Contemporary Philippine Art from the Regions

A Brief History of Philippine Art WOVEN TEXTILES

I. Pre-conquest 1. PIS SIYABIT- headpiece woven by the Tausug of Sulu

2. MALONG- exquisite tapestry
In stylistic terms, we refer to it as “indigenous” to emphasize
the idea that our ancestors have been making art even before BOXER CODEX- featured representations of various ethno-linguistic
colonization. groups; Islas de los Pintados
“hunter- gatherers”- ancestors Lotoans- betel nut boxes
RITUALS Kendi- vessel used for pouring liquids, it has a round body
with no handle
1. MAYVANUVANUA- Batanes Gadur- container with a tapered top, a round body and a
2. CAÑAO OR KANYAW- Cordillera Autonomous Region, flared base
officiated by a shaman or mumbaki, it also involves animal
sacrifice where the entrails are read that is performed for
healing, childbirth, and others II. Islamic Colonial Period
3. KASHAWING- Lake Lanao in Mindanao; to ensure
abundance during rice planting and harvesting Sulu- 13th century
4. TAGBANWA- every 13th moon, 3 goddesses descend from TERMS
heaven to bless rice planting
1. ALLAH- God
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 2. MUHAMMAD- messenger of God
3. MADRASA- school (Arabic writing)
1. KUDYAPI- three-stringed guitar 4. MECCA- holy land in Saudi Arabia
2. KULINTANG- array of bossed gongs 5. UMMAH- “community of believers”
3. GANSA- flat gong 6. TAWHID- doctrine; “unity of God”
4. AGONG- large bossed gong 7. MOSQUE- place of worship for Muslims
PARTS
NATIVE DANCES a. Mihrab or niche Towards west kasi
b. Qibla- wall nandoon ang Mecca
1. PANGALAY- Sulu; movement of seabirds
2. KINABUA- Mandaya Octagonal base symbolizes the spirit while the four-sided main base
3. BANOG-BANOG- Higaonon and of the B’laan communities refers to the Earth or material world.
4. MAN-MANOK- Bagobos of Mindanao; predatory birds
5. TALIP- Ifugaos use in courtship and mimetic to wild fowls 8. KA’BAH- black shrine believed to be built by Muhammad
6. INAMONG- Matigsalugs Comedic movement of itself
7. KADALIWAS- T’bolis monkeys 9. AREA FOR WATER SUPPLY- ablution
8. TINIKLING- popular Tagalog folk dance; crane 10. GARDENS- evocative of paradise
11. PANOLONG- carved protrusion akin to a wing attached to
IMAGES/ RELICS a torogan
12. TOROGAN- Maranao royal house
1. BULUL- Cordillera’s granary god
13. LUHUL- also called as canopy; may feature motifs from the
2. HAGABI- Ifugao; wooden bench that marks the
Tree of Life
socioeconomic status of the owner
14. BURRAQ- a horse with the head of a woman
3. SANTOS- sculptures of saints; Laguna and Pampanga
III. Spanish Colonial Period
- Paete, Laguna is recognized for its carving tradition.
- Betis, Pampanga remains active. PLAZA COMPLEX- resettlement for the natives
4. OKIR- Southern Philippines; curvilinear decorations are BAROQUE STYLE- predominantly employed
employed in woodcarving
- Sarimanok BAROQUE CHURCHES
- Naga or serpent
- Pako rabong or fern 1. SAN AGUSTIN CHURCH- Manila
2. MORONG CHURCH- Rizal
Elaborate okir designs can also be found in the 3. PAOAY CHURCH- Ilocos Norte
panolong (protruding beams) of the sultan’s house called 4. STO. TOMAS DE VILLANUEVA CHURCH- Miag-ao, Iloilo
torogan.
Sunduk- grave markers CHINESE ARTISANS- were engaged in making icons or saints or
santos in wood and ivory; building churches and houses; as well as
5. MANUNGGUL JAR- discovered at Manunggul Cave, Lipuun making furniture
Point, Palawan; secondary burial vessel RETABLO- decorative altar niche
VIA CRUCIS- series of 14 paintings or relief sculptures depicting
Other forms of pottery:
Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection
Palayok- for cooking
TROMP L’OEIL- French for “fooling the eye”
Banga and tapayan- fermenting food or liquids
RELLEVES- carved figurative protrusions on the surface
PLATERIA- organic designs of hammered silver
PAGBUBURNAY- Vigan, thrives and is currently valued in Ilocos as
CARROZA- where the santos are paraded during town processions
part of its creative industry.
Bubo- fish traps
Juan Rodriguez Angel- established a singing school at the Manila
cathedral that taught Western church music.
PASYON O PABASA- musical form based on Catholic faith
SECULAR MUSIC FORMS- awit at corrido
KUNDIMAN AND BALITAO- sentimental love songs
- Kundiman ni Abdon
- Bayan Ko
BAYBAYIN- Ticao, Leyte; Baybayin script used to compose short
poems that tell of courtship and other emotions
LOCAL THEATER FORMS
1. ZARZUELA- operetta which features singing and dancing
interspersed with prose dialogue which allowed the story
to be carried out in song
2. SENAKULO- Passion play; the first Senakulo was written by
Gaspar Aquino de Belen. In Nueva Ecija, it is called araguio
and is performed all throughout the seven days of holy
week. In Iligan, the Comedia de San Miguel is still
performed as San Miguel is their patron saint.
3. KOMEDYA- depicts the conflict between Muslim and
Christians
Two main types:
1. KOMEDYA DE SANTO- religious komedya; centers on
the life of Christ or of any saint
2. SECULAR KOMEDYA- Moro-moro; involve a love story
between a Christian hero and an Islamic heroine or
vice versa.
HEAVEN, EARTH, AND HELL- a mural by Jose Dans in Paete Church,
Laguna
BASI REVOLT- series of 14 paintings by Esteban Villanueva
DOCTRINA CHRISTIANA- The Teachings of Christianity; was printed
in 1593 in Spanish and in Tagalog by Dominican priests
DOCTRINA- first printed book in the Philippines compiling song
lyrics, commandments, sacraments, and other catechetical material.
ESTAMPAS- prayer booklets; estampitas as its smaller counterpart
- Fr. Pedro Murillo collaborated with homegrown talents, the artist
Francisco Suarez and the engraver Nicolas de la Cruz Bagay to
produce CARTA HYDROGRAPHICA Y CHOROGRAPHICA DE LAS
YSLAS FILIPINAS, the first scientific map of the Philippines.
TIPOS DEL PAIS- surrounding the map are vignettes of everyday life
that focus on the different “types” of people and their surroundings
called tipos del pais.
VIRIÑA- bell-shaped glass case
URNA- a humbler, domestic version of a retablo
ILUSTRADO- “enlightened” ones
CHIAROSCURO- play of light and dark
MARCELO ADONAY- Pakil-born; recognized for his compositions
based on the Western tradition of Gregorian chants
DAMIAN DOMINGO- painter known for his watercolor albums of
tipos del pais
LORENZO GUERRERO- painted The Water Carrier, which exemplifies
the use of chiaroscuro in genre of the late 19th century
FLORA DE FILIPINAS- Fr. Manuel Blanco; extensive compilation of
Philippine plants
PORTRAIT OF THE QUIAZON FAMILY- Simon Flores; documents the
family’s affluence
PRIMERAS LETRAS- Simon Flores; features a woman teaching a child
how to read
ESPAÑA Y FILIPINAS- features two women ascending a flight of
stairs
SPOLIARIUM- may be viewed at the National Art Gallery of the
Philippines
ESPAÑA Y FILIPINAS- Lopez Museum
VIRGENES- part of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila or MET
Collection.
- Luna won gold for Spoliarium; while Hidalgo garnered
a silver medal for Virgenes Christianas Expuestas Al
Populacho.
- We recall Jose Rizal’s brindis or toast before a group
of ilustrados lauding the efforts of the two artists,
articulating one of his famous sayings, “genius knows
no country”
IV. American Colonial Period
MAJOR ART MOVEMENTS
Treaty of Paris- Spain “surrendered” the Philippines to the United
States
Sedition Law- banned the writing, printing, and publication of
materials advocating Philippine independence
PLAYS
1. Juan Abad’s Tanikalang Guinto
2. Juan Matapang Cruz’s Hindi Ako Patay
3. Aurelio Tolentino’s Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas
DRAMA SIMBOLICO- one-act plays to represent a deep and
profound yearning for freedom
A MODERN FILIPINA- Lino Castillejo and Jesus Araullo; first Filipino
play written in English
VAUDEVILLE- originated from France, was another form of theater
which the Americans introduced that became popular in the
Philippines during the 1920s; known locally as bodabil.
DANIEL BURNHAM- architect and urban planner; commissioned by
the American to design Manila and Baguio
WILLIAM PARSONS- architect; implemented the Burnham plan
PENINSULARES- term used during the colonial period to refer to
Spanish-born residents of the Philippines
FABIAN DE LA ROSA- known for his naturalist paintings
characterized by restraint and formality in brushwork, choice of
somber colors, and subject matter, as seen in his works Planting
Rice, and El Kundiman.
FERNANDO AMORSOLO- was known for his romantic paintings that
captured the warm glow of the Philippines sunlight; he was also a
graphic artist who rendered drawings for the textbook series The
Philippine Readers as well as illustrations for the newspaper The
Independent; made the logo design for Ginebra San Miguel,
depicting the saint trampling on a devil.
GUILLERMO TOLENTINO- Amorsolo’s counterpart in sculpture;
credited for the iconic Oblation in UP and the Bonifacio Monument
in Caloocan.
THE BUILDERS- Victorio Edades; showed distorted figures of toiling 2. CHURCH OF THE RISEN LORD- both employed concrete as
workers using dull colors primary material and experimented with rounded and
parabolic forms
MODERN ART AND ITS CHALLENGE TO ACADEMIC ART 3. CHAPEL OF ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER- Victorias, Negros;
built by the Czech-American architect Antonin Raymond
TRIUMVIRATE OF MODERN ART- Victorio Edades,
Carlos Francisco, and Galo Ocampo ANGRY CHRIST- striking mural of Christ by Alfonso Ossorio
Abstract expressionists:
1. FILIPINO STRUGGLES THROUGH HISTORY- Carlos “Botong”
V. Francisco; one of the largest and most ambitious in 1. CONSTANCIO BERNARDO
scope, which he did for the Manila City Hall 2. LEE AGUINALDO
2. BROWN MADONNA- Galo Ocampo; sets the mother and 3. JOSE JOYA
child in a native, tropical environment 4. ARTURO LUZ- “Street Musicians”
3. NATURE’S BOUNTY- portrays a group of women 5. NENA SAGUIL- “Cargadores”
harvesting fruits in a field
4. METROPOLITAN THEATER- Juan Arellano; Art Deco V. 70s to Contemporary
architecture in Manila
September 21, 1972- declaration of Martial Law
JAPANESE OCCUPATION Marcos envisioned a New Society or Bagong Lipunan.
KALIBAPI- Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod ng Bagong Pilipinas THE CCP AS SHRINE FOR THE ARTS
SHIN-SEIKI- Japanese sponsored publications CCP- Cultural Center of the Philippines; premier bureaucratic
LIWAYWAY AND TRIBUNE- newspapers and magazines entity
SATELLITE STRUCTURES
FELIPE P. DE LEON- was said to have been “commanded at the point
1. Folk Arts Theater- venue of the 1st Ms. Universe pageant
of the gun” to write Awit sa Paglikha ng Bagong Pilipinas.
2. Philippine International Convention Center- housed the
FERNANDO AMORSOLO- Harvest Scene and Rice Planting
1976 IMF- World Bank Conference
3. Tahanang Filipino or Coconut Palace- papal visit
SA KABUKIRAN- Sylvia La Torre’s hit song
4. Manila Film Center- Manila Internation Film Festival
STUDY OF AN AETA- Crispin Lopez; portraits representing different
ethnolinguistic groups OBJECTS- Chabet; torn coffee-table book on Philippine
contemporary art and placed it in the trash bin
Although scenes from the war were also made, the TEARNING INTO PIECES- scandalous critique of the art conventions
imagery remained neutral, focusing rather on the aesthetic qualities THE STRUGGLE FOR PHILIPPINE ART- Purita Kalaw-Ledesma; anti-
of ruin and disaster. Take Amorsolo’s Bombing of the Intendencia museum art
and Ruins of the Manila Cathedral. Works which depicted the WOOD THINGS- made of kapok or cotton pods
horrors of war such as Diosdado Lorenzo’s Atrocities in Paco and
Dominador Castañeda’s Doomed Family. SOCIAL REALISM
NEO-REALISM, ABSTRACTION, AND OTHER ART STYLES - form of protest art that exposed the sociopolitical
issues and struggles of the times
ALICE GUILLERMO- recounts how artists and writers reflected about
national identity as Filipinos were rising from the ashes of war ITAK SA PUSO NI MANG JUAN by Antipas Delotavo
KINUPOT- Edgar Fernandez
E. AGUILAR CRUZ- named the movement Neo-Realism

NATIONAL ARTISTS SALINGPUSA- group of UP Fine Arts Students

1. MANANSALA- “The Beggars,” two women with emaciated
bodies
2. LEGASPI- “Gadgets II,” depicts half-naked men almost
engulfed with the presence of machines
3. HR OCAMPO- “The Contrast,” exposes dire human
conditions amid the backdrop of modernity; “Genesis,”
puts together warm-colored shapes
AAP- Art Association of the Philippines; support institution
established in 1948 under Purita Kalaw-Ledesma
Awardees: Martino Abellana’s Job Was Also Man and Fernando
Zobel’s Carroza.
PROJECT SPACE PILIPINAS- collaborative program that is based in
Lucban, Quezon; founded by Leslie de Chavez
PIETA- Eduardo Castrillo’s gigantic metal work; evoked mother and
the oversized body of Christ which she supports
CONTEXT OF ART
CONTEXT. Settings, conditions, circumstances, and audience
response to art work. It is the set background information of the
artwork.
Different Contexts of Art

PAG- Philippine Art Gallery; provided a venue and laid out early A. Artist’s background- artist’s age, gender economic
programs for modern art condition, social environment, and disposition affect art production

Traditional Art- inherited art; Abdulmari Asia Imao- traditional artist

MODIFIED CHURCHES
who uses okir designs in his paintings; Matecanan Mandukit-
1. CHURCH OF THE HOLY SACRIFICE- within the UP Diliman master sculptor
GAMABA- Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan; “the one who creates for
the country”
Urbanized or Modern Art- art can be seen through paintings, media,
and photography; Julie Lluch- Iligan City; emphasize female identity;
Cutting onions always makes me cry, (1988)
B. Nature- provider and source of inspirations of the artist
Nelfa Querubin- Tompkins- experimented San Dionisio clay, river
sand to form pottery
Ivatan Houses in Batanes- walls are made of stones, roofs are made
of thick cogon attached with rattan and nets for wind protection
Angud, a forest once- commentary on the abuse of nature
VEEJAY VILLAFRANCA- photographers alert the public about the
alarming effects of climate change
ROY LAGARDE- black and white photographs documenting the
effects of typhoon Yolanda
RICARTE PURUGGANAN- “Toilers of the Sea,” thick turquoise
brushwork suggests the rough rolling of the waves threatening to
engulf anything that comes its way
C. Everyday life- its significance is not just appearance but
also its functionality
Examples
- crisp Ilocano bed cover with dainty ubas designs
- pabalat, delicate pastillas wrappers from Bulacan with elaborate
cutout designs
MARINA CRUZ- works refer to old photographs and things like worn
clothes. She reproduces them by enlarging their image.
LIRIO SALVADOR- fuses easily accessible objects like machine
discards, bicycle parts, and kitchen implements to form an
assemblage; “Sandata ni Shiva”
MM YU- captured the details of interesting patterns and forms often
overlooked in the city
CAVITY COLLECTIVE- group of young artists who create temporary
yet arresting images in public spaces
D. Society, Politics and Economy, and History – changes
affect the artist’s works and the structures that support their
production
SUEZ CANAL- travel easier and to make trade much efficient
KODAK- set- up shop and produce images
DALAGANG BUKID- first film ever to be directed by a Filipino;
Hermogenes Ilagan and Leon Ignacio
NA ATANG DE LA RAMA- singer/actress (music video)
NA BENEDICTO CABRERA- “Brown Brother’s Burden,” approximates
the look of an old photograph which presents an aspect of colonial
history from the gaze of the colonized
E. Mode of Reception- when, where, and how art is
encountered
GASTON DAMAG- striking appropriation of bulul makes us rethink
how cultural representations and methods of display shape our
consciousness
MIDEO CRUZ- rose to national prominence or notoriety over his
work Poleteismo at an exhibit titled Kulo or boil
Artist’s age, gender, culture, economic conditions, social
environment, and disposition affect product as well as reception.
THE CONTEMPORARY IN TRADITIONAL ART: GAWAD SA
MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN (GAMABA)
TEOFILO GARCIA- 2012 awardee who is a farmer in San Quintin,
Abra; known for his tabungaw hats. The varnish strengthens the
organic material to make it weather resistant. Thin strips of rattan or
uway are woven to line the hat, while another type of intricate
weave, usually made of fern or nito, is placed on the mouth of the
hat as decoration.
Traditional art- part of the culture of a group of people, skills, and
knowledge passed down through generations from master
craftsmen to apprentices
Contemporary art- art of today, produced in the 2nd half of the 20th
century or 21st century.
Contemporary- traditional art- art produced at the present period
of time that reflects the current culture by utilizing classical
techniques in drawing, painting, and sculpting
WHAT IS THE GAMABA?
GARCIA- named as Manlilikha ng Bayan (“one who creates for the
country”) or National Living Treasure
Twelve individuals have received this distinction from the time of
the establishment of the 1992 award through the R.A. no. 7355.
GAMABA- recognizes work of artists in the Philippines; emphasizes
the intangible and communal aspects of art production.
- Traditional art finds deep affinities with nature, place,
society, ritual, and spirituality, and everyday life.
SOME ISSUES RELATED TO AWARDS
- Why are there separate awards for individual
expression, the national artist award and for
communal expression, the GAMABA?
- How do these two awards differ in terms of
expressions, places of production, and the artistic
merits valued?
- What does the award system suggest about the
challenge defining artistic excellence on a natural
level?
THE PRODUCTION PROCESS AND THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
1. TOURISM- land areas are converted into sites for tourist
consumption
2. MINING AND INFRASTRACTURE- the construction of dams
and the establishments of oil and mining companies
3. MILITARIZATION- insecurity and tensions brought about
by militarized zones arrest people’s ability to create art
4. CHRISTIANIZATION- the conversion of natives to a foreign
religion caused members of the community to forsake
their indigenous rituals and traditions
DIFFICULTIES IN THE SELECTION PROCESS
The archipelagic orientation of the Philippines makes some locations
challenging to reach by land, air or sea. Places that pose security
risks particularly militarized zones prevent the entry of researchers
and possibly diminish reception outside locality.
 Form Manlilikha Year of Ethnicity/ Expertise
ng Bayan Conferment Location
T’boli/ Lake EFFECT OF THE GAMABA IN THE COMMUNITIES
Sebu, South
Lang Dulay 1998 Cotabato, Tinalak The award system might create a division within the
Mindanao, weaving communities when one person is elevated to the status of
southern
national awardee. The attention and the entry of outsiders
Philippines
may create a disruption that may also change, not just the
Tagabawa
1998 Bagobo/ social and economic relationships but also the people’s
Bansalan, attitudes, concepts, and definition of art forms and the
Salinta Davao Del Inabal processes.
Monon Sur, weaving
southeastern The GAMABA and the National Artist awards are the
Mindanao, highest national awards for culture and arts. The GAMABA
Weaving southern recognizes exceptional artists who are engaged in the
Philippines traditional arts. The traditional arts are strongly grounded in
Darhata Tausug/ culture, spirituality, religion, and environment.
Sawabi (d. 2004 Parang, Sulu, Pis siyabit
2005) southern weaving NATIONAL ARTIST OF THE PHILIPPINES
Philippines
Sama/ - Highest form of recognition to Filipino artists
Haja Amina 2004 Tandubas, Mat weaving - Conferred every three (3) years
Appi (d. Tawi- Tawi, - Facilitated by two (2) major offices: NCCA and CCP
2013) southern
- Established in 1972 under PD no. 1001, by Marcos
Philippines
- First recipient was Fernando Amorsolo
Ilocano/
Pinili, Ilocos 7 DISCIPLINARY AREAS
Magdalena 2012 Norte, Inabel
Gamayo northern weaving 1. Architecture design and allied arts
Luzon island, 2. Film and broadcast arts
northern
3. Visual arts
Philippines
Hanunoo
4. Literature
Mangyan/ 5. Dance
Ginaw Bilog 1993 Mansalay, Surat 6. Music
(d. 2003) Oriental Mangyan and 7. Theater
Mindoro, ambahan - Other categories have been considered by the virtue
central poetry of President such as: historical literature and fashion
Literature Philippines design.
and Lyrical poems
Performing (kulilal, basal, A. WORKS OF NATIONAL ARTISTS IN PUBLIC SPACES
Arts Pala’wan/ and bagit) and
Brookes playing their
Masino 1993 Point, accompanying
A Look at UP Diliman
Intaray Magindanao,
Palawan instruments; 1. GUILLERMO TOLENTINO- classically- trained sculptor; the
Mama
island,sa epic chanting iconic school symbol Oblation, male nude arms
Samaon 1993 Pano,
central Playing
and the outstretched as a gesture of sacrifice and freedom; many
Sulaiman (d. Maguindanao,
Philippines kudyapi
storytelling of his works in National Museum
2011) western
Mindanao
2. FERNANDO AMORSOLO- known for his romantic
island, paintings; in Jorge B. Vargas Museum
southern 3. BENEDICTO CABRERA- iconic variations of Sabel 2015
Philippines made of aluminum sheets can be found at UP theater
Kalinga/ Playing 4. ABDULMARI ASIA IMAO- the sculpture garden in Vargas
Lubuagan, Kalinga Museum is the largest sculpture he made
Kalinga, musical
Alonzo Saclag 2000 northern Luzon instruments;
5. JOSE JOYA- produced commissioned works that have
Island, dance become part of the University’s Visual Heritage; “Barter of
northern patterns and Panay,” mural in the Virata School of Business, rendered
Philippines movements a in the abstract expressionist style and consist of soft,
Sulod Chanting the overlapping, planes of black, white, orange, brown, and
Bukidnon/ sugidanon golden yellow; referencing the trade b/w Datu Puti and
Federico 2000 Calinog, Iloilo, epic of the
Caballero Panay Island, Panay
King Marikudo
central Phi Bukidnon 6. NAPOLEON ABUEVA- sculptor; “Spirit of Business,” seems
Basilan island, to be drawn from science fiction, composed of a metal disc
Uwang 2000 southern Ph Playing Yakan with sharp-looking poles putting through it.
Ahadas instruments
Kapampangan/ Silver plating VENICE ART BIENNALE- one of the oldest international art
Eduardo 2004 Apalit, of religious exhibitions world wide
Mutuc Pampanga, and secular CHURCH OF THE HOLY SACRIFICE- 1st catholic church in the
art
Plastic Arts
Ilocano/ San
country
Quintin, Abra,
Teofilo Garcia 2012 northern Luzon Gourd casque
island, north making
Ph
 7. LEANDRO LOCSIN- based the architectural vision that drew
inspiration from the spirit of the times; architecture of the
chapel; Abueva for the double-sided crucifix position
8. ARTURO LUZ- worked on the terrazzo floor of the church
9. JOSE MACEDA- avant-garde composer, musician;
“Pagsamba,” involved a hundred mixed voices, indigenous
musical instruments

B. TRANSLATION AND COLLABORATIVE WORKS OF

NATIONAL ARTIST

GENGHIS KHAN- film that is a collaborative work of the actor, film

maker and producer Manuel Conde and Carlos V. Francisco; epic
adventure of a Mongolian conqueror; Conde’s cinematic vision and
Francisco’s production design.

TALES OF MANUVU- pop-rock opera

1. BIENVENIDO LUMBERA- NA; wrote the libretto

2. ALICE REYES- NA; founder of Ballet Philippines
3. SALVADOR BERNAL- NA for Theater; took charge of
costume and design

NOONG UNANG PANAHON- song popularized by this production

4. FRANCISCO V. COCHING- inspired filmmakers to create

adaptations on the big screen called fantaserye; “Pedro
Penduko,” first appeared in Coching’s work Liwayway
comics and animated by Gerardo de Leon, NA for Film
5. NICK JOAQUIN- NA for Literature; novelist and playwright,
wrote “Portrait of the Artist as Filipino,” adapted for film
by Lamberto Avellana, NA for Film and his wife Daisy
Hontiveros Avellana, NA for Theater.
 PE III e. SUSPENDED- movements are perched in space
or hanging on air
DANCE- expressive human movement that unifies the physical with f. COLLAPSING- body descend into the floor
the intellectual, emotional and spiritual 4. BODY- bodily shapes, how the entire body is molded in
space or the configuration of body parts; wide, narrow,
CLASSIFICATION OF DANCE curved, angular, symmetrical, asymmetrical, and twisted

1. FESTIVAL- may be religious or secular; it draws the
people’s culture by portraying the people’s ways of life
inherent to their origin
2. HIP-HOP/STREET- involves a wide range of styles primarily
breaking, locking, and popping; lowest form of dance
3. SOCIAL- sociability and socializing are the primary focuses;
Latin American (Mambo, Rumba, Salsa) and Modern
Standard (Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep)
4. CONTEMPORARY- combines elements of several dance
genres including modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet;
highest form of dance
5. BALLET- artistic dance performed to music using precise
and highly formalized set steps and gestures
6. JAZZ- broad range of dance styles; styles that originated
from African American vernacular dance
7. FOLK/ETHNIC/INDIGENOUS- folk: traditional flavors and
characteristics of the people, their feelings and
sentiments, also referred to as traditional; ethnic/tribal:
found in a group of people living together in a locality with
a common belief and customs
- A good dance displays a message, it also portrays life
experiences. It also has a theme or motif.
- It has a beginning, middle, and end/conclusion
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD DANCE
1. UNITY- The interconnected phrases of dance are coherent
and flow smoothly together
2. CONTINUITY AND DEVELOPMENT- The phrases of dance
that are organized progressively, making each movement
phrase move naturally into the next
3. VARIETY AND CONTRAST- Making one that or several
variations that highlight the facet of the motif. This provide
variety within the development of dance. It introduces
material, which is noticeably different from anything.
Contrasting movements are slow to fast, short to long, and
minimal to large movement phrases.
4. TRANSITION
5. REPETITION
6. CLIMAX

3 MAJOR REGIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

1. TRIBAL DANCE FROM CORDILLERA- include non- Christian

dances from Cordilleras
2. LOWLAND CHRISTIAN DANCES- from places with Western
influences such as Tagalog, Ilocanos, and Bikolanos
3. MUSLIM DANCES- from the people of Southern places
such as Mindanao and Sulu

THE ELEMENTS OF DANCE

1. SPACE- personal and general; area of space occupied by

the dancer’s body
a. DIRECTION- which way a dancer faces or moves;
forward, backward, sideways, up and down
b. SIZE- magnitude of a body shape or movement;
from small to large movements
c. PATHWAYS- patterns made as a dancer moves
through the air on the floor (straight, vertical,
horizontal, zig-zag)
2. TIME- movements may be executed in varying tempo;
performers move with the tempo of an underlying sound,
known as beat or pulse; can be varied by moving faster or
slower than the normal beat
3. ENERGY- propel movements, it can initiate or stop an
action; dances use different energies to minimize
monotony; has six (6) types
a. SUSTAINED- smooth, continuous movements
with flow and control; doesn’t have a clear
beginning and ending
b. PERCUSSIVE- explosive, sharp movements; has a
clear beginning and ending
c. VIBRATORY- trembling or shaking
d. SWINGING- trace a curved line or arc in space;
relaxed movements and giving into gravity on
the downward part of the motion, followed by
upward application of energy