Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Region

Module 3-9:

LESSON 1: WHAT ARE PHILIPPINE CONTEMPORARY ARTS NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS:

Fernando Amorsolo (May 30, 1892 – April 24, 1972)

Contemporary art generally refers to art being created
now. Contemporary is derived from the Latin prefix con, Amorsolo is the first National Artist in the country and.
which means “together” or “with”, plus tempus, which means was known for using backlighting technique in painting
“time”. The chronological view defines contemporary art as making his creations bright and cheerful.
related to this current period in art history, and refers to art
that is new, recent, modern, or pertains to the present Carlos “Botong” Francisco (November 4, 1912 – March
moment. The historical usage, meanwhile, regards 31, 1969)
contemporary art as a specific stage in the story of the
evolution of art, referring to a specific location in space and Francisco revived the art of mural and was
time. considered.to be the most distinguished mural painter for
about three decades and was known for using historical
The end of Martial Law in the wake of EDSA People events as.subject matter for his murals.
Power Revolution in 1986 brought the Philippines into the
contemporary period, and the art produced in this period is Guillermo E. Tolentino (July 24, 1890 – July 12, 1976)
regarded as contemporary art. Honored as National Artist for Sculpture in 1973 and
Contemporary art as a Breaking of Norms - Contemporary was known for designing the seal of the Republic of the
art can be seen as a transgression of established norm and Philippines, and the gold and bronze medals for the Ramon
rules. Established art forms are scrutinized and Magsaysay Award. Tolentino’s works include the “UP
contemporary art reworks them to see them with fresh eyes. Oblation”.
Contemporary art is ruled by the cult of the new, Napoleon V. Abueva (January 26, 1930)
endeavoring to create works of art that are “radical” and
“interdisciplinary”. Abueva was considered to be the Father of Modern
Philippine Sculpture. He is skillful in creating both
Contemporary art and Local Heritage - Contemporary art representational and modern abstract sculptures using a
professes an awareness of local heritage which is something wide variety of materials. He was also known for creating
that can be passed from one generation to the next, can be “buoyant sculpture,” a type of sculpture to be viewed from
conserved or inherited, and has historic or cultural value. the surface of a pool.
These are physical objects, places of heritage and the
various practices of heritage unique to the region or locality Victorio C. Edades (December 23, 1895 – March 7, 1985)
that are conserved or handed down from one generation to
the next. Recognized as the Father of Modern Philippine Painting
and was known for using dark somber colors in his
FUNCTIONS OF CONTEMPORARY ART: paintings. His works focused on factory workers, laborers or
other simple townspeople.
Contemporary art for Pleasure - A visual delight in the
work of art, can take many forms including an appreciation Vicente Manansala (January 22, 1910 – August 22, 1981)
of beauty or decoration, or delight in an element of surprise.
Most cultures that have a definition of beautiful, define it as He was known for his paintings depicting realistic.
something pleasing to the eye, and often resembling an ideal themes using an abstract or a cubist style. He
of some sort. believed.that.“the beauty of art is in the process, in the
moment of.. doing a particular painting, closely associating
Contemporary art as Profession - Artists earn a living it with the.act of making love.
through their art since art and ideas are never free. They
possess value in the complex web of the creative industries Hernando R. Ocampo (April 28, 1911 – December 28,
that combine the creation, production and 1978)
commercialization of creative contents which are tangible
Ocampo was largely known for his abstract paintings.
and cultural in nature.
His works featured shapes bounded with curved lines
Contemporary art as Commentary - Art has been used to painted in intense colors. His masterpiece “Genesis” was
answer our need for information. Artists who fulfill our need used as the basis of the design of the curtain of the Cultural
for commentary often speak in a language easy to Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Theater.
understand, they view art as primary goal to communication
Cesar Legaspi (April 2, 1917 – April 7, 1994)
by means of subject matter.
Legaspi was known for utilizing and refining cubism, a
Contemporary art in Spirituality - Artists may create art to
style involving breaking parts into geometric shapes, in his
express spiritual beliefs about the destiny of life controlled
paintings.
by the force of a higher power.
Elizalde Navarro (May 22, 1924 – June 10, 1999)
Contemporary art as Remembrance - Art can be a
remembrance which is something done as an aid to memory. He was known for his hardwood masks reflecting the
We need to commemorate important events and people that human and the animal, abstract paintings in oil and
have shaped our history and show reverence for those who watercolor, and assemblages. He was also known for his
have gone before us. fiction works for This Week of the Manila Chronicle, and for
his figurative drawings for Lydia Arguilla’s Juan tamad.
Contemporary art as Self-expression - Art fulfills an
expressive function when an artist conveys information Ang Kiukok (March 1, 1931 – May 9, 2005)
about his or her personality, feelings or worldview.
He was known for his paintings expressing nationalism
LESSON 2: NATIONAL ARTISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES and sociological agenda during the 60’s through vivid
cubistic figures. His works include “Geometric landscape,”
To be a National Artists is considered to be the highest
“Pieta,” and the “Seated Figure.”
national recognition given to Filipino individuals who have
made significant contributions to the development of
Philippine arts which is awarded by the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts together with Cultural
Center of the Philippines.

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 writing modern Filipino short stories in English. He also
originated the lyrical prose-poetic form in writing short
stories.
Benedicto Cabrera (April 10, 1942)

Known as “Bencab,” Cabrera was noted as the

bestselling painter of his generation of Filipino artists and.
also known for his sketches of a scavenger named “Sabel, a
symbol of dislocation, despair and isolation the.
personification of human dignity threatened by life’s N.V.M Gonzales (September 8, 1915 – November 28,
circumstance.” 1999)

Abdulmari Asia Imao (January 14, 1936 – December 16, Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzales is a fictionist, essayist,
2014) poet and teacher. He earned numerous recognitions
including the First Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940,
Imao was instrumental in popularizing the ukil, the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1960 and the
sarimanok and naga motifs in the country as original Gawad CCP Para sa Sining in 1990.
Filipino creations. He helped in developing trust and
confidence among cultural groups, which is needed in Nick Joaquin (May 4, 1917 – April 29, 2004)
building a more humane community and society.
He is considered as the most distinguished
Federico Aguilar Alcuaz (June 6, 1932 – February 2, Filipino.writer in English writing. His body of work extends
2011) from. short stories to poems to essays which includes
journalism. and reportage. He used the name Guerre
Alcuaz was mainly known for his oil and acrylic Quijano de. Manila as journalist.
paintings, and sketches in ink, pencil, and watercolor.
F. Sionil Jose (December 3, 1924)
Francisco Coching (January 29, 1919 – September 1,
1998) F.Sionil Jose is one of the most widely read Filipino
writers founded the Philippine chapter of the international
Tagged as the “Dean of Filipino Illustrators,” Coching is organization PEN.
best known for his work on comics and illustrations which
lead to its recognition as popular art. He has influenced Alejandro Roces (July 13, 1924 – May 23, 2011)
cartoonists such as Larry Alcala, Ben Infante and Nestor
Roces is known for his comic short stories which
Redondo.
includes “My Brother’s Peculiar Chicken.” He also led the
Jose T. Joya (June 3, 1931 – 1995) campaign to change the country’s Independence Day from
July 4 to June 12.
Joya is known for pioneering abstract expressionism in
the Philippines. His most notable work is the Granadean Edith L. Tiempo (April 22, 1919 – August 21, 2011)
Arabesque (1958). He also represented the Philippines in the
Tiempo is a poet, fictionist, teacher and literary critic
1964 Venice Biennale.
who founded the Siliman National Writers Workshop in
NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR ARCHITECHTURE: Dumaguete City with her late husband Edilberto K. Tiempo.

Pablo S. Antonio (January 25, 1902 – June 14, 1975) Virgilio S. Almario (March 9, 1944)

He was considered a pioneer in modern Philippine Also known as Rio Alma, who is among the notable.
architecture. A prominent feature of his designs is the use of modernist poets. He reinvented the traditional Filipino.
natural light and cross ventilation. According to Antonio, poetry forms.
buildings should be planned with austerity in mind and its
Amado V. Hernandez (September 13, 1903 – May 24,
stability forever as the aim of true architecture; that
1970)
buildings must be progressive, simple in design but
dignified, true to a purpose without resorting to an applied Hernandez is known for his contribution in the
set of aesthetics and should eternally recreate truth. development of the Tagalog prose through the use of
colloquial style.
Leandro V. Locsin (August 15, 1928 – November 15,
1994) Carlos P. Romulo (January 14, 1899 – December 15,
1985)
His designs usually feature themes of floating volume
and a mix of both eastern and western aesthetics. Romulo is noted as a diplomat and an awarded
journalist. He is the first Asian President of the United
Ildefonso P. Santos (September 5, 1929 – January 29,
Nations General Assembly, and the only Asian to win the
2014)
Pulitzer Prize in Journalism for his articles on the World War
Santos pioneered landscape architecture in the II.
Philippines. His work in the Makati Commercial Center
Bienvenido Lumbera (April 11, 1932)
incorporated fountains, sculptures and landscapes to a
shopping area. Lumbera is a multi-awarded poet, critic and librettist.
His works includes Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa (poems in
NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR LITERATURE:
Filipino and English), 1993; Balaybay, Mga Tulang Lunot at
Historical Literature Manibalang, 2002; Sa Sariling Bayan, Apat na Dulang May
Musila, 2004; Tales of the Manuvu and Rama Hari.
Carlos Quirino (November 4, 1910 – May 20, 1999)
Cirilo F. Bautista (July 9, 1941)
He is the first and so far, the only National Artist for.
Historical Literature and was also known for writing “The. Bautista is a poet, fictionist and essayist. He founded
Great Malayan,” which considered to be one of the earliest. Philippine Literary Arts Council in 1981, the Iligan National
biographies of Jose Rizal. Writers Workshop in 1993, and the Baguio Writers Group.

Literature Lazaro Francisco (February 22, 1898 – June 17, 1980)

Francisco Arcellana (September 6, 1916 – August 1, Francisco is among the prominent writers in the
2002) Tagalog language. He established the Kapatiran Ng Mga
Alagad Ng Wikang Pilipino (KAWIKA) in 1958 to support
Arcellana is a writer, poet, essayist, critic, journalist Tagalog as national language.
and teacher, who is recognized as one of the pioneers in

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Jose Garcia Villa (August 5, 1908 – July 7, 1997) Philippine Ballet Theater and the Honorary Chair of the
Association of Ballet Academies of the Philippines.
Villa is recognized as one of the best contemporary.
poets. He is best known for introducing the reversed. Ramon Obusan (June 16, 1938 – December 21, 2006)
consonance rhyme scheme and his use of punctuation,
especially commas. A dancer, choreographer, artistic director, researcher,
and documentary filmmaker. He was able to promote
Filipino culture in other countries using the art of dance
through the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group.

NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR DANCE, MUSIC, FILM, AND

THEATER:

Cinema/Film Lucrecia Reyes – Urtula (June 29, 1929 – August 24,

1999)
Lamberto V. Avellana (February 12, 1915 – April 25,
1991) Reyes-Urtula was the dance director of the Bayanihan
Philippine Dance Company, for which she choreographed
Avellana was tagged as the “The Boy Wonder of different Philippine folk, ethnic dances, pageants and
Philippine Movies” as early as 1939. Kalderong Pilak was the festivals.
first film by a Filipino filmmaker shown in Cannes
International Film Festival. Alice Reyes (October 14, 1942)

Manuel Conde (October 9, 1915 – August 11, 1985) Reyes is known in blending styles and movements from
Philippine indigenous dance, classical ballet, and modern
Conde is known for producing and directing films. dance in expressing Filipino subject matters. This is said to
based on old Filipino tales such as Siete Infantes de. Lara. be the “contemporary dance language that is uniquely
(1950), Si Juan Tamad (1974), Ang Ibong Adarna. (1941). He Filipino.”
also brought to the silver screen stories from. the other parts
of the worlds like Genghis Khan (1950).

Eddie S. Romero (July 7, 1924 – May 28, 2013) Music

He is a screenwriter, film director and producer who is Antonino Buenaventura (May 4, 1904 – January 25,
behind the Filipino classics such as “Ganito Kami 1996)
Noon...Paano Kayo Ngayon?”, “Banta ng Kahapon” and
“Aguila” as well as the 13-part series “Noli Me Tangere”. He was known for his marches including the.
“Triumphal March,” “History Fantasy,” “Echoes from the.
Lino Brocka (April 3, 1939 – May 22, 1991) Philippines,” and “Ode to Freedom.” He was a conductor.
of.the Philippine Army Band. He wrote compositions for. solo
Catalino “Lino” Ortiz Brocka is recognized for his films instruments, symphonic and orchestral works, which. are
which explores the lives of people in the marginalized based on Philippine folksongs.
sectors. Brocka also directed for theater organizations such
as the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) Ernani Cuenco (May 10, 1936 – June 11, 1988)
and the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP).
He was known for the following songs: “Bato sa
Gerardo de Leon (September 12, 1913 – July 25, 1981) Buhangin,” “Gaano Kita Kamahal,” “Inang Bayan,” “Isang
Dalangin,” “Kalesa,” and “Pilipinas.” These works brought
De Leon is a prominent film maker in the 50’s and contemporary Filipino music to a higher level. The song,
60’s.. producing classics such as “Daigdig ng Mga Api,” “Noli “Gaano Kita Kamahal”, he added elements of Kundiman. He
Me. Tangere,” “El Filibusterismo,” “dyesebel” and “Sisa.” played with the Filipino Youth Symphony Orchestra and the
Manila Symphony Orchestra from 1960 to 1968.
Ishmael Bernal (September 30, 1938 – June 2, 1996)
Francisco Feliciano (February 19, 1941 – September 19,
Bernal, who was hailed by the critics as “The Genius of
2014)
the Philippine Cinema,” is known for directing films that
projects the realities of the Filipinos. He was hailed as His major works include “Ashen Wings,” “Sikhay sa
Director of the Decade of the 1970s by the Catholic Mass Kabila ng Paalam,” and “Pamugun.” He was known for the
Media Awards; four-time Best Director by the Urian Awards use of modal scales in his operas and orchestral works. He
(1989, 1985, 1983 and 1977); and given the ASEAN Cultural used indigenous music in his compositions.
Award in Communication Arts in 1993.
Jovita Fuentes (February 15, 1895 – August 7, 1978)
Ronald Alan K. Poe (August 20, 1939 – December 14,
2004) She was best known for her portrayal of Cio-cio San in
Giacamo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly in Italy in April 1925.
More known as Fernando Poe, Jr. He is an icon in film. When she returned to the Philippines, she established the
industry as an actor, director, writer and producer. He. Artists’ Guild of the Philippines in an effort to instill love for
starred in films like “Mga Alabok sa Lupa” (1967), “Partida”. opera in her countrymen.
(1985), “Ang Probinsyano” (1996), and among others.
Jose Maceda (January 31, 1917 – May 5, 2004)
Dance
He conducted researches and fieldwork to explore.
Francisca Reyes Aquino (March 9, 1899 – November 21, Filipino traditional music further and to understand the.
1983) nature of Philippine ethnic and traditional music. His.
efforts. gave birth to a huge number of recorded Philippine.
She was known for her research on Philippine folk
ethnic and traditional music.
dances, which later resulted to a thesis entitled “Philippine
Folk Dances and Games.” It was distributed to public and Lucio San Pedro (February 11, 1913 – March 31, 2002)
private schools.
Best known for his compositions “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan,”
Leonor Orosa Goquingco (July 24, 1917 – July 15, 2005) “Sa Mahal Kong Bayan,” “Dance of the Fairies,” “Triumphal
March,” and “Lahing Kayumanggi,” Lucio San Pedro was the
She was known as the “Mother of Philippine Theater
conductor of the Peng Kong Grand Mason Concert Band, the
Dance,” Goquingco blended folkloric and Asian styles in
San Pedro Band of Angono, and the Benda Angono Numero
ballet choreography. She was a founding member of the
Uno. Working with these bands and other town bands helped

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in the development of a civic culture among Filipino Severino Montano (January 3, 1915 – December 12,
communities. 1980)

Levi Celerio (April 30, 1910 – April 2, 2002) He organized the Arena Theater Playwriting Contest
which became the initial ground for playwrights to showcase
Celerio is most known for his recognition as the only their talents in writing while serving as Dean of Instruction
man who could play music with a leaf in the Guinness Book of the Philippine Normal College.
of World Records. He also earned Lifetime Achievement
Award of the Film Academy of the Philippines for writing
songs for local movies. He was also known as the dean of
Filipino lyricists.

Felipe Padilla de Leon (May 1, 1912 – December 5, 1992) GAWAD SA MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN (GAMABA):

Eduardo Mutuc (2005 awardee)

He was known for Filipinizing western music forms.
His.works, which include “Mariang Maikling Overture,”. He dedicated his life in creating religious and secular art in
“Maynila Overture,” “Payapang Daigdig,” and “Ako’y. silver, bronze and wood. According to him, craftsmanship begins
Pilipino,” expressed sentiments and aspirations of the. with respect for one’s tools and the medium, and the only way to
Filipino in times of strife and peace. improve one’s skills is to immerse oneself, learn the technique, and
to practice.
Lucrecia R. Kasilag (August 31, 1918 – August 16, 2008)
Darhata Sawabi (2005 awardee)
She was known for fusing Filipino ethnic music with
She is a Tausug weaver of pis syabit – the traditional cloth
Western musical influences. She was also known for
tapestry worn as a head cover. Women in Sulu province have grown
incorporating Filipino indigenous musical instruments in up learning in weaving the pis syabit and she is one of those who
orchestral works. took the art of pis syabit making to heart.

Antonio J. Molina (December 16, 1894 – January 29, Haja Amina Appi (2005 awardee)
1980)
She is recognized as a master mat weaver among the Sama
Molina was known for introducing the pentatonic scale, indigenous community for her unique designs, straightness of her
whole tone scale, linear counterpoints and the use of edging (tabig), and fineness of her sasa and kima-kima.
dominant ninths and eleventh chords in Philippine music.
Lang Dulay (1998 awardee)
Ramon P. Santos (February 25, 1941) She is a T’boli traditional weaver of “tinalak” or T’boli cloth
made of colorful abaca fabrics. She used abaca fibers as fine as hair
Santos is a Filipino composer, musicologist and.
which speaks more eloquently than words can.
ethnomusicologist who was made a Chevalier de I’Orde. des
Arts et Lettres in 1987. He helped in advocating. modern Salinta Monon (1998 awardee)
Philippine music that is still based on early Asian. practices
She is a Tagabanwa-Bagobo traditional weaver of distinct
and way of life.
abaca fabrics called inabal. She developed a keen eye for the
Andrea Veneracion (July 11, 1928 – July 9, 2013) traditional designs and can identify the designs as well as the
author of a woven piece just by a glance.
She was the founder of the world-renowned University
Alonzo Saclag (2000 awardee)
of the Philippines Madrigal Singers, or simply the Philippine
Madrigal Singers, which is the first choir in the world to win He is a Kalinga master of dance and the performing arts who
the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing twice. mastered not only the Kalinga musical instruments but also the
Veneracion is also recognized as an important authority in dance patterns and movements associated with his people’s ritual.
the development of Philippine choral music.

Theater Federico Caballero

Daisy Avellana (January 26, 1917 – May 12, 2013) He is a Sulod-Bukidnon epic chanter who works for the
documentation of the oral literature. He is considered as bantugan
She co-founded the Barangay Theatre Guild, together which means a person who has attained distinction. He strikes to
with her husband, National Artist Lamberto Avellana, in dispense justice in the community through his work as a
1939. This move made theatre and. dramatic arts popular in manughusay which is an arbiter of conflicts.
the country. She was known. as. director of films “Diego
Masino Intaray (1993 awardee)
Silang” (1968) and “Walang. Sugat” (1971).
He is a prolific and pre-eminent epic canter and story teller
Honorata “Atang” dela Rama (January 11, 1902 – July
recognized for his outstanding mastery of various traditional
11, 1991) musical instruments of the Palaw’an people, such as basal, kulilal
and bagit. He is an outstanding master of the basal, kulilal (musical
She was named National Artist for Theater and Music in ensemble) and bagit; a gifted pot, bard artist, and musician.
1987. She was known as the Queen of Kundiman, and the
first actress to portray a 15-year-old in the very first Tagalog Samon Sulaiman (1993 awardee)
film, which was the film version of the Sarsuela “Dalagang
He is Magindanaon, who is highly sophisticated in weaving,
Bukid.”
okir designs, jewelry, metalwork and brassware which art is
Salvador F. Bernal (January 7, 1945 – October 26, 2011) Southeast Asian yet distinct in character.

Uwang Ahadas (2000 awardee)

Honored as National Artist for Theater Design in 2003,
Bernal used local materials including bamboo, abaca, hemp His near-blindness eyesight made music his constant
twine, and rattan in theater design for local productions. companion. He is a Yakan, a people to whom instrumental music is
of much significance, connected as it is with both the agricultural
Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero (January 22, 1910 – May 1, 1995) cycle and the social realm.

He served as the director of UP Dramatic Club for 16 Ginaw Bilog (1993 awardee)
years since 1947. He founded the UP Mobile Theater, which
He is a Hanunoo Mangyan who is considered as a master of
started the concept of theater campus tour.
the ambahan poetry. He shares old and new ambahans with his
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fellow Mangyans and promotes this poetic form in every occasion. A
common cultural aspect among cultural communities nationwide is
the oral tradition characterized by poetic verses which are either
sung or chanted.

Magdalena Gamayo (2012 awardee)

She is a master weaver who makes “inabel”, an Ilokano

handwoven cloth. She was awarded for her wide array skills in
textile weaving. Her handiworks are finer than most abel. Her
blankets have a very high thread count and her deigns are the most
intricate that sometimes take up to five colors.