DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

SCHOOLS DIVISION OFFICE OF MUNTINLUPA CITY
MUNTINLUPA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
NBP RESERVATION, POBLACION, MUNTINLUPA CITY

SELF LEARNING MODULE IN

CONTEMPORARY 12
PHILIPPINE ARTS
FROM THE
REGIONS
LESSON TITLE:
PHILIPPINE CONTEMPORARY ARTS FORMS, TECHNIQUES AND
PERFORMANCE PRACTICES

Name of Teacher:
ROMNICK F. DAVID MSM, LPT

School:
MUNTINLUPA NATIONA HIGH SCHOOL

SEMESTER # 1
SELF LEARNING
MODULE # 1
INTRODUCTION

Art has a vital role in the diverse and rich cultural identity of the Philippines.
It reflects the Filipino citizens, its past, its tradition and the whole country.
Since Philippines is an archipelago, there are different distinct art forms that
you can see and experience that you will realize who we truly are. The art forms
developed from the ancient times continue to evolve up to the current time.
Started from ethnic tradition, it continues to progress to contemporary art
tradition.
As a young Filipino learner, you should have the knowledge of the art forms in
the Philippines to fully embrace your identity as a citizen of the country. This
module was made to help you to have an understanding and appreciation of
the Philippine Arts specifically of the Contemporary Philippine Art. Moreover,
this will provide you the etymology of Arts, trace the brief history of the
Philippine Arts from the Ethic up to the Contemporary Period and explore the
different Contemporary Arts in your respective community.

Most Essential Learning Competency

 Describes various contemporary art forms and their

practices from the various regions. (CAR11/12IAC-0a-1)
 Discusses various art forms found in the Philippines.
(CAR11/12IAC-0a-2)
 Researches on various contemporary art forms.
(CAR11/12IAC-0a-4)
 PRE-ASSESMENT

General Direction: Read and understand carefully the items below. Write your
answers in a ½ sheet of paper

A. Write E if the statement belongs to the Ethnic Tradition, S if it belongs to Spanish

Tradition, and AC if it belongs to American Colonial and Contemporary Tradition.

1. Filipinos developed choreographies by mimicking movements of animals.

2. Technological innovations affected art making resulting to non-conventional artworks.
3. Zarzuelas and operas became popular in this period.
4. Religion and secularization influenced all art forms.
5. Pottery, weaving, wood carving, and metal crafting are the forms of visual arts.

B. Write True if statement below is correct and False if it is incorrect.

1. The Spaniards greatly influenced the Filipinos that the arts in the country resulted to
pure Western Art.
2. The piano is one of the instruments that Spaniards introduced in the field of Philippine
music.
3. Contemporary arts refer to the recent and current practice of art ranging from 1960s
up to the present.
4. Folk songs, speeches and narratives were the forms of literature in the Spanish era
with religious and secular contents.
5. Modern arts refer to the practice of art in the 1860s-1960s. It was in these years that
the Western world was significantly developing.

C. Identification: Identify the correct answer in the given items.

1. Art is coming from Latin word “Ars” or “Artis” which means______.

2. It is the stage show introduced by the Americans.
3. This kind of singers influenced alternative music.
4. Another term for Filipino Pop Music.
5. This tends to analyze Philippine writings.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Philippine Contemporary Artforms, Techniques

and Performance Practices

Art Defined

The word art is derived from the Latin word ARS or ARTIS which means “to do” or
“manmade”. Therefore, arts define as a medium of expression because through arts we
express ideas, feelings, and emotions without using words. Also, it is a creative activity
which involves skills or expertness in handling materials and organizing them into new
one.

Importance of Arts
 Drives our existence
 Satisfies the needs for personal expression
 Develops our skills to express ourselves
 Challenges us to see things differently
 Unleashes our hidden desires and passion
 Changes our ways in life
 Sees the truth that we might not understand before
Gives pleasure, satisfaction, and gratification

The History of Philippine Arts

The development of Philippine Art comes from three major traditions. These are Ethnic
Tradition, Spanish Colonial Tradition, and the American Colonial and Contemporary
Traditions.
Ethnic Tradition

Before colonization, our country already has an indigenous art. This art form is primarily
influenced by the geographical location and the experiences of the Filipinos. Examples
here are the distinct dances from different locality where our ancestors thrive. In the
highlands like in the Cordillera, dance steps were imitations of the movements of certain
animals like birds while the movement of the people living near the sea were mimics of
the movements of the fishes.
On this period, visual arts, sculpture, pottery, metal crafting and weaving were dominant
making use of the available materials around them. In the field of architecture, particularly
in building their shelters, they used local materials such as anahaw, bamboo, rattan,
cogon, cane and other light materials. Our ancestors also have their own form of
entertainment like folk literature, folk speeches, songs and narratives. Regarding to
theater arts, tribal presentations were the early theatrical performances based on their
beliefs. In music, tour ancestors have their indigenous musical instruments like bamboo
flutes and gongs.

Spanish Colonial Tradition

This art tradition when the Spaniard came tend to change the Philippine indigenous arts
with Western art forms. Spanish colonizers introduce Christianity and secularization in
which it has a great impact in the Philippine Arts. Back then, the friars or the priest were
the one who supervise the practice of arts in the country with their motive of propagating
Christianity and maintaining the power of colonizers. In Literature, the literary works could
be classified into religions and secular prose and poetry, while in the theater arts, secular
and sacred plays like “komedya” became popular. In dances, religious dances usually
performed to worship patron and saints, dances in secular forms are valse, fandango,
polka, mazurka, minuet and others performed in social gatherings and other functions.
The Spaniard also introduced piano and other western musical instruments. Zarzuela and
opera were cultivated with bands and orchestra. In the field of architecture, they
introduced the use of bricks and stones in constructing buildings such as churches,
houses and government offices. The exterior and interior of the buildings were
embellished with wood carvings or metal works with intricate decorative designs. But, with
the changes brought to us by these colonizers, the arts in our country did not result to
pure Western art but a mixed of Western and indigenous arts. Filipino artists still put
Philippine touch of arts in their crafts.

American Colonial and Contemporary Traditions

After more than 300 years of Spanish colonization, the Americans took over the country
which led to the declaration of the independence on June 12, 1898. Just like Spaniards,
the brought many changes in the politics, economy. Education and culture in the
Philippines. In the area of Education, some Filipinos studied in America by the tutelage
of the American Educators, and some learned through observation and personal
experience. As they came back in our native land, they carried the concept of modern art.
All Philippine art forms had a different twist as the American way of life became a part of
lives of Filipinos. Philippine art was broadened, and artists experimented different medium
and methodologies and produced non-conventional artworks with a wide range of
themes.

Modern Art vs. Contemporary Art

Modern Art Contemporary Art

Definition Refers to the practice of arts in the Refers to the recent and current
1860s-1960s. practice of art ranging from 1970s
up to present.
History The urbanization, consumerism, It mirrors the society and culture
rise of the middle class, changes of the present times.
of political system, secularization
and the emergence of new
technology affected the way of art
making in this period. Modern art
continuously develops even after
WWII, which led the
contemporary way of making art
today.
Characteristic There was an experimental It uses the combination of
approach in developing the art different methods, materials, and
rose above traditional art ideas that came from the
practices and methodologies. traditional way of art making.
New form of expression came
which were avant-garde in nature.

Philippine Contemporary Art Forms

Art Forms Important Notes

1. Visual Arts  In American period, there were Filipinos who studied abroad
and influenced the art making in the country. Juan Arellano,
Diosdado Lorenzo and Victor Edades were those who
studied in America and introduced the concept of modern
arts in the country. They are also called the “Triumvirate”.
 The subject of artwork was shifted from rural to urban
themes. After the WWII, artist started to create proletarian
art depicting life after war, social issues, and economics
problems.
 There were different art organizations founded such as the
Arts Association of the Philippines by Purita Kalaw-Ledesma
and the Philippine Art Gallery by Lydia Villanueva- Arguilla,
which supports modern art movements.
 Art became the mirror of the society which reflects history,
society and politics of the country.
 Used vast medium or materials in making arts.
 Modern art movements took also its scene such as Paris
Cubism- a kind of cubism showing fragment figures in larger
plains, color harmonies and texture. This was practiced by
Vicente Manansala, Romeo Tabuena and Ceasar Legaspi.
Abstractionism was also employed which H.R. Ocampo,
Constantino Bernardo, Frederico Aguilar Alcuaz, Arturo Luz
and Jose Joya were the well-known abstractionist during the
time. Expessionistic Cubism was also used by Ang Kiukok.
BenCab worked with realism and experimental devices.
Surrealism was also emerged which explored the world of
dream by Galo Ocampo and Juvenal Sanso. Some art
movement which were highlighted were, social realism
which conveys nationalistic message like comic, posters and
cartoons. Magic realism- a style of painting showing minute
details of the subjects and highlighting their texture and color
e.g. “Bigas” by Nestor Leynes. Genre painting which used
to show the lives of townfolks, legends and traditions stayed
in the Philippine contemporary period.
 In sculpture, Napoleon Abueva is one of the famous
sculptures who used varied materials like variety of woods,
metals, and stones. Aside from these materials, he used
plastics, jade, brass and other materials which reflects
dynamism, freedom of expression and concern to the
masses. Sculptors like Ramon Orlina and Impy Pilapil
explored the use of glass in making sculptures.
 Artist still use indigenous materials in sculpture and
installation art to promote environmental awareness.
 Cartoons, comics and photography became popular.
 In order to promote and preserve the rich artistry of the
fountry, the National Government through National
Commission for Culture and Arts’ Committee on Visual Arts
(CVA) launched an education program that tends to convene
 artists annually in the country through their regional and
national congress.
 The Committee on Gallery developed, and annual art
exhibition is conducted inviting artists from the regions to
submit their artworks and be exhibited in Manila and their
region as well.
 Baguio Art Guild and Bacolod’s Black Artist in Asia was
founded in which they conducted workshops, art festivals
and art exhibitions to encourage young generations to take
part in enriching country’s visual art.

2. Literature  Publication of young poets to campus journals emerged.

 “Bagay” movement took it scene, it is a kind of poetry which
uses colloquial language and perceive concrete images
which tend to describe experiences. The following were the
Filipino writers who used this movement: Jose F. Lacaba,
Rolando Tinio, Bienvenido Lumbera, Antonio Samson and
Edmundo Martinez. Some of this works are, Valediction sa
Hillcrest by Rolando Tinio, “Ang Bayang Malaya” by Amado
V. Hernandez.
 The main themes are about oppression, fighting for human
rights, social protest and social realism. This kind of poetry
was followed by poems containing social issues.
 The nationalist spirit of many writers arose because of
Marshall Law which discusses poverty, inequality, political
turmoil, and other social problems during the Marcos Era.
 The works of American and British poets influenced the
English poems in the Philippines. Among these poets are
Edith Tiempo, Emmanuel Torres, and Dominador Ilio.
 Short stories focus on self- consciousness and expression of
the writer. Well-known writers are: N.V.M Gonzales, Nick
Joaquin, Alejandro Roces, Francisco Arcellana, Gregorio
Brillantes, Bienvenido Santos, Edith Tiempo, etc.
 There were also short stories produced during the period that
uses vernacular language.
 The production of novels focused on sociopolitical themes
even after WWII. English novelists focused on the search of
identity.
 Literary criticism was produced after the WWII aiming to
analyze the Philippine writings.
  Informal essays ware developed by women writers.
 The Contemporary Philippine Literature was a mixture of
variety of subjects, a product of different innovative
techniques of writers.
3. Music  Classical music was the type of music during the American
period until 1950s. It was in the 1960s that avant-garde
music emerged.
 America introduced bodabil or stage show- it was not a
form of stage play since it was composed mainly of songs,
dances and skits. During Japanese regime bodabil includes
melodrama.
 Philippine music is a combination of classical and traditional
ethnic music.
 Theater music gradually declined because of radio, film and
other entertainment technology.
 Pinoy pop or the Filipino pop music took place which
covers different forms such as jazz, dance hits, folksong
revival, rock and roll, rap, etc.
 During this period, Manila Sound was born. It is
characterized as Western-derived with English lyrics but with
pure Filipino spirit.
 The OPM or the Original Pinoy Music is a kind of music
purely Filipino and is composed and sung by Filipino
composers and singers.
 Alternative music was also introduced after the OPM. It is
a type of music sprouted out of protest that later on included
themes like Filipino values, political and environmental
concerns and other societal themes. Alternative music artist
are: Freddie Aguilar “Anak”, Herber Bartolome “Tayo’y mga
Pinoy”, and Folrante De Leon “ Ako’y Pilipino”.
 Pinoy Rock Bands and pop stars entered the limelight with
the continues development of Philippine Contemporary
Music.
 The Philippine theater was influenced by the Western culture
because of the exposure of different theatrical style and
dramatic theories, the Filipinos were able to expand their
ideas and create stage plays that reflect Philippine realities
and set up. Some of the best artists who contributed on the
development of Philippine theater are: Lamberto Avellana,
Severino Montano and Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero.
  Psychological realism and Social realism were the styles
employed in the theater arts. Psychological realism deals
with the problems of individuals. An example of this are the
drama “Paraisong Parisukat” by Orlando Nadres and
“Bayan-Bayanan” by Bienvenido Noriega Jr. The social
realism deals with the problems of individuals considering
their society an example of this is “The World is an Apple” by
Alberto Florentino.
 Other styles are Presentational Style which uses realistic
portrayal through dance, song, mime, etc. to summon ideas
from the audience, example of this is the “Theater of the
Oppressed” by Augusto Boal. Another style is Documentary
Style which tend to discuss historical events. An example of
this is “Mayo A-biente Uno” by Al Santos.
 The National Theater Festival of the Cultural Center of the
Philippines (CCP) involved performances of theater arts
group established in the different regions such as from Bicol,
the Silay City’s Sarswela Group of Dumaans and Dagyaw
Theater and Dance Company from Visaya and Kaliwat
Theater Collective and Sining Kambayoka Ensemble from
Mindanao.
4. Dance  Dances like buck-and-wing, tap dancing, clog, skirt dancing
were among the dances being performed during the
American period particularly when Vaudeville or bodabil
became popular.
 Ballet dance from Europe was introduced and ballet dance
groups from other countries went to the Philippines to
perform. Filipino ballet dancers became instructors and
taught Filipinas like Leonor Orosa and Remedios de Oteyza.
 After the ballet dance, Modern dance became popular. It is
revolutionary in nature and does not conform to the rules of
classical ballet. It is a mixture of a wide range of dances,
Western and Asian dances, traditional dances, and other
experimental dances.
 Folk and modern dances followed the rise of modern dance
one of which is Francisca Reyes-Aquino who did researches
on Philippine folk dances. Her researches ware established
by the help of the Bureau of Education, Bureau of Integrated
Folk Dances in the educational system.
  Folk dance is still alive until this period and still perform
especially during fiestas and festivals like Sinulog, Maskara,
Ati-Atihan, Sayaw sa Obando, Kadayawan and many other
festivals.
 Many dance groups from different regions were established
like the Integrated Performing Art Guild (IPAG) in the
Mindanao State University in Iligan City, The dagyaw
Theater and Dance Company and Teatro Amakan in Iloilo
City.
 There are still community and school-based groups founded
to develop further, promote and preserve Philippine dance.
5. Architecture  The Philippine architecture was adopted from the modern
Western architectural style while taking into consideration
the physical and socio-cultural of the country.
 Architecture in the Philippines is characterized as simple,
rational, and functional.
 The Filipinos who studied in American universities and
introduced the neoclassic style in building structure are
Juan Arellano, Carlos Barreto and Antonio Toledo.
 Metropolitan Theater by Juan Arellano is an example of
structure built on this period. It is designed with romanticism
where it was decorated with native plants and variety of
colors employed in the building.
 “Tsalet” was developed in the 20th century. It is a type of
house on stilts with a front porch made of wood and concrete.
 Steel was introduced and used as a material to build a
structure.
 On this period, two-storey house, Urban housing, multi-
storey tenements, condominiums and government housing
project emerged due to increasing population and
decreasing land availability.
 During the Marcos era, expressways, convention centers,
hospitals, hotels, malls, high-rise buildings, amusement
centers, etc. was constructed. Even technological
advancements like escalators, elevators, air-conditioning
system and computers came into reality.
 Regional set-ups tend to imitate the architectural style of the
urban. Eco-cultural tourism was introduced such as parks
and resorts in Palawan, Davao, Bohol, Batangas, etc.
  Cultural Heritage preservation were given attention like the
heritage city of Vigan, Intamuros, Dapitan, etc.
6. Film  The Philippine film industry was started in 1897 through
foreign businessmen. Swiss entrepreneurs were the first to
feature film shows in Manila.
 In 1912, film became popular when Edward Gross and Harry
Brown produced the film about the life of Jose Rizal.
 Jose Nepomuceno was the first Filipino who produced film
and dubbed as “The Father of Philippine Movies” with his
movie entitled “Dalagang Bukid”.
 Philippine film during the early time was greatly influenced
by Hollywood but Filipino producers cannot level the quality
of American movies due to outdated technology and limited
budget.
 Local films portrayed the lives of Filipinos and used Tagalog
as its language.
 Films was also influenced by the different theater forms like
zarzuela, sinakulo and komeya. Even Philippine literature
was a source of movie themes like the adaptation of the
works of Francisco Baltazar’s Florante at Laura and Jose
Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. Other
adaptations were derived from novels and folklores.
 Film companies are the following: Filippine Films, Parlatone
Hispano-Filipino, Excelsior Pictures, Sampaguita Pictures
INC, LVN Pictures and X’otic Films.
 During the Japanese colonization particularly in 1944, movie
production stopped and went back to watching and
producing stage shows.
 After the WWII, film production resumed, war stories and
heroism were mostly the theme of the movies.
 Prominent film studios are: LVN, Sampaguita, Lebran and
Premiere.
 Award-giving bodies in movies were organized such as
Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Science (FAMAS) and
Maria Clara Awards.
 Filipino movies, directors and producers were started to be
recognized not just locally but internationally such as,
“Ifugao” of Gerardo De Leon and “Anak Dalita” of Lamberto
Avellana.
  Independent films (Indie films) was also established. This
film was produced through lightweight technologies. One of
which is Kidlat Tahimik.
 Sex films, Slapstick comedies and action movies also
became popular.
 In the Marcos Era, they stablished the Board of Censorship
Motion Pictures (BCMP) wherein film scripts had to be
submitted prior to production.
 During the Marcos Era, new young directors rose who
started the so-called, New Cinema and these are Catalino
“Lino” Brocka, Celso Ad and Ishmael Bernal.
 New Cinema’s theme was nationhood, love in the hostile
setting and social issues. Other filmmakers made a name in
the film industry were Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Mike de Leon,
Laurice Gillen, Mario O’Hara and Mel Chionglo.
 In the contemporary period, film revolved around martyr wife,
superhero, action, melodramas, comedies, etc.

Contemporary Art vs. Contemporary Performance

Contemporary Art
 Refers to current and very
recent practice. It also refers
to works of art made by living
artists.
 Tends to be assessed
thematically and subjectively,
drawing on an expanded
range of theoretical and
practical disciplines.
 Can be driven by both theory
and ideas, and is also
characterized by a blurring of
the distinction between art and
other categories of cultural
experience, such as
television, cinema, mass
media, entertainment and
digital technology.
Contemporary Performance
• It is hybrid work that integrates text,
dance, objects, music, costumes,
lighting, image, sound, sets, and vocal
expression into complex interactive
systems.
• Contemporary performance collages
are often non-narrative, technically
rigorous, and carefully orchestrated
anarchic chaos. They unsettle
perception, demand critical engagement
from audiences, address conceptual
debates within aesthetics, draw on a
diverse range of cultural interests, and
bring pleasure to populations across the
globe.” (Morgan v. P. Pecelli)
 SELF-EVALUATION

Activity 1
Let’s think of this!
Direction: Give your thoughts about the questions below. Write your answer in a 1 whole
sheet of paper.

1. What does Philippine Arts all about?

2. What is the difference between Traditional Arts to Contemporary Arts?
3. What is the difference between Visual Arts to Performance Arts? Cite an
example.

Activity 2
Background Check!
Directions: Complete the table by writing the sense to which each word appeals in the
second column and another word that appeals to the same sense in the third.

Forms of Arts Traditional Arts Contemporary Arts

Technique/Practices Technique/Practices

Painting

Sculpture

Dance

Music

Architecture
Activity 3
Local Cultural Mapping
Direction: In your respective community, look for at least three (3) local contemporary art
forms, techniques or performance practices. Take a picture/video and put some
descriptions on those art forms.
Activity 4
A. Direction: Express what you have learned in this lesson by completing the
sentences below.

1. Art is defined as _____________________________________________

___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

2. Modern art is________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
____________ While Contemporary Art is ______________________
___________________________________________________________

3. Contemporary Art is___________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
_____________while Contemporary Performance is______________
______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

B. Direction: Enumerate the different Contemporary Philippine Art forms and give at
least three (3) examples of well-known Filipino Artist with their craft. Copy and
follow the format below.

Art Forms Artist Craft

1.
1. 2.
3.
2.

3.

4.

5.

6.
 POST-TEST

A. Write E if the statement belongs to the Ethnic Tradition, S if it belongs to Spanish

Tradition, and AC if it belongs to American Colonial and Contemporary Tradition.

1. Painting and sculpture were the most popular forms of visual arts.
2. Filipinos studied abroad and later on introduced new ideas in art making.
3. Avant-garde artworks entered the scene.
4. Bricks and stones were predominantly used in constructing buildings.
5. The geographical location and experiences of the Filipinos were the main factors in art
production.

B. Write True if statement below is correct and False if it is incorrect.

1. Modern art is totally the same with contemporary art since modern and contemporary
are synonymous to each other.
2. Valse, fandango, polka, and minuet are examples of theatrical performances in the
Spanish period.
3. Before Colonization, the Philippines already has its indigenous arts.
4. Modern art continuously develops even after WWII, which led to the contemporary way
of art making today.
5. Artists used wood carvings and metal works with intricate decorative designs as
embellishments for buildings in the pre-colonial period.

C. Identification: Identify the correct answer in the given items.

1. He wrote the Valediction sa Hillcrest.

2. This kind of poetry uses colloquial language.
3. It is a style in painting showing minute details of subject highlighting their texture and
color.
4. He is the Father of Philippine Movies.
5. This dance does not conform to the rules of classical ballet.

CONGRATULATIONS FOR A JOB WELL DONE SENIORS!