PARAÑAQUE CITY COLLEGE

Coastal Road corner Victor Medina Street (formerly Kabihasnan St.),

San Dionisio, Parañaque City
•Telephone No. 9626958 • Email Address: pccinfo.educ@yahoo.com

Name: Parado, Juzz C.

Course & Section: BS-ENTREP 1F

How Philippine is Philippine Art?: A Survey on the Markers of Our Artistic Culture

Activity (10 points)

Using the Rendition of Amorsolo’s “Baguio,” practice applying the criticism steps you learned from
previous chapter. Dig up as much Filipino qualities in the work as you can. Use the space below and write your
criticism.

Rendition of Amorsolo’s “Baguio

One of the well-known and famous Filipino characteristics is the “BAYANIHAN” or the general unity or
collaboration of all Filipinos in their work. Through farming you can get a glimpse of the culture of our people
and you can even see the lunch prepared by the women. Amarsolo's famous oil painting " Afternoon Meal of the
Workers" can also be linked to the criticism of the introduction. Our culture will always be preserved and its
history will never change. This "KAPWA-TAO" attribute of Filipinos has always been practiced. Also, I saw the
values of Filipino humor and the positive characteristics of how painting is done with the emotions we see.
Filipinos are proud of their ethnicity because they do not know how to give up whenever there is a problem.

Analysis (30 points): Look up Fernando Amorsolo’s other works if possible. If not, refer to the example given.

1.) Upon closer observation of Amorsolo’s works (or the rendition presented), why do you think was he
dubbed as the “Painter of the Philippine Light”?

- Because, as I have learned from his paintings, he is truly an extraordinary portrait painter, as well as a
master of bright colors, mainly in the background.
 PARAÑAQUE CITY COLLEGE
Coastal Road corner Victor Medina Street (formerly Kabihasnan St.),
San Dionisio, Parañaque City
•Telephone No. 9626958 • Email Address: pccinfo.educ@yahoo.com

2.) What do you think are the qualities of Philippine art? In your opinion, what makes Philippine art Filipino?

- Filipino art is often associated with our cultures and traditions, making Filipino art what it is, showing its
history and meaning, and telling its story in a very modern way. Filipinos pride themselves on their natural
resources and qualities, as well as skills they should be proud of. The depiction of everyday life scenes and
environment makes the Philipphine art, Filipino art in my opinion. Seeing the historical landscapes of Filipino
painting makes me feel at home in my beloved country

3.) When the modernism came in, what do you think happened to Philippine art? How have we preserved our
identity despite the influences? How has it shaped our minds about the past?

- Modernity does not have much influence on Filipino art. Because its history always lives in us. When we
look really deeply, modernity has done a great job of transforming the ancient art of the past, and our art is
always worth nothing in contemporary art so far. Despite being influenced, Filipino art is historic, highly valued
and respected. Because each work has its own history that shows the past of the Philippines.

Application (20 points): Create a simple drawing, take an original photo, or paint a simple abstracted design
which best represents your idea of Filipino art. Use your local roots: where you came from and what you
commonly see around you.
 PARAÑAQUE CITY COLLEGE
Coastal Road corner Victor Medina Street (formerly Kabihasnan St.),
San Dionisio, Parañaque City
•Telephone No. 9626958 • Email Address: pccinfo.educ@yahoo.com

Assessment (40 points)

1.) In what ways are the artists different and diverse despite their common goal to depict Filipino nuances?

- This is due to the differences and beliefs of our culture and culture in its broadest sense today is a set of
unique spiritual, physical, intellectual and emotional characteristics of a society or social group. I can include not
only art and literature, lifestyle and basic human rights, but also values, traditions and beliefs. There are many
differences, but in unity, the Filipinos always achieve their common goals.

2.) In your opinion, how do their differences in styles help the quality of the art scene in the country?

- Filipinos are well known for their traditions and cultures, so they use a variety of themes, contexts, and
themes in their art. Especially considering the place, the date, the people, and the celebration they want. Art
styles are not only about the feelings of the creator, but also about the story behind those feelings. Common
sense, we humans have different experiences and feelings. We have a different interpretation to show.

3.) During the 1950’s, there was a faction that emerged between the conservatives and modernists. Who
among the given artists are considered conservatives? How about modernists? Why were they categorized as
such?

- When we say conservative, they mean that art is "the realistic tradition of painting scenes and subjects
that explore the Philippine landscape", which includes works, mostly landscapes and portraits. Artists such as
Fernando Amorsolo, Cesar Buenaventura, Miguel Gallus, Isidro Anchita, Antonio Domelau and Diosdado Lorenzo
are considered conservatives with a distinct style but mostly focused on expressions. While the modernists had
an idea of art to improve or create buildings such as the planetarium and museums designed by director
Godoferdo Alcacid, the modernists imposed themselves and concentrated on fine arts, archeology and
ethnography.

4.) Can you name other Filipino artists who were at the forefront of artistic development in the country?
Enumerate at least five and give a brief description of their artistic achievement.

- Archie Oclos: A graduate from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts
Major in Painting. A native of Catanduanes, Archie comes from a family of farmers, fishermen and construction
workers. He was selected as one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Asia,” defined as a selection of “young innovators and
disruptors who are re-inventing their industries and driving change.” Archie was included in this illustrious list
for 2017, 2018 and 2019. A firm believer that art can inspire social change, his mural for Benilde is entitled
“Bakwit,” from the English evacuee.
 PARAÑAQUE CITY COLLEGE
Coastal Road corner Victor Medina Street (formerly Kabihasnan St.),
San Dionisio, Parañaque City
•Telephone No. 9626958 • Email Address: pccinfo.educ@yahoo.com

- Roberto Chabet: Born Roberto Rodriguez, he used his mother’s maiden name Chabet when he began his
career in art. He was a mentor to many students at the University of the Philippines, where he taught for over 30
years, and is acknowledged as the father of conceptual art in the Philippines. Chabet initially studied
architecture but his conceptual art installations, collages, and sculptures in the 1960s and 70s made him a
rebellious figure on the local art scene. He was the founding museum director of the Cultural Center of the
Philippines from 1967-1970, where he established the 13 Artists Awards that highlight the achievements of
young artists whose works show a contemporary view of art-making and thinking.

- Zeus Bascon: He is from Santa Rosa, Laguna is a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas where he
finished BS Commerce Major in Business Administration. He has had nine solo exhibitions in major venues like
the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, the Vargas Museum in UP Diliman and Vinyl on Vinyl in Makati. His piece
for Benilde called “Guardians (Dead Masks)” features lines of masks in the form of a snake, like a big drawing on
the wall but using tarpaulin as material.

- Napoleon Abueva: Noted as the Father of Modern Filipino sculpture, Abueva attended the University of
the Philippines with Joya and was mentored by noted sculptor Guillermo Tolentino, at the College of Fine Arts.
Born in Bohol, he is also the youngest National Artist awardee appointed by then President Marcos, at the age of
46. His expertise was seen in a wide array of materials such as hard wood, abode, steel, cement, marble, and
bronze.

- Rasel Trinidad: Aka “Doktor Karayom” is the youngest recipient of the TAA. "Doktor Karayom" was a
street name Rasel started using as a Fine Arts student at the Technological University of the Philippines. He
started his art by painting murals on the exterior walls of abandoned buildings. To protect himself, Rasel started
to identify himself only as “Doktor Karayom.” "Kahit butas ng karayom, papasukin ko, matupad lang ang
pangarap ko” (I would go through the eye of a needle to achieve my dreams), was his mantra when he was a
hard up college student, thus the moniker. The "Doktor" is a reference to his fascination with human anatomy,
frequently seen in his works.