ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MARITIME STUDIES

Pasay City, Philippines

Dinlasan, Romar P. 119-0399

BS MarE 22-A2 Mr. Remus Villanueva

NGEC 6: ART APPRECIATION

Exclusive Artforms in the Philippines

Philippines is one in the world that has a very diverse culture that showcases its
uniqueness amongst the other country. Due to its complex history, this made them versatile in on
anything especially on expressing their art forms. Well in fact, this made the Filipino artists
become innovative and skillful in making their artforms which reflects what Filipino identity really
is.

Artforms in the Philippines have been greatly influenced by different countries around the
world which made them truly unique from the other countries. On the other hand, arts in the
Philippines can be divided into two distinct branches, namely, traditional arts, and non-traditional
arts, which is also further divided into categories but what we are going to focus for now are those
arts that are prominent in the Philippines.

Traditional arts in the Philippines are still widely present these days since some Filipino
people preserve their cultures and traditions that they inherited from their past, especially the
indigenous people. Some artforms that they still preserve and taught to their successors are
weaving which is truly fascinating due to the distinction of different ethnic groups in creating this.
Some ethnic groups weave clothes, mats, while others, weave baskets. Also, folkdances are still
present these days and usually performed in many occasions especially on festivals, however,
due to our situation right now these public performances and gatherings are prohibited. The
Tinikling, Itik-itk, Cariñosa, are some of the examples of the folkdances here in the Philippines.
Likewise, ethnic dances are also prevalent in ethnic groups in the Philippines which played a
major role preserving the culture in the Philippines, these ethnic dances are known to be
performed during rituals, weddings, and celebrations of the indigenous people in the Philippines.
Pottery is also exclusive in the Philippines because it is part of their livelihood, usually in creating
palayok and banga for their day-to-day necessities. Pottery these days have also keep up from
the changes that from only in clay-pot making, ceramic making also became present in their
livelihood. Furthermore, wood carving art are also common in the Philippines which is obvious
from every home because from the doors to the statue of some saint, we can clearly tell that it is
still treasured these days. Paete, Laguna are well-known for this because as the name itself, it is
known as the Carving Capital of the Philippines. Ornamental art is also common in the Philippines
especially when the Christmas is near, because everywhere you go in the Philippines during
Christmas season, parol is everywhere.

Now let’s move on the Non-traditional arts in the Philippines, which is usually inclined on
the culture and traditions in the Philippines. Firstly, is the music in the Philippines, wherein from
the traditional genre of Filipino love music called Kundiman, right now they began to showcase
the different genres, like the Pop, Rock, Reggae, and especially the OPM or Original Pilipino
Music which is the most popular genre in the Philippines and through this genre, we can clearly
tell that Filipinos’ are truly exerting in music. Furthermore, theater art is also exclusive in the
Philippines for it is also the instrument of Filipino people in promoting their culture and heritage.
Senakulo is one example of theater art in the Philippines in which it portrays how Filipino truly
love their traditions. Moreover, visual arts are notably present art in the Philippines not only for
the artist speak how they feel, but also, they include the culture of being Filipino like the famous
painter in the Philippines named Fernando Amorsolo. Even now these days, there are many
artists now, not only in painting shares their masterpiece in Social Media to inspire artists like
them, and also those who are aspiring ones. Additionally, literary arts are still showcase nowadays
and writers continues to inspire their fellow citizen. Literary arts also keep up in the trend that
spoken poetry became remarkably appreciated and enjoyed by Filipino people.

It is truly amazing to know the different artforms in the Philippines because we not only
became familiarized about these artforms, but also, we got to know and understand why Filipinos’
cherish and respect their culture even now and then.