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