GE 105 (Art Appreciation)

Lesson 10: Philippine Art

Philippine Traditional Motifs and Crafts- Indigenous Arts and Crafts

One of the most precious traditional livelihoods that are still kept until today is weaving.
Originating in the pre-colonial times, the art of weaving of the Cordillera tribal groups in the
Philippine North is still existing despite the threat of the more practical, mass production of
cloth. The natives use back strap loom to produce blankets and articles of clothing. (“indigenous
Philippine Arts and Crafts, 2016).
Pina cloth is also produced in looms throughout the province of Antique. It is a delicate
and exquisite hand-woven cloth that is made from the fibers obtained from the leaves of
pineapple plants. It is popularly used in Barong Tagalog, the country’s traditional formal
menswear. With the organic and airy textile being used, the ‘barong’ is now becoming more
popular around the world.
Abaca fiber come from the abaca plant is widely grown in certain regions in the country.
It is woven mainly to make ‘sinamay’ fabric and abaca rope, as well as specialty papers like
vacuum bags, currency, and tea bags. There are also handcrafts like bags, carpets and clothing
made of abaca.

Baskets are also made by the Cordillerans as livelihood. They also use these as storage
for food when they need to go mountain terraces to raise crops.
 Filipino potters make pots of different sizes, shapes, and designs, which are usually
geometric with stylized nature-themed motifs. Functional pieces are made as the need would
arise.

An example for this is the ‘palayok’, which is used for cooking. ‘Banga’ and ‘tapayan’
are used for storing liquids. There is also the clay-made stove or ‘kalan’. The ‘burnay’ pottery in
Ilocos Sur is still a lively tradition that continues up to the present.
Philippine Sculpture is the most familiar art form among Filipinos. The most popular
woodcarvings are those of the anitos (nature gods), santos (saints), and statues of Christ and the
Blessed Mother.
Since the early 16th century, jewelry making in the country has been practiced in the
country. It is believed that the skills of the early Filipino jewelry-makers are adopted from their
Asian neighbors like the Chinese.
Jewelry-making is traditionally a home-based industry. With government support, the
Philippines has come to be known for its exquisite gold jewelry. The more popular jewelry
pieces are actually made of gold and silver. Rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches, pendants,
necklaces, etc. of these precious metals are common. The Philippines is also known for pearls
and semi-precious stones.
Art Museum/Art Gallery
An art museum or art gallery is a building or space for the exhibition of art, usually visual
art. Museums can be public or private, depending on the ownership of a collection. Paintings are
the most commonly displayed art objects; however sculptures, decorative arts, furniture,
photographs, and installation art are also regularly shown.
Although primarily concerned with providing a space to show works of visual art, art
galleries are sometimes used to host other artistic activities, such as performance arts, music
concerts, or poetry readings.
Selected Museums in the Philippines

 National Museum of the Philippines (P. Burgos Avenue)- The national museum which
showcases Philippine Arts
 Malacañang Museum (Malacañang Palace Complex, J.P. Laurel Street, San Miguel,
Manila)- A museum inside the Presidential Palace complex
 Metropolitan Museum of Manila (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas
Boulevard, Manila)- A museum of contemporary arts
 CCP Museo ng Kalinangang Pilipino and Asian Traditional Musical Instruments
(Tanghalang Pambansa, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay- A museum of
performing arts
 Mind Museum (J.Y. Campos Park, 3rd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig)- A
science museum