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Art into Culture: Becoming one with Nature

Art is something that has existed throughout the timeline of history of mankind. It showed records of how civilizations and phenomenons have shaped our current lives. In this case, the Philippines is rich in this kind of context wherein there are even works that are debatable and currently under investigation for further research. 

Philippines is home to different kinds of beliefs particularly Philippine Mythology. Each region has its own kind, as each deities resemble something in nature--an honor to the oldest religion of the country which was “animism”. They became a part of fad lately in the field of Philippine art, amateur artists and art students posting their works about them online starting from digital art, to the traditional one which is from sketch, or even in themes in literature (an inspiration for other Asian works that once a fad turning into a trend) that was inspired by the rise of historical genre in the country. 

A great example in this field is Mr. Abdulmari Asia Imao, one of the National Artist in the country. He is deeply anchored in his tradition, an exemplar Filipino artist and should be an inspiration to all creative Filipinos, particularly those engaged in cultural work. He also stated that because of his deep roots, he was able to give our art a very much distinct and very much needed Filipino face that we really needed in our generation today especially when it comes to a form of art. The use of Sarimanok as a motif for some of his artworks helped popularize the creature. With his knowledge about culture and with his own experience, he created an artwork where it promotes the connection of Filipino-muslim art. And with this creation, he made the Filipino culture bloom and be developed. He made the filipino art more competitive and more interesting as he was able to promote and made a move for the filipino art to be known worldwide. He made it more ineteresting by putting his consciousness into it and made it meaningful.

(One of the Sarimanok painting of Imao)

He had definitely promoted the values of community, service, and work. Upon seeing his works, not only this is to express his own ideas about his culture, he has shown the main essence of it particularly the Sarimanok- nature. It is a form of calling in which we must have an insight of what we have ever since, The effect of westernization has great impacted most of us, making us lose the identity of who we are and the events that lead to the present. 

Another example for this is one of the works of the members, a watercolor artwork by Jerilyn Cruz. She expressed that nature is not just simply about the literally green environment, but it can also be a human nature wise. 

(photo and artwork by Jerilyn Cruz)

“Nature more than just the environment. Nature could also be human nature- connecting towards your identity. The Sarimanok is a mythological creature that came from Mindanao, so it can be said that the Sarimanok is deeply ingrained in the identity of Maranao. It became a symbolism for multiple things. Community stems from a human being social beings, naturally enjoying the company and looking for a companion. With this, being in a community is part of human nature. Appreciating art is also within the human nature-the preference for beauty and being drawn toward aesthetics. My artwork clashes with the rich artwork of the Sarimanok. My artwork depicts the community’s suffering under the past years. The killings and self-righteousness of bad men have plagued the country. This can be a parallel towards expressing beauty and the good things. The artwork expresses sadness and hope for the current times, in the community. - Jerilyn Cruz” 

The final point of this is that, nature is a part of culture as stated from the title itself. It is a part of the identity that builds up who we are today, hence making us value and treasure each resources that we are still having as of today, for it may fade once we decided to leave it behind or forget to leave it in the past.

Blog Editor: Karoline De Jesus

Writers: Felise Alibudbud, Jerilyn Cruz, Karoline De Jesus, Dwight Lade

Assistant Writers: Fiona Miranda

Photos: Jerilyn Cruz

Meet the Staff:  Felise Alibudbud, Jerilyn Cruz, Karoline De Jesus, Dwight Lade, Fiona Miranda, Mikko Sarmiento, Jonel Zamora

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