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ARTISTS AND ARTISANS

A RICH TRADITION OF CRAFTSMANSHIP

Traditional Filipino arts and crafts including weaving, woodcarving and pottery have a long history that dates back to pre-colonial times. Each region specializes in its own arts and crafts, from woodcarving in the tribal heartlands of the Cordilleras to batik prints and ornate carvings in Muslim Mindanao.

Before the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, the inhabitants of the islands weaved using local fibers such as abaca, cotton and pineapple. Baskets were made to transport and store goods, while grass-woven trays were used to sift rice. Tribal and religious artifacts are sold as souvenirs in the Cordilleras in northern Luzon, while rattan baskets are on display in markets and stores across the country. In Mountain Province, wooden rice gods—small figurines that are placed in rice paddies to encourage abundant harvests and fend off evil spirits—continue to be produced and utilized, along with wooden bowls, wall carvings and wall hangings. Brooms, bowls, baskets and other household products are often made with coconuts and coconut leaves.

The Spanish introduced artistic paintings to the islands, largely in order to spread Catholicism, and it wasn’t until the 19th century that secular art first appeared. The university town of Baguio in the Cordilleras has a thriving arts scene, and in recent years has established itself as a magnet for artists. One of its most popular sites is the BenCab Museum, one of the country’s best art galleries housing the collection of painter Ben Cabrera, along with permanent displays of Ifugao artifacts and sculptures by contemporary Filipino artists.

The small town of Paete in Luzon is dubbed the “woodcarving capital of the Philippines”, with a centuries-old tradition of woodcarving and painting. Skilled artisans produce wooden bakya(clogs), religious art and papier-mâché masks that are used during the town’s Salibanda Festival that honors the Santo Niño, or Baby Jesus, every January. Handcrafted musical instruments such as guitars, mandolins and ukuleles, can be found in Cebu, while drums and gongs come from Mindanao.

A traditional Ifugao mask from the Cordilleras region of northern Luzon.

A wooden tribal mask embellished with white motifs.

Catholic statuettes and relics are on display outside an antiques shop in the colonial-era city of Vigan.

A skilled craftsman works hard forging knives.

Some of the Philippines’ finest designers like Kenneth Cobonpue (all except chair) and A. Garcia Crafts (Andres Side Chair) have expanded their collections overseas.

The BenCab Gallery in Baguio

Awarded National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts in 2006, Benjamin Cabrera, popularly known as BenCab, is one of the country’s foremost contemporary artists. Born in 1942 during the Japanese occupation, BenCab started drawing on pavements and walls at the age of seven. As a schoolboy, he sold illustrations and portraits to his peers, and later went on to study Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines. His artistic career kicked off in 1968, and he spent long spells living in London over the following two decades. His work took on a political angle in response to the repressive regime of President Marcos. In 1986 BenCab settled in the mountain city of Baguio. His state-of-the-art gallery with attached farm and oriental garden on the outskirts of the city is arguably one of the best in the country, housing a collection of primitive wooden sculptures from the Cordillera region along with paintings and sculptures by up-and-coming Filipino artists. In the 1990s BenCab helped found Baguio’s Tam-awan Village, a replica tribal village with a small gallery housing temporary exhibitions that attracts local artists.

“Dancing at Rock Session” by Benedicto Reyes Cabrera, hailed as a master of contemporary Philippine art.

A bulul, a carved wooden figure traditionally placed in rice granaries to bring a plentiful harvest.

The modernist BenCab Museum houses temporary exhibitions along with permanent displays showcasing Ifugao artifacts and works by contemporary artists.

A street parade during Baguio’s month-long Panagbenga Festival celebrates the blooming of flowers.

An elderly woman in northern Luzon concentrates intently as she weaves highland textiles.

Traditional cloth weaves are made with abaca fiber using natural dyes and threads.

Since the arrival of Muslim traders and missionaries in Mindanao in the 13th century, Islamic art has flourished. Batik clothing rich in geometric and floral patterns was introduced from Indonesia, and textiles are woven using the ikat technique. Muslim women wear malong, a skirt made of pineapple fiber with two hand-woven silk pieces. Remote tribes on the island produce beautiful accessories and furniture, such as brass jars and wooden chests inlaid with mother of pearl. White, pink and gray pearls are cultivated on farms in Mindanao and Palawan and made into earrings, necklaces and bracelets.

Pottery has long been produced in the Philippines. Centuries ago ceramic jars were used to hold the deceased. Thanks to the favorable qualities of the clay in the Chico river valley, the Kalinga people in the Cordilleras region have for centuries made a living from pottery. To this day households continue to make their own pottery, including cooking vessels, water transport and storage containers for basi (sugarcane wine).

Guitars from Cebu are traditionally handcrafted.

An artisan carves out a guitar at the Alegre Guitars Factory in Lapu-Lapu City.

A collection of hair accessories, earrings, necklaces and rings designed by Tambourine Jewelry, where the materials are sourced mostly from the Philippines.

Handmade clay pots on display at a workshop.

Wooden plates, trays and other tableware are displayed for sale in a shop.