LOCAL MATERIALS

TO CONTEMPORARY
ARTS
Adapted from the Contemporary
Philippine Arts from of the Regions
of Sandagan and Sayseng (2016)
 Saniculas
Cookie Mold
Cravings (Mexico,
Pampanga)
 Saniculas
Cookie Mold
Cravings (Mexico,
Pampanga)
 Saniculas Cookie Mold Cravings

 The celebrated miraculous bread, known

as “panecillos de San Nicolas”, is known simply in
Mexico, Pampanga as “saniculas in honor of San
Nicholas de Tolentino. There used to be a ritual
blessing of the cookies before they are distributed,
although this tradition is now rarely practiced, saved
for some Recollect parishes like San Sebastian
where saniculas are still blessed during Masses.
 Saniculas Cookie Mold Cravings

 St. Nicholas is also known as The Healer from

illnesses. Legend says that if you consume these
cookies when you are ill, you get healed and
recover in a shorter amount of time that it would
usually take.
 Saniculas Cookie Mold Cravings

 The cookie itself is made using age-old techniques and

ingredients like arrowroot flour (uraro), eggs,
lard, dalayap (lemon rind) and coconut milk.
 The “saniculas” wooden moulds which are used to impress
the dough with the distinctive imprint are interesting kitchen
artifacts themselves. They are often commissioned from Betis
and Bacolor carvers, and although the designs vary, the
moulds always have the abstracted figure of the saint in the
center, surrounded by floral, vegetal and curlicue patterns
Pabalat or Pastillas Wrapper Cutting Art or
Borlas de Pastillas (San Miguel, Bulacan)
 Pastillas Wrapper Cutting Art

 The word pabalat has two levels of meaning. On a

literal note, it pertains to the pabalat as a product
(paper cut-outs). On a metaphorical level, it
connotes the state of the art practice (meaning: it’s
not only a wounded tradition but it’s actually a dying
one). The art is not only a cultural product or an
artistic expression but also cuts through some
cultural, social, even political discourses and
issues.
 Pastillas Wrapper Cutting Art

 The wrapper was made out of the delicate

Japanese paper.

 The way to make it is so delicate that only the

ones with skilled hands and perfect control of their
motor skills can the produce the best kind.
Taka (Paete, Laguna)
 Taka (Paete, Laguna)

 Taka was pioneered by Paete local, Maria Bangue in 1920’s.

During Christmas, Maria was in charge of the church's
decorations. The wooden angels and cherub was heavy
causing the carvings to fall. Maria devised the lightweight
taka paper mache as an alternative to the wooden
sculptures. Maria was also a maker of local toys such as the
yoyo and the small acrobat hand puppet. Taka eventually
became folk art and was sold to nearby towns for festivals.
In the 1970s, Tere Afuang, a knowledgeable practitioner of
the craft, popularized the crafts.
 Taka (Paete, Laguna)

 A takaan, a carved wooden sculpture, is used as a

mold in making taka. Brown craft paper is used as a
final layer for taka made for export. This provides a
thicker base and smoother finish for the craft. Taka
is also painted. The traditional way of painting a
taka is to use primary colors, add simple flower
motifs and use repetitive lines and shapes. Gold
finish, usually used in angel, reindeer and huge
taka is accomplished by using gilded paper.
 Taka (Paete, Laguna)

 Common and traditional subjects of taka include

the manok, kabayo, kalabaw, dalaga (chicken, horse,
carabao, maiden) which is made primarily for local use.
Due to exposure and migration of Paete residents to
Manila and abroad, European-influenced paper mache
toys began to be made for export to other countries,
such as Germany. Taka images now include those of
Santa Claus, reindeer, giraffes, and other subjects that
are in demand.
Pagbuburda (Lumban,
Laguna)
Pagbuburda (Lumban,
Laguna)
 Pagbuburda (Lumban, Laguna)

 Embroidery is the main industry of the town; it’s

what fuels the economy, close second are fishing
and agriculture. Almost every townsfolk is
connected in one way or another with the making of
fine piña jusi, Barong Tagalog, embroidered items
like wedding gowns, handkerchief, purses, table
mats and runners, scarves, dollies, abanicos and so
much more.
 Pagbuburda (Lumban, Laguna)

 Lumban is also well known for calado technique in

embroidery; its needlework wherein the decoration
already on a textile is made more intricate by pulling
out threads in some spots while adding more on
others. Doing this takes utmost patience and a keen
eye for minute details but the resulting design will
undoubtedly be very intricate and wonderful.
Singkaban or Bamboo Art
(Bulacan)
 Singkaban (Bulacan)

 “Singkaban,” Filipino word for decorated bamboo

arch, is used as a welcome signage of a town, city
or village in the country. It is widely used as
decoration during town fiestas in Bulacan.

 In the celebration, Singkaban also refers to “Sining

at Kalinangan ng Bulacan” (Arts and Culture of
Bulacan).
 Singkaban (Bulacan)

 It is our sense of Bayanihan that inspires their art

form ensuring that art is appreciated and is
accessible to everyone in the community and their
guests.
Puni de Malolos or Palm Leaf
Folding (Bulacan)
 Puni or Palm Leaf Folding

 Puni refers to the dying art of coconut leaf weaving.

Puni is a tagalong term from the province of
Bulacan which means to beautify or decorate with
the use of coconut leaf. Coconut leaves are
fashioned by folding, plaiting, braiding and simple
weaving, which may have functional as well as
aesthetic uses.
 Puni or Palm Leaf Folding

 Puni designs can be categorized according to their

uses. The most common designs are in the form of
toys such as birds, fish, grasshopper, etc. They are
also used as food containers for suman, rice and
various kakanin, the most commonly known is the
“puso” and paraphernalia for religious rituals
especially during Palm Sunday when these design
are used to accentuate the “palaspas”.
 Puni or Palm Leaf Folding

 Though fresh coconut leaves is the most commonly

used for this art, fresh leaves dry and crumple in a
few days, the weaves loosen and the design loose
its beauty. In exchange for fresh coconut leaves,
dried buri or buli (palm) leaves are use to create a
particular puni design and are more suitable as
ornamental pieces especially if they are dyed or
colored.
 Puni or Palm Leaf Folding

 Puni or coconut leaf weaving did not originate from

Bulacan. It is said that the art is of Malayan origin.
But one thing is for sure any place with coconut
trees in abundance has an item made from coconut
leaf weaving. But the Bulakenyos pioneered the
revival of this ephemeral art, at least in our country.
 Dukit
(Sta. Ursula,
Betis, Guagua,
Pampanga)
 Dukit (Woodcarving)

 The barrio of Sta. Ursula in Betis is the origin place

of “dukit” (woodcarving).

 Willy Layug is a renowned ecclesiastical sculptor

and an advocate in preserving the dukit tradition in
Pampanga.
Parul (San Fernando City,
Pampanga)
Parul (San Fernando City,
Pampanga)
 Parul (Pampanga)

 The San Fernando lantern industry evolved from the Giant

Lantern Festival of San Fernando. The festival, which is held
every December, finds its roots in Bacolor where a much
simpler activity was held. Following the transfer of the
provincial capital from Bacolor to San Fernando in August
1904, this lantern event followed as well. "Ligligan Parul"
was said to have started in San Fernando in 1904. But some
say that the "Ligligan Parol" did not happen immediately
after the transfer and in fact began in 1908.
 Parul (Pampanga)

 It was in 1931 that electricity was introduced to the San

Fernando lantern, thus sparking the birth of the first Giant
Lantern Festival. The added illusion of dancing lights
highlighted the bright colors and intricate designs of these
Giant Lanterns. At this time, the lights were controlled by
individual switches that were turned on and off following the
beat of the music. The barangays of Del Pilar, Sta. Lucia and
San Jose were among the first barangays to participate in the
festival.
 Parul (Pampanga)

 The first lantern festival was held to

honor President Manuel L. Quezon. At that time, Quezon
made Arayat his rest area and converted Mount
Arayat into a tourist resort. As a show of gratitude to
Quezon, the people of San Fernando held a Christmas
lantern contest to honor the first family. Quezon himself
donated the prize for his lantern contest, which was
personally awarded to the winner by First Lady Aurora
Aragon Quezon.
 Parul (Pampanga)

 In 1990, the venue was moved to Paskuhan Village. In

2000, the venue was moved again to SM City Pampanga
until 2007. In 2008, until now, the venue is now at
Robinsons Starmills.

 In 2011, Brgy. Calulut and Brgy. Del Carmen joined the

competition for the first time. In 2015, Brgy's. Sindalan
and Pandaras, also joined the competition for the first
time.