Mind Map: Developing Filipino Identity in the Arts
An Artist’s Personal Inventory
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Who am I?
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What is the Philippines to me?
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What is my relationship to my community/country?
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What are the art forms in my community?
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As an artist, what can I contribute to my community/country?
Rooting Myself: History of Philippine Art and Culture
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Philosophy: Different from nature; acquired, not innate.
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Sociology: What is common to a group and what ties them together.
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A distinct way of being, thinking, acting, and communicating.
Art and Culture
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Influences society: Changes opinions, instills values, translates experiences.
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Preserves history: Captures emotions and existence in time.
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Communication: Uses images, sounds, stories.
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Vehicle for social change.
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Utilitarian influences: Fosters self-expression, has economic value.
The Philippines: A Brief Rundown
Different Names of the Philippines
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Ma-I (Present-day Mindoro) – “Country of the Blacks” (Chinese origin)
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Maniolas – Named by Claudius Ptolemy.
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La Islas de San Lazaro – Named by Ferdinand Magellan.
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Las Islas de Poniente – Islands to the West.
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Las Islas Felipinas – Islands belonging to Philip.
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Filipinas (Philippines).
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Pearl of the Orient/Pearl of the Orient Seas.
The Origin of the Philippines
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Genesis (Bible), Evolution, Legends and Fairytales.
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Examples:
o
Malakas and Maganda
o
The Story of the Brown People
o
Tungkung Langit and Alunsina
Early Ancestors
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Negritos (Aetas/Atis) – Nomadic, used land bridges.
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Indonesians – First immigrants from the sea.
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Malays – Came from Southeast Asia.
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Tabon Man – Existed during the Stone Age.
Early Filipino Communities
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Barangay/Balanghay – “A water vehicle”; ethnic group migration.
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Barangay Government – Made up of 5 to 10 barangays.
Early Filipino Government
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Datu – Leader, lawmaker, judge; called Lakan or Gat.
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Dayang-Dayang – wives of datu.
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Atubang ng Datu – Advisors.
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Council of Elders – Reviews and agrees to laws.
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Umalohokan – Barangay announcer.
Social Classes:
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Maharlika – Free/noble people.
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Timawa – Ordinary people.
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Alipin – Slaves.
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Babaylan – Female priests, shamans, ritual leaders.
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Tambalan – Healers/doctors.
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Daragangan – Outstanding soldiers.
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Binukot – Treasured maidens.
Early Customs & Beliefs
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Panganga – Chewing of betel nut (nganga).
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Nganga – areca seeds, lime and leaf of betel.
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Beliefs in the Afterlife:
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o
T’Boli – Soul leaves body during sleep (astral projection).
o
Bagobo – Two souls: one good, one bad.
Burial Practices:
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Manobo – Bury dead in trees.
o
Sulod – Bury inside tree trunks, remove bones, place in jars.
o
Ifugaos – Corpse seated for days, moved to a cave, later reburied.
o
Sagada – Hanging coffins.
o
Other practices: embalming, burial under houses, material possessions buried
with the dead, gold eye covers.
Mourning Customs:
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Families wear white.
o
Houses burned down, families relocate.
o
If murdered, family seeks retribution.
Early Writing System
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Alibata – From “Alifbata” (Arabic alphabet); incorrect term.
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Baybayin – Early alphabet of Filipinos (Tagalog Script). From root word “baybay” means
“to spell”.
Languages of the Philippines
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Filipino – National language, synonymous with Tagalog.
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Top 10 Spoken Languages:
o
Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Waray-Waray, Kapampangan, Bicolano,
Pangasinense, Maranao, Tausug.
Ethnic Groups in the Philippines
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Ethnicity – Belonging to a social group with shared tradition.
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134 ethnic groups.
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Indigenous Tribes – manage to reside in mountains, preserve identity.
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Two Main Ethnic Groups:
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Igorots – Northern tribes, known for rice cultivation.
o
Lumad – Non-Muslim southern tribes.
Igorots
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Cordillera Region
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Ifugaos – Built Banaue Rice Terraces, known for stone anitos, tattoos.
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Kalinga – Famous for tattoos.
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Other groups: Bontoc, Ibaloi, Isneg, Kankanaey, Tinguian, Isnag, Ilongots.
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Ilongots – Known for aggressiveness, cultural conservatism.
Lumad
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13 Ethnic Groups: Blaan, Bukidnon, Higaonon, Mamanwa, Mandaya, Manobo, Mansaka,
Sangir, Subanen, Tagabawa, Tagakaulo, Tasaday, T’boli.
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Known for tribal music.
Other Tribes
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Badjaos – Sea tribes, divers, fishermen, navigators.
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Ati and Tumandok – Panay Island, resemble Aetas, practice animism.
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Palawan Tribes – Rural dwellers: Batak, Palaweño, Palawano, Tagbanwa.
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Mangyans – Largest indigenous group, peaceful reputation.
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Aetas/Negritos – Earliest inhabitants, nomadic, skilled in weaving, herbal medicine.