Contemporary Arts in the Philippines Reviewer

Conceptual Foundations and Historical Traditions of Contemporary Art

Contemporary art is defined through two primary perspectives: chronological and historical. Derived from the Latin prefix "con," meaning "together" or "with," and "tempus," meaning "time," the term literally translates to being with the time. The chronological view defines contemporary art as art that is new, recent, modern, or pertains to the present moment in art history. Conversely, the historical usage regards contemporary art as a specific stage in the evolution of art, referring to a specific location in space and time. In the Philippine context, art is categorized into three major traditions: the Ethnic Tradition, the Spanish Tradition, and the American Colonial/Contemporary Tradition.

The Development and Forms of Philippine Visual Arts

Visual arts encompass artworks such as painting, photography, or sculpture that appeal primarily to the visual sense and typically exist in a permanent form. The Philippines recognizes 77 major art forms: visual arts, literature, film, theater, music, dance, and architecture. Victorio Edades is recognized as the Father of Modern Philippine Painting; his style departed from traditional bright palettes by using dull and dark hues, as seen in his work "The Sketch." The movement known as Proletarian Art emerged after the war, depicting social issues, economic problems, and life during that era. Key institutions supporting this movement included the Art Association of the Philippines, founded by Purita Kalaw-Ledesma, and the Philippine Art Gallery, founded by Lydia Villanueva-Arquilla.

Various styles evolved within the visual arts. Paris Cubism was introduced as a kind of cubism showing fragmented figures in larger planes, harmonies of color, and distinct textures. Notable cubists include Vicente Manansala, Romeo Tabuena, and Cesar Legaspi. Abstract art also gained prominence, focusing on shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks instead of an accurate depiction of visual reality. Known abstractionists include H.R. Ocampo, Constantino Bernardo, Frederico Aguilar Alcuaz, and Jose Joya. In sculpture, Napoleon Abueva is hailed as the Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture, known for combining diverse materials such as varieties of wood, metals, and stones. Other sculptors like Ramon Orlina and Impy Pilapil explored the use of glass. Fernando C. Amorsolo was the first National Artist, receiving the title "Grand Old Man of Philippine Art" on January 2323, 19691969. His famous work is "Dalagang Bukid." Other significant painters include Ang Kiukok, who used an expressionistic cubistic style, and Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (BenCab), hailed as a master of contemporary Philippine art.

Styles and Movements in Painting and Literature

Specific painting styles became popular in the contemporary period. Magic Realism refers to a style showing minute details of subjects while highlighting their texture and color. Genre Painting showcases the lives of townfolks, legends, and traditions. Surrealism emerged to explore the world of dreams. In literature, the "Bagay" movement became influential; it is a type of poetry that uses colloquial language and is built on concrete images meant to describe experiences. A major literary piece is "Ang Bayang Malaya" by Amado V. Hernandez, a long narrative about a peasant leader that explores themes of oppression and the fight for human rights. After World War II, literary criticism also grew as a field to analyze Philippine writing.

Evolution of Philippine Music and Theater

Philippine music saw the emergence of Avant-garde music in the 1960′s1960's, evolving into a combination of classical tradition and ethnic music. Pinoy Pop emerged to cover forms such as jazz, dance hits, folk song revivals, rock and roll, and rap. OPM (Original Pilipino Music) refers to music purely Filipino, composed and sung by Filipinos. This was followed by Alternative Music, influenced by folk balladeers and sprouting from protest themes including Filipino values, political concerns, and environmental issues. In theater, the American period introduced Bodabil (stage shows), which originally consisted of songs, dances, and skits. During the Japanese period, Bodabil began to include short melodramas. Theater practitioners experimented with traditional forms like Sarswela, Komedya, and Sinakulo.

Contemporary theater is categorized into three styles. The Representational Style includes psychological realism (dealing with individual problems, e.g., "Paraisong Parisukat" by Orlando Nadres and "Bayan-bayanan" by Bienvenido Noriega Jr.) and social realism (dealing with individuals within society, e.g., Alberto Florentino’s "The World is an Apple"). The Presentational Style highlights the discussion of social ideas and was used during the Marcos regime when realistic portrayals were restricted. The Documentary Style discusses historical events, such as Al Santos’s "Mayo A-biente Uno." Another form is the Dula-dula, a short drama-poem.

Developments in Dance, Architecture, and Film

Dance in the contemporary period was influenced by Bodabil styles like buck-and-wing, tap dancing, clog, and skirt dancing. Modern Dance is revolutionary, refusing to conform to classical ballet rules and mixing Western, Asian, traditional, and experimental dances. Architecture was characterized by being simple, rational, and functional. A notable development was the "Tsalet," a house on stilts with a front porch made of wood and concrete. Steel was introduced for calamity protection. The film industry began in 18971897 via Swiss entrepreneurs. Filmmaking gained momentum in 19121912 when Edward Gross and Harry Brown produced a film on Dr. Jose Rizal. Jose Nepomuceno, the "Father of Philippine Movies," produced "Dalagang Bukid." Prominent studios known as the "Big Four" included LVN, Sampaguita, Lebran, and Premiere. Awards like FAMAS and Maria Clara Awards were also established.

The Order of National Artists and Visual Arts Awardees

The most prestigious recognition for contemporary artists is the Order of the National Artist Award (Orden ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining), established on April 2727, 19721972 under Proclamation No. 10011001. It is conferred by the NCCA and the CCP. Notable awardees for Visual Arts include:

  1. Fernando Amorsolo: First National Artist, trademarked the backlighting technique.
  2. Carlos “Botong” Francisco: Known for historical murals.
  3. Guillermo E. Tolentino: Designed the UP Oblation and the Republic's seal.
  4. Napoleon V. Abueva: Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture; work: "Siyam na Diwata ng Sining."
  5. Victorio C. Edades: Father of Modern Philippine Painting; work: "The Sketch."
  6. Vicente Manansala: Used abstract and cubist styles for realistic themes.
  7. Hernando R. Ocampo: Abstract painter; work: "Genesis."
  8. Cesar Legaspi: Refined cubism in "The Brave Moderns."
  9. Jeremias Elizalde Navarro: Known for hardwood masks and assemblages.
  10. Ang Kiukok: Expressionistic cubism; work: "The Fishermen."
  11. Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (BenCab): Work: "Sabel."
  12. Abdulmari Asia Imao: Articulator of Muslim motifs (ukkil, sarimanok).
  13. Federico Aguilar Alcuaz: Known for oil, acrylic, and ink sketches.
  14. Francisco Coching: Dean of Filipino Illustrators (comics).
  15. Jose T. Joya: Pioneered abstract expressionism; work: "Granadean Arabesque."
  16. Arturo Luz: Minimalist and geometric styles, known for circus performer paintings.
  17. Lauro Larry Alcala: Cartoonist for 5656 years with over 500500 characters.

National Artists for Music, Theater, and Dance

Significant National Artists for Music include Antonino R. Buenaventura, Jose Maceda (traditional music like "Udlot Udlot"), Lucrecia R. Kasilag (fused Western and ethnic music), Ernani J. Cuenco (movie scores), and Lucio San Pedro ("Sa Ugoy ng Duyan"). Antonio J. Molina is known as the Claude Debussy of the Philippines. Francisco Feliciano is a leader in liturgical music, while Levi Celerio was famous for playing music with a leaf and writing "Pasko na Naman." Andrea Veneracion founded the Philippine Madrigal Singers. Honorata “Atang” Dela Rama is the Queen of Kundiman. Ryan Cayabyab is a modern icon of OPM, and Fides Cuyugan Asensio is a renowned coloratura soprano.

In Dance, Francisca Reyes Aquino is the Folk Dance Pioneer. Leonor Orosa Goquingco is the Mother of Philippine Theater Dance. Lucrecia R. Urtula founded the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company. Ramon A. Obusan promoted authentic ethnic dances. Alice Garcia Reyes founded Ballet Philippines and popularized contemporary dance. Agnes Locsin is known for Neo-ethnic choreography like "Encantada."

In Theater, Lamberto Avellana was a pioneer of legitimate theater. Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero founded the UP Mobile Theater. Rolando Tinio was the "Titan of Philippine Theater" and pushed for Taglish. Daisy Avellana is the First Lady of Philippine Theater. Severino Montano founded the Arena Theater. Salvador F. Bernal is the Father of Philippine Theater Design. Amelia Bonifacio founded Mulat Theater for children, and Antonio “Tony” Mabeza is known as the "Lion of the Theater."

National Artists for Film, Architecture, Literature, and Fashion

Film awardees include Lamberto V. Avellana (First National Artist for Film), Gerardo de Leon (most awarded in FAMAS), Lino Brocka (freedom of expression advocate), Ishmael Bernal ("Genius of Philippine Cinema"), and Eddie Romero. Fernando Poe Jr. ("Da King") and Manuel Conde are also honored. Kidlat Tahimik is a leading independent filmmaker. Marilou Diaz Abaya, Nora Aunor, and screenwriter Ricky Lee are also celebrated. Architecture awardees include Pablo S. Antonio (function over elegance), Leandro V. Locsin (floating volume), Ildefonso P. Santos (Father of Landscape Architecture), Juan Nakpil (First for Architecture), Jose Maria Zaragosa (modern ecclesiastical architecture), and Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa (Coconut Palace).

In Fashion Design, Ramon Valera is the Father of Philippine Fashion (introduced the one-piece terno), and Salvacion Lim Higgins (Slim) is known for haute couture. Literature awardees include Francisco Arcellana, N.V.M. Gonzalez, Nick Joaquin, F. Sionil Jose (PEN founder), Jose Garcia Villa (comma poet), Edith L. Tiempo, Virgilio S. Almario (Rio Alma), Amado V. Hernandez (colloquial Tagalog prose), Carlos P. Romulo (Pulitzer prize), and Bienvenido Lumbera (Bagay Poetry).

The Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA)

The GAMABA awards recognize traditional folk artists. Ginaw Bilog was a Hanunuo Mangyan poet known for Ambahan (seven-syllable poems of love). Masino Intaray was a Palawan poet and musician (Basal, Kulilal, Bagit). Samaon Sulaiman was a master of the kutyapi and kulintang. Lang Dulay is renowned for T’boli Tnalak weaving. Salita Monon wove Bagobo fabrics. Alonzo Saclag is a Kalinga performing artist. Frederico Caballero performs epic chanting. Uwang Ahadas plays the Kwintangan Kayu (wooden logs). Darhata Sawabi wove Pis Yabit (traditional Tausug head covers). Eduardo Mutuc is known for wood carving and metal craft. Haja Amina Appi wove mats, Teofilo Garcia makes Tabungaw hats, and Magdalena Gamayo is an Ilocano master of Abel weaving.