1.

Identify the festivals and theatrical forms celebrated all over the country throughout the
year

RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS
1. The Pahiyas festival is celevrated every 15th of the hot summer month of May. An

extravagant and colorful affair in the quiet town of Lucban, held in honor of San Isidro

Labrador and is the farmer’s thanksgiving for a rich and bountiful harvest. The

townspeople prepare many things for this festival, among them is the all-important,

Kipling. These are leaf-shaded, multi-colored rice-paste wafers used to decorate their

houses with, along with agricultural produce like fruits, vegetables and flowers. This

visual representation of the festival has garnered international recognition.

2. The Obando Fertility Rite is a dance ritual and Catholic festival celebrated every May

in Obando, Bulacan. Locals and pilgrims dressed in traditional costumes, dance and

sing in the town’s streets to honor and beseech Obando’s three patron saints: San

Pascual (Paschal Baylon), Santa Clara (Clare of Assisi) and NuestraSeñora de

Salambao (Our Lady of Salambao). The fertility dance is both a festival and a prayerful

appeal for devotees. Couples who are childless can take this occasion to appeal for

heavenly intercession and dance to please the Virgin of Salambao.

3. Ati-Atihan is a festival in honor of the Santo Niño and celebrated by rejoicing and

energetic merriment on the streets. The name means “make-believe Atis”. The festival

is also named after the Ati, the indigenous natives of the island. The festival is held on

the third week of January every year on the second Sunday after Epiphany in Kailibo

in the Aklan province on the island of Panay. It is famous for being the wildest among

the Filipino fiestas. This festival is very similar to the Carnival celebration in Rio de

Janeiro in Brazil with its elaborate attires and uninhibited dancing to the frantic beating
 drums. People partake by paining their faces in many different ways and designs and

dress in creative, outstanding costumes.

4. The City of Cebu is known for its lechon, dried mangoes, and the Sinulog festival. The

native dance of Sinulog commemorates the acceptance of the Filipino people of

Christianity, more specifically Catholicism, to replace their belief of animalism.

5. The Iloilo Dinagyang festival is a showcase of the rich heritage, colorful history,

passionate devotion and fun-loving spirit of the Ilonggo people. The festival traces its

roots as a thanksgiving celebration in honor of Senyor Santo Niño, the child Jesus.

Today, it has grown to be one of the Philippines’ most spectacular religious and cultural

festivals.

6. One of the most popular and biggest celebrations during May is the Santacruzan or

Flores de Mayo, which means ‘Flower in May’. Usually it is also celebrated with flower

offerings for the Blessed Virgin Mary in Catholic churches. One of the most colorful

aspects of the festival is the portrayal of characters, in which there are lot, and showing

off of costumes, usually holding pageants as well for the best well-dressed character.

Each character depicts a personality and role and is usually recognized by an icon or

symbol they carry during a parade or procession.

The usual participants of the procession would go in this order or arrangement:

Biblical Figures and Traditional Personifications

NON-RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS

1. One of many famous festivals celebrated in the Philippines is the Panagbenga

Festival held in Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines. Its English name is The

Blooming Flower Festival, which means, “season of blooming”, is a month long annual

celebration of a tribute to the city’s beautifully grown flowers, and is celebrated in the

month of February.
 2. What makes a party fun? It’s in the smiles of the people you see, enjoying every part

of the celebration. The Masskara festival emphasizes just that during celebrations.

From the combination of the English word “mass” and the Spanish word, “kara” (which

means face), this festival is celebrated every third weekend of October, or on the

closest weekend to October 19, it dramatizes the steadfast character of Negrenses

and symbolizes what the city of Smiles, Bacolod city, do best, putting on a smiling face

even when faced with challenges.

3. The ritual of Kadayawan that is celebrated in Davao City, is a festival of thanksgiving

for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture and the bounties of harvest and serenity of

living that is derived from the Dabawenyong word, “madayaw” or goo, valuable and

superior in English. The festival is honored by displaying various farming implements,

fruits, flowers, vegetables, rice and corn grains as tribute to the gods. Singing, dancing

and offerings to their divine protectors are the highlights of this thanksgiving festival.

PHILIPPINE THEATRICAL FORMS

1. Shadow Puppetry or Shadow Play is an ancient art form that uses flat, expressed figures

which are held together by sticks and sometimes, thread, to create movement, which are

shown behind a thin layer of cloth or screen and a light source to create the shadows.

2. A drama that is performed through dance movements or dance drama, frequently with

dialogue or sometimes, even singing, dance drama is popular for retelling of famous,

national literatures. Actors act out scenes through a complex gesture language, which

imitates actions in real life and are required rhythmic body movements as an expressive

public performance.

3. The earliest known form of organized theater is Comedia or Moro-Moro, created by

Spanish priests. It is unique to the Philippines because there are no other countries that

thought of or created the said drama. It is usually performed during festivals or fiestas,

and are performed in villages throughout the Philippines. Each performance for each
 village differ from one another because of how it is treated through retelling, but all are full

of romance, melodrama and the highlight, which is the battle between Christians and

Muslims.

4. In the Philippines, the Sarswela or Zarzuela is a play with song and dances usually written

in prose, depicting the peculiarity of romantic love among idealized Filipino characters that

are often accompanied by topics of contemporary social, political, economical, or cultural

issues for relevance and added interest. Originating from the Spanish form of musical

theater, the dramatic action is carried through the alternating combination of song and

speech, and incorporates vocal ensembles, various types of folk music and dance.

5. During the season of Lent, one of the most famous events that is shown is the theater play

of Senakulo, usually depicting stories and events from the old and new testaments relate

to the life, sufferings and death of Jesus Christ. It takes at least eight days to be performed,

from Palm Sunday to Eastern Sunday, in different places: on the streets, on stage, in a

chapel or church.

Music and arts-grade 7 Learner’s Material First Edition, 2017 p. 254-274

2. Research on the history of the festival and theatrical composition and its evolution, and

describe how the townspeople participate and contribute to the event

 3. Identify the elements and principles of arts as seen in Philippine festivals

ELEMENTS OF ART

 Line an element of art defined by a point moving in space. Line may be two-or three-

dimensional, descriptive, implied, or abstract.

 Shape an element of art that is two-dimensional, flat, or limited to height and width.

 Form an element of art that is three-dimensional and encloses volume; includes height,

width and depth (as in a cube, a sphere, a pyramid, or a cylinder). Form may also be free

flowing.

 Value The lightness or darkness of tones or colors. White is the lightest value; black is the

darkest. The value halfway between these extremes is called middle gray.

 Space an element of art by which positive and negative areas are defined or a sense of

depth achieved in a work of art.

 Color an element of art made up of three properties: hue, value, and intensity.

 Hue: name of color

 Value: hue’s lightness and darkness (a color’s value changes when white or black

is added)

 Intensity: quality of brightness and purity (high intensity= color is strong and bright;

low intensity= color is faint and dull)

 Texture an element of art that refers to the way things feel, or look as if they might feel if

touched.

PRINCIPLES OF ART

 Rhythm a principle of design that indicates movement, created by the careful placement

of repeated elements in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat.

 Balance a way of combining elements to add a feeling of equilibrium or stability to a work

of art. Major types are symmetrical and asymmetrical.

  Emphasis (contrast) a way of combining elements to stress the differences between

those elements.

 Proportion a principle of design that refers to the relationship of certain elements to the

whole and to each other.

 Gradation a way of combining elements by using a series of gradual changes in those

elements. (large shapes to small shapes, dark hue to light hue, etc)

 Harmony a way of combining similar elements in an artwork to accent their similarities

(achieved through use of repetitions and subtle gradual changes)

 Variety a principle of design concerned with diversity or contrast. Variety is achieved by

using different shapes, sizes, and/or colors in a work of art.

 Movement a principle of design used to create the look and feeling of action and to guide

the viewer’s eye throughout the work of art.

http://www2.oberlin.edu/amam/asia/sculpture/documents/vocabulary.pdf
 4. Define what makes each of the Philippine festivals unique through a visual presentation

Pahiyas festival

Used kipling or leaf-shaped, multi colored rice-paste wafers used to decorate their houses

with, along with agricultural produce like fruits, vegetables and flowers. Thus visual representation

of the festival has garnered international recognition.

Obando Fertility Rite

The townsfolk dress in traditional costumes: the ladies wear Filipiniana, with distinct

designs and colorful kimona’t saya, showing off the femininity and modesty of the ladies wearing

them. Colorful and vivid looking banderitas (flaglets) are seen hanging across the streets to

welcome the dancers and visitors, complementing the colorful costumes the dancers are wearing.

Ati-Atihan Festival

The highlight of the festival is the native dance competition that runs for several days

throughout the festival. The competitors cover their body with soot and paint their faces to portray

the Ati. They wear different colored costumes, mostly made out of the following materials: walis

tambo (a soft broom used by most Filipinos); hair or tiger grass, which is made from native reeds;

and other indigenous materials to make the headdresses and garlands draped across the chest.

The look is completed with paper flower s, woven rattan, and even capiz pieces as accessories.

They sometimes wear long necklaces made out of wooden beads, painted brightly with various

colors, and are often seen with painted wooden spears and shields as well.

Sinulog Festival

The main highlight of the festival which is the grand parade that lasts almost a whole day,

where the sinulog participants are decked in brightly colored costumes, usually similar to the Sto.

Niños they display. The costumes are not limited so that, however, and participants create their

own variety of “Sto. Niño wear”, some are even dressed as angels and other martyrs, made out
of the most ornate materials and items, topped with different kinds of accessories. They wear

these very colorful and elaborate costumes while dancing and to the music of the drums, trumpets

and native gongs put together.

Dinagyang Festival

Colorful costumes and headdresses are made to represent this celebration full of joy and

wonder and to create happy memories for all who are participating and watching. Warriors are

dressed in Colorful Aeta costumes and are made to dance rhythmically and to perform various

complicated formations to the thunderous beat of drums.

Santacruzan

One of the most colorful aspects of the festival is the portrayal of characters, in which there

are lot, and showing off of costumes, usually holding pageants as well for the best well-dressed

character. Each character depicts a personality and role and is usually recognized by an icon or

symbol they carry during a parade or procession.

Panagbenga Festival

The most featured in this festival are the beautifully arranged flowers atop floats and are

showcased in a parade. The festival also includes street dancing, presented by dancers dressed

in flower-inspired costumes. These costumes are sometimes partnered with concepts that are

flower-related. Such as living things that you see in a garden full of flowers, and the like. You can

see costumes inspired by butterflies, bees, pots, and water canisters, even, bearing animals of

music, dance and crafts arts.

Masskara Festival

This festival showcases the beautiful visual presentations for several days, giving tourist

an eyeful of colorful artistry in costumes and masks, and through dance performances of the

participants. Costumes that are made with different colorful fabrics and patterns woven together
to create indigenous pieces of intricate design, embellished with shiny sequins and textured

feathers, multi-colored beads and other elements. All these costumes are paired and partnered

with beautiful, towering head pieces. The festival is a sea color and vibrancy, diverse patterns

and designs, certainly giving tourists and anybody who come to watch an eye candy. With the

beating of the drums and the reverberating festival songs in the air, you would automatically feel

yourself drowning in the celebration and dance your worries away.

Kaamulan Festival

Showcases the unique indigenous culture through integrating different activities of several

sectors and fusing them into one, creating a unique and wonderful celebration in ethnic fashion.

They celebrate this festival by telling legendary stories, relieving ancient rituals, playing and

listening to ethnic music and doing traditional dances. From the creative artworks on their colorful

floats that represent different elements in their culture, the vibrancy and electric designs in their

costumes, the powerful choreography in their dances, nothing is spared to showcase their cultural

heritage.

Kadayawan Festival

Showcasing different dances, floats, and tribal costumes and jewelry. The streets are

adorned with local fruits, vegetables and other harvests, while people dance with abandon for

several days. The harbor is also included as venue for native an power boats races, and people

gather to watch stallions fight to mate with a mare during their horse fighting, the tribal animal

show is similar to bullfighting in Spain. This festival is said to interface three aspects: tribal,

industrial arts and entertainment. This festival reflects the merry spirit and indigenous culture of

the city’s people.

Music and arts –Grade 7 Learner’s Material First Edition, 2017, p. 249-268
 5. Design the visual elements and components of the selected festival or theatrical form

through costumes, props, etc.

Elements and Components of Festival Dance

 Theme is the most basic element of a dance. It conveys the message of the dance.

 Design is the pattern of movement in time and space. Pattern in time refers to the

unaccented beats of movements into measures. Path in space refers to the path traced

by the dancer’s feet on the floor and the levels on which they move.

 Movement refers to the bodily actions of the dancer that include his steps, gestures of the

arms, hands, and body and facial expression.

 Technique is the skill of movement executed by the dancer.

 Costumes and paraphernalia are properties worn by the dancer that help reflect the

message, customs, beliefs and setting of the dance.

 Choreography refers to the figures and steps in dancing that enable the dancers to

perform in an organized manner.

 Scenery refers to the background or setting where the dance is performed to make it more

realistic and enriching.

clxrisse Follow. (2015, August 16). The Elements of Visual Arts and Performing Arts. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/clxrisse/the-elements-of-visual-arts-and-performing-arts-51686050

Elements and Components of Theatrical Form

Theatre

Script/Text, Scenario, Plan:

This is the starting point of the theatrical performance. The element most often considered

as the domain of the playwright in theatre. The playwright’s script is the text by which theatre is

created. It can be simplistic, as in the 16th century, with the scenarios used by the acting troupes
of the Commedia dell’ arte, or it can be elaborate, such as the works of William Shakespeare. The

script, scenario, or plan is what the director uses as a blue print to build a production from.

The Process:

This is the coordination of the creative efforts usually headed up in theatre by the director.

It is the pure process by which the playwright’s work is brought to realization by the director,

actors, designers, technicians, dancers, musicians, and any other collaborators that come

together on the script, scenario, or plan. This is the works in progress stage.

The Product:

This is the end result of the process of work involved. The final product that results from

all of the labors coming together to complete the finished work of script, scenario, and plan, in

union with all of the collaborators in the process to create the final product. This is what the

audience will witness as they sit in the theatre and view the work.

The Audience:

Theatre requires an audience. For all of the arts public is essential. The physical

presence of an audience can change a performance, inspire actors, and create

expectations. Theatre is a living breathing art form. The presence of live actors on the stage in

front of live audiences sets it apart from modern day films and television.

Drama

Thought/Theme/Ideas

What the play means as opposed to what happens (the plot). Sometimes the theme is

clearly stated in the title. It may be stated through dialogue by a character acting as the

playwright’s voice. Or it may be the theme is less obvious and emerges only after some study or

thought. The abstract issues and feelings that grow out of the dramatic action.
Action/Plot

The events of a play; the story as opposed to the theme; what happens rather than what

it means. The plot must have some sort of unity and clarity by setting up a pattern by which each

action initiating the next rather than standing alone without connection to what came before it or

what follows. In the plot of a play, characters are involved in conflict that has a pattern of

movement. The action and movement in the play begins from the initial entanglement, through

rising action, climax, and falling action to resolution.

Characters

These are the people presented in the play that are involved in the perusing plot. Each

character should have their own distinct personality, age, appearance, beliefs, socio economic

background, and language.

Language

The word choices made by the playwright and the enunciation of the actors of the

language. Language and dialog delivered by the characters moves the plot and action along,

provides exposition, defines the distinct characters. Each playwright can create their own specific

style in relationship to language choices they use in establishing character and dialogue.

Music

Music can encompass the rhythm of dialogue and speeches in a play or can also mean

the aspects of the melody and music compositions as with musical theatre. Each theatrical

presentation delivers music, rhythm and melody in its own distinctive manner. Music is not a

part of every play. But, music can be included to mean all sounds in a production. Music can

expand to all sound effects, the actor’s voices, songs, and instrumental music played as

underscore in a play. Music creates patterns and establishes tempo in theatre. In the aspects of

the musical the songs are used to push the plot forward and move the story to a higher level of

intensity. Composers and lyricist work together with playwrights to strengthen the themes and
ideas of the play. Character’s wants and desires can be strengthened for the audience through

lyrics and music.

Spectacle

The spectacle in the theatre can involve all of the aspects of scenery, costumes, and

special effects in a production. The visual elements of the play created for theatrical event. The

qualities determined by the playwright that create the world and atmosphere of the play for the

audience’s eye.

Elements of Theatre and Drama retrieved from http://homepage.smc.edu/adair-

lynch_terrin/ta%205/elements.htm
6. Analyze the uniqueness of each group’s performance of their selected festival or

theatrical form.