Exploring Early Philippine Conventional and Contemporary Music and Arts

Learning Objectives and Curriculum Overview

• Target Grade and Quarter: This content is designed for Music and Arts Grade $5$, Quarter $1$, covering Weeks $1-2$ under the MATATAG curriculum framework (Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa).
• General Learning Objective: The primary goal is for students to differentiate between evolving early Philippine conventional and contemporary performing and visual arts concepts, processes, and practices.
• Lesson Objective $1$: Identify characteristics of early Philippine conventional and contemporary performing and visual arts.
• Lesson Objective $2$: Describe the concepts, processes, and practices employed in early Philippine conventional and contemporary performing and visual arts.
• Lesson Objective $3$: Compare evolving early Philippine conventional and contemporary performing and visual arts in terms of concepts, processes, and practices.

Exploratory Content and Themes

• Theme: "Exploring Early Philippine Music and Arts according to Forms and Function in Music and Arts."
• Core Pillars of Discussion:
  • Concepts, processes, and practices of early Philippine conventional and contemporary performing and visual arts.
  • Identification of specific characteristics for both styles.
  • Comparative analysis of the evolution from conventional to contemporary styles.

Introductory Activity: "My Own Festive Dance"

• Activity Description: Learners play music from a local festival and dance for $2$ minutes. The focus is to observe the execution of steps and movements.
• Named Example: The Dawa Festival of Gonzaga, Cagayan.
• Short Review Questions:
  1. What did you feel when you heard the music?
  2. What were your considerations in creating your movements/dance steps?
  3. Are your steps/movements similar all throughout?
  4. Did you enjoy the activity?

Unlocking Content Vocabulary

1. Conventional Art (TNEOAVCINOTL RTA): A traditional form that follows established techniques, styles, and themes.
2. Contemporary Art (RPYTCONMTAEO RAT): Art created in the present time.
3. Concept (CEOTPCN): The thought, intention, or meaning behind the artwork.
4. Process (RCPEOSS): The sequence of actions or steps taken to create a work.
5. Practices (CTREISCAP): The activities, techniques, and approaches involved in making art.
6. Technology (LOTHGCEYON): Tools, machines, techniques, and processes used by people to solve problems, accomplish tasks, or create products.
7. Social Issues (IOLSACS SESUI): Problems or challenges within society that affect people's well-being, relationships, and quality of life.
8. Diversity (RSITIDVEY): The presence of a variety of different characteristics or qualities within a group, community, or society.

Characteristics of Conventional and Contemporary Arts

Early Philippine Conventional Arts

• Heritage Connection: These arts connect the present to the past by representing historical culture, skills, and knowledge.
• Methodology: Follows established methods and uses traditional materials.
• Oral Tradition: Early Filipinos did not record stories, songs, and art in books; they were performed to remember important facts.
• Instrumentation: Musical instruments are crafted from bamboo, gongs of various sizes, and drums covered with animal skin. Each region has distinct instruments and sounds.
• Vocal Traditions: People engaged in singing and chanting for special occasions, storytelling, rituals, and ceremonies.
• Inspiration: Themes are heavily inspired by nature, including plants, animals, and the world around them.
• Purpose: Used to honor nature spirits and ancestors. It is a communal activity used to celebrate important events, rituals (like weddings), and the commemoration of the deceased.
• Role of the Artist: Skilled individuals served as both the artists and the craftsmen of their time to keep traditions alive.

Philippine Contemporary Arts

• Cultural Blending: Reflects the country's history by blending cultures and diverse voices.
• Integration of Styles: Contemporary artists mix traditional and modern styles, combining old stories and designs with modern methods of creation.
• Social Expression: Artists use art to express views on political, environmental, human rights, technological, and globalization issues. Art serves as a commentary or critique.
• Boundaries: It goes beyond traditional boundaries to explore new forms, utilizing diverse styles, themes, and techniques.
• Technological Integration: Involves the adoption of emerging technologies and non-traditional performance techniques.

Comparison Table: Conventional vs. Contemporary Art

Case Studies in Art Evolution

• Conventional Example: Ragragsakan: A traditional dance representing the Kalinga people's practice of celebrating a successful headhunt or peace pact.
• Contemporary Example: "Mapa" by SB19: A contemporary dance/song performance that utilizes modern choreography and music production while maintaining Filipino cultural themes.
• Comparative Guide Questions:
  1. What are the concept, process, and practice of conventional arts based on the video?
  2. Describe the concept, process, and practice of contemporary arts based on the video.
  3. What Filipino culture is reflected in the creative work presented?
  4. What art forms are incorporated/integrated in the creative work?
  5. How did the incorporation/integration of other art forms contribute to the overall presentation?

Deep Dive: Philippine Indigenous and Ethnic Music

Definition and Scope

• Ethnic Music: Traditional, typically anonymous music that expresses the life of a community.
• Diversity: Filipino music is highly diverse due to the indigenous population being spread across hundreds of islands with approximately $140$ ethnic groups.
• Functionality: Pre-colonial indigenous music was largely functional, integrated into every phase of life from birth to death.

Regional Distribution

• Indigenous traditions are maintained by approximately $10\,\%$ of the population, concentrated in:
  1. Northern Luzon (Central Cordilleras).
  2. Central Philippine Islands: Mindoro and Palawan.
  3. Southern Islands: Mindanao and Sulu.
• Mindanao and Sulu Traditions:
  • Islamic: Maguindanao, Maranao, Yakan, Tausog, and Samal.
  • Pre-Islamic: Bagobo, Manobo, Bukidnon, Tagakaolo, Bilaan, Mansaka, Subanon, and Mandaya.

Musical Characteristics

• Style: Varies by region.
• Complexity: Often polyphonic with highly interlocking repeated patterns.
• Instrumentation: Primarily percussion, with some wind and string instruments.
• Influence of Nature: Instruments consist of bamboo, wood, shell, animal skin, and metal. Melodies and rhythms often imitate nature's sounds and movements.

Comparative Styles: Southern vs. Northern

• Southern Style (Mindanao/Sulu):

  • Tausug (Sulu Archipelago): Known for a sophisticated repertoire called Kulintang.
  • Instruments: Gongs similar to Indonesian styles.
  • Aerophone Example: Palendag.
  • Chordophone Example: Kaltsang.
  • Idiophone Example: Kulintang.

• Northern Style (Central Cordilleras of Luzon):

  • Gongs: Use of unbossed gongs called Gangsa, which originate from mainland Asia.
  • Aerophone Example: Paldong.
  • Chordophone Example: Gitgit.
  • Idiophone Example: Gangsa.

Functions and Phases of Life

Formative Assessment Guide

• Statement Analysis (True or False):
  1. Animism is a concept in early Philippine arts because Filipinos believe in spirits. (True)
  2. Music, dance, and theater were part of rituals and ceremonies in the early period. (True)
  3. Stories, songs, and dances were all written during the early period. (False - They were oral/performed).
  4. Early art processes involved use of technology. (False - They used available natural materials).
  5. Textile weaving, music, and dance are early practices. (True)
  6. There is no significant difference between conventional and contemporary arts. (False - They differ in concepts like social issues vs. nature worship).
  7. Contemporary arts have a limitless concept. (True)
  8. Social issues and globalization can be concepts for contemporary art. (True)
  9. Traditional styles are never used in contemporary works. (False - They are often mixed).
  10. Different art forms can be integrated into either conventional or contemporary performances. (True)