Section: 2 BSMT-1
Name: Christin Schlitt
WORKSHEET
1
1
Spotlight
Direction: Let’s test what you have learned from the discussion. Answer the following questions in 5-7
sentences each.
1. What is the difference between an artist and an artisan? Cite proof/examples from the
discussion
(see attached file: Art App 1.5 Artists and Artisans).
Before the differences of an artist and an artisan was almost indistinguishable since their
product was both seem as a craft. In my understanding artists have more intimacy when it comes
to their work and it aims to please its audience aesthetically. Artisans are craftsmen who produce
commissioned products like when the friars commissioned artisans during the Spanish era to create
religious images or scenes. An artist is a person who performs any of the creative arts. This can
range from painting to music. An artisan, on the other hand, is a skilled worker who makes things
by hand.
2. What do you think is the role of the artist in the 21st century society?
In the 21st century society an artist’s role is to use art to express themselves and to address
current issues in the society. Artists offer us a whole new perspective and even a whole new world
a new fantastic point of view which triggers our emotions, like giving us hope and positivity through
their work. Artists use various art forms to critique the political, economic and the social system in
the society. Nowadays, liberated enough to express themselves freely with no boundaries and
without the fear of being controlled.
3. How relevant still are the awards National Artists and GAMABA, not only to the art world,
but also to the Filipino society as a whole?
These awards are relevant in the art world to acknowledge deserving artist of their works.
In the Filipino society recognizing artist through these awards serves as a reminder and inspiration
to the younger generation. It inspires the younger generation to express themselves in the form of
art. It is also a great way to preserve our own culture, especially the GAMABA award which gives
recognition to traditional artist who help pass on their local craft which has become a part of our
culture. Through recognizing these artists, we are not only recognizing them but also our own
Filipino culture.
4. Research on at least five National Artists and GAMABA awardees (each) and their
contribution to the art world.
GAMABA Awardees
Uwang Ahadas, musician
Yakan musical instruments aren’t the easiest or most affordable to maintain, but Uwang
Ahadas of Lamitan, Basilan made it his life’s work to master them. From an early age, he and his
siblings were encouraged to play these instruments, and he developed a passion for them,
training himself by observing older members of the community.
Magdalena Gamayo, textile weaver
Based in Pinili, Ilocos Norte, Magdalena Gamayo took up weaving when she was 16,
guided by her aunt’s patterns. She received her first loom from her father three years later, which
she would end up using for 30 years. She taught herself traditional patterns, such as kusikus
(whirlwind), marurup (Milky Way), and sinan paddak ti pusa (cat’s pawprint), building on the
more common inuritan (geometric design) and sinan-sabong (flowers).
Eduardo Mutuc, metalsmith and artist
Having finished up to elementary school, Eduardo Mutuc, a farmer at the time, became
an apprentice to furniture carvers to earn additional income. He had no prior knowledge of the
work he was getting into, but this didn’t stop him from expanding his experience and becoming
one of the most respected creators of religious and secular art today. He uses wood, silver, and
bronze to create exquisitely detailed and lifelike pieces of varying sizes: altars, mirrors, retablos,
and even carosas. Mutuc is based in Apalit, Pampanga. He was awarded in 2004.
Lang Dulay, textile weaver
In Lang Dulay’s family, the weaving of the t’nalak (a fine abaca cloth) took place before
or after farm work, when the weather was cool and the conditions were better for the product.
Dulay, who grew up in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, was taught to weave by her mother when
she was 12. As demand grew for new designs, she persisted and kept working with traditional
patterns, even though they were harder to complete — she knew around a hundred, including
bulinglangit (clouds), kabangi (butterfly), crocodiles, and flowers. She valued purity, so much so
that she never washed her t’nalak with soap. She was awarded in 1998, and passed away in 2015
Haja Amina Appi, pandan mat weaver
Weaving pandan mats is a long and difficult process that is handed down from woman to
woman across generations: Pandan leaves are harvested and made into narrow, long strips, sundried, pressed, and dyed before finally becoming suitable for weaving. The resulting mats are
used for sleeping and saying prayers, or given as gifts to newlyweds. Haja Amina Appi of Ungos
Matata, Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi created intricate mats that boast beautiful geometric designs,
vibrant colors, and fine symmetry. She was awarded National Living Treasure in 2004. She
experimented with her work and developed her own tints to create the hues she had in mind.
Appi passed away in 2013, but her art lives on through her children and other young women in
her community.
National Artists
Napoleon Abueva (1976, Sculpture)
Abueva is hailed as the “Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture.” Abueva made
seemingly easy work out of hardwood, adobe, metal, stainless steel, cement, marble,
bronze, iron, alabaster, coral, and brass.
Larry Alcala (2018, Comics, Posthumous Conferment)
Alcala’s artworks were staples in the comics’ sections of magazines,
newspapers, and comic books. His most famous creations are part of a series of
illustrations called Slice of Life, which depict snippets of everyday lives of ordinary
Filipinos. Barrio scenes and urban settings are common themes of Alcala.
Benedicto "BenCab" Reyes Cabrera (2006, Painting)
BenCab is one of the most sought-after painters in the Philippines today, whose
works are frequent bestsellers. His museum in Baguio city features various galleries
that highlight Philippine art as well as that of the Cordillera region, an inspiring
spectacle that attracts visitors throughout the year.
Francisco Coching (2014, Comics, Posthumous Conferment)
Coching was regarded as the “Pillar of the Philippine Komiks Industry.” He was
the creator of iconic Philippine Komiks characters such as Hagibis, Pedro Penduko, and
Sabas, Ang Barbero.
5. Why do you think there is a need to have two national awards for the arts?
Should there be a clear-cut line between GAMABA awardees and National
Artists? What issues surround the National Artist Award and GAMABA? Prove
your answer.
Both awards are national awards given to recognize artists in various forms
of arts. In my own opinion two awards are being given to recognize artists in
different ways, like the GAMABA award is given to artists who focus more on
traditional arts and help preserve the culture by passing on their knowledge on
traditional arts to the next generation. Order of National Artist is given to artists
only for the art they create in general (but things are also evaluated like their other
records) without giving emphasis on how they impart the art to the other
generation and it may be modern art or not. Since both awards are national awards
there must be a clear-cut between these two so the panel can identify clearly who
must be given the GAMABA and the National Artist Award but it seems a little bit
confusing since the GAMABA is given to artists who made a significant contribution
to the country's intangible cultural heritage while the National Artist award is given
to made significant contributions to the development of Philippine art. I think that
the Order of the National Artist seems a little more in general and GAMABA
Awardees deserve to be recognized the same way as National Artist because of
their great contribution in preserving our culture.