Folk Arts and Designs from

Luzon

Module 1
 OVERVIEW
This module will introduce you to the folk arts
and designs of Luzon, the largest island in our
country. Luzon is the northernmost part of the
Philippine archipelago that includes the island
of Luzon itself, Batanes and Babuyan group of
island, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Masbate,
Romblon,Palawan and Mindoro. It is the
political and economic center of the
Philippines with Manila as its capital.
 ILOCOS REGION
The Ilocanos are among the largest
ethno-linguistic groups in the
country. Majority of them are living
in La Union, Abra, Isabela and in
other parts of the country. The
Ilocanos are highly influenced by
Christianity. It is evident with several
old Spanish churches found across
the region and the old houses built
during the colonial times. The Paoy
church and the old houses of Vigan
are reminders of the distant past
that continue to lull visitors from The Laog Sinking Bell Tower
local and international tourist.
 ILOCOS REGION
Their arts & Culture is so diverse.
They are known for their Iloco or
inabel fabric. This especial fabric is
made from cotton which undergo
the painstaking binatbatan or
beating of the cotton balls using
bamboo sticks to separate the
seeds during the initial stage.
Ilocanos are also noted for
their foods such as the dininding
and pakbet- two of the most loved
dishes in our country today.
 PANGASINAN
• Is known as the salt
capital of the region during
the pre-Hispanic times.
Popular stories says it is a
Muslim kingdom trading
with Arabs & Chinese was
the land once ruled by
Urduja, a warrior princess
who fought and won many
battles during her time.
 PANGASINAN
• The province of Pangasinan is
the second province of our
National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal
where his childhood love
blossomed when he fell in love
with his cousin, Leonor Rivera
from Pangasinan. Arts and crafts
include the smoothly-weaved
Bolinao mats made from buri or
raffa leaves, the bamboo crafts
of San Carlos, bagoong, and the
tasty tapang bangos.
 CORDILLERA AUTONOMOUS
REGION (CAR)
BENGUET- is located in the
Cordillera Autonomous Region
(CAR). It is the home for the
Cordilleran( the politically correct
term for Igorots).
The Igorots are hillside dwellers.
This condition explain why most of
them are farmers and their artistic
expressions are related to farming
such as the tinalik baskets made
from rattan. They are also famous
bec. Of their farming on terraces
carve out of the mountain.
 CORDILLERA AUTONOMOUS
REGION (CAR)
KALINGA- the people are
also great weavers. Their
cloth weaving and basketry
are among the finest products
in the region.
 CORDILLERA AUTONOMOUS
REGION (CAR)
IFUGAO- The term Ifugao
means people from the hills
that is why non-Cordillerans
called them Igorots but
they prefer the first name.
Their arts and culture
revolves around rice as a
prestigious crops. Their
legends tell that the first
grains of rice are given to
men by the gods.
 MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
It is located in the cordillera
central mountain and known
for its hanging coffins and
mummified bodies. They
employed special burial
tecniques that could equal the
techniques of mummification
in ancient Egypt. The humid
air & atmosphere in Mountain
Province caves helped
preserved the bodies.
 MOUNTAIN PROVINCE
Tattoo art is another form of
folk art in Mountain Province.
For them, tattoo is part of
clothing and is considered
decoration. It also signifies a
rite of passage from youth to
adult life or heroism, status in
the community, and bravery.
The Kabayan mummies are
adorned with body tattoos
that are similar to their cloth
patterns.
 CAGAYAN VALLEY
It is a wide valley in the northeastern part of Luzon
and irrigated with the waters from Cagayan River- the
longest river in the country. During the early times, the
valley is believed to be dominated by the elephants
and other animals that are already extinct in the
Philippines. Fossils displayed in the National Museum
includes bones and skeletons of prehistoric animals.
Recent archeological finds revealed that is in Cagayan
that the earliest human appeared which dates backs
as far as 22,000 years old.
 BATANES
Ivatans are the people living in Batanes group of islands. They are
often visited by the typhoons. This is the reason why they learn to
adapt to frequent weather disturbances as manifested in their
stone houses made of limestone. Most of the Ivatans are farmers
and fishermen. They plant garlic and herd livestock such as cows.
 BATANES
The Ivatan women wears a head gear called Vakul. It is a
clothing to protect them from the heat of the sun and
during the rainy season. This special clothing is woven from
abaca fiber or the vuyavuy- a plant similar to coconut.
 NUEVA VIZCAYA
The Gaddangs of Nueva
Viscaya are known for their
crafts and textiles. Nueva
Viscaya is located near
Ifugao, Benguet and
Quirino. This province is
mountainous.
Gaddang weavers are
known for their bakwat, a
belt used by mothers after
giving birth.
 BULACAN
The historic town of Bulacan is
regarded as the center for
canon-making before the
coming of Spain. It was in
Barasoain Church where the
first written constitution in Asia
was adopted and many more
historic events.
BULACAN arts and crafts
include the singkaban, pastillas,
wrapper, and fire crackers.
PAMPANGA
Is known for its giant
lanterns or parol. Big
lanterns with several lights,
shapes, and colors are used
to adorn houses, streets,
and building especially
during Christmas season.
These lanterns serve as
inspiration to many Filipinos
and reminds us of our
identity as s nation
 NUEVA ECIJA
Is known for its rice
production. Aside from
rice, they also plant
onions, garlic, and other
vegetable. In the
Tanduyong Festivals,
Nueva ecijanos celebrates
thanksgiving for a
bountiful harvest each
year.
TARLAC AND BATAAN
Played important roles in
shaping the Philippine
history and govt. The last
defense of the Filipinos &
American troops in the
Philippines fell to the
Japanese forces during
World War ll. After the fall
of Bataan to Tarlac in a
historic Death March.
 ZAMBALES
Is known for its mangoes and
other indigenous fruits such as
camachile, cashew, and others.
Because of its proximity to
mount Pinatubo, Aetas are
often found in the public
market of Iba selling their
baskets, bilao, and other woven
products made from bamboo,
rattan, and other materials that
thrives in the mountain.
SOUTHERN TAGALOG
LAGUNA- Is the home
province of our
national hero, Dr. Jose
P. Rizal. This lakeside
province is rich in
natural resources and
blessed with fertile soil
for farming.
 LAGUNA
The Lagunense are proud of
their wood carving in Paete. This
town is dubbed as the Wood
Carving Capital of the
Philippines. Most of the Paete
motifs are floral and full of
curves and hooks which they
call ukit.
Lumban is famous for barong
Tagalogs that are carefully
woven by hands or embroidered
to perfection.
RIZAL PROVINCE
Angono in Rizal is the arts town in
the Philippines. Two of the National
Artists hail from this town- Carlos
Francisco for painting And Lucio
San Pedro for Music.
The town of Angono is home to
many visual artists. The town is
also famous for its petroglyphs that
are among the oldest artistic
expression in the Philippines &
listed as a national cultural
treasure. These petroglyphs are
said to exist since 3,000 BC.
 RIZAL PROVINCE
Angono is also known for its Higantes
Festival, a celebration conceptualized
in 1980s by Perdigon Vocalan. In the
colonial times, the town folks makes
Higantes, big paper mache of human
figures to air their sentiments about
the Spanish Hacienderos. The
traditional higantes are composed of
a father, mother and a child giant
measuring 4 to 5ft. tall usually seen in
Fiesta celebration to add fun and
color. The higantes was probably
influenced by Mexican art.
CAVITE
Is the most populous
province in the country.
From the land of tulisanes
(bandits) during the
Spanish time, Cavite is
now the haven of foreign
investors and for those
who are looking for a
greener pasture.
 CAVITE
Cavite is known for its Tinis in
Kawit celebrated during Christmas
season, the tradition narrates the
history how Joseph & Mary found
a place to give birth to Jesus.
Other important tradition is
karakol dancing during the fiesta
celebrations, Lutrina or the
Santacruzan of the farmers. Art is
often associated with food such as
the colorful sapin-sapin- a type of
delicacy made from grounded
glutinous rice, puto, and kutsinta.
TAAL, BATANGAS
Is popular for its embroidered pinya
fabric made from fibers of pineapple.
The silky but delicate fibers of
pineapple are woven into costly
fabric for pinya barong, wedding
gowns, and other formal attires.
Taal is also the barong Tagalog and
balisong Capital of the Philippines.
The Batangenos take pride in their
balisong- a type of knife that can be
folded like a fan which comes in
different sizes. Balisong is also known
as butterfly knife.
 QUEZON
The town in Lucban in Quezon is
famous for its Pahiyas Festival
every May in honor to San Isidro
Labrador-the patron saints of the
farmers. The festival is not
complete without the colorful
kiping-decors that are made from
ground glutinous rice thinly coated
on a special leaves and cooked
over a low fire. These colored
kipings are made possible by
adding the desired color into the
kiping mixture.
BICOL REGION
known for its baskets, bags, slippers,
coin purses & other crafts that are
made from abaca and raffia fibers.
The abundance of these fibers in the
region prompted the Bicolanos to
excel in weaving. Unlike the northern
cultural communities, their motifs are
simple.
The town of Buhi in Camarines Sur is
known for its weaving. Their weaving
includes garments, mosquito nets
and blankets. They use cotton form
Manila which were later dyed into
several colors in the town in Buhi.
MARIDUQUE, MINDORO, AND
ROMBLON
The island province of Marinduque,
Oriental Mindoro, Occ. Mindoro, &
Romblon are known for fine
baskets and mat weaving. In
Marinduque, mat weaving from
buri & raffa plant is the popular
craft. They are also known for their
MORIONES FESTIVAL celebrated
every Lenten season.
ROMBLON- is known not only for
its fine marble product but also for
their beautifully woven mats and
bags out of Romblon plant.
 PALAWAN
known as the country’s last frontier,
rich in cultural and natural diversity.
The Puerto Princesa Underground
River is one of the recently
recognized Seven Wonders of Nature
officially confirmed on Jan. 28, 2012.
This subterranean river runs 8.5
kilometers and is a part of Puerto
Princesa National Park inscribed in
the UNESCO Word Heritage List in
Dec.4,1999. It is the longest
underground river in the world and
an important site for ecologica
conservation and awareness.
PALAWAN
Palawan is also known for its
largest marine habitat- the
Tubbataha Reef located some
nautical miles at the heart of Sulu
sea. This marine sanctuary is listed
of the UNESCO World Heritage
Sites because of its rare and
phenomenal rock formations,
flora, and Fauna. Bec. It is literally
surrounded by bodies of water.
Palawan is popular for its diving
areas, hotels, resorts and summer
getaway amenities.
Folk Arts and Designs
from The VISAYAS

Module 2
 OVERVIEW
In Module 2, you will be introduced to the folk
arts and designs of the Visayan group of islands.
The Visayans speak in different languages
including Cebuano ( the largest group) Ilonggo
(Hiligaynon) Kinaray-a, Akeanon, Waray-waray, and
Leyte
 PANAY
Panay island is one of the largest
islands of the archipelago lying
south of romblon. This
Triangular island is composed of
the provinces of Iloilo, Antique,
Aklan, Capiz and the island of
Guimaras.
The name of Panay island was
given by Miguel Lopez de legazpi
when his team moved their after
experiencing food scarcity in
Cebu.
AKLAN
In Aklan, weaving baskets, trays and
mats is popular. Aklanon uses pandan
and bariw – a type of pandan, to
make their own products. Pagrara it
banig or mat weaving is often a form
on interaction.
Kapiz shell is also important craft in
Panay island particularly in Aklan and
Iloilo. The shells are collected from
the sea, bleached and dried before
pressing or cutting into desired
shapes.
The pearl like luster of kapis make it
an ideal material for lamps, décor,
trays and souvenir items
 NEGROS ISLAND
Weaving is and integral part of the lives of Negrenses. Their weaving practices
include roofing materials, walls, hats and baskets using pandan and buri leaves.
Negros is an island of many festivals. One of the famous festivals is the Maskara
Festival in Bacolod – the most spectacular display of colors and beauty and the
Negrenses
 CEBU
Cebu artists use indigenous materials and blended with modern taste.
Coconut shells, shells, bariw, rattan, capiz and wood are among the
the favorite medium
Guitars from Cebu are also popular in many parts of the country
because if its unique blend of sound, craftsmanship and durability.
 SAMAR, LEYTE, AND BILIRAN
One of the most popular festival in the region is the Kasadyahan
Festival City which is a celebration of colors, beauty and artistry.
One of their specialty is the pus-o, similar to the delicacy of the
Pampangeños but reflects the value of weaving
 BOHOL
Bohol is where you can find the smallest known living
primate, the tarsier and the spectacular views of the
chocolate hills. They are also known for their old
spanish churches, the Baclayon
Thank you!!!