Research in Region III 1

BRIEF INTRO ABOUT REGION III: CENTRAL LUZON

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

Central Luzon is a combination of towering mountains, extinct and active volcanoes,

lush, verdant farmlands, and natural sea harbors. It is one of the leading growth regions
in the Philippines, strategically located at the heart of Asia. Region III lies between
Manila and Northern Luzon. It is composed of seven provinces, twelve cities and 118
municipalities. Its 7 provinces are Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga,
Tarlac and Zambales. Its 12 cities are Balanga from Bataan, Malolos and San Jose del
Monte from Bulacan, Cabanatuan, Gapan, Muñoz, Palayan and San Jose from Nueva
Ecija; Angeles and San Fernando from Pampanga, Tarlac from Tarlac; and Olongapo
from Zambales.

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It includes all land area north of Manila Bay from the tip of Bataan peninsula on the
west, and all the lands north of the Caraballo mountains on the east. It is the longest
contiguous area of lowlands, and is otherwise known as the Central Plains of Luzon.
The region produces one third of the country’s total rice production, thus is also called
the Rice Granary of the Philippines.Located adjacent to the National Capital Region
(NCR), it has benefited from the “spillover” from Metro Manila. It is a part of the National
Industrial Core Region, together with NCR and Region IV or the Southern Tagalog
Region. The Core Region contributed 70% of manufacturing value added in 1988. It has
emerged as an alternative area for investment to Region IV, but is still overcoming the
effects of the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991.Only 66 kilometers away from Metro
Manila, Central Luzon contains the largest plain in the country and is the gateway to the
Northern Luzon regions. It covers a total land area of 21,470 square kilometers. The
City of San Fernando, in Pampanga, is the regional center. Aurora was transferred from
Region IV to Region III through Executive Order No. 103 in 2002. In terms of population,
Region III was the third largest region, containing 10.50 percent of the 76.5 million
human beings of the country as recorded in Census 2000. Located at the crossroads of
Asia-Pacific, Central Luzon is one of the dynamic and vibrant regions in the Philippines.
It caters to European and American business organizations desiring to penetrate Asia.

HISTORY

Central Luzon also has its share of colorful history. Malolos, Bulacan was the place
where the first constitution of an independent Philippines was promulgated on January
21, 1899. Tarlac town became the seat of the Philippine government for one month in
March 1899, when Pres. Aguinaldo left Bulacan to escape approaching US forces.

TRAVEL TIME FOR TOURISTS

The travel time to Malolos by land from Metro Manila is 42 minutes. The travel time to
Clark Special Economic Zone is one hour and 44 minutes by land from Metro Manila.
The City of San Fernando in Pampanga, is one hour and six minutes by land from Metro
Manila. Olongapo City and its adjacent Subic Bay Freeport Zone by land from Metro
Manila is two hours and five minutes.

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TRADITIONAL ARTS FROM REGION III

What is Traditional Art? Traditional art (plural traditional arts) is an art that is a part of
the culture of a group of people, skills and knowledge of which are passed down
through generations from master craftsmen to apprentices.

1.) Giant Parols ( Lig-Ligan Parol de Bacolor )

BRIEF HISTORY:

The festival, which is held every December, finds its roots in Bacolor where a much
simpler activity was held. Following the transfer of the provincial capital from Bacolor to
San Fernando in August 1904, this lantern event followed as well. "Ligligan Parol" was
said to have started in San Fernando in 1904. But some say that the "Ligligan Parol" did
not happen immediately after the transfer and in fact began in 1908.

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This predecessor of the modern day Giant Lantern Festival was actually a religious
activity which we know today as “lubenas.” During the nine-day novena before
Christmas, which coincided with the simbang gabi from December 16 to 24, these
paruls were brought around each barrio in procession to their visita. Before the midnight
Mass on Christmas Eve, the lanterns were brought to the town church together with the
barrio patrons. This tradition gradually evolved as the lanterns became bigger and the
designs more intricate. Later, one big lantern was made for each barrio, which was
created through a cooperative effort. Each resident contributed to its construction, from
the concept and design, to the materials and labor. In the end, these lanterns became a
symbol of unity for the barrios.

It was in 1931 that electricity was introduced to the San Fernando lantern, thus sparking
the birth of the first Giant Lantern Festival. The added illusion of dancing lights
highlighted the bright colors and intricate designs of these Giant Lanterns. At this time,
the lights were controlled by individual switches that were turned on and off following
the beat of the music.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

The materials needed are simple. Steel, Cardboards ,Palara and some Lights.

PROCEDURE:

STEP 1. Visualize, Sketch and Trace

This the most crucial part in the making of the giant lantern.It’s all written in the head.
(what a genius I should say).Then, the time table of production, materials to be used
and the number of people to work on the lantern is considered. As the master plan is
finished, it is now scaled and traced down on the ground.

STEP 2. Weld the Frames Together

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After the frames are done, welders take on the meticulous task of putting the pieces
together.

STEP 3. Compartmentalize

“Kulong” as the lantern makers call “compartmentalization” is done by putting

cardboards in between steel frames.

STEP 4. Let It Shine

The putting of “palara” or shiny paper similar to that of an aluminum foil is the next step.
This process is done in order to enhance the brightness emitted by the light bulb.

STEP 5. Prepare the Light Bulbs and Install the Light Bulbs

One of the most painstaking tasks that lantern makers do is the preparation of the
bulbs. Giant lanterns have a minimum of 3,000 bulbs.

STEP 6. Connect the electrical wirings and Let the Rotor do the magic.

The rotor considered as the mind of the giant lantern is the Kapampangan innovation
that dictates the play of lights and how it is going to move across the lantern.

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2.) MANGULTUYAN

BRIEF HISTORY:

Pottery-making industry in Sto.Tomas could be as old as the town itself. According to

Torres, his Regala lineage are known artisans in the area, dating back even to the
forefathers of his grandfather.

“I remember my Apu telling me that his grandfather took their clay from this area of San
Matias, along the river, where the ball clay, one of the finest clays that do not crack
when heated, was pretty much abundant. Today, we get our clay from the nearby
Minalin and Macabebe which has become scarce these days because of the
overwhelming demand by businessmen who monopolize the international market of this
industry. It will even take us as far as Tarlac to acquire the best clay for a quality made
pot,” tells Torres when asked about their source of their primary material, which is called
pila in a local term.

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MATERIALS NEEDED:

Simply Clay.

PROCECURE:

Step 1: Refining Clay

After finely grinding clay or sandy soil, remove impurities by precipitation. Dry refined
clay or soil.

Step 2: Tread the refined clay

Step 3: Kneading and Wedging

The clay has to be wedged to remove air pockets to be able to throw on the wheel

Step 4: Forming and shaping of Clay

To get symmetrical and balanced designs, nothing beats the potter’s wheel. It was all
kick wheel back then.

Step 5: Designing, Sculpting and Bisque Firing

This is the more technical aspect and there are many sculpting methods.

Step 6: Glazing

Create the final seal with the glaze. Also brings shine and additional vibrant color to the
final product.

Step 7: Second Firing

Fired at 1250-1300 Celsius (2282-2372F) for about 20-30 hours to create a strong seal,
allow the clay to strengthen and tighten.

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3.) SINGKABAN FESTIVAL BAMBOO ARCHES

BRIEF HISTORY:

Singkaban Festival is an annual provincial event of Bulacan where Bulakenyo culture

and arts are featured in a week-long celebration. It showcases the traditional arts of the
literary form “Balagtasan,”folk dances, and traditional songs known as “kundiman.”The
main focus though, is on the singkaban, a Bulakenyo art of creating an entrance arch
and other decorative materials mainly from bamboo.The main event of the festival is the
street dance and float parade where representatives from different Bulacan towns, as
far as San Jose del Monte in the southeast and San Miguel in the north, travel to
Malolos during the festival season. These events showcase Bulacan's local culture,
heritage, and artistry, and the various towns' entries feature all things Bulakenyo. The
singkaban (bamboo artworks), after which the festival was named, is a prominent

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theme, especially in the entry of Hagonoy town. The theme appears as dancers'
headdresses, the arch and backdrop of the Desposorio, and as parts of the dancers'
costumes.

MATERIALS NEEDED:
Simply Bamboo and carving materials.

PROCEDURE:
Not stated.

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CONTEMPORARY ARTS OF REGION III

What is Contemporary Art? Contemporary art is art produced at the present period in
time. Contemporary art includes, and develops from, postmodern art, which is itself a
successor to modern art..

1.) PAMPANGA HANDICRAFTS

BRIEF HISTORY:

Abaca has a long and rich history in the Philippines; it was being used for clothes and
slippers in the Philippines long before the Spaniards arrived. The first samples that
made it to the US were known as Manila hemp, used by the US Navy because of its
sturdiness and resistance to seawater. “The more you wet it, the stronger it gets,” notes
Tagle. “They used Manila hemp on the Titanic!” The material has proven so versatile,
Tagle reports that German car maker BMW is considering using it for car interiors.

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The abaca plant (Musa textilis) looks much like a banana tree, and is cut down to
extract the fibers in its trunk. These are stripped by hand, dried and classified according
to color and texture; yes, there is such a thing as grade “A” abaca. The outermost layer
of the fiber is the darkest; the next layer is called honey, then tan and, finally, cream,
with wheat interwoven among those layers. “Cream is the most expensive, because
there isn’t much of it,”

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Simply Abaca fibers.

PROCEDURE: Before, Abaca handicrafts were only made by weaving abaca fibers but
in modern days, burning, melting with a mixture of weaving is used.

WHY IS IT CONSIDERED A CONTEMPORARY ART?

Because of it’s different way of making the handicraft and used post-modernism to
convey this art.
2.) FILIPINO-JAPANESE
FRIENDSHIP TOWER

BRIEF HISTORY:

The Bagac Friendship Bell

Tower, which symbolizes the
renewed friendship between
Japan and the Philippines after
the events of World War II,
was erected by Rissh? K?sei
Kai, a Japanese Buddhist
organization. The tower was
inaugurated on April 8, 1975
and is located about 200 m
(660 ft) from where the Bataan

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Death March started. The 27-meter (89 ft) high tower is composed of three pillars
interconnected by several multi-layer rings. It's located at the junction of the Gov. Linao
National Road and the road to the Bagac town proper.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Simply Metal.

PROCEDURE:

Not stated.

3.) Eliseo Perreras’s Last Supper

BRIEF HISTORY:

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The artist is an internally driven and emotionally charged self-taught painter from
angeles city. He started painting still life with realism.and impressionism until he began
to develop cubism.

MATERIALS NEEDED:\

Simply a canvas, paint (oil, or coal) and creativity.

PROCEDURE:

Let your Imagnations run wild.

NOTABLE ARTISTS FROM REGION III

TRADITIONAL ARTISTS:
1.) Juan Crisostomo Soto

On January 27, 1867, Juan Crisostomo Soto,

journalist, poet, playwright and known as the Father of
Pampanga Literature, was born in Santa Ines, Bacolor,
Pampanga. Soto, under the pen name of Crissot,
wrote a number of lyrical poems, historical dramas,
humorous plays and philosophical essays, and
"sarsuwelas," the most famous of which is "Alang Dios"
or There is no God (1901).He translated some Spanish
literature into Pampango, including Lovers of Teruel
Faust and Nero and the Gladiators. He was also a
contributor to the revolutionary paper La Independencia.

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2.) Francisco Alonso Liongson

Outstanding Philippine playwright in Spanish and

founding president of Círculo Escenico, Pampanga's
Spanish theatrical group that became nationally
renowned. He was born into an Ilustrado family from
Pampanga, Philippines at the turn of the 20th century
and raised with the revolutionary values of an
emerging Philippine identity which held freedom,
justice, honor, patriotism and piety sacred.

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS:
1.) Vicente Manansala

Manansala was born in Macabebe,

Pampanga. From 1926 to 1930, he studied
at the U.P. School of Fine Arts. In 1949,
Manansala received a six-month grant by
UNESCO to study at the École des Beaux-
Arts in Banff and Montreal, Canada. In 1950,
he received a nine-month scholarship to
study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris by
the French government. Marker (Macabebe,
Pampanga Town hall. Manansala's canvases
were described as masterpieces that brought
the cultures of the barrio and the city
together. His Madonna of the Slums is a

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portrayal of a mother and child from the countryside who became urban shanty
residents once in the city. In his Jeepneys, Manansala combined the elements of
provincial folk culture with the congestion issues of the city.Manansala developed
transparent cubism, wherein the "delicate tones, shapes, and patterns of figure and
environment are masterfully superimposed". A fine example of Manansala using this
"transparent and translucent" technique is his composition, Kalabaw (Carabao).

2.) Eliseo Perraras

A Filipino Artist born in Angeles City, Pampanga in 1981. Eliseo Perreras is a self-
taught painter whose works are mostly depicts the serenity of the Philippines’s rural life
harvest and market scenes.

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