Lesson 3

Woodwork: Sculpture and

Furniture

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• The Philippines is rich in national
resources. It is blessed with
forests that provide wood.
Resources have attracted western
countries in developing the
furniture and woodwork
industries in the country.
• Up on this day, the Philippines is
in the forefront of the world
furniture industry. Most of the
local woodwork and furniture are
of export quality and have been
personalized by famous
celebrities worldwide because of
their unique designs and
durability.

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 Sculptures from Cordillera
• Philippines sculptures are made of wood or
stone have been in existence from the pre-
colonial period.
• Most of these sculptures are in the form of
anitos, or images used in rituals of the different
tribes.
• This practice still remains in Cordillera and in
Palawan. Several forms of anitos symbolizes
gods, goddesses, and diwata’s or deities for
specific need such as fertility, good health,
power, way to the after-life, and protection from
bad spirits.
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Bul-ul is a carved wooden
figure from the Cordillera
that represent their
ancestors. This sculpture is
treated with respect as it is
used for harvest an fertility
rituals.

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 Wood Carving
• With the arrival of the Spanish
conquistadors (any of the leaders in the
Spanish conquest of America, especially
of Mexico and Peru, in the 16th century),
Christianity was introduced to the country.
• The language barrier, however, made the
task of propagating Christianity difficult
for the Spanish friars. They used art to
explain Christian teachings. Since the
native already have the skills in carving
anitos, the friars commissioned the
Filipino carvers to produced religious
items for the church.

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 TRIVIA QUESTIONS:
What is the most famous woodcarving in the Philippines?
Ifugao Woodcarvers-
The Ifugaos of Northern Luzon are famous for the way they carved the
mountain slopes that form the legendary Banaue rice terraces. They are also
well known for their mastery of wood carving.

Where is wood carving famous in the Philippines?

Paete is known to be the “Carving Capital of the Philippines.” Paete,
Laguna is really proud about their wood carvings. Paete, whose name was
derived after a chisel or paet, is a small town on the northeastern part of
Laguna.
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 Some of these commissioned woodcarvings are:
• Santo- Sculptures in the image of Christ, Virgin Mary, and different
saints.
• Retablo- elaborate altars for churches. Some of these altars are still
existent in the old churches around the country.
• Carroza- floats that are used to carry the santo during processions or
parade in celebration of town fiestas.
• Pulpito- elaborately design pulpits that are used by the priest during
the Holy Mass when delivering his sermon or homily.
• Relleves- carved images in relief that depict different religious
scenes such as Stations of the Cross, Nativity, etc.

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8
 Famous Carvers/Sculptors
during the Spanish Period

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• Juan de los Santos- Sculptor and

silversmith from San Pablo,
Laguna whose works may still be
found in the San Agustin Convent
Museum.
• This “retablo” (altarpiece) was
executed in 1617 by the carver
Juan de los Santos, as the main
altarpiece of San Agustin Church
in Manila.
• Isabelo Tampinco- was a
Filipino sculptor and
woodcarver. He was
known for his exquisitely
detailed carvings featured
in numerous churches
around the country.
• The image of Our Lady of

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Lourdes at Lourdes
Grotto, Mirador Hill,
Baguio City is the work of
Isabelo Tampingco.

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 • Leoncio Asuncion- he is
known as the father of
modern religious
sculpture in the
Philippines.
• Among his famous works
are “La Tercera Caida,”
which depicts the third
fall of Christ on His way
to Calvary.

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 • Romualdo de Jesus he was
a sculptor and woodcarver
Romualdo “Lolong” de
Jesus. A good friend of Jose
Rizal, De Jesus reportedly
served as the model for the
character of “Pilosopo
Tasyo” in “Noli Me
Tangere.” He served as
gobernadorcillo of Tondo,
Manila, and was made
honorary sculptor of
Ayuntamiento de Manila.
• Among his famous works
are The Sculptors of Sta.
Cruz.
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 • Non-religious items called Tipos del Pais (also called Coleccion des
Trajes or “Collection of Outfits”)that showed images in daily activities, or
Filipino in native costumes eventually became popular in the 19th century.
• Other sculptors who underwent formal training became famous. Even our
national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, was a sculptor who took up lesson under
Romualdo de Jesus and Jose Caancan, a master carver from Paete,
Laguna.
• The woodcarvers of Paete, Laguna are famous for their finest production
of religious items. Some of these woodcarvings have gained international
awards:
• Bust of Christopher Columbus made by Pelagia Mendoza Y Gotianquin,
first female to be accepted for fomal training at the Academia de Dibujo y
Pintura who won in the 1892 Columbus Quadricentennial Art Contest.
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Mater Dolorosa a wood carved
image of the “Sorrowful Mother”
by Mariano Madriñan, which
won him a gold medal at the
1883 Amsterdam Exposition.

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 Furniture Industry

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 • The furniture industry in the Philippines started in the 16th century when
the Spaniards discovered the country and its rich resources of wood
suitable for images and furniture.
• Western cabinetmakers taught Filipino craftsmen to produce different
types of furniture that had intricate carvings and designs.
• European and American furniture were brought to the Philippines in the
18th century and early 1900s which made furniture designs more suited to
local taste and lifestyle.
• Originally, Philippines furniture were made of narra, molave, or bamboo
sourced from the different provinces. With limitless designs from skilled
craftsmen and artisans, especially in both Luzon and the Visayas, this
local industry has gained global recognition.

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