Unlike Chinese arts which origin can easily be traced, Asian
arts from the Philippines may be quite a challenge to identify. And this is
because Philippines is highly cultural with so many diverse sub cultures practiced
and respected all throughout the archipelago.
Yet despite these cultures that
for others are archaic, Filipinos have great creations of modern art, as well.
Speaking of, the country is an island comprised with several
small islands and each of these has a culture and tradition of its own along
with the dialect that each speaks. Philippines has also been highly influenced
by different countries during the time of invasion. The practices that were
handed down are carried on until the present. This is evident in all art forms
including wall paintings. This is why aside from the native Filipino arts,
there are those that are of Chinese, Hispanic, American, and so many other
more. The art from respective foreign influence has already been blended to that
of the country’s native art pieces which makes identifying the true origin of
the art an extra challenge. Historically, the small country of the Philippines
has long been a target of invading forces coming from different powerful
countries. Each settled in the land for some period of time. Some stayed
shorter but many lived in the country for so long. Either or, the influence
each of them left as they accepted their defeat to leave the country remains in
the hearts of the many Filipinos to-date.
Despite the aforementioned diversity, Asian arts in the
Philippines show lots of rural genre. These have been the Filipino lifestyle
since time immemorial. They are more of fishing and harvesting crops and
fruits. And more than anything, bayanihan is always in the picture. It is the Filipino way of showing camaraderie. Neighbors, friends, and
family help each other in laborious task. Traditionally, fishing was a good
source of income back then. Philippines is an island rich in natural resources
and its waters breed healthy and delicious fish to feed the Filipinos and
because of this, fishing is another favourite subject in Filipino wall
paintings. We see this kind in classical arts and even up to now where modern
arts are more sought. Such traditional rural genre is now blended with modern
touch and style to make the art piece more interesting and attractive to look
at.
Filipinos are creative Asians. And their arts of whether they are wall
paintings or other some forms are easily spread worldwide. Promoting its beauty
is never a challenge. And perhaps this is because aside from being brilliant in
the field, English is the second language of the country which makes promoting
Asian arts from inside not tasking at all.
