CPAR Lesson 2: Contemporary
tied with cow leather to make bags of export
Design in Art Crafts
Ramirez (Contemporary Philippine Arts from
the Regions, 2016)
 Folk art pieces are produced by indigenous
people, which are utilitarian, as well as
decorative.
 uses plants that are abundant locally (buri/palm,
pandan/seagrass leavves, abaca/hemp,
pina/pineapple fiber, bamboo, etc)
 different regions weave mats depending on the
abundance of local plants
 Ilocos has the famous inabel woven products
and the handwoven binakul
 Abaca is the most dominant in the Bicol region
and is used to make sandals, bags, rags, and
handicrafts
Woven Products: Textile, Fabrics, and Clothing
Our woven products based on folk art such as
clothing, bags and accessories are gaining popularity
locally and globally. With the use of technology,
fashion designers have developed the tactile qualities
and unique texture of our products for comfort and
style. They have been successful in bringing our local
fabrics to the fashion industries and to the global
consumer market.
The Barong Tagalog
 Was originally made of piña, jusi, abaca or
banana.
 During the Spanish Period, it was worn by
Filipino men because the Spanish colonizers
wanted to distinguish themselves from the
indios.
 By making them wear the thin and transparent
Barong, Filipinos were prevented from thievery,
from carrying weapons and gave mark to their
status by not tucking their barong under their
waistband.
 Now, modern fashion designers have created
variations of the barong so that it is also worn by
women. A variety of embroidery is applied and
they come in different colors.
 Another variation is the polo barong that has
short sleeves and are made of cotton, ramie or
chiffonille and is designed to be worn at work.
Bags and Accessories
 Bags of different sizes and shapes can be
functional and aesthetic. Ilocos inabel fabric
designed with geometric patterns are both
fashionable and useful.
 In Bacolod, pandan leaves are woven and can be
quality. In Bicol, rattan and other types of wood
are used as bag handles.
 Banig can also be made to purses, as in the case
in Tacloban. Ikat weaving of the Ifugaos and
other ethnic groups in Mindanao is being used
by fashion designers in order to make
accessories and clothing accent.
 Pearls are abundant in our country and make
good accessories. Natural materials such as
stone, rocks, wood, sticks, animal bones, shells,
feathers, leaves, cloth or leather can make
necklace and other accessories.
Footwear
 Indigenous materials such as beads, crochet,
rattan, abaca, wood and woven fabric are used as
materials for footwear. They prove to be strong,
durable and attractive.
Home Decors
 Tapestries are wall decors that are made of
woven fabric. These are common in Ilocos and
Baguio City.
 Other creative decors are made of driftwood,
sinamay, dried grasses and flowers. Lampshades
can be made from native plants such as buri and
abaca. Banig is also used for throw pillow cases
in Cebu while in Bukidnon, abaca is woven into
hats, baskets, and different type of containers.
Ceramics
 Contemporary ceramics, pottery, and terracotta
art are of two types: functional and decorative.
 Ceramics that serve a practical purpose are used
in the home such as tableware, vases oil burners,
oil and lotion bottles, pitchers, trays, or tea sets.
These may be found in different parts of the
home such as the living room, bedroom or the
garden, likewise in business reception rooms,
offices, or hotel lobby.
Furnitures
 Contemporary furniture designers in the
Philippines are not very many. The famous ones
have been educated abroad and have good
exposure to modern furniture as they are well-
travelled and have interacted with Western and
Asian furniture designers.
 Many furniture designers are found in Cebu,
Davao and Pampanga, Isabela, and Ilocos and
most of them still carry the more traditional
designs that match local architecture. According
to the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the
 Philippines (CFIP), the Filipino furniture
craftsmen are preferred in many countries of the
globe.

Some of the famous Filipino Furniture

Designers are:
1. Ito Kish

 an interior designer as well as a furniture

designer.
 likes tying together vertical figures with similar
form and design. This forms part of his chairs
and other types of furniture.

2. Vito Selma

 is a native of Cebu.
 His pieces of furniture show wood grain and
texture.
 His lines are very visible, curved, bent, or tied
together forming rhythmic patterns
suggestingmovement.
 His works are elegant.

3. Kenneth Cobonpue

 is a world renowned, multi-awarded, industrial

designer known for his organic designs in
natural fibers and materials.
 His excellent designs and superb craftsmanship
can instantly transport you to another world.

4. Niccolo Jose

 Treats every piece of furniture that he designs

and makes an artwork.
 They are organic sculptures, functional wooden
accent art pieces and studio contemporary
furniture.
 Always with comfort in mind, he insists on
“made-to-measure” furniture that negates mass
production.