This document discusses the concept of "Filipino-ness" in Philippine art. It questions whether art produced by Filipinos using Western mediums or languages can still be considered authentically Filipino. While Philippine culture has been influenced by Spanish, American and Asian traditions, the document argues that depicting local scenes and traditions without idealization captures the Filipino soul. The landscapes and scenes of daily life in Fernando Amorsolo's paintings are cited as expressing Filipino rural life authentically. However, debates continue over how tradition and cultural influences impact perceptions of a work's Filipino identity and authenticity.

1. PHILIPPINE ART
AS FILIPINO
CONTEMPORARY ARTS FROM THE PHILIPPINE
REGIONS

2. FOCUS QUESTIONS
What are the main characteristics of a Filipino
artwork?
How do we idealize in reference to distinguishing
Filipino art?
Why is tradition and culture considered factors in
questioning identity in Philippine art?

3. PHILIPPINE ART AS FILIPINO
Is Philippine art
considered 100%
authentic art?

4. PHILIPPINE ART AS
FILIPINO
Are the landscape paintings of Fernando Amorsolo
or the historical depictions of Carlos Botong
Francisco genuinely Filipino?

5. PHILIPPINE ART AS
FILIPINO
Are the stories and poems written in English by
N.V. Gonzales or Edith Tiempo considered
Filipino?

6. PHILIPPINE ART AS FILIPINO
Speculation on
the “Filipino-
ness}”
Colonial
history

7. PHILIPPINE ART AS
FILIPINO
Spanish,
American,
Asian
countries
Influenced
Philippine
Culture
Spanish
inspired
architecture,
American
influenced
poetry and
music

8. PHILIPPINE ART AS
FILIPINO
Migrant Reality
of
Globalization
Filipinos
adapted to
foreign culture

9. PHILIPPINE ART AS
FILIPINO
“The idea was that the depiction of scenes of everyday
life and the surroundings without idealizing them was
closest in spirit to the Filipino soul and native soil.”
- Leo Benesa, Filipino poet, essayist, and art critic

10. PHILIPPINE ART AS
FILIPINO
Filipino way
of living
Not idealizing
them = Not
perfect

11. PHILIPPINE ART AS
FILIPINO
When a Filipino artist paints a
farmer in the fields or writes
about a fisherman casting
nets, the subject is Filipino.
But the medium of expression
should portray the subject as
true to what it is in reality.

12. PHILIPPINE ART AS
FILIPINO
Benesa describes Amorsolo
works as the
“most expressive of the ethos
of the race and the
predominantly agricultural
countryside”
Men and women are portrayed
as hardworking with smiles on
their faces.
Landscape in Amorsolo’s
paintings are rural lands in the
Philippines, vegetation and
nature.

13. GROUPACTIVITY:
FILIPINO-NESS

14. GROUPACTIVITY:
FILIPINO-NESS
Study these two paintings by Fernando Amorsolo and
Leonardo Da Vinci and answer the questions that
follow:
a. What do these paintings share in common?
b. How differently did Amorsolo treat the subject?
c. What makes the Palay Maiden truly Filipino?

15. PHILIPPINE ART AS
FILIPINO
Many art critics still doubt the
Filipino-ness of the artworks
produced by Filipinos.
Tradition where works and
artists came from makes one to
question its authenticity.
For example, our painters
learned Western painting
tradition (canvas, paintbrush,
easel) blemishes the
authenticity of the Filipino
works.

16. PHILIPPINE ART AS
FILIPINO
In Philippine literature written in
English, the language itself doubt
the Filipino-ness of the literary
work.
Many regarded the works written
in Filipino or regional languages
more Filipino than in English.
But as Filipinos learned and adapt
the usage of English usage,
regardless of language, is truly
Filipino.

17. PHILIPPINE ART AS
FILIPINO
The identity of the Filipino
arts is constantly changing,
struggling and evolving.
Filipino artists try to bring the
nation’s experience and
talent in the global arena.