UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

S.Y. 2020-2021
Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions
“Who is your next National Artist?”

Kawayan De Guia

Kawayan de Guia is a multimedia artist who works in a variety of media,

including drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, and performance .He was born in the
Philippines, in the city of Baguio in 1979. De Guia attended the Philippine High School
for the Arts and later graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of
Fine Arts degree. He received the Ateneo Art Award in 2008 and 2011, and the Thirteen
Artists Award from the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2009. Soil and Stones, Souls
and Songs, Para Place, Hong Kong (2017), Behind Foreign Lands: Southeast Asian
Contemporary Art, Soka Art Center, Beijing (2016), and Wasak! Filipino Art Today,
Arndt, Singapore (2016) are some of the most recent exhibitions in which he has
participated.
In his wall-based works and art projects, he combines an eclectic mix of items,
such as Ifugao rice gods, decorative torpedo bombs, and American jukeboxes turned into
Pinoy jeepneys. His works reflect on a wide range of topics, from the histories of
occupation, trade, and commerce that have shaped Philippine history and culture to the
relationships between community and commodities, in a humorous and piquant manner.
The primary intention of Wasak! and the corresponding publication is to draw attention to
the fascinating contemporary art being developed currently in the Philippines. It aims to
provide a symbolic historical compilation by providing an overview of Filipino
contemporary art. The exhibition provides snapshots of current artistic practices in the
Philippines by putting together a selection of leading protagonists from different
generations, styles, and media. His works would have a major impact on Filipinos,
encouraging us to become more interested in the country's sociopolitical issues. He
provides us with an opportunity to experience the different directions he has wandered
into—a chance to view a small course of history that is finding its way into the arts.
Joey Ayala
Joey Ayala is a singer, composer, and musician who is regarded as one of the country's leading
proponents of ethnic and alternative music. He promotes the country's musical culture by singing
songs about local traditions and social issues, continuing to play ethnic instruments, and putting
on shows and workshops to educate and inspire Filipinos through music. Joey uses his music to
advocate for environmental sustainability and the conservation of the country's endangered
wildlife (in his songs "Agila," "Butanding," and "Bathala," where he laments the loss of the
trees, hails the magnificence of the Butanding, and condemns the abuse of nature). In
"Magkabilaan" and "Magkaugnay," he preaches unity in diversity (even as he talks of the
opposing aspects of every entity or being). Joey's songs (such as "Sta. Filomena,"
"Batangbakal," and "Karaniwang Tao") depict the realities of poverty and injustice. His songs
"Tabi Po," "Simpleng Yaman," and "Pasasalamat," also uphold the Filipinos' traditional values
and way of life. With songs like "Walang Hanggang Paalam," "Habang Natutulog," and
"Padayon," they attest to the virtues of passion, patience, and hard work.

An outstanding composer, performer, bandleader, lyricist, arranger, and writer who has
characterized the ethnic character of Mindanao music, which he skillfully makes with his voice
and indigenous instruments, resulting in the Filipino soul's awareness of moral values and
environmental responsibilities. Through his well-known songs, he has instilled in young
generations the values of unity and culture, love and service, and human dignity. Furthermore, he
demonstrated what it means to be a man of God and a man for others by his most ordinary deeds.
He is a true model of social artistry because of his passionate contribution to music in teaching
values. This talented man may be chosen as the next national artist because he creates music that
defines the unique Filipino spirit, distinguishes the ethnic character of Philippine music through
the use of native instruments, and awakens in Filipinos an appreciation of their own culture.
References:
http://www.arndtfineart.com/website/artist_37311?idx=g
https://www.pintoart.org/kawayan-de-guia

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Joey_Ayala