Major Traditions of Philippine Arts and National Artists - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms, concepts, and figures from the lecture notes on Philippine arts traditions, elements of art, GAMABA, and National Artists.

Ethnic Tradition

One of the three major Philippine art traditions; art forms are shaped by geography and Filipino experiences; art serves as an integral part of life and reflects pagan beliefs and everyday activities.

Spanish Colonial Tradition

Art forms influenced by religion and secularization; Spaniards used art to propagate the Catholic faith.

American Colonial and Contemporary Arts Tradition

Tradition including Modern Art (1860s–1960s, focus on national identity) and Contemporary Arts (1970s–present, reflecting modern culture and diverse practices).

Angono Petroglyphs

Rock engravings in Binangonan, Rizal; 127 figures; discovered 1965 by Carlos Botong Francisco; dated to late Neolithic.

Manunggul Jar

Burial jar from Manunggul Cave, Palawan; early 1960s; signifies early Filipino belief in life after death; Kalansay placed inside.

Banga (Pot Dance)

A Kalinga dance from the Mountain Province; showcases Igorot women’s grace, strength, and pottery skills.

Langit, Lupa, at Impyerno

Fresco by Josef Luciano Dans (c. 1850, Paete, Laguna) depicting heaven, earth, and hell.

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

Cathedral in Burgos, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; original built in 1574, rebuilt in 1641; features Baroque design.

The Making of the Philippine Flag

Artwork by Fernando Amorsolo illustrating Filipinos’ handmade flag; emphasizes national identity.

Bayanihan

Painting by Botong Francisco (1962) portraying the Filipino spirit of communal unity and cooperative work.

Modern Art

Part of the American Colonial and Contemporary Arts Tradition; art from 1860s–1960s focused on national identity.

Cinco Marias (Tres Marias Series)

Work by Federico Aguilar Alcuaz depicting domestic activities and everyday life.

Art Installation in Sand Dunes of Paoay

Installation by Leeroy New for La Milagrosa Festival; symbolically representing festivals, feasts, and celebrations.

Contemporary Arts

Art from roughly the 1970s to present; reflects and critiques contemporary culture and society; diverse practices.

Space (Element of Arts)

One of the Elements of Art; refers to empty or occupied area within/around a work; spatial relationships matter.

Line

Element of Art consisting of a series of connected points; can be curved, dotted, or broken; has direction (vertical, horizontal, diagonal).

Shape

Element defined by boundaries created by lines; 2D area with height and width; geometric, organic, or abstract.

Form

Three-dimensional element with height, width, and depth; occupies volume.

Colors

Element associated with hues produced by light; classified as primary, secondary, tertiary; includes analogous, complementary, monochromatic, warm, and cool families.

Value

Property of color relating to lightness or darkness; tint (light) and shade (dark) are changes in value.

Texture

Tactile quality of a surface; rough, smooth, bumpy, or slippery; relates to how art feels.

Proportion

Principle of the relative size of elements within a work; ensures balance between parts (e.g., person vs. house).

Harmony

Principle of unity in art; coherence among related elements and their arrangements.

Variety

Principle of diversity within the artwork; adds interest by including different elements.

Movement

Illusion of motion in art; often achieved through line or other elements guiding the viewer’s eye.

Rhythm

Pattern or flow created by repeating elements; can lead the viewer’s gaze through the artwork.

Balance

Even distribution of visual weight; can be symmetrical (same on both sides) or asymmetrical (balanced by contrast).

Emphasis

Focal point or area of greater visual impact within an artwork.

The Personal (Fourfold)

One aspect of an artist’s role: expressing inner feelings or individuality in their work.

The Social (Fourfold)

Artistic expression reflecting what the artist sees in society and its issues.

The Physical (Fourfold)

Art that is useful or serves a tangible function beyond aesthetics.

The Immaterial (Fourfold)

Art that expresses spiritual or unseen truths and meanings.

Role of Contemporary Artist

Modern Filipino artist who comments on culture, acts as a social critic, advocate, and versatile practitioner.

Insignia of the Order of the National Artist

Grand Collar with circular links, eight-pointed sunburst, sampaguita wreath; center in red, white, blue; motto Katotohanan, Kabutihan at Kagandahan; silver-gilt bronze.

Katotohanan, Kabutihan at Kagandahan

Motto of the CCP: The True, the Good, and the Beautiful.

GAMABA (Gawad ng Manlilikha ng Bayan)

National Living Treasures Award established in 1992 (RA 7355); honors traditional Filipino artists for exceptional skill and cultural importance; administered by NCCA.

How to Become a GAMABA

Criteria: mastery of traditional art, consistent high-quality output, long-standing practice (≥50 years), community respect, and ability to transfer skills.

Benefits of Being a GAMABA

Includes GAMABA title, gold-plated BSP medallion, cash award, lifetime stipend, medical benefits, state funeral, and national recognition.

Haja Amina Appi

Master Mat Weaver; renowned Sama mat weaving; known for colorful geometric patterns and backing mats.

Magdalena Gamayo

Inabel weaver from Ilocos Norte; recognized for exceptional hand-weaving on the Ilocano loom.

Lang Dulay

Weaver celebrated for inabel weaving; renowned for intricate, faithful T’boli designs.

Eduardo Mutuc

Artist recognized for religious and secular silver, bronze, and wooden retablos and carvings in churches and collections.

UwAquang Uhadas

Uw ang Uhadas; GAMABA awardee (2000) noted for his mastery of Yakan musical traditions and instruments.

Samaon Sulaiman

Kudyapi master; recognized for exceptional mastery of the kudyapi instrument.

Alonzo Saclag

Master of Kalinga dance and performing arts; honored for preserving and promoting Kalinga culture.

Federico Caballero

Keeper of Central Panay epic Sugidanon; documented and chanted traditional epics.

Ginaw Bilog

Hanunuo Mangyan scribe and ambahan poet; preservation of Mangyan script and poetry.

Teofilo Garcia

Creator of tabungaw (gourd hat); crafts hat in seven days using simple, self-made tools.

Spoliarium

Painting by Juan Luna; depicts Roman arena carnage; Latin title means “basement of the Colosseum.”

Planting Rice

Fernando Amorsolo’s iconic painting illustrating provincial Filipino life with light, pastel colors and calm mood.

Tinikling

Traditional Filipino folk dance from Leyte; imitates movement of tikling birds between bamboo traps.

Maglalatik

Indigenous male dance using coconut shells; fast drumbeat and shell-clacking; from Laguna.

Oblation

Iconic UP statue by Guillermo Tolentino; a man with arms raised, symbolizing offering to the country.

Bul-uls

Carved ancestral figures (anitos) from Ifugao used in rice ceremonies; carved from narra or ipil; skilled, ritual-driven works.

Hagabi

Long wooden bench signifying wealth/prestige; carved from narra or ipil; ends resemble animal heads; linked to traditional rituals.

Sarimanok

Maranao legendary bird; copper or wood figure; symbol of good fortune; name reflects sari (garment) and manok (rooster).

Higantes of Angono

Giant paper-mâché figures used in Angono’s fiestas; origins trace to Spanish era; annual celebration on Nov 23.

Sculptures of Paete

Paete wood carving tradition from Tagalog Paete; thriving since Spanish era; known for detailed wood sculpture and other carvings.

Taka

Paete craft: carved wooden sculpture used as a mold in making taka; common subjects include animals and festive figures.

Giant Lantern of Pampanga

Parol (giant lantern) tradition of San Fernando; first giant lantern festival sparked by electricity in 1931.

Sayaw sa Bangko

Pangasinan folk dance performed on a narrow bench (about six inches wide); demands balance and acrobatics.

Arch. Ildefonso P. Santos Jr.

National Artist for Architecture (alive in 2006); known for Rizal Park landscaping, Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Manila Hotel.

Cesar F. Legaspi

National Artist for Paintings/Visual Arts (1990); Cubist-influenced works, e.g., Morning Dance, Tree Planting, Man and Woman.

Jose T. Joya

National Artist for Visual Arts (posthumous, 2003); renowned for abstract paintings.

Ismael Bernal

National Artist for Theatre (2001); acclaimed film director and screenwriter.

Fernando Poe Jr.

National Artist for Theatre (posthumous, 2006); famous actor-director known for Ang Probinsyano and related works.

Kidlat Tahimik (KIDLAT TAHIMIK)

National Artist for Theatre (2018); filmmaker, performer, and installation artist known for experimental works.