Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES

University Town, Catarman, Northern Samar

REPORT 1: BRIEF OVERVIEW OF

PHILIPPINE ARTS AND CRAFTS

Group Members:
Luna, Arcelie
Escribal, Nico E.
Picardal, Joey G.
Barsales, Mar T.
Balanquit, Marialyn E.
Merino, Mae Abegail D.
Celespara, Maria Ella C.
BS in Community Development - 3

Professor/ Lecturer
Khu, Luisito B
I. INTRODUCTION
Arts and crafts in the Philippines are a beautiful reflection of the country's rich history
and diverse culture. From the simple yet intricate designs of traditional houses to the
skilled artistry of pottery, these crafts tell stories of the Filipino people's way of life
through the ages. In this essay, we'll explore the fascinating world of traditional arts in
the Philippines, highlighting the different forms they take and the influences that have
shaped them. These arts, passed down from generation to generation, are not just about
creating beautiful objects; they are about preserving the essence of Filipino identity and
heritage.

II. BODY
Arts and Crafts in the Philippines refer to the various forms of the arts that have
developed and accumulated in the Philippines from the beginning of civilization in the
country up to the present era. They reflect the range of artistic influences on the country's
culture, including indigenous forms of the arts, and how these influences have honed the
country's arts. The traditional arts in the Philippines encompass folk architecture,
maritime transport weaving, carving, folk performing arts, folk (oral) literature, folk
graphic and plastic arts, ornament, textile, or fiber art, pottery, and other artistic
expressions of traditional culture.

TRADITIONAL ARTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Folk Architecture
Folk architecture in the Philippines differ significantly per ethnic group, where the
structures can be made of bamboo, wood, rock, coral, rattan, grass, and other materials.
These abodes can range from the hut-style bahay kubo which utilizes vernacular
mediums in construction, the highland houses called bale that may have four to eight
sides, depending on the ethnic association.
Marine Transport
Maritime transport in the Philippines includes boat houses, boat-making, and
traditions. These structures, traditionally made of wood chosen by elders and crafts folks,
were used as the main vehicles of the people, connecting one island to another, where the
seas and rivers became the people's roads. Although boats are believed to have been used
in the archipelago for of years since the arrival of humans through water, the earliest
evidence of boat-making and the usage of boats in the country continues to be dated as
320 AD through the carbon-dating of the Butuan boats that are identified as rernains of a
gigantic balangay.
Weaving
Weaving is an ancient art form that continue in the Philippines today, with each
ethnic group havingck strap foot weaving techniques. weaving arts are composeach
basket weaving, back-strap loom weaving, headgear weaving, fishnet weaving, and other
forms of weaving.
Cloth and Mat Weaving
Expensive textiles are made through indicate and difficult process called back-strap
looming, Fibers such as Cotton, abaca, banana, fiber, grass, and palm fiber are used in the
Filipino weaving arts.

 Weaving is the making of fabric by interlacing threads.

 The machine used for weaving is called a loom.
 Warp threads are stretched or a frame, and an instrument called a shuffle carries
weft threads under and over the warp.
  Tribal communities in the Philippines known for their woven textiles.
 Ifugao known for their binulan and wanno which are used as shawls to keep their
body warm.
 Tiboli- they used bids, frogs and man as their design for their woven cloths.
 Maguindanao- the malong is a famous male underpants. It is a piece of cloth that
tied at the waist and looks like a skirt.
 Tausug- the kandit is the official costume of the Tausug Tribe.
Basketry
The fine art of basket weaving in the Philippines has developed intricate designs and
forms directed for specific purposes such as harvesting, rice storage, travel package,
sword case, and so on. The art is believed to have arrived in the archipelago due to
human migration, where those at the north were the first to learn the art form.
Carving
The art of carving in the Philippines focuses on woodcarving and folk non-clay
sculptures.
Woodcarving
Indigenous woodcarving is one of the most notable traditional arts in the
Philippines, with some crafts in various ethnic groups date back prior to Hispanic arrival
with perhaps the oldest surviving today are fragments of a wooden boat dating to 320
AD.
The art of putting design on pieces of wood.

 In the North, Cordillera.carves the bulol, a pagan statue of their Gods or Anitos.
 They also carve bowls and utensils.
 Figures of man and animals are also carved.

Folk graphic and plastic arts

The field under folk graphic and plastic arts are tattooing, folk writing, and folk
drawing and painting.
Folk writing (calligraphy)
The Philippines has numerous indigenous scripts collectively called as suyat, each of
which has their own forms and styles of calligraphy. Various ethno-linguistic groups in
the Philippines prior to Spanish colonization in the 16th century up to the independence
era in the 21" century have used the scripts with various mediums. By the end of
colonialism, only four of the suyat scripts survived and continue to be used by certain
communities in everyday life.
Folk painting
Folk paintings, like folk drawings, are works of art that usually include depictions of
folk culture. Evidences suggest that the people of the archipelago have been painting and
glazing their potteries for thousands of years. Pigments used in paintings range from
gold, yellow, reddish purple, green, white, blue-green, to blue.
Ornament, textile, or fiber art
Ornament, textile, or fiber art Includes a variety of fields, ranging from hat making,
mask-making, accessory-making, to ornamental metal crafts, and many others.
Hat-making, mask-making, and related arts
Hat-making is a fine art in many communities throughout the country, with the
gourd- based tabungaw of Abra and Ilocos being one of the most prized. Indigenous
Filipino hats were widely used in the daily lives of the people until the 20th century when
they were replaced by Western-style hats. They are currently worn during certain
communities have mask-making practices prior to colonization, while some mask-making
traditions were introduced through trade from parts of Asia and the West. Today, these
masks are worn during festivals, Mariones Festival, and Masskara Festival.
Accessory-making
Philippines are with their combination of being used as houses, altars. Accessories in
the almost always won respective garments, with some accessories and for other objects.
Pottery
The art into ceramic making, and has a long of pottery, categorized making, clay pot-
folk clay sculpture, been a part of various cultures in the Philippines, with evidence
pointing to a pottery culture dating around 3,500 years ago. Important pottery artefacts
from the Philippines include the Manunggul Jar (890- 710 BCE) and the Maitum
anthropomorphic pottery (5 BC-225 AD).

III. CONCLUSION
Therefore, the traditional arts and crafts of the Philippines are like windows into the
past, offering us glimpses of how people lived, worked, and expressed themselves over
centuries. From the sturdy structures of folk architecture to the intricate patterns of
weaving and carving, each art form reflects the genuine lifestyle, and creativity of
Filipino artisans. As we celebrate these traditions, we honor the resilience and spirit of a
people who have overcome challenges and embraced change while staying true to their
roots. It is our responsibility to cherish and safeguard these cultural treasures, ensuring
that they continue to inspire and unite us for generations to come.