Local Materials to contemporary

Puni or Palm Folding(Bulacan)

PUNI Bulakenyo's way of decorating using leaf fronds folding

The Art of Leaf Fronds Folding in Bulacan Province Philippines

PUNI  a tagalong term from the province of

Bulacan which means to beautify or decorate with the use of coconut leaf. Coconut leaves are fashioned by folding, plaiting, braiding and simple weaving, which may have functional as well as aesthetic uses.

PUNI Puni designs can be categorized according to their uses. The most common designs are in the form of toys such as birds, fish, grasshopper, etc.

PUNI They are also used as food containers

for suman, rice and various kakanin, the most commonly known is the “puso” and paraphernalia for religious rituals especially during Palm Sunday when these design are used to accentuate the “palaspas”.

PUNI But today they serve as modern artistic

expressions and arrangement. The art is being revived through practical ways by preserving, developing and transforming these puni designs into decorative pieces used as decors, accessories and accents for various arrangement or crafts.

PUNI But the Bulakenyos pioneered the revival of

this ephemeral art, at least in our country.The present collection and compilation of

puni designs is a result of continuous research, mostly skills sharing and exchange, along with contributions of various individuals dedicated to revive this vanishing art.

Weave an Easy Fish

1. Cut two strips of paper or get two strips of ribbon. In this sample, the strip was ½" wide and 11" long. Fold the strips in half. 

Weave an Easy Fish

2. Interlace the two strips of paper so they are like the letter "L". Note that:      A is on top of X,      X is on top of B, and B is on top of Y. 

Weave an Easy Fish

3. Fold X downwards to form a loop. Note that X is still in between A and B. 

Weave an Easy Fish

4.Weave B across towards the left. Note that B goes over X and then under X (the usual over-and-under pattern). 

Weave an Easy Fish

5. Weave X upwards by going over A and under B. Note the checkerboard pattern. 6.Tighten the weave by pulling on A, B, X, and Y.

Weave an Easy Fish 7. Turn over.8.Weave B towards the left by going over Y and under X. Notice again that this is the typical over-and-under pattern. Note also the checkerboard pattern. 

 

Weave an Easy Fish

9.Tighten the weave by pulling on A, B, X, and Y. 10.Trim the tail and fins with scissors and you're done! You can string it up and use it as a decoration or make it into a mobile. 

Singkaban or Bamboo Art

Singkaban

singkaban is a local term for bamboo arches elaborately designed with kayas

Singkaban

Filipino word for decorated bamboo arch, is used as a welcome signage of a town, city or village in the country. It is widely used as decoration during town fiestas in Bulacan.

Singkaban

Singkabans are artfully-made entrance arches used during fiestas and other important events in Bulacan. Bamboo is primarily used in creating a singkaban, and the art is most prevalent in the old towns of Hagonoy and Malolos.

Singkaban

Singkaban Festival is an annual provincial event of Bulacan where Bulakenyo culture and arts are featured in a week-long celebration.

Saniculas cookie mold carvings (Pampanga)

Saniculas cookies

Saniculas cookies are arrowroot cookies that have the image of St. Nicholas molded on it ergo the name Saniculas. St. Nicholas is also known as “the healer”  and is the go to saint for those who need “healing” from illnesses.

Saniculas cookies

The moulds are an exceptional piece of folk art and a rarity, if I do say so myself. Saniculas cookie makers would commission the carvers of these moulds with one of a kind designs. They would also have the initials of the owner monogrammed on the moulds

Pabalat or Pastillas wrapper cutting art (Bulacan)

Pabalat or Pastillas wrapper cutting art (Bulacan)

The word pabalat has two levels of meaning. On a literal note, it pertains to the pabalat as a product (paper cut-outs). On a metaphorical level, it connotes the state of the art practice .The art is not only a cultural product or an artistic expression but also cuts through some cultural, social, even political discourses and issues.

Pabalat or Pastillas wrapper cutting art (Bulacan)

Pabalat is also a folk art or in Filipino term, siningbayan. It is a folk art because it originated among the townsfolk reflecting their traditional culture. The art practice has also been passed from generation to generation and its creative elements and aesthetic values mirror the people’s everyday life.

Pabalat or Pastillas wrapper cutting art (Bulacan)

. Another important aspect of this folk tradition is that the makers of these intricate paper patterns do not see themselves as artists and do not consider their works as arts. Taking a quote from Dr. Brenda Fajardo in her book Ang Inukit na Kaalamang Bayan ng Paete:

Taka (Laguna)

Taka (Laguna)

Taka-makingA takaan, a carved wooden sculpture, is

used as a mold in making taka. Brown craft paper is used as a final layer for taka made for export. This provides a thicker base and smoother finish for the craft.

Taka (Laguna)

Taka refers to paper mache made using carved wooden sculpture used as a mold. The craft originated in the town of Paete, Laguna in the Philippines.

Taka (Laguna)

-The art of “taka” or “taka-making” is not an exclusive Pinoy art. Paper mache and decoupaging have been around for centuries. In the Philippines, the first recorded or mention of a created taka was by a woman named Maria Bague in the 1920’s.

Taka (Laguna)

Taka was pioneered by Paete local, Maria Piday. During Christmas, Piday was in charge of the church's decorations. The wooden angels and cherub was heavy causing the carvings to fall. Piday devised the lightweight taka paper mache as an alternative to the wooden sculptures.

Taka (Laguna)

Subjects of Taka Common and traditional subjects of taka include the manok,

kabayo, kalabaw, dalaga (chicken, horse, carabao, maiden) which is made primarily for local use. Due to exposure and migration of Paete residents to Manila and abroad, European-influenced paper mache toys began to be made for export to other countries, such as Germany.

Taka (Laguna)

Taka making became more popular during the American colonization period when there was an excess of newsprint. And because Pinoys hate wasting anything, the people of Paete decided to create more takas and even diversified into different animals and not just the traditional red horse.

Taka (Laguna)

. The Paeteños believe that the idea originated in Mexico with a significant difference to what we have in Paete. While the Mexican “pinata” is decorated with cut-off colored paper, the Paete’s takas are hand-painted and are sometimes small enough for little girls to use as dolls

Pagbuburda (Taal, Lumban, Laguna)

Pagbuburda (Taal, Lumban, Laguna)

The art of embroidery is happily alive and flourishing in these towns. Although it’s mostly done by women who are wives of the farmers and fishermen, it is not uncommon to see fishermen and farmers who are also carefully and delicately embroidering floral designs during their “off-season”.

Pagbuburda (Taal, Lumban, Laguna)

In the highlights of Philippine history, Taal embroidery has always made an exquisite presence. Former presidents Diosdado Macapagal and Ferdinand Marcos were usually seen in Taal-embroidered Barongs.  A number of former First Lady Imelda Marcos’ fabulous ternos were Taal-embroidered.

Taal embroidery has also adorned garment accessories and home décor items. Although the embroidery looks exquisite on jusi and piña fabric, it’s also dainty on cotton, linen and ramie.

Pagbuburda (Taal, Lumban, Laguna)

The embroiderer would have to slightly dampen the textile and separate thread by thread, and then stitch them together to achieve the dainty netted look of calado embroidery. Truly mad props to embroidery artisans of Lumban for this feat.