Humanities comes from the Latin humanus, which means
human, cultured, refined.
Subjects covered in the study of Humanities:
VISUAL ARTS: art forms that we perceive with our eyes
Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Architecture
AUDITORY ARTS: art forms that can be heard
Music, Literature
COMBINED ARTS: can be both seen and heard (also referred
to as performing arts)
Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Architecture
PERSPECTIVE OF HUMANITIES STUDY
There are no shortcuts to the study of humanities, but
there some techniques that might be helpful.
TEXT- refers to medium, form and content
CONTEXT- historical and cultural background of the artwork
SUBTEXT- emotional or intellectual messages embedded in a
work of art.
THE VALUES OF ART
Great works of art are distinguished by the following qualities.
AESTHETIC VALUE- this is the quality which appeals to our
sense of beauty.
INTELLECTUAL VALUE- when an artwork stimulates thought
and enriches our mental life
SUGGESTIVENESS- the quality associated with the emotional
power of art. It moves us deeply and stir our feeling and
imagination.
SPIRITUAL- the capacity to inspire and elevate the spirit by
bringing out moral values.
PERMANENCE- The great work of art endures and its appeal is
lasting.
UNIVERSALITY- Great art is timeless and timely. It is forever
relevant and appeals to one and all.
STYLE- Great artworks are marked by their memorable
substance and distinctive style.
FORM- Artistic forms are skeletal structures or conceptual
frameworks designed to support or enclose parts of the work of
art. It is the organization, arrangement, or framework of an
artwork.
FOUR COORDINATES OF ART CRITICISM
1. The SUBJECT MATTER
Two Types Of Subj Matter:
REPRESENTATIONAL-portrays something other than
its own form
NON-REPRESENTATIONAL –represents nothing
except its own form
2. The ARTIST
3. The AUDIENCE
4. Its OWN FORM
HOW TO CRITIQUE ARTWORKS
Art critique is an evaluation of a work of art.
Just follow these STEPS.
1. Describe What You See (The objective portion of the
art critique that involves a technical description)
2. Analyze the Artwork (In-depth examination of how
technical elements were utilized by the artist.
3. Interpret the Artwork (Analysis of the technical aspects
of an artpiece)
4. Evaluate the Artwork (The summation of the art
criticism)
5. Use Art Vocabulary in Your Art Critique (no incorrect
descriptions)
GENRE used to be a major consideration in determining the
“Filipino-ness” of a work of art, at least in painting. The idea was
the depiction of scenes of everyday life and the surroundings
without even idealizing them.
Looking Back at Philippine Art
a. PAINTING and SCULPTURE –
- Artistic paintings were introduced to Filipinos in the
16th century when Spaniards came to the
Philippines.
- Spaniards used paintings as religious propaganda.
The purpose of the paintings between 16th- 19th
centuries was to aid the Catholic Church.
- In early 19th century, wealthier, educated Filipinos
introduced more secular Filipino art.
- First ART school was established by Damian
Domingo in 1820.
SPOLIARIUM by Juan Luna was awarded first prize at
an art competition in Madrid in 1884. It is the largest
painting in the Philippines (4.22 x 7.675m)
ANTIPOLO FIESTA by Fernando Amorsolo 1947-
depicts a rural scene in celebration of fiesta
UP OBLATION – the masterpiece of National Artist
Guillermo Tolentino as commissioned by the university
president in 1935.
MANUNUNGGUL JAR OF PALAWAN- a secondary
burial jar, found in Tabon Cave by Dr. Robert Fox.

b. WEAVING
- Philippine weaving involves many threads
being measured, cut and mounted on a
wooden platform.
- During Spanish colonization, Filipinos used a
fabric called nipis to weave white clothing with
decorative, flower designs.
c. ARCHITECTURE
- Bahay Kubo or nipa hut, an architectural for
impermanent materials, has a style that lasted
through the years.
- In 1500’s the Spaniards introduced masonry in
the Philippines yet the the nipa hut’s basic
form were retained.
d. ARCHEOLOGY
- Diggings in many parts of the Phils have
yielded rich artifacts.
- Some of the most outstanding artifacts were
those found in caves of Lipoon Point, also
known as Albion head, in Quezon and
Palawan
- Dr. Robert Fox, Sr. archeologist in Natl
Museum, discovered a fossilized skull cap at
the Tabon Cave
e. POTTERY
- Native Filipinos created pottery since 3500 yrs
ago
- Ceramic jars are used to hold the deceased.
- Nuring Neolithic period, pottery was made for
water vessels, cups, plates etc.
- Ceramic vessels of Kalinga are divided into 3
types:
 Rice cooking (ittoyom)
 Vegetable/ meat cooking (oppaya)
 Water storage (immoso)
- In Kalinga, ceramic vessels can be used for:
 daily life
 ceremonial life
f. MUSIC
- Philippine tribal music antedates in the 17th
century
- Rondalla- a native string band which best
typifies blending of many influences that go
into the cultivation of indigeneous art form.
- Great Philippine classics is a collection of
Philippine classical music published by
National Philharmonic Society.
- Examples: Cavatina, Kundiman, Hatinggabi,
Salamisim, Bayan Ko, Habanera Filipina
No. 2, Kataka-taka, Lagi Kitang Naalala,
Matud Nila, Mutya ng Pasig, No Du Duaem
Pay, Sa Kabukiran, Salamisim, Sarung
Bangui
g. LITERATURE and THEATRE
- Philippine literature includes legends of pre-
history and the colonial legacy of the
Philippines.
- Darangen- epic of Maranaos of Lake Lanao
- Doctrina Cristiana- first printed book (1593)
- Florante at Laura , a metrical romance written
by Francisco Balagtas, which earned him the
title of prince of Philippine poets.
- La Esperanza- first daily newspaper
- Illustrado- educated class meaning “well
informed”
- La Solidaridad-with the help of this paper,
heroes were able to voice out their sentiments.
POETRY and METRICAL ROMANCES
Tanaga- short poems of four lines and seven syllables
Ladino Poems- were natives of First Tagalog versifiers who saw
print.
Corridos- widely read during Spanish period to fill the need for
entertainment
Awit- also widely read during Spanish period as entertaining,
edifying reading matter.
DRAMAS
Moriones- refers to helmets participants dressed as Roman
soldiers. Found only in Marinduque, culminating in a passion
play.
Panunuluyan- tagalog version of the Mexican Las Posadas, and
literally means “seeking passage”. It depicts Joseph and, Mary’s
search for a room in Betlehem.
Pangagaluluwa- practiced during All Saint’s Day which means
“for the souls”
Salubong- a ritual performed in the early morning of Easter
Sunday, dramatizing the meeting between Jesus and his mother.
Senakulo- a passion play, customarily performed during Holy
week and bears similarities to Mystery plays in Europe.
Santacruzan- reenacts St Helena’s finding of the True cross and
serves as an expression of devotion to the Virgin Mary. Reyna
Elena represents the empress and holding crucifix representing
the true cross.
Comedia- a courtly love between a prince and a princess of
different religions
Duplo- a forerunner of balagtasan, Performance consists of two
teams; one composed of young women (dupleras or belyakas)
and the other of young men called dupleros (belyakos)
Karagatan- testing the mettle of a young men vying for a
maiden’s hand.
 SIGNIFICANT CONTEMPORARY VISUAL ARTS FROM THE
REGIONS
SCULPTURE is the most familiar art forms among Filipinos.
HIGANTES of Angono Rizal- the body of the traditional higante
are made of bamboo and colorful cloth and its faces of paper
mache.
SCULPTURES of Paete, Laguna – Statues, pulprits, murals and
bas relief are found in churches, palaces and museums.
*Paete was proclaimed as “The Carving Capital of the
Philippines” in 2005.
TAKA of Paete, Laguna- paper mache made using carved
wooden sculpture used as a mold.
GIANT LANTERN Festival of Pampanga- annual festival
featuring a competition of giant lanterns.
SANICULAS cookie Mold Carvings of Pampanga- arrowroot
cookies that have St. Nicholas image molded on it.
SINGKABAN (bamboo art of Bulacan) – Art of shaving bamboo
into artful creations that can be used as décor for arches/home
BUL-UL of Ifugao- a carved wooden figure used to guard the
rice crop by the Igorot of Northern Luzon.
OKIR design of Maranao- geometric and flowing designs that
can be usually found in Maranao and Muslim-influenced artwork
SARIMANOK of Maranao- legendary bird of Maranao people
that has become a ubiquitous symbol of Maranao art.
TOROGAN – type of house indigenous to Maranao communities
as a symbol of high status.
HAGABI- a long wooden bench that signifies an individual or
family’s wealth
h. DANCE
Types of Filipino dance include Cordillera, Muslim, tribal, rural
and Spanish style DANCES.
Banga Dance- illustrates the grace and strength of women in the
Kalinga tribe.
Lumagen or Tachok is performed to celebrate happy occasions.
Salisid- is a dance to show courtship. A man and a woman
performer represents a rooster attempting to attract a hen.
TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF THE PHILIPPINES
ITIK- ITIK- mimetic folk dance where the dancers imitate the
movement of ducks among rice paddies and swamplands
TINIKLING- movements imitate tikling bird as it walks around tall
grasses.
SAYAW sa BANGKO – performers dance on top of a narrow
bench hopping from one end to another
BINASUAN – dancers carefully balance three half0filled glasses
of rice wine on their heads and hands.
MAGLALATIK- also known as Magbabao is a mock-war dance
that depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highly prized food. It is
a religious danceas an offering to San Isidro de Labrador, the
patron saint of farmers.
KURATSA- a Spanished-influenced dance of courtship
LA JOTA MONCADENA- adapted by the Filipinos from an old
Spanish dance.
KAPPA MALONG-MALONG- a Muslim-influenced dance, which
shows many ways that malong can be worn.
PANTOMINA- a traditional love dance from Bicol with its
movements mimicking or patronizing the mating or love-making
of doves or “salampati”.
SINGKIL – a traditional dance performed by single women to
attract potential suitors. A kulintang and agung ensemble always
accompanies the dance.
POLKABAL- shows some European influence in its steps, a re-
enactment of a bull-fight and even a leisurely walk.
PASIGUIN- a dance representing fishes getting out from the torn
fishnets, locally called sibot.
CARINOSA- a Philippine folk dance that potrays acts of flirtation
between a man and a woman.
ALCAMFOR- in this dance, a girl is holding a handkerchief laced
with camphor (mothballs) and flirts with the man by waving her
scented handkerchief in front of his face.