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UNIT III

Lesson 6

Eastern and Filipino Concept of Art and Beauty

“What things, spirit, or attitudes can be found only in the Philippines?”

Good or bad, major or minor, these images collectively afford us a glimpse into the
richness and diversity of our culture.”
https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/only-in-the-philippines-center-for-art-new-ventures-
sustainable-development-canvas/iwLSkeopr5qoJQ?hl=en

Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students must have:

• discussed and described how the Chinese, Japanese, and the Filipino
people perceive of beauty and art;
• identified and described artworks which reflects Eastern and Filipino
perception of beauty and art;
• explained Filipino’s spatial perception and how this perception was applied
in their art, beauty, and social spaces;
• created and appreciated an artwork showcasing the concept of Maximalism
(horror vacui) and Minimalism.

Materials:

Pen, Paper, Art materials, Camera or CP with cam, and Photos etc.

Duration: 3 hours

Key concepts and ideas:

Art Beauty Filipino Aesthetics The Allegory of the Cave

Spatial Perception Chinese and Japanese Concept of Art

Let’s ponder about these!

• Philippines history recorded the long exposure of the people to the colonizers.
The vast influence which include goods and ideas of the foreigners propelled
the people master the ability to adopt, adapt, and use the foreigners’ non-
material ad material culture as our own. Later, those foreign influenced
became part of the local which in turn resulted to hybridity of our culture in
terms of arts, language, spatial perception, values, and other characteristics.
Indeed, the culture of the Philippines is a combination of cultures of the East
and West.

• There is a phrase “Only in the Philippines” to describe the unique attitudes

and attributes of the Filipino people. It is reflected in various ways, activities,
arts, values, and aspirations of the people. We can be proud of it somehow if

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it promotes our dignity as the kind of people we are, but at times it is also an
expression of frustration and exasperation about systems and situations that
we know - corrupt, unjust, or simply not good enough. Nonetheless, our
artworks and traditions are beaming with different shades of color and are
furnished with meanings in a sense that it reflects the struggles and success
of its people.

I. You can do this!

A. Read the following articles to be able to sufficiently answer the

succeeding questions.

• Filipino Aesthetics’ Expectations of Beauty by Erika Chrystel K.

Kristensen (See Appendix 6.1)
• What is Philippine About Philippine Art? by Leo Benesa (2020)
(See Appendix 6.2)
• What is Minimalism & How It Can Change Your Life? by Mat
and Danielle (2017) (See Appendix 6.3)
• Only in the Philippines by Canvas (See Appendix 6.4)

B. Study and answer the questions after each illustration or drawing.

Beautiful Color in Philippine Art

Figure 1 Figure 2

Slides or photos from https://www.coursehero.com/file/43035398/Lecture-3pptx/

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Figure 3 Figure 4
Retrieved from: Retrieved from:
https://themixedculture.com/2013/12/15/parol-filipino- https://www.scribd.com/presentation/401439194/orc
christmas/
a-share-media1551940428633

1. Discuss your impression about Filipino way of looking at art and beauty? Use
the preceding visual arts as your reference. (10 points)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

C. Watch the video “Maganda Ako” from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wxg_p2AZrOg. Refer to the video as you
answer the succeeding questions.

Personality refers to individual differences in characteristic patterns of

thinking, feeling and behaving. It is a is a long-lasting characteristic of a person and
it can take a long time to change as it started to form since birth. Having a pleasant
personality can certainly attract many people, whether as friends or as lovers.

Beauty is the quality of being physically attractive and/or the qualities in a

person or a thing that give pleasure to the senses or the mind. The physical beauty
refers to the physical appearance which can be enhanced through make-up, clothes,
and accessories, while internal beauty refers to the wholesome personality, values,
and intelligence. The two kinds of beauty balance each other out which is why it is
recommended that people should take care and improve on themselves externally
and internally to say that they are beautiful.

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References:

Apa Org. (n.d.) Personality. Retrieved on August 20, 2020 at

https://www.apa.org/topics/personality#:~:text=Personality%20refers%20to%20individ
ual%20differences,such%20as%20sociability%20or%20irritability)

Kristenen, E.C. (2015). “Filipino Aesthetics” Expectations of Beauty”. Retrieved on August

2020 at https://prezi.com/x5p7tuluegys/filipino-aesthetics/

2. What is meant by gandang Filipina/Filipino is manifested by physical

appearance and social character? Explain your answer. (10 points)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The Traditional Japanese and Chinese Visual Arts

Figure 5

Retrieved from: https://imgbin.com/png/Sv97Q9yz/chinese-painting-flower-japanese-art-

japanese-painting-png

Figure 6 Figure 7

Retrieved from:
https://www.bonsaiempire.com/inspiration/top-
10/japanese-bonsai and
https://www.coursehero.com/file/43035398/Lecture-
3pptx/
Art of Chinese
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Flower Arrangement
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2B. Discuss your impression about the Chinese and Japanese way of looking at art
and beauty? Use the preceding visual arts as your reference. (10 points)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

3. Identify the following artworks/symbols whether it belongs to the Japanese,

Chinese, or Filipino culture and describe how each depicts beauty and art. (5
points)

Figure 8
The Japanese Flag

_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
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_______________________________
Retrieved from:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Japan

Figure 9
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_______________________________
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_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________

Retrieved from:
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/4014391
94/orca-share-media1551940428633

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Figure 10
_______________________________
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Retrieved from:
https://www.rawpixel.com/board/544815/chine
se-paintings-free-public-domain-chinese-art

Figure 11

_______________________________
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_______________________________

Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbrH4pPM
60o

Figure 12 _______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
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_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________

Retrieved from:
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/si-
malakas-at-si-marikit-arnica-acantilado
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Figure 13

The Art of Feng Shui

_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
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_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
Retrieved from: https://www.thailand-business-
news.com/news/34880-thailands-real-estate-with-a-
feng-shui-perspective.html

Figure 14
Masskara Festival in Bacolod City
_______________________________
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_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
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_______________________________
_______________________________
Retrieved from:
https://guidetothephilippines.ph/articles/history-
culture/masskara-festival-bacolod-guide

Figure 15
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_______________________________

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Figure 16

_______________________________
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_______________________________
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_______________________________

Retrieved from:
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/401439194/or
ca-share-media1551940428633

The Philippines is an Asian nation with an

Interesting Perception of Space

Examine the following slides critically and answer the proceeding questions about the
use of space in Filipino concept of art and beauty.

Figure 18
Figure 17

Retrieved from:
https://www.catherinepark.com.au/about/newsfeed/better-by-design-1-1

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Figure 19 Figure 20

Ningning at mga Bituin City Scape

From https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/only-in-the-philippines-center-for-art-new-
ventures-sustainable-development-canvas/iwLSkeopr5qoJQ?hl=en

Horror Vacui is describe as the horror of empty spaces/emptiness or an

aversion to empty spaces in artistic designs (Merriam-Webster, 2015); but of which
De Leon, Jr. (2012) fittingly identifies it as Maximalism. Horror vacui in the
Philippines is based on the economic outlook wherein Filipinos feel that having more
is better. (Reference: https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-
sca/visual-arts/what-is-philippine-about-philippine-art/)

Minimalism is the idea of simplifying your life down to the essentials. it is a

very personal process to become a minimalist and simplify your life the way that you
want it to be. (Reference: Mat and Danielle (20x17). What is Minimalism?)

4. Discuss briefly how the Filipino people perceive and use space in the
following aspect/space in their homes. You may use the preceding
illustrations as your reference for your discussion. (5 points each)

a. Home/Working Area
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

b. Public Transportation/Public Places

_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

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_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

c. Market/ Business Sites

_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

d. Streets/ Trading Spaces

_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

5. Why do many Filipinos create or gather in those places (street, plaza, trading
sites, etc.) despite government warnings of health risks in this time of COVID
19 pandemic? Do you think it has something to do with the spatial perception
of the Filipinos? Explain your answer thoroughly. (10 points)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

II. Highlights of the Lesson

• The Filipino sense of beauty/ganda is a combination of external (physical

appearance) and internal qualities (manners, values, remarkable
attractiveness of the soul). Although the meaning and appreciation of
beauty differs from different cultures such as Japanese, Chinese,
Koreans, Filipinos, and other races, it is inherently an experience we feel
- free, proud, and real.

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• For the Filipinos, beauty is also a combination of qualities such as shape,

colors, form, and when an art has the more of those qualities, the more it
becomes beautiful. It is reflected in our colorful traditions of festivals,
celebrations, and traditional art like colorful jeepneys, ice cream cart,
handicrafts like parol, cloth prints and weaving patterns.

• Architecture is not just about the building - it is Science, Art, and a

product of the people’s heritage. The experience of Filipinos with the
colonizers made us insecure people and because of that we tend to
collect so many things. Filipinos feel that having more is better
(Maximalism). History with colonizers has it ingrained in our minds that
too much empty space represents deprivation or poverty while lavish or
lush decoration would indicate wealth or luxury.

• On the opposite of spectrum of Maximalism is Minimalism - an Art

Movement with focus on the on basic elements such as line, color,
shapes, and nonrepresentational pictures without a reference to the
landscapes, people, and still-life scenes found in the real world.
Minimalism is also an idea of simplifying your life down
to the essentials - a practice common in the art of the Japanese and
Chinese.

III. Application/Follow Up activity

Make an artwork (visual, performing, performance art) showcasing the

concept of Maximalism (horror vacui) and Minimalism. Document it through a
photograph. Make sure that you have the photo of your work before-and after the
completion of the task. Present your output through a blog/vlog/essay/Art Talk/Pep
Talk.
Submit your work on ________________________

Choose one from the suggested art activities listed below:

• Decorating or fixing your room/any interior of the house

• Landscaping or rearranging a selected spot
• Arranging an indoor, window, or outdoor garden
• Drawing or painting on a white paper (bond paper/Oslo paper) with
many different colorful representational or formal designs until the
paper is completely covered with colors
• Any other artwork that you like but not mentioned above

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Rubrics for rating your task

OUTSTANDING EFFECTIVE ACCOMPLISHED ADEQUATE INEFFECTIVE

(96-100 points) (90-95 points) (86-90 points) (80-84 points) (79 points and
below)
Responds to the Responds to the • Develop a clear, Responds to Does not
expressive qualities expressive qualities significant, and works of art and express a
of the arts and of the arts; complete thesis nature expresses personal
recognizes elements expresses an statement in an a personal response to
of the work informed personal essay or narrative. response to the artistic works.
and reactions to response to of • Support claims work(s) using
them; expresses an the arts using by presenting relevant
informed personal relevant credible and information and
response to artistic information and persuasive personal
works using relating, the evidence. observations.
relevant personal responses • Develop and
information and to the work(s) to explain points in
relating personal understanding of clear, specific
responses to the self or others. language,
work(s) to providing concrete
understanding of referents for
self or others. key concepts that
the audience can
easily understand.
• Diagnose errors
in spelling, usage,
and grammar,
correcting most
independently and
seeking aid in
correcting others.

References:

Benesa, L (2020). What is Philippine About Philippine Art. National Commission for
Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Retrieved on August 2020 at
https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-
sca/visual-arts/what-is-philippine-about-philippine-art/

Lorenzo, Clarissa Mozo.(2016). Filipino Culture of Filling up Space in a Gated

Community. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 216.
10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.12.017. Retrieved on August 2020 at
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291419460_Filipino_Culture_of_Filling
_up_Space_in_a_Gated_Community

Przybylek, S. (2019, April 18). Minimalist Art: Definition, Characteristics & Famous
Painters. Retrieved on August 20, 2020 at
https://study.com/academy/lesson/minimalist-art-definition-characteristics-
famous-painters.html

Google Arts and Culture. Only in the Philippines (2015). Retrieved on August 20,
2020 at https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/only-in-the-philippines-center-
for-art-new-ventures-sustainable-development-canvas/iwLSkeopr5qoJQ?hl=en

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APPENDIX 6.1

“Filipino Aesthetics - Expectations of Beauty”

by Erika Chrystel K. Kristensen

People perceive beauty as only skin-deep. For most people, the

word “beauty” is only associated with the attractiveness of a person’s
physical appearance. As described in the Merriam Webster’s dictionary,
beauty is the quality of being physically attractive and/or the qualities in a
person or a thing that give pleasure to the senses or the mind. In other words,
beauty should be something appealing and likeable to the eyes, henceforth there is
usually a misconception that beauty can be measured in physical terms. However,
this should not be the case. What people have to realize is that beauty does not only
refer to our physical appearance but also to the character of the person.

The first kind of beauty that most people are familiar with is external beauty.
This kind refers to the beauty that we see with our eyes. Having a beautiful body,
face, skin, hair and other physical assets all appeal to the external part of what
beauty is. Men tend to look at the physical aspects of women at first sight compared
to their internal being. This is because men use their senses to indicate if a woman is
attractive or not and once the label has been made to the woman, that is the time
they will get to know her which involves finding out her internal beauty as it is
natural for men because of their instincts. Moreover, the media slowly dictates the
importance of being physically attractive. Billboards, commercials, print
advertisements, promos, movies, and TV shows are prevalent as it can be seen
everywhere especially here in the Philippines where most people adore celebrities so
greatly. All we see are popular celebrities framed with a beautiful face and body. We
cannot help but think that beauty really is only skin-deep because of what media
exemplifies it to be.

However, if the person is not lucky to be born with great assets then beauty
enhancers will always be there to help improve looks. Due to technology, make-up is
becoming more advanced; and because of the importance of external beauty, more
women spend massive amounts of money just to acquire these products. Etcoff
(2013), the lead author of a recent study of how makeup is important and Harvard
University assistant clinical professor of Psychology, said, "Cosmetics have a
significant impact on how likeable, trustworthy, and competent a person appears"
(n.p.). In short, not only does makeup enhance and improve one’s features but also
how people see you. In the Philippines, more than half of the women are struggling
to make ends meet but despite this, they still try to find a way on how to make
themselves look pretty whether it is through makeup, clothes, the way that they
carry themselves and so on.

Most beauty enhancers that are conventional to most Filipino are clothes and
accessories. People believe that wearing the right clothes can make someone
attractive. The clothes that are picked and worn should highlight assets and flatter
the body type of the wearer. Most women, especially teenagers, would follow the
trend and would base their shopping wish list on what is in.

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The second kind of beauty is internal beauty. This is the kind of beauty that
we cannot see or touch but can be felt. This refers to the internal being of a woman
and can be measured by how kind and good she is.

With this said, personality is probably the usual attribute that people notice
when they first meet someone. According to (Google), personality means "the
combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive
character." This means that the personality of someone is a general view of how
they are in their everyday life. Having a pleasant personality can certainly attract
many people, whether as friends or as lovers. The good thing about this is that a
personality can never be covered or faked unlike the aesthetic products that most
women use to cover up the imperfections of our physical attributes. Personality is a
long lasting characteristic of a person and it can take a long time to change as it
started to form since birth. A person’s values can define how attractive someone is
internally. It serves as a window as to what that certain person gives importance to
or what he or she believes in. If someone carries themselves with dignity and
respect, coupled with good principles then that could easily be the key to what
makes someone beautiful.

Lastly, one's intelligence dictates the internal beauty of a person. Being

intelligent does not necessarily mean being book smart and having to know the 43
presidents of the United States or memorizing the thousands of laws in the country.
Being intelligent means being intellectually compatible with whomever you are
talking with and having to think and say something that is logically comprehendible.
Nobody likes to date a fairly dumb woman or at least, who plays dumb just to appear
"cute." Everyone would definitely want to be with someone that they can talk to
about anything under the sun with logic. Men become attracted to a woman who can
speak for herself and who can exchange ideas, which promotes the idea of learning
from each other. Men also like it when women talk with substance and things that
make sense.

The whole point of knowing the true essence of beauty can be summed up in
one of Marilyn Monroe's famous quotes, "Boys think girls are like books. If the cover
doesn't catch their attention, they will not bother to read what's inside" (n.p.). While
it is understandable that both external and internal beauties have their own pros and
cons, what Marilyn Monroe is trying to point out is that both kinds of beauty are
important and balance each other out. It was mentioned earlier that most men are
not interested in getting to know a girl if she is not attractive on the outside. To put
it simply, how can a man find someone attractive internally if she does not fit his
physical standard of beauty? Different men have different types so it all really
depends on their taste in women. Always remember that people's first impressions
will always be based on the appearance of the person. The way one dresses or
carries himself/herself daily will always be taken note of since those things are the
first ones that people take note of. The two kinds of beauty balance each other out
which is why it is recommended that women should take utter care and improve on
themselves externally and internally to say that they are beautiful.

Popular perception of what beauty is

• Physical appearance
• Something appealing

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Beauty
Beauty is the quality of being physically attractive and/or the qualities in a
person or a thing that give pleasure to the senses or the mind.

A. External Beauty
1. Physical Appearance
2. Beauty Enhancers
a. Make-up
b. Clothes and Accessories

B. Internal Beauty
1. Personality
2. Values
3. Intelligence

References:

Kristenen, E.C. (2015). “Filipino Aesthetics” Expectations of Beauty”. Retrieved on

August 2020 at https://prezi.com/x5p7tuluegys/filipino-aesthetics/

Generoso, E., et al. (n.d.) Filipino Aesthetics. Retrieved on August 20, 2020 at
https://prezi.com/x5p7tuluegys/filipino-aesthetics/

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APPENDIX 6.2

What is Philippine About Philippine Art?

by Leo Benesa

What makes Philippine Art Filipino? To what extent is Philippine art

derivative of Western art? Is there anything “Filipino” about, for example,
the Manila Wyeth school, the so-called magic realists? How about the
paintings of Fernando Amorsolo, Carlos Francisco and Hemando R. Ocampo,
all of whom have been identified in a big way with the native sensibility?

The questions above are merely a rephrasing of the old problem of national
identity in the visual or plastic arts. Admittedly, the issue is not as hot as it used to
be, say, in the 1950s and 1960s. But it is a question that will always haunt art
watchers hereabouts, and which usually surfaces in art forums.

Genre used to be a major consideration in determining the “Filipino-ness” of a

work of art at least in painting. The idea was that the depiction of scenes of
everyday life and the surroundings without idealizing them was closest in spirit to the
Filipino soul and native soil. (What saves the local magic realists from being
completely derivative is their sense of genre.)

Thus, the pastoral or rural paintings of Amorsolo for a long time were
considered to be most expressive of the ethos of the race and the predominantly
agricultural countryside. On the other hand, the Filipino-ness of Francisco’s paintings
inheres in his heroic-epic feeling for history and myth.

It is true that the Angono painter also did genre subjects, as in his paintings
of festivals and other town or poblacion happenings. But he was most at home doing
subjects dealing with the history of the race, as well as its prehistory redolent with
the musk of myth and legend.

Because of the abstract language or imagery used, it is not as easy

pinpointing the reason why some critics have described Ocampo as “the most
Filipino” painter ever. We have to shift from content to style here, to Ocampo’s
unique painterly approach which is the most original hereabouts in spite of its
surrealistic and cubistic beginnings and underpinnings.
We know for a fact that Ocampo was no espouser of “nationalistic” causes insofar as
art was concerned. As the lately departed painter from Maypajo used to tell us,
whatever you are painting or sculpting, if you are a good artist, your work will
automatically be Filipino.

Indeed Amorsolo, Francisco and Ocampo were very Filipino in their art
because they felt strongly about what they were doing and painted well and
memorably. In other words, insofar as the critics and historians are concerned, the
three were painters first and bearers of messages second, or painters and message-
bearers in equal measure.

A great deal of the confusion in cultural identity stems from the fact that
Philippine art belongs to the western tradition in its use of paint and canvas and

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other materials, as well as in such influences as impressionism, expressionism,

surrealism, cubism, pop, minimalism and so on.

The fact is that all the modern art movements in the ASEAN region were
inspired by Western models. Indonesia’s pioneering contemporary painters,
Sudjojono and Affandi (the equivalents of our Edades and Ocampo), used easel and
canvas and are no less Indonesian thereby. Malaysia’s Mohidin and Thailand’s
Srisouta are also west-oriented, but they have not lost their Asian, and national
identities because of it.

How about our expatriates? Can the Spoliarium, executed by Juan Luna while
in Europe, be considered a Filipino painting? Is Macario Vitalis less, or no longer,
Filipino, living and painting in a village by the Breton sea for the last 40 to 50 years?
Hasn’t Bencab become more “Filipino” living and painting in London? Is Tabuena in
San Miguel de Allende now to be considered a Mexican painter? Choose your wild.

Reference:

Benesa, L. (n.d.). What is Philippine about Philippine Art?. (Originally from Philippine
Daily Express, January 12, 1979, p. 17-18). Published book. NCCA

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APPENDIX 6.3

What is Minimalism & How It Can Change Your Life?

by Mat and Danielle

Minimalism is the idea of simplifying your life down to the

essentials. There's a whole wide range of different ways you can interpret
minimalism. Some people might take it a bit more to the extreme, for
example their living room might be just completely empty with no furniture
and just white bare walls in just a wooden chair and then some people might not
necessarily appear to be minimalists but they've still applied the concepts and ideas
to their lifestyle. It's a very personal process and it can take months or years to
become a minimalist and simplify your life the way that you want it to be and it's
also an ongoing process, so you're constantly going to be adjusting what feels right
to you.

Maybe the first time you downsize you get rid of too many things and you
feel like you're missing something and so you might need to get a few things back.
It's a constantly evolving way of life and you just need to listen to yourself and do
what feels right. So if we dig a little bit deeper into what minimalism is, there's
basically three parts of your life that it can apply to. So the first one and the most
common is your physical space so how cluttered is your living space and the idea is
to really think and look at the objects and the things that you own and figure out
what is essential; what's bringing value to your life; what you need and what you
don't need and then downsizing and getting rid of that extra stuff, that's basically
just cluttering your life. And a really important part of downsizing is not just getting
rid of stuff but also making sure that you don't keep bringing in new things into your
life.
So whenever you you're thinking of bringing in something, buying something,
you ask yourself, is this absolutely necessary? Am I going to use this? Is it going to
add value to my life? And asking yourself those questions can really help you
maintain your minimalist space. The second part of your life that minimalism can
really have an impact on is just your everyday life and your time. It's really common
these days for people ourselves included to fill our days with work and social media
and activities and hangouts and it can get really overwhelming really quickly if we
don't manage that. And so whenever we start to feel overwhelmed one of the things
we do is we try to minimize our schedule and make sure that we're prioritizing the
most important parts of our lives and sometimes that means saying no to things that
are not at the top of our priority list.

The third part is the financial impact of minimalism. So when you become
more aware of the money you're spending and try to cut back on those expenses
that aren't necessary you might be able to see a little bit more money in the bank. At
the end of every month which might allow you to get out of debt maybe travel a bit
more, maybe start saving money, think about retiring a bit earlier.The financial
impact of minimalism on your life is obviously going to depend on your financial
situation how much disposable income you have. If any and whether you're in debt
or not so some people might not find that they're saving that much money at the
end of every month but maybe it's a little bit less tight than it was before.

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For example we've been minimalist for five years now before that we were
not minimalist at all we had a four-bedroom house that was stuffed with stuff. So
just to give you a quick overview of what we did, we decided to simplify our life in
every way that we could and we basically wanted to have a fresh start and start
exploring different lifestyles to see what would make us happier. So what we did is,
we sold our house, we got rid of our cell phones, we gave away most of our stuff
and we started traveling, so we've seen huge positive impacts from minimalism on
our lives. Sometimes we own more stuff, sometimes we own less it's a constant
process and it really depends on what we're up to and also what's interesting is that
like you mentioned we met a lot of people living all sorts of alternative lifestyles and
pretty much the common denominator is that all of them started by becoming
minimalists by downsizing and simplifying their lives.

Reference:

Mat and Danielle (2017). What is Minimalism & How It Can Change Your Life.
Exploring Alternatives -YouTube. Transcript retrieved on August 2020 at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XqhR8cY4Bw

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APPENDIX 6.4

Only in the Philippines - Center for Art, New Ventures and

Sustainable Development
by CANVAS

On its 7th year, the Looking for Juan Outdoor Banner Show – CANVAS’
annual effort to encourage the use of art to reflect on our national identity – asked
the participating artists, “What things, spirit, or attitudes can be found only in the
Philippines?”

The phrase “Only in the Philippines” can be read in various ways – as an

expression of pride in what we feel are activities, attitudes, and aspirations that are
uniquely Filipino; yet also as an expression of frustration and exasperation about
systems and situations that we know are corrupt, unjust, or simply not good
enough.

The answers have come in all shapes and colors. They come in the vibrant
hues of parols that point to our fascinating way of celebrating Christmas – over
four months, starting in September; in the curious ways we turn our plates when
somebody leaves the table before one is finished with his or her meal; in the image
of a boxer as national hero who could, if imagination and votes meet, be the
country’s next president.

Good or bad, major or minor, these images collectively afford

us a glimpse into the richness and diversity of our culture. They also assure us that
pride and frustration are not mutually exclusive feelings toward our country and
ourselves.

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Rather, they are two sides of the same coin; and both are necessary
elements to motivate us in steering our nation into a brighter, peaceful, and just
future.
The carabao is the national animal of the Philippines. It symbolizes strength,
power, efficiency, perseverance, and most of all, hardwork. Until now, many
Filipinos use the carabao in the farm since the technology is expensive. It has been
one of the many things that picture the Filipino life--representing many Filipino
ideas, characteristics, culture, and tradition.

Filipinos always find ways to make tragic incidents bearable and somehow
find reasons to stay positive. Our houses and possessions may drown after strong
typhoons and floods, but we will still manage to keep our hearts and hope afloat.

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The parol is a traditional star-

shaped lantern made of bamboo wood
and paper, and comes in different sizes,
shapes, and colors. It symbolizes the star
of Bethlehem that guided the three wise
men to the manger of Jesus Christ.
Kundiman is a Filipino love song. Though
not only found in the Philippines, the
duster has been commonly associated
with our mothers, titas, and
grandmothers. They are the women of a
typical/traditional Filipino home. These
women, too, work to earn and are usually
our all around helpers here in the country
and even abroad.

The newly washed duster shown seems

resting for before another day's work.

This work is about a young

gypsy girl that is commonly seen riding
a jeepney to play music and ask for
alms. This portrait challenges Filipino
youth in achieving the stature of
Francisco Balagtas as the great poet
and role model to the youth.

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"You name it, we have it." "We are fearless, we

are brave, we are warriors." This work is a
challenge to confront adversities and kill the
negative innuendos that haunt Filipinos. We are
not cockroaches; we are not pests.

This artwork is about the Filipino’s penchant for

building hopes and dreams on “tingian” and “sari-sari”
endeavors with a certain amount of risk-taking,

The allusion to the Tower of Babel

and the modern Filipino metaphor,
“drowing”, which refers to a sketchy plan.

We are a nation of possibilities. Filipinos are generally innovative, strategic

and imaginative. Together with our innate adaptability, we can adjust to any
situation, make use of resources at hand, and create something from nothing.

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Filipino showcase of ingenuity and crafstmanship at its best as we see

everyday in the streets from food vendors and jeepneys in colorful designs and of
good taste.

The procession of the Black

Nazarene is the largest procession in
the country. It takes place on January
the 9th and on Good Friday through
the streets of Quiapo, Metro Manila.
During the feast of the Black
Nazarene, thousands of barefoot men
join the annual procession. Walking
barefoot during the procession is seen
as a sign of humility. The men yell,
"Viva Señor!" People believe that a
miracle can happen after touching the
icon. Monsters can be seen
everywhere; there is a monster in
every Juan.

We are artisans, craftsmen, artists living and loving (and hating, once in a
while) our country. It is a family portrait that pays tribute to Filipino creativity and
imagination. Made from glutinous rice (kalamay), brown sugar, and coconut milk,
sundot kulangot literally means “poke a snot” or “pick a booger,” describing the
bizarre way of eating it. Packaged within
small wooden orbs, they are actually sweet,
pinch-sized delicacies that taste like
traditional coconut jams. One must break
the orb and use either a popsicle stick or
one’s own finger to get a taste of the candy.

Thanks to its tedious preparation,

sundot kulangot is now becoming a rarity
with limited supply being sold in Baguio City
and in other Northern Luzon provinces.

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The Laguna Copper Plate

bore an ancient debt released.
Among many interpretations, it is
a testimony of an advance trading
culture with laws that governed
relationships and transactions;
and a sign of a generous act
which we could only wish the
debtors would take heed. Ryzza
Mae, a Filipino child actress, as a
St. Louis Exposition (1904)
participant.

This represents strong women, past and present, who are confined and
controlled by social standards on one hand, but persevered and took control with
the other. It is part of a series of archival explorations inspired by the iconic and
very controversial history of the Manila Carnival Queens (1908-1939). From the
term "Juan Tamad" to Juan the Mad, here is an illustration of a daydreaming or
floating man. Is it falling or flying from the sky? Despite all adversities in life,
Filipinos remain positive and hopeful. The "Lectern" shows us what we, the
audience, cannot usually see from where we stand. It is the artist's interpretation
of what the lectern would look like from the public speaker's point of view. For the
artist, the lectern is not only where speeches are delivered, it is also where a
sophisticated creole of death and capital takes form.

"Kapit-bisig" is a gesture often used to represent a Filipino trait called

"bayanihan". It sets aside cultural, political, and other differences to show unity
and compassion mostly in times of calamity. Filipinos are known to have this
trait/spirit since time immemorial. As a culture, our overall tastes lean toward
excess, filling up every nook and cranny of every nook and cranny. Our maximalist
sensibilities fill up our living rooms with figurines and wall hangings that not only
display our histories (family photos and party souvenirs) and our achievements
(framed diplomas), but our aspirations (posters and knick-knacks from loved ones
abroad).

"Hala bira! Pwera pasma!" is originally associated with the Sto. Nino Ati-
Atihan Festival as revellers and devotees join the festivities all over the town, from
morning to wee hours of the next morning, rain or shine, for one week or even
more. Every one of us has a path to take to be in a certain place in our lives.
Whether we take the hard way or the easy way, we still have this process to go
through. This work is about that path that Filipinos take. It is a perception of the
experiences we acquire and the choices we make along the way in order to
succeed.

Only here in the Philippines, in all its glorious idiosyncrasies, can this
perspective thrive: a curious amalgamation of positivity despite what is oftentimes
gloom. Filipinos always manage to thrive, if not flourish, despite unfavorable

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conditions. This is the strength of our perspective. Ginebra San Miguel, also once
known as La Tondeña Distillers, Inc. has become, through the years, an iconic
fixture in the Filipino’s culture of celebration, camaraderie and tenacity. Few things
mortal evoke ideas so eternal as a rose. It blooms but briefly, shines and fades
away. It is both an offering and a metaphor. A symbol of passion, purity and joy;
of secrets of the heart and things unspoken; an oath of silence; a romantic love;
and a complete surrender and permanent transmutation.

A common perception of people who don't submerge themselves (the

audience) in what is in front of them, and the hilarious interpretation of the work of
other people (the artist). A critique on overkill, political promises, and an almost
blind obsession towards self-belonging and religion. The Black Nazarene of Quiapo
is one of the most iconic religious images in the Filipino Catholic tradition. Its dark
color breaks the notion that all saints are white. The Black Nazarene is also a saint
associated with the masses because of its phenomenal number of devotees. Amidst
natural disasters, Filipinos are strong-spirited people who continue to brave each
storm hand in hand. Whatever situation we are in, we rise as one nation. Filipino
Pride, as they say, is "May angas. May yabang."

"Querencia" is Spanish for "beloved place". This painting is a tribute to San

Pablo City, Laguna, famous for its seven lakes. A place shapes a person's identity
and the stories we experience in a place play a major role in completing our
journey. Mebuyan is the goddess of the underworld. She is often described as a
soul taker. She has the ability to take lives from humanity using rice grains which
symbolize that from then on, people would die and descend to her in Gimokudan,
rather than ascend to heaven. She is covered with breast and nipples which she
uses to nurse the dead babies until their soul is strong and can survive on her land.
--Adapted from Bagobo & Manobo Mythology.

Troli, the wooden scooter from Ifugao. Riding a bike is solitary

freedom. It lets our individual self go wherever we want. Liwayway (Tagalog
word meaning "dawn") is a leading Tagalog weekly magazine published in
the Philippines since 1922. It contains Tagalog serialized novels, short
stories, poetry, serialized comics, essays, news features, entertainment
news and articles, and many others. In fact, it is the oldest Tagalog
magazine in the Philippines. It often featured women on its covers. “Horror
vacui", a Latin term for “fear of empty space”, is probably one of the most
evident Filipino trait in our modern culture. From our tightly spaced
structures to our ever overcrowded public transportation vehicles; we
Filipinos can always come up with a way to leave not one inch of space left
unused.

Folklore has always been a part of the culture and pysche of Filipinos. The
Ati-atihan Festival is about rejoicing at the arrival of the Sto. Nino, an icon given by
Magellan to the Native Queen of Cebu in 1521, characterized by hyperactive
merriment in the streets, showing how strong Filipinos embrace the Catholic
religion, even though it was one of the tools used by the aggressors to take control
over our country. Red is passion for our beloved Catholic religion; black symbolizes
being deceived through religion, and white is unity through Catholicism. Resilience
-- one of the distinct, positive traits possessed by Filipinos. Represented on the
canvas are the many challenges that Filipinos face -- poverty, calamities and

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natural disasters, and social unrest. Yet in the midst of it all, the Filipino remains
calm and composed. The flower in bloom is growth and the Filipinos' ability to
thrive even in the face of adversity.

People, town, culture, and economy can be saved with a good leader
navigating the country toward a better direction. This artwork is inspired by Padre
Damaso, a character from one of Dr. Rizal's novels. He was a man of the church,
and the church is supposed to uphold morality, and yet he had shady morals. The
painting is also filled with images that are unique to our nation's history and
culture, such as "Barok", anting-antings, the "Manunggul," and others. "Swerte" or
the Filipino concept of luck manifests not only in the popularity of games of chance
in the Philippines, but is also evident in Filipino religiosity. Filipinos, in general,
believe that there is a higher power that governs their lives, but just to hedge their
bets, they also believe in things like Feng Sui and fortune telling. As the believers
would say, "Walang masama kung maniniwala."

In the Filipino community, stigma can have a big impact on an individual.

People can become judgemental about identifying marks or bodily deformities,
associating these with certain negative and unfair beliefs. The "sampayan" is a
staple of the Filipino residential landscape, a devout and constant presence like a
home altar/shrine. The fluttering of "flaglets" welcomes home the owners;
the "sampayan" serves as a signifier to mark one’s territory in the neighborhood—a
horizontal totem. A bit of this, a bit of that feels like you almost have everything.
This is probably the concept behind the sari-sari store that stands proudly,
probably on every street corner in the Philippines.

A great thing about being a Filipino child in the 80's is to have experienced
making bubbles using crushed gumamela flowers, water, and some detergent. Bb.
Gumamela is a personification of a beautiful childhood and the bliss and magic that
accompany those years of discovery. The Philippines is the biggest exporter of
manpower in the world. Due to the traditional close family ties, it is improper for a
returning OFW to return home empty handed without any "pasalubong" (greeting
gift). Amidst the rapid onset of modernization, is a place in the heart of Manila still
steeped in rural folk beliefs, occult, and catholicism. The work pays homage to
such diversity of faith, specifically in Quiapo, a place where these various
manifestations of gods and deities, is seen side by side. These imagery, reflects the
Filipinos' penchant for juxtaposition and iconography, which in turn reveals a very
distinct and personal understanding of local history.

Our country endures various problems usually rooted in the ineptness of our
government – the aftermath of natural disasters, socio-political turmoil, everyday
mishaps of urban living, tragedies. They are sensationalized in news and there are
uproars in social media. However, after a while, historical amnesia starts to
emerge. We never really learn from the past. We can only truly celebrate greatness
once the change we need is achieved. Filipinos have an idiom of "kayod kalabaw",
which means working hard to the extent of completely tiring themselves out as
they believe that their actions will be paid with comfort for them and their families.
The carabao can be a metaphor for the burden of Filipinos, especially the
breadwinners, they carry throughout their life.

Whale sharks (seen in Donsol, Sorsogon) are symbols of strength and

grace. These magnificent creatures should be protected and allowed the freedom

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to swim to great lengths -- even the universe, through and across dimensions.
Basketball is so popular here in the Philippines. We randomly see makeshift
basketball hoops made out of recycled pieces of wood nailed together and a ring. It
shows the Filipinos' ability to mold their influences in their own capacity. Filipinos
are naturally born warriors with roots from our past that help us shape our nation.
We can face whatever changes or challenges in our lives, no matter how big they
may be. We stand as pillars of our nation.

This work explores the merging of whimsical imagination and memory,

inspired by familiar plants from the artist's childhood summer vacations spent in
Zambales. A fun approach was used to emphasize the colorful memories of the laid
back life in the province. This led her to combine different techniques such as
painting, printing, and embroidery. This artwork defines character and
individualism, consisting of 7 types of the common Filipino -- the Farmer, the Social
Worker, the Mother, the Teacher, the Student, the Child, and a Female holding on
to her chest. These are different aspirations in life but these share the same
passion, ways, and culture. Like twin children, the jeepney and the “boundary
system” were born of Filipino ingenuity and artistry. Now, the jeepney has grown
into an ugly mass of junk roaring for survival on the road. And the “boundary
system” has corrupted all other partakers in the street economy, which is the
microcosm of the Philippine economy.

Reference:

CANVAS. (n.d.). Only in the Philippines - Center for Art, New Ventures and
Sustainable Development. Retrieved on August 20, 2020 at
http://www.canvas.ph/looking-for-juan/only-in-the-philippines.

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LESSON 6 - UNIT III

ANSWER SHEET

NAME:__________________________________ CR.,YR. &

SEC.:__________________
LESSON NO. & TITLE: ___________________________________________
DATE: ___________________________________ SCORE:__________

1. Discuss your impression about Filipino way of looking at art and beauty? Use
the preceding visual arts as your reference (refer to Figures 1-4) (10 points)

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

2. What is meant by gandang Filipina/Filipino is manifested by physical

appearance and social character? Explain your answer. (10 points)

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

3. Discuss your impression about the Chinese and Japanese way of looking at art
and beauty? Use the preceding visual arts as your reference. (refer to Figures 5-
6) (10 points)

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

4. Identify the following artworks/symbols whether it belongs to the Japanese,

Chinese, or Filipino culture and describe how each depicts beauty and art. (5
points)

a. Figure 8
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

b. Figure 9
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

c. Figure 10
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

d. Figure 11
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

e. Figure 12
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
f. Figure 13
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

g. Figure 14
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

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h. Figure 15
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

i. Figure 16
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

5. Discuss briefly how the Filipino people perceive and use space in the following
aspect/space in their homes. You may use the preceding illustrations as your
reference for your discussion. (5 points each)

a. Home/Working Area
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

b. Public Transportation/Public Places

_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

c. Market/ Business Sites

_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

d. Streets/ Trading Spaces

_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

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6. Why do many Filipinos create or gather in those places (street, plaza, trading
sites, etc.) despite government warnings of health risks in this time of COVID
19 pandemic? Do you think it has something to do with the spatial perception
of the Filipinos? Explain your answer comprehensively. (10 points)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

END

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