parang, Sulu province for helping preserve the art of
“Pissyabit weaving.”
10. Eduardo Mutuc (2005). A Kapampangan from Central Luzon for reviving the metal or
smithcraft of Plateria which is in Spanish colonial era.
11. Haja Amina Appi (2005). A Sama of Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi, for sharing her skills
in mat weaving among the Sama indigenous community.
12. Teofilo Garcia (2012). A casque maker of San Quintin, Abra, Casquefor his
skill making Tabungaw.
13. Magdalena Gamayo (2012). A master weaver of Pinili, Ilocos Norte for his
skill in Weaving known as Inabel.
14. Yabing Masalon Dulo (2016). A master weaver of Polomolok, South Cotabato for
his contribution Ikat Weaving.
15. Ambalang Ausalin (2016). A Yakan master weaver of Lamitan, Basilan for
Tennun Weaving skills.
16. Estelita Tumandan Bantilan (2016). A B’laan master weaver of Malapatan,
Sarangani for preserving the Igem Weaving skills.
17. Whang-od (2017). A traditional tattoo artist (mambabatok) of Buscalan,
Tinglayan, Kalinga.

Other famous Filipino Artists and their Artwork

1. Ang Kiuko (Painting: The Crucifixion)
2. Diosdado Lorenzo (Painting: Still Life Paintings)
3. Fernando Cueto Amorsolo (Painting: Portrait of Presidents- M.Quezon; M.
Roxas; and S. Ozmeña)
4. Guillermo Tolentino (Sculpture: Oblation and the Bonifacio Monument)
5. Hernando Ocampo (Painting: The Contrast)
6. Juan Luna (Painting: Spoliarium)
7. Napoleon Abueva (Sculpture: Allegorical Harpoon)
8. Solomon Saprid ( Sculpture: Tikbalang)
9. Victorio Edades (Painting: The Builders)
10. Vicente Rivera (Painting: Supplication)