The Filipino Concept of Art
A social view of the world makes people sociable, harmony-seeking and unitize.
It encourages a devotional attitude towards the highest ranking being in the cosmic
social order for the reason that becoming one with this figure unites one with the whole
world. Filipino traditional culture, which is essentially Southeast Asian, views the
universe as the infinite manifestations of a dynamic, creative living spirit, whose sacred
essence is often symbolized as a mythical hero or divine being and whose concrete
representations are believed to be permeated by this being’s spiritual energy.
Filipinos are highly relational people. They are hardly alone, quite happy being
together – when they eat, sleep, work, travel, pray, create or celebrate. Having a
minimal sense of privacy, they are open, trusting and easily accessible socially. Instead
of a meticulous concern for safeguarding their private sphere, as in the case of Western
peoples, many Filipinos actively seek a convergence of their lives with the lives of
others. For example, a sharing of concern is seen in a common form of greeting in the
region such as, “Where are you going?” or “Where have you been?” Sharing of tasks
and responsibilities within the family and the community is a way of life. Thus, they
become highly skilled and creative in interpersonal relations and social interaction. The
capacity to integrate socially becomes one of the hallmarks of maturity1.
What is the major influence of Western art to Filipino art?
Let us try to recall some influential Filipino artists.
1
In Focus: Philippine Arts in Context - National Commission for Culture and the Artsgwhs-
stg02.i.gov.ph
Damian Domingo. Son of Chinese immigrants converted to Christianity, but
thought to be a noble Spanish descent by the Spaniards so that they commissioned him
to paint. Engaged by a merchant to paint, in miniaturismo style, albums of people
wearing their daily costumes. Had a vision of making art more accessible to the Filipinos
(Indios)
Founded the first Art School in the Philippines Escuela Dibujo y Pintura in Tondo
Manila in 1821. His patron was Sociedad Economica de los Amigos del Pais
Professor and Director of the Philippine Art Academy. The academy was closed after
his death producing Filipino artists trained in Western artistic tradition
Damian Domingo's contribution to the development of art as an academic
discipline in the Philippines was seminal. He took an important step toward his vision of
making art more accessible in 1821, when he established a school for artists in his
residence in Tondo. It was a major leap for the discipline in the Philippines. He also
oversaw the growth and development of art as the director of the first official Philippine
art academy. The academy was also possibly the first of its kind in all of Asia to teach
the Western techniques of foreground, middle-ground, and background perspectives.
The academy also explored other foreign artistic techniques.
Tipos del País is a style of watercolor painting that shows the different types of
inhabitants in the Philippines in their different native costumes that show their social
status and occupation during colonial times2
JUAN LUNA
Bachelor of Arts Degree, Ateneo Municipal de Manila. Enrolled in
Academy of Fine Arts, Manila.Went to Europe in 1877, and studied in Escuela de Bellas
Artes de San Fernando. Won gold medal in Exposicion Nacional de Bellas Artes in
1884 for Spoliarium
Commissioned by Spanish government to do paintings like La Batalla de Lepanto and
El Pacto de Sangre
Arrested for murdering his wife and mother-in-law, but was acquitted on grounds of
crime of passion.
2
Philippine Art HIstory
Juan Luna, Spoliarium, 1884, Gold Medal, Exposition Nacional
The painting features a glimpse of Roman history centered on the bloody
carnage brought by gladiatorial matches. Spoliarium is a Latin word referring to the
basement of the Roman Colosseum where the fallen and dying gladiators are dumped
and devoid of their worldly possessions.
At the center of Luna’s painting are fallen gladiators being dragged by Roman
soldiers. On the left, spectators ardently await their chance to strip off the combatants of
their metal helmets and other armory. In contrast with the charged emotions featured on
the left, the right side meanwhile presents a somber mood. An old man carries a torch
perhaps searching for his son while a woman weeps the death of her loved one.
The Spoliarium is the most valuable oil-on-canvas painting by Juan Luna, a
Filipino educated at the Academia de Dibujo y Pintura (Philippines) and at the
Academia de San Fernando in Madrid, Spain. With a size of 4.22 meters x 7.675
meters, it is the largest painting in the Philippines. A historical painting, it was made by
Luna in 1884 as an entry to the prestigious Exposicion de Bellas Artes (Madrid Art
Exposition, May 1884) and eventually won for him the First Gold Medal3.
https://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/Collections/Spoliarium.htmlwww.
nationalmuseum.gov.ph
DR. JOSE P. RIZAL
Winning the exposition had proven that Filipinos were equal with the Spaniards, so that
the Filipinos deserve the recognition of other people in the world with equal dignity and
respect.
“…. In the history of mankind there are names which in themselves signify an
achievement…. To such belong the names of Luna and Hidalgo: their splendor
illuminates two extremes of the globe-the Orient and the Occident, Spain and the
Philippines. As I utter them, I seem to see two luminous arches that rise from either
region to blend there on high…to unite two peoples with eternal bonds; two peoples
whom the seas and space vainly separate; two peoples among whom do not germinate
the seeds of disunion blindly sown by men and their despotism. Luna and Hidalgo are
the pride of Spain as of the Philippines-though born in the Philippines, they might have
been born in Spain, for genius has no country; genius bursts forth everywhere….”
What is the influence of Western Art to Filipino Art?
IN FOCUS: PHILIPPINE ARTS IN CONTEXT
PROF. FELIPE M. DE LEON, JR.
A social view of the world makes people sociable, harmony-seeking and unitive.
It encourages a devotional attitude towards the highest ranking being in the cosmic
social order for the reason that becoming one with this figure unites one with the whole
world. Filipino traditional culture, which is essentially Southeast Asian, views the
universe as the infinite manifestations of a dynamic, creative living spirit, whose sacred
essence is often symbolized as a mythical hero or divine being and whose concrete
representations are believed to be permeated by this being’s spiritual energy.
Hence, images of these divine beings attract so much devotional fervor in all
traditional Filipino life, especially in the villages. A strongly shared devotion develops an
expanded sense of self, an orientation that is communal rather than individualistic,
intuitive and holistic rather than logical and analytic, and preferring interdependence and
relationships over self-assertion and privacy.
Filipinos are highly relational people. They are hardly alone, quite happy being
together – when they eat, sleep, work, travel, pray, create or celebrate. Having a
minimal sense of privacy, they are open, trusting and easily accessible socially. Instead
of a meticulous concern for safeguarding their private sphere, as in the case of Western
peoples, many Filipinos actively seek a convergence of their lives with the lives of
others. For example, a sharing of concern is seen in a common form of greeting in the
region such as, “Where are you going?” or “Where have you been?” Sharing of tasks
and responsibilities within the family and the community is a way of life. Thus, they
become highly skilled and creative in interpersonal relations and social interaction. The
capacity to integrate socially becomes one of the hallmarks of maturity.
The communal orientation is manifested in all aspects of traditional Filipino
village life and, to a great extent, even in urban settings.
ACTIVITY 1
Identify the following Filipino artwork and its origin.
ACTIVITY 2
Try to think of your favorite movie. Criticize it using the guide questions provided.
1. What is the title of the movie?
2. What is it about? What is it for?
3. What is it made of?
4. What is its style?
5. How good it is?
ACTIVITY 3
a. Group activity: Make an artwork out of the given materials, according to the
following instructions:
Group 1. Cut the yellow art paper, making a rectangle 1 x 1.5 inches. Paste this
yellow rectangle in the black cartolina, in landscape orientation, exactly in
the position 6 inches from the top side and 8 inches from the right side.
Group 2. In landscape orientation, cut the yellow cartolina horizontally measuring 8
inches from the top side. Paste the yellow cartolina on top of the black
cartolina.
Group 3. Cut the brown art paper making a rectangle measuring 1 x 2 inches. Paste
the brown rectangle at the center of blue cartolina in landscape orientation.
Group 4. In landscape orientation, cut the yellow cartolina in half. Paste the yellow
cartolina on top of the orange cartolina. Cut the brown art paper, making
an isosceles triangle measuring 2 inches on each side. Paste the brown
triangle along the line of yellow and orange cartolina 10 inches from the
left.
b. Analyze the visual elements, the representation, the emotional suggestions and
the intellectual meanings of the artwork. Write your analysis in the paper
provided.
