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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.
FEASTS AND FIESTAS
LAVISH CELEBRATIONS FILLED WITH SONG, DANCE AND FOOD
As a result of three centuries of Spanish colonial rule and nearly five decades of American colonization, Filipino culture is heavily influenced by Hispanic and American traditions. Hundreds of exuberant Catholic celebrations feature colorful spectacles that embrace traditional songs, dances and lavish feasts.
Fiestas lie at the heart of Philippine culture. There are hundreds of ebullient festivals and raucous celebrations year-round, mostly rooted in Christianity. Often held to commemorate patron saints, they were largely introduced by the Spanish and became a vital means of spreading Christianity to all corners of the country. Today they can be both religious and cultural, with parades, street performers, re-enactments, plays, pageants and contests. Holy Week and Christmas are celebrated with unbridled enthusiasm, with extended families coming together from across the country.
An important day for families is Todos Los Santos, or All Saints’ Day, which is celebrated to honor the dead. The entire country comes to a standstill, with Filipinos traveling far and wide to spend the day with their relatives and pay tribute to the deceased. Family members prepare abundant feasts and travel to the cemeteries, gathering around graves and memorials.
Participants at the Senakulo watch a re-enactment of Christ carrying his cross to Golgotha.
Filipinos re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ during Easter celebrations.
A man in Cainta, Rizal, plays the role of Jesus at the Senakulo, a play depicting events from the Old and New Testament.
Participants at the annual Aliwan Festival showcase their culture and traditions.
Ifugao man playing a bamboo nose flute locally known as “kaleleng”. The Ifugao tribe mainly resides in the Cordilleras in Luzon.
A band of young musicians plays at the Philippine Independence Day Parade in Kawit, Cavite.
A street dancer at the Dinagyang Festival, a religious and cultural event held in Iloilo both to honor the Santo Niño and to celebrate the arrival of Malay settlers.
Flowers are arranged and candles lit, and picnic hampers and alcoholic drinks are opened to celebrate and pay respect to those who have passed.
Feast days are sometimes held for two or three consecutive days, with lechón gracing the tables, and street parades featuring dancers clad in colorful costumes.