History of Arts in the

Philippines
PRE-COLONIAL ART PERIOD - (900 AD-1565)
The Pre-Colonial period refers to the art before the Philippines had their first
colonizers. The Philippines back then already had art that was considered
one of a kind and rich. Traditions were orally passed than written, and their
earliest form of theater was Rituals. The pre-colonial is also swayed by the
geographical location and the personal lives of the Filipinos which
represented the artworks, themes, and contexts found on where the people
or artists are located.

ISLAMIC COLONIAL (13TH CENTURY)

The Islamic Colonial Period emerged in Sulu during the 13th century when the
Arabian, Sayyid Abbubakar arrived. He's a missionary who was tasked in
building religious schools and taught Arabic reading and writing. The religion
he brought spread throughout Mindanao and was welcomed by the Maranao,
Maguindanao, Tausog, Yakan, Samal and Badjao (including some places in
Palawan). Islamic art in the Philippines is found predominantly in Muslim
ethnic groups. One example of their traditional art that they used in
mosques is known as Okkir (it uses geometric and floral artworks).

SPANISH COLONIAL (1565 TO 1896)

Magellan's arrival in 1521 lit the start of the Spanish Colonization, in 1543
the Philippines was named Las Islas Filipinas by Ruy López de Villalobos
in commemoration of Philip II of Spain. In 1565 Miguel López de Legazpi
from New Spain and with him began the start of the Spanish Empire and
the Spanish settlement in the Philippines and remained like that for 300
years. The Lowland Christians were highlighted in this period. All artworks
are religious/ devotional in nature.

AMERICAN COLONIAL (1898 TO 1940)

After 333 years the Philippines regained its freedom on June 12, 1896 from
Spain, thus beginning the American colonization. During the colonization
of America, the Americans brought their culture with them from art to
architecture to theater arts. Americans brought with them the concept of
modern and visual arts focusing on the natural and romantic aspects of it.
Another thing America brought with them is theater arts, although at the
beginning it was limited due to the sedition law. One act plays or Drama
Simbolico that focused on themes of freedom are popularized like
Tanikalang Guinto and Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas.

JAPANESE COLONIAL (1941 TO 1945)

The known dark time of the Philippines was when the Japanese
Occupation happened during 1946 until 1969. Due to WWII many
artworks, buildings, and lives were being destroyed, but this
was when Modern Art was slowly making its name known to the
world. Most of the themes of the artworks’ are propaganda
portraying Japan to be a great one, and aesthetics about war,
destruction, and the normal lives of the Filipinos.

POST-WAR (1946 TO 1969)

The Philippines gained independence from the Japanese and
Americans; it also flourished in Philippine literature during this era.
This era was also known as the “Recovering Era”, this is where Filipino
literature was given a break and had the time to transition from
American style to modern style. The post-war event had an impact to
influence new literary themes with its new symbolism and
communication modes. This was the time that Filipinos learned to
express themselves more confidently and proudly.

CONTEMPORARY (1970-PRESENT)
The Marcos regime was when culture and art was put under the
spotlight when the first lady Imelda Marcos thought of having the
Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). Art of this century reflects
the Philippines’ concoction of Modern and Postmodern art which
blends to the society’s current issues and concepts. Contemporary
artists continue to morph and reframe notions of art through a
multifaceted range of experimental mediums and practices used
to express collaborative and innovative works to the public.