contemporary performing arts 10 contemporary... · 11.0 contemporary performing arts 2 dealing with...

CONTEMPORARY PERFORMING ARTS

Philippine Contemporary Art in the Regions 1

Contemporary Performing Arts

Welcome to the eleventh module of the course on Philippine Contemporary Art from the

Regions. For this chapter, we will discuss the contemporary performing arts, namely film,

theater, dance and music.

In this chapter you will be able to identify various contemporary performing arts and their

different components. You will be able to identify and compare these contemporary performing

arts. You will also learn how to describe and analyze these contemporary performing arts. You

will be able to classify and compare these art forms and research on them. You will also learn the

guide in how to describe and appreciate these performing arts.

Performing Arts

Performing arts consist of art forms in which artists or performers use their voices, move

their bodies and relate to other performers, objects or even to the audience. Performing arts refer

to film, theater, dance and music. They were briefly discussed, with their elements in chapter

two.

Performing arts are different from visual arts discussed in previous chapters because they

move in time and space and are usually done by a group of people of different knowledge and

skills, each one playing a specific role. Analyzing and appreciating film and theater requires

understanding its visual, dramatic, and literary components. For dance, looking into the

knowledge of choreography, technical skills, performance skills and rhythm/tempo is necessary.

For music, focus is on form, context and expression.

Film

The Philippine film industry faced a lot of challenges from the 1960s up to the

years after the fall of Ferdinand Marcos’ regime. The films were described to be lacking in

quality. The lack of payment to stimulate greater output, that could have solved quality

control and economic stability in the film industries, made Hollywood films and other

foreign films preferred over local ones. As a result of this, independent filmmakers

emerged so that they won’t be tied down by the economic thematic, and technical

constraints of the industry, working outside it and experimenting with the medium.

The establishment of the international movement known as the New Wave, made it

possible for directors not to follow traditional techniques, giving rise to a renewed energy

and consciousness to making films. Some of the new techniques used were the on-the-

move camera technique, the use of informal everyday language, the unashamed manner of

11.0 Contemporary Performing Arts

2

dealing with sex, and the rebellious approach towards the social conventions and

institutions.

The New Wave directors either showed relevant social topics or hybridized Filipino

topics with Western techniques. They can also be called Alternative filmmakers. These

alternative or independent filmmakers went to film schools where students are exposed to

art films without having to deal with commercialism. Some of these directors decided to

turn to international film festivals when their films were seen as too unconventional locally

and they got their funds from foreign television companies. Examples of these directors are

Raymond Red, Manny Reyes and Nick Deocampo.

Contemporary Filipino directors are brave enough to direct films that portrayed

revolt, labor unionism, social exclusion and class division. These were Lino Brocka, Peque

Gallaga, Ishmael Bernal, Celso Ad Castillo and Marilou Diaz Abaya to name a few. Some

of the issues dealt with by contemporary directors are: the sufferings in Filipino life due to

economic exploitation, feminist issues, moral issues, child labor, a love story in the middle

of a family full of secrets, the interactions of culture and nature and the people who rely

heavily on both for sustenance and identity and issues of the OFW.

NCR. “Himala” by Ishmael

Bernal, 1982.

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nxU

b2kYKSvI/TClUMCmfAjI/AA

AAAAAAWPs/3zMICGdupO

Y/s1600/Himala-82-sf.jpg)

NCR. “Shake Rattle and Roll II” by

Peque Gallaga, 1990

(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VfGqPP0lLE

4/maxresdefault.jpg)



In the late 90s to early 2000s, a New Wave in digital form emerged when digital

media became available. The high definition format came with the digital age.

With the help of foreign and local film festivals, with Cinemalaya as the most

famous, independent films from different regions of the Philippines are promoted.

Raymond Red and Marie Jamora are from NCR, Lino Brocka and Brilliante Mendoza are

from Nueva Ecija, and Pampanga, respectively. Nick Deocampo is from Region 6 Iloilo

and Lav Diaz is from ARMM. From CAR region are Eric de Guia and Kidlat Tahimik.

Christopher Gozum is from Region 1 Pangasinan.

LAGUNA. “Ang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat

ng Lupa” by Celso A. Castillo, 1974.

(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nxUb2kYKSvI/R4ZDBu

63z0I/AAAAAAAADSo/VaCj_zKT-

eg/s400/Ang+Pinkamagandang+Hayop+sa+Balat+n

g+Lupa+-74.jpg)

NCR. “Muro Ami” by Marilou Diaz Abaya,

1999.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6

/65/Muro-ami.jpg)


4

SORSOGON. “Maynila sa mga Kuko ng

Liwanag” (Maynila: In the Claws of Light) by

Lino Brocka, 1975.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thum

b/0/0d/Maynilaposter.jpg/220px-

Maynilaposter.jpg)

MANILA. “Sakay” by Raymond Red, 1995.

(http://images-

cdn.moviepilot.com/images/c_scale,h_280,w_280/t_m

p_quality/ptnnfqq7lyjcjgvv7j4q/actors-who-played-

philippine-revolutionary-heroes-through-the-years-

julio-diaz-as-sak-760488.jpg)

PAMPANGA. “Thy Womb” by

Brillante Mendoza, 2012.

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/

en/2/22/Thy-Womb-poster.jpeg)

MAGUINDANAO. “Mula sa Kung Ano Ang Noon” by

Lav Diaz, 2014.

(http://www.raindeocampo.com/wp-

content/uploads/2015/06/Mula-Sa-Kung-Ano-Ang-Noon-

Lav-Diaz.jpg)

PAMPANGA. “Tirador” by Brillante Mendoza, 2007.

(http://en.wikipilipinas.org/images/thumb/6/6c/Tiradormovie.jp

g/150px-Tiradormovie.jpg)



For appreciating and analyzing a film, a typology, a set of concepts to direct the

viewer’s attention to the principal elements in the cinema experience, is used to suggest the

range of qualities within each element of the film. The viewer can examine the elements

under the three components, which are visual, dramatic and literary. They are shown

below:

Image (medium)

I. Visual

Component

Texture:

Shape:

Size:

Focus:

Light:

Color:

Space:

rough-smooth, hard-soft, wet-dry

round-pointed, organic-geometric

large-small, exaggerated-reduced

blurred-distinct, near-distant

natural-artificial, strong-weak

pale-intense, warm-cool, earth-sky

shallow-deep, defined-unlimited

II. Dramatic

Component

Sound/Music:

Language/Direction:

Performance/Representation:

Montage/Editing:

Movement/Composition:

Time:

emotive-descriptive, faster-slower

spoken-recited, lyrical-literal

naturalistic-stylized, accurate-distorted

rhythmic-staccato, dominant-subordinate

continuous-interrupted, parallel-diagonal

swift-slow, cinematic-chronological

III. Literary

Component

Object:

Place:

Event:

Sequence:

Plot:

Symbol:

whole-fragment, quality-thing

open-closed, now-then, familiar-exotic

many-few, probable-unlikely, verbal-visual

linear-simultaneous, logical-irrational

simple-complex, narrative-poetic

personal-collective, realistic-abstract,

spectacular-educational

The typology should help you in describing and analyzing a film experience before

interpreting and judging it. You should be guided by the design of the film, meaning, the

organization of the entire work, and its influence on your outlook. The intensity of the

viewer’s aesthetic experience depends on how well he/she puts together these components.

The capacity to put the components together takes time to master, through watching many

films. The typology is only a map or guide showing what to consider or look at when

trying to describe and analyze a film.

Performance Arts and Theater

Performance Art

Artists who do performance art conceptualize their act in relation to the

minimal props needed to get a concept, idea or advocacy across to the audience.

They use the basic elements of time, space, the performer’s body, and the

audience who will randomly witness their performance. The performance can


6

take place anywhere at any length of time, depending on where and what time it

is best compatible with the concept.

Performance art is not for entertainment, but instead to convey a message

in a dramatic manner. It is different from theater art that it does not depict a set

of fictitious characters following a script. The performance can include action,

spoken words, sounds imitating something or a combination that are essential to

the idea the artists are trying to communicate.

Contemporary performance artists challenge the audience to think about an

issue. The performance may be satire or a commentary, a position on an issue.

BOHOL. Sam Penaso’s “Earth Hour”

performance at Manila Doctors

Hospital, 2015.

(https://www.facebook.com/permalink

.php?story_fbid=836140519781324&i

d=115828015145915#)

CAGAYAN DE ORO. Nicolas

Aca, “Sa Pagbabalik Tanaw kay

Yolanda” Performance KaLig-

on, 2012.

(https://www.facebook.com/mic

helle.h.lua/media_set?set=a.102

05099480072876.1073741865.

1420055820&type=3)

QUEZON CITY. “Submergence”, under

Project Bakawan, 2015.

(http://www.projectbakawan.com/index.php/li

ve-art/submergence)



Theater performance, whether on stage, on the street, or other spaces, reflects

human life and different patterns of human behavior. It reveals human strengths,

weaknesses, decisions and consequences and everything else human. It can serve as

entertainment, warning, reminder, propaganda, or a window to human thoughts.

Theater Arts

Theater arts uniquely use a specific language that applies to visual and

auditory elements, media, techniques and conventions. Its elements, as fully

discussed in chapter two, are varied and complex. They include the physical

presence of the actors, the colors, and shapes of the costumes and scenery, sound

and music, drama, the ideas and emotions expressed by the playwright, among

other things, all interact with each other in space and time to convey the story.

A performance is based on dramatic text staged using techniques of theater

production, and enacted and interpreted by actors, directors, designers and other

personnel before audiences are positioned in the site of the performance. The

dramatic text is a narration of a story with a conflict that develops into a series of

crisis and ultimately a climax. The story can either have a happy or unhappy

ending.

Theater arts uses a combination of gesture, music, dance, sound, speech or

a narrative. Theater takes many forms like plays, musical, opera, ballet or a

combination of contemporary forms.

Basic theater stages:

o Proscenium

This is also called a picture frame stage. The performance takes

place behind the proscenium opening or frame of the stage. The seats

of the audience face the stage like the seats in a movie theater facing

the screen. This type of stage gives the audience a good view

because the theater actors need to only focus on one direction. It also

enables hiding of objects from the audience’s view, like the sets,

actors not currently performing, theater technology. Anything that

does not need to be seen by the audience can just be hidden from the

proscenium arch, either in the side (“wings”) or the area above the

stage (“fly space”).

(https://cassstudio6.wordpress.com/types/)


8

o Arena

This is also called the circle stage. The stage is in the center

surrounded by the audience on all four sides. This is where the stage

may be raised a few feet above the floor, with the audience at a lower

level than the stage. Or the stage may be on the floor level, with the

seats raised on higher levels around it.


o Thrust Stage

This stage has three sides where the audience sit and they are

arranged in a semi-circle that encloses the stage, which is at the

center. The fourth side is used as the background. Often, the stage is

square or rectangular and is usually raised.


o Flexible theater

This is sometimes called the “Black Box” theater because they

are big empty boxed spaces painted black inside. The stage and

seating are not fixed and can be altered to accommodate the needs of

the play.




o Created and Found

This stage space can be any kind of structure that maintains its

original architectural elements intact such as lofts, warehouses,

gyms, etc.


Styles in Philippine Theater Arts

o Psychological Realism focuses on the problems of individuals.

Describing and diagnosing their anguish and joy, ambition and

frustration, their hope and despair.

QUEZON CITY. Ateneo de Manila University

staging of “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” by

Nick Joaquin, 1955.

(http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/172943/ateneo-mounts-

tribute-to-nick-joaquins-a-portrait-of-the-artist-as-

filipino)


10

o Social Realism situates and roots individual problems within the

larger picture of a class society. This is a reaction to the socio-

economic-political issues that confronted Filipinos.

o Combination of Realistic and Non-realistic styles uses realistic

situations and combines them with non-realistic ones.

o The Brechtian style is named after the playwright Bertolt Brecht.

His intention was to appeal to his audience’s intellect in presenting

moral problems and reflecting contemporary social realities on stage.

He wished to block their emotional responses and to hinder their

tendency to empathize with the characters and be caught up in the

action instead. He used “distancing” effects to cause the audience to

QUEZON CITY. Entablado from Ateneo

staging of “Buwan at Baril” by Chris

Millado.

(http://www.pep.ph/guide/arts-and-

culture/1015/buwan-at-baril-runs-at-the-

ateneo-until-september-1)

QUEZON CITY. Dulaang UP’s

staging of “Isang Panaginip na Fili”

by Floy Quintos, 1991.

(http://gibbscadiz.blogspot.com/201

0/11/dulaang-up-restages-floy-

quintos-isang.html)



think objectively about the play, to reflect on its argument, to

understand it and to draw conclusions.

(https://www.britannica.com/art/epic-theatre)

o Musical performances use music and dance heavily in the play.

o Documentary styles are used in plays dealing with historical events

and persons.

o Short plays are also called dula-tula (drama-poem).

CAGAYAN DE ORO. Xavier Center

for Culture and the Arts (XCCA) and

Dulaang Atenista (DA) staging of

“Ang Sistema ni Propesor Tuko” by

Al Santos.

(http://www.cdodev.com/2009/11/19/a

ng-sistema-ni-propesor-tuko-comedy-

play-at-xu-little-theater/)

“Diablos” by Denisa Reyes.

(http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/2

08551/denisa-reyes-and-her-

ongoing-dance-with-theater)

“Iskolar ng Bayan” by Richie Valencia,

1976.

(https://uprepertorycompany.wordpress.co

m/tag/iskolar-ng-bayan/)


12

The typology used for film may also be applied for theater and performance arts.

Dance Dance is a big part of the Filipino culture. Filipinos dance during weddings, proms,

parties in night clubs, fiestas or during ethnic rituals. In the different Philippine regions,

traditional and folk dances are being reinterpreted into new creative dances performed by

members of the community during festivals like the Sinulog in Cebu and the Dinagyang in

Iloilo. These dances are inspired by folk dances and are blended with contemporary

costume design, masks, props, choreography, carriages, higantes (paper mâché giants) and

music.

Dance as a performing art involves rhythmic body movement within a given space,

choreographed based on musical beat. It is an expression of idea or emotion, releasing

energy, or simply taking delight in music and the dance movement itself. It can be

CEBU. Sinulog Festival.

(http://osmiva.com/2013/01/celebrating-sinulog-in-

cebu/)

ILOILO. Dinagyang.

(https://www.fest300.com/festivals/dinagyang)

KALIBO. Ati-atihan.

(http://primer.com.ph/tips-guides/2015/01/18/ati-atihan-2015/)



performed by a group of dance performers in front of an audience or by everyone on the

dance floor.

In the Philippines, Filipino creativity surged after liberation from the Americans

after WWII and there were dance revivals and choreographic inventions in the 1950s and

1960s.

Schools put up folk dance troupes like Far Eastern University, Philippine Normal

University (Barangay Folk Dance Troupe), Philippine Women’s University, University of

the Philippines Filipiniana Dance Group and Darangan Cultural Troupe at Mindanao State

University-Marawi. As mentioned in a previous chapter, some contemporary art use folk or

ethnic elements, in the efforts to reconnect with cultural roots in the midst of

modernization. There were also a boom in the ballet, jazz, and hip-hop.

NCR. Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company

(SBRDC) competed at the World Hip-hop

Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, 2014.

(http://benildealumni.com/dlscsbaa/?p=1276)

NCR. Company of Ateneo Dancers.

(http://www.admu.edu.ph/news/sports/cads-place-4th-

uaap-street-dance-after-production-snafu)

DAVAO. Siningtala Dance Co.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMqNWeuMxq8)


14

Appreciation of dance as performing art consists of four aspects, which are

knowledge of choreography, technical skills, performance skills and rhythm/tempo. These

are discussed below:

Aspects of Dance Sample evaluation

Knowledge of Choreography

Memory of the routine and execution of the

moves looks true to the moves that were

choreographed

Demonstrates excellent knowledge of the

choreography and does it well

Ballet Philippines.

(http://globalnation.inquirer.net/112336/ballet-philippines-

us-tour-opening-stirs-filipino-pride)

(http://ballettothepeople.com/2012/06/16/proudly-waving-

the-philippine-flag/)

Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group.

(https://ramonobusanfolkloric.wordpress.com/image-gallery/)



Music

Music is more than just words being sung or instruments being played. It can

penetrate thinking, change our mood, stimulate ideas, create space around man or affect us

in a positive or negative way. Listening to or making music satisfies man’s psychological

and emotional needs. We respond to music physically, emotionally and intellectually, as it

affects our brain functions, moods, mentality, our character and thinking. Music, as a

human activity, is very complex. It involves creativity in putting together melody to

express an experience, a feeling, idea, words, and other things human.

In the 2000s, contemporary music in the Philippines was characterized by its new

genres such as Pop, Emo, Post-hardcore and Post-rock. It is characterized by

improvisation, making use of instruments that are not normally used like gongs and

bamboo. The content of contemporary music can vary from philosophical, social,

commentary, personal or propaganda.

Technical Skills

Pointing of toes, back straight, arm placement

is not sloppy, moves are executed smoothly

Dance was performed with great attention to

quality of movements, body position,

placement on stage and other details of

dance. Demonstrates an excellent

understanding of dance style

Performance Skills

Projection of eye contact to the audience,

having the right facial expressions

considering the theme of the dance, the dancer

is confident with the movements

The dancers are able to hold the audience’

attention, their facial expression and

movements touched the audience

Rhythm/Tempo

Staying on count and with the beats of the

music

Shows a complete understanding of tempo

and beat and stays on rhythm throughout the

dance.

MANILA. Greyhoundz.

(https://www.flickr.com/photos/jude4dok/359035

4636/in/photostream/)

BAGUIO. Session Road.

(https://kathefrancisco.wordpress.com/20

09/09/27/session-road-band/)


16

MANILA. Francis M.

(http://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/gma/articles/2007-10-30/2558/Francis-Ms-other-family)

Globalization and technology have affected contemporary music here in the

Philippines. In 2009 it was observed that musicians started using complex chord structures

and sound effects that sounded very different from OPM. Musicians were also

experimenting with the sounds they can make, as any contemporary artist do. Though at

some point, some artists were accused of plagiarizing Westerners because of colonial

mentality, thinking that whatever Western is better.

Famous contemporary Filipino music composers include George Masangkay

Canseco, Raymundo Cipriano Pujante “Ryan” Cayabyab and Francisco Feliciano. Canseco

have written songs that have made some Filipino singers famous. Cayabyab writes music

for full-length ballets, theater musicals, choral pieces, orchestral pieces, commercial

recordings of popular music, film scores and television specials. Feliciano produced more

than 30 major works that include operas, music dramas, liturgical pieces, hymns and songs

for worship.

NCR. Ryan Cayabyab.

(http://abscbnpr.com/jeepney-tv-

honors-iconic-musical-program-ryan-

ryan-musikahan-through-second-year-

anniversary-concert-2/)

NCR. George Masangkay Conseco.

(https://starforallseasons.com/2013/04/23/rememberin

g-george-masangkay-canseco/)



In the 1970s, Pinoy rock and pop developed and are still the most popular music

forms in the Philippines. There are also acoustic and folk, in ballad form, promoting

nationalism, possessing easy-listening chords and written in Filipino, English or Taglish

(Tagalong-English).

Some famous contemporary singers include Freddie Aguilar, Apo Hiking Society,

Gary Valenciano, Sampaguita, Kuh Ledesma, Joey Ayala and Francis Magalona. They

have been played in local radio stations, staged concerts, performed in bars or special

events.

RIZAL. Francisco Feliciano.

(http://skedsearch.com/search?s=ncca&action=SkedName&per_page=6)

BUKIDNON. Joey Ayala.

(http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/3891

27/lifestyle/artandculture/para-kay-joey-one-

good-thing-about-music)

Apo Hiking Society

(http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/apo-

hiking-society-give-two-thumbs-up-to-i-do-

bidoo-bidoo/)


18

In the experimental music scene, there is a category in music that intersects with

visual art. It is sculptural assemblage as sound art. The best known artist in this category

and most influential figure in the experimental Philippine music scene is Lirio Salvador.

He turns sculptural assemblages into musical instruments, which he calls Sandata

(weapon). His usual materials are bows, stainless steel pipes, utensils and discards like

bicycle gears. His instruments make raw sounds and is unlike the regular instruments used

by other artists. Another artist, Mel Araneta, learned sound art from Salvador. His Do-It-

Yourself Oscillator is made of found objects and recycled materials that produce sound

(which he calls noise) with rhythmic patterns and musical beats. He has technical skills and

was able to develop on sculptural assemblage and sound art further. He uses anything he

finds as materials, like old computer parts, soda can tabs, plastics, leather, nylon or metal

strings, wood, etc. and he assembles these together to form musical instruments. They are

not only musical instruments but also beautiful art works.

CAVITE. Lirio Salvador.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=163eddRhsQY)

BACOLOD. Kuh Ledesma.

(http://weddingsongsandlyrics.blogspot.co

m/2013/02/kuh-ledesma-i-think-im-in-

love.html)

Sampaguita.

(http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/92079/dude-

wheres-my-royalties)



Three aspects can be considered when appreciating music and they are discussed

below:

Form This refers to the musical elements in the song. For example, the listener

checks if there is a distinct rhythm, what tempo is used, is it written in a

particular style, if it identifies with a particular genre of music like rock, folk,

ballad, blues, rap, pop, etc.

Context This refers to events surrounding the song. A way to determine this is by

knowing when the song was composed. It also helps to find out about the

composer’s worldview. What is his/her view on life and humankind? What is his

character?

Expression This refers to the meaning of the song. What message is the composer

trying to communicate? What values are held by the singer? What attitudes and

ideas does the song bring out of the listener?

Supplementary Links to Videos and Readings

Videos

“Performance at Leeroy New's "Gates of Hell" Exhibit” (21:01)

< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbshrsSSiMw>

“Philippine Macho Academy opening night performance by Eisa Jocson” (4:28)

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmPKL63mkwY>

“A Surreal Concert by Lirio Salvador & Elemento at ArtScience Museum” (1:43)

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=163eddRhsQY>

“The Language of Dance” (13:46)

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZmzzFedyww>

“Stellar Goes Pop! : Aira Bermudez "All Of Me by John Legend/Gorilla by Bruno

Mars" (7:35)

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjds-_UHyAI>

Readings

“Dinagyang” (5:00) <https://www.fest300.com/festivals/dinagyang>

“Contemporary Music” (10:00)

<http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-

sca/music/contemporary-music/>


20

“Philippine Contemporary Dance” (5:00)

<http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/dance/philippine-

contemporary-dance/>

Glossary staccato sudden and brief; abrupt, disjointed

proscenium the part of a modern stage in front of the curtain; the wall that

separates the stage from the auditorium and provides the arch that

frames it

propaganda ideas or statements that are often false or exaggerated and that are

spread in order to help a cause, a political leader, a government, etc.

satire a way of using humor to show that someone or something is foolish,

weak, bad, etc.; humor that shows the weakness or bad qualities of a

person, government, society, etc.

choreography the art or job of deciding how dancers will move in a performance; the

movements that are done by dancers in a performance

composer a person who writes music

scores the music for a movie or theatrical production

References

Ramirez, Veronica E. Contemporary Philippine Arts from the Regions. Manila: Vibal Group,

Inc., 2016. Print.

Villaruz, Basilio Esteban. “Philippine Contemporary Dance”. National Commission for Culture

and the Arts. 14 April 2015. Web. 1 June 2016.

<http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/visual-

arts/crossbred-and-emigre-visual-art-in-a-flux/>

Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary

https://www.britannica.com/art/epic-theatre

https://cassstudio6.wordpress.com/types/

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