LOCAL MATERIALS TO

CONTEMPORARY ARTS
Philippines is very rich in
natural resources. With our
artistic inclinations, we can
maximize the use of these
natural resources even in
creating arts.
• Contemporary artists found used bottles, plastics straw, and
other recyclable materials useful in creating artworks.
• The real artist sees beauty even from the peelings of garlic
and corn.
 Sanikulas Cookie Mold Carvings (Pampanga)
• These Sanikulas Cookies are arrow root cookies that have the image of St.
Nicholas (The Healer) molded on it. The molds are an exceptional piece of
folk’s art and rarity. It is also made of hardwood and are of different shapes
and sizes.
 Pabalot or Pastillas Wrapper Cutting Art
(Bulacan)
• The wrapper was made
out of delicate Japanese
paper. The way to make it
is so delicate that only
the ones with skilled
hands and perfect control
of their motor skills can
produce the best kind.
 Taka (Laguna)
• In the Philippines, the first recorded of a created Taka was by a
woman named Maria Bangue in the 1920’s. She has wooded molds
that were covered with strips of paper clipped in the sticky paste.
She would later paint them carefully and present as children’s toys.
 Pagbuburda (Taal, Lumban, Laguna)
• The art of embroiling is happily alive and flourishing the towns. Although it’s
mostly done by women who are wives of the farmers and fisherman, it is not
uncommon to see fisherman and farmers who are also carefully and delicately
embroidering floral designs during their “off-season”.
 Singkaban or Bamboo Art
• Singkaban is the art of shaving bamboo into artful creations that can
be used as a décor for arches or the home. Skilled craftsmen
patiently shave off the bamboo, layer by layer, to create curls and
delicate twirls of their bamboo.
 Puni or palm leaf folding (Bulacan)
• Leaf folding or puni was intended to create artful toys for kids.
However, puni can also be used to create woven baskets, bags, and
even fans. The most common presentation of Puni art is the
“Palaspas” we see every Holy Week.