By: Sharmane Soriano

One method of painting that Filipinos use is oil painting. This method was introduced

as early as the 16th century which was influenced by the European traditions. It was

first used as a propaganda to spread Catholicism in the Philippines. These paintings

usually appeared on church walls which features religious figures on the Catholic

paintings. By the 19th century Philippines deviated from the religious motifs and

turned to a more secular art.

Fisherman Tre Maddalene

As many artist use water colors to paint, the Talaanding, an indigenous people of the

Banwaon tribe use soil for painting. This method of painting was introduced by

Waway Saway in the Talaanding community in the year of 1995. With the soil that

they use, their artworks are in tones of browns, reds, and grays. The pictures depicted

on their artworks are pieces of their tribe’s life, beliefs, practices, and their close

association with land.

Pangangande/Prayer Woman and Seeds

Palayok Manunggul Jar

During the Neolithic period, Philippine pottery was used to suit individual household

needs. One of these potteries included “palayok” which was used for daily cooking

activities. Other forms of pottery that they made were pouring vessels, jugs, dishes,

vases, and native dippers, known as “tabo.” One of these famous pottery that was

discovered was the Manunggul Jar, which was described to be unique. It shows an

example of a cultural link between the archaeological past and the ethnographic

present. With its unique attributes, The Manunggual Jar was put on the 100 PHP bill

in the year of 1995.

Funerary Mask Burial Offering Earthenware Pots Resembling Human Figures

It wasn't till the Metal Age that Philippines changed their pottery tradition, in which they

experimented with forms, designs, and techniques. A result of their pottery during that

period were Anthropomorphic pots which are pots that have human characteristics. The

Funery Mask Burial Offering dates back to 350 BC, while the Earthenware Pots dates back

5 B.C.- 225 A.D. The Earthenware Pot was found in the Ayub Cave of the Saranggani

Province. The 29 other jars that were recovered with it had different kinds of facial

expressions and had heads that were either plain, perforated or coated with black and red

paints. These jar burial practices in the Philippines date back to the Late Neolithic Period

from 1,000 B.C. to 16th century.

Banigs in Different Colors and Designs A Banig Being Hand-woven

Weaving is a major part of Philippine’s art and culture. Filipinos weave different

kinds of things such as slippers, hats, bags, and mats. Banig is a hand-woven mat

used for sleeping and sitting. It is made out of palm, pandanus, or sea grass

leaves. The leaves are usually dried, then dyed, and then cut into strips, which is

now ready to be woven. It is then woven into unique designs with a clean pattern.

Bayong Made Out of Palm Leaves Women of Berong Making Bayong

Bayong is another famous art weaving in the Philippines. It is an alternative to

using plastic bags. Locals usually use bayong to carry their groceries as they head

off to the market. Alike banigs, it is made out of dried leaves. It is traditionally

made out of palm leaves, but in some cases it can be made out of plastic. The use

of bayong is more popular in the provinces than in the cities, however, it has

evolved into a more fashionable style.

A Man Writing a Script on a Fresh Bamboo Mangyan Script on Bamboo

Ambahan is a chanted poetry of the Hanunoo-Mangyan, an ethno-linguistic tribe of the

Mangyans. The poetry is usually scripted on bamboo slats, in which they preserve the

ambahan for hundreds of years. Ambahan is a set of poetic expression with a measured

rhyme of seven-syllable lines. It is chanted without a determined melody and musical

instruments. It is chanted in a metaphorical way and many times chanted in a dialogue

fashion. It can be vocalized in the presence of interested audience of various size.

Pabasa during Holy Week in Quiapo, Manila Pasyón Mahal Book

Another form of poetry ritual in the Philippines is Pabása ng Pasyón. It is a Catholic

devotion during Holy Week where it involves uninterrupted chanting of the Pasyón. It is

an early 16th century epic poem that narrates the life, passion, death, and resurrection of

Jesus Christ. The readers are usually groups of individual taking turns to chant verses in

a capella or accompanied with a musical instrument. You can sing by yourself , with a

partner, or with a group. Pabasa is done continuously day and night and last for 3 days.

The pabasa usually begins on Holy Monday, the second day of Holy Week, or afternoon

of Maundy Thursday, and ends in the morning of Good Friday.

Women Performing Kalinga or Known As “Banga” Locals Performing Uyaoy / Uyauy

Philippine offers different types of dances varying in influence and region. The

Cordillera dances include: Banga, Salisid, Talip, Lumagen, Manmanok,

Ragragsakan, Taretek, and Uyaoy/Uyauy. The Banga mimics Kalinga women

collecting and transporting water, in which when the dance they balance as much as

8 pots on their heads. Another form of dance is the Uyaoy/Uyauy. This type of

dance is performed by affluent to attain the second level of the wealthy class.

Women Dancing Tinkling Women Dancing Binasuan

Two of the famous folklore dances in the Philippines include: Tinikling and

Binasuan. Tinikling originated during the Spanish colonial era. The dance involves

two people beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the ground and against

each other in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between

the poles to dance. The Binasuan is when the performers holds full wine glasses in

each hand while performing balancing tricks.

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