Art Zone in Manila

Unlike most other countries in the region, the Philippines culture was almost completely transformed by the Spanish and American influences it was subjected to for centuries. Under American occupation, the Philippines rose to become one of the most westernized nations in Southeast Asia. Yet, especially among Muslim and upland tribal groups, certain old Malay traditions related to dance, sculpture and music still remain. Under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Church, architecture drew on religious icons for expression.

 

 

Home for artists

Baguio is home to several prominent Filipino artists who have decided to take up permanent residence here. There are numerous artistic spots where both professional and amateur artists thrive currently. The Baguio Botanical Garden located along Leonard Wood Road is the home of the Baguio Arts Guild. Then, there’s the Arko ni Apo, a gallery and studio of artist BenHur Villanueva. Tourists can sometime see the artist working on a sculpture in his studio. Along the Asin Road, there are several woodcraft shops, collectively known as the Woodcarvers’ Village, where one can find a remarkable collection of carved wooden figures in varying sizes and shapes. Tourists can watch as local wood carvers work. Several meters away is the BenCab Museum, the latest artistic tourist destination up north. Built on a promontory, the museum commands a breathtaking view of the adjacent garden, farm, mini-forest, the surrounding mountains and hills, and the South China Sea in the west, houses tribal artifacts and indigenous crafts of the northern Philippine highlands such as bulul rice granary gods, carved objects, utilitarian implements, and weapons of several mountain tribes.

 

The Artists’ Haven

Another popular artistic and cultural destination is the Tam-awan Village located in Pinsao Proper. With the unique amalgamation of indigenous aesthetics, exquisite Cordilleran craftsmanship, and Baguio’s distinctive natural features, the village is truly a haven for artists. It started with just a few artists, and has evolved into a tourist destination. Tourists who want to experience Cordilleran life can lodge in the various authentic Ifugao and Kalinga huts and immerse themselves in the village life. One can join the village men or traverse around the village and navigate through the natural terrain. One can also visit the several galleries where local artists exhibit their masterpieces. In a time when change is inevitable, a visit to the Tam-awan Village reflects the idea that modern living and indigenous traditions can co-exist.

 

Music

The early music of the Philippines featured a mixture of Indigenous, Islamic and a variety of Asian sounds that flourished before the European and American colonization in the 16th and 20th century. Spanish settlers and Filipinos played a variety of musical instruments, including flutes, guitar, ukelele, violin, trumpets and drums. Modern day Philippine music features several styles. Most music genres are contemporary such as Filipino rock, Filipino hip hop and other musical styles. Some are traditional such as Filipino folk music.

 

Dance

Philippine folk dances include the Tinikling and Cariñosa. In the southern region of Mindanao, Singkil is a popular dance showcasing the story of a prince and princess in the forest. Bamboo poles are arranged in a tic-tac-toe pattern in which the dancers exploit every position of these clashing poles.

 

Folk art

The earliest paintings of the Philippines were religious imagery from Biblical sources, as well as engravings, sculptures and lithographs featuring Christian icons and European nobility. Most of the paintings and sculptures between the 19th, and 20th century produced a mixture of religious, political, and landscape art works, with qualities of sweetness, dark, and light.

 

Itneg and Mindanao Tribal art

The Itneg tribes are known for their intricate weaving production. The binakol is a blanket which features optical illusion designs. Other tribes such as the Ilongot make jewelry from pearl, red hornbill beak, plants and metals.

The tribes of Mindanao became skilled in art of dyeing abaca fibre. Abaca is a plant, and its leaves are used to make fibre known as Manila hemp. The fibre is dyed by a method called ikat. Ikat textiles are woven into geometric patterns with human, animal and plant pictorial themes.

 

Kut-Kut art

A technique combining ancient Oriental and European art process. Considered lost art and highly collectible art form. Very few known art pieces existed today. The technique was practiced by the indigenous tribe of Samar Island between early 1600 and late 1800 A.D. It is a unique artwork characterized by delicate swirling interwoven lines, multi-layered texture and an illusion of three-dimensional space.

 

Islamic art

Islamic art in the Philippines have two main artistic styles. One is a curved-line woodcarving and metalworking called okir, similar to the Middle Eastern Islamic art. This style is associated with men. The other style is geometric tapestries, and is associated with women.

 

 

 

 

The Cultural Centre of the Philippines, CCP Building, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Telephone: (02) 832 1125, is the centre for a number of the high arts. The project of the former first lady Imelda Marcos presumably covers the bodies of labourers buried in cement as its constructors rushed to meet her deadlines. The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 633 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Telephone: (02) 527 2192, Fax: (02) 527 2191 is the main centre that promotes Philippines culture and arts.

 

 

Philippine tribes have retained some of the older traditions of oral storytelling, and art forms such as rattan weaving, woodcarving, and textile weaving. Filipino music has synthesized the best of its Spanish and American past although unique folk dances such as tinikling (bamboo or heron dance) and singkil (court dance), which continue to be popular. With around 120 ethnic groups and mainstream communities such as the Tagalog, Ilocano, Pampango, and Visaya, the quest for a common identity is forged oddly through another American legacy – English. The Philippines is now the third-largest English speaking country in the world.