4. PUNI
Bulakenyo's way of decorating using
leaf fronds folding
The Art of Leaf Fronds Folding in
Bulacan Province Philippines
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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”.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Weave an Easy Fish
3. Fold X downwards
to form a loop.
Note that X is still in
between A and B.
13. 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).
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. Singkaban
Singkaban Festival is an annual provincial
event of Bulacan where Bulakenyo culture
and arts are featured in a week-long
celebration.
26. 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.
27. 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
32. 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.
33. 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.
34. 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:
36. Taka (Laguna)
Taka-making
A 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.
37. 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.
38. 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.
39. 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.
40. 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.
41. 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.
42. 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
47. 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”.
48. 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.
49. 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.
Notes de l'éditeur
According to scripture, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a Sunday. As he entered the city, people laid palm leaves along the street because palm leaves were a symbol of triumph & victory. Today, churches commemorate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem by passing out palm leaves on Palm Sunday
“Puni” is one of the most popular art in Bulacan. It has been part of the everyday lives of the childrens before. It was also a simple toy for them, in a way that they will wait for their father or mother to clean their respective backyards so that they can get all the coconut fronds that they can. And eventually they can make a toy out of it. That is the first reason why it became popular.
Puni was used for decoration, especially to the ceiling of the old houses. Puni is one of the main attraction during fiestas and other happenings. Almost all of the houses in a barrio have their puni on it. Also, puni took part in the beautification of arc during Santacruzan and other barrio festives.
As we can see, Puni truly established its finest and made a mark in the provinve of Bulacan. It is even made a name in the local of Bulacan, until it was named as the provincial arrt of Bulacan.
Puni or coconut leaf weaving did not originate from Bulacan. It is said that the art is of Malayan origin. But one thing is for sure any place with coconut trees in abundance has an item made from coconut leaf weaving.
Though fresh coconut leaves is the most commonly used for this art, fresh leaves dry and crumple in a few days, the weaves loosen and the design loose its beauty.
In the celebration, Singkaban also refers to “Sining at Kalinangan ng Bulacan” (Arts and Culture of Bulacan).
In the celebration, Singkaban also refers to “Sining at Kalinangan ng Bulacan” (Arts and Culture of Bulacan).
“The bamboo, like the Filipino, will stand up against the wind. It is stronger than steel and harder than rock. The singkaban is a manifestation of Filipino creativity in transforming plain bamboo into a work of art,” he said.Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/721130/singkaban-bulacans-way-of-celebrating-history-art#ixzz4KhKtCavq Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
It showcases the traditional arts of the literary form “Balagtasan,”folk dances, and traditional songs known as “kundiman.”
bulacan
Legend say that if you consume these cookies when one is ill, you get healed and recover in a shorter amount of time than it would usually take.
. This is why it’s so rare – it is considered a family heirloom. The moulds are made of hardwood and are of different shapes and sizes. They would have a carved piece and a wooden presser.
(meaning: it�s not only a �wounded� tradition but it�s actually a �dying� one).
Taka is also painted. The traditional way of painting a taka is to use primary colors, add simple flower motifs and use repetitive lines and shapes. Gold finish, usually used in angel, reindeer and huge taka is accomplished by using gilded paper.[1]
Paete derived its name from paet, a Tagalog word for chisel, a principal tool used in woodcarving. The proper pronunciation of the town's name is probably "Pa-e-te", but natives call it "Pay-ti" (Pi-tè) with the guttural "e" sound at the end. Only when conversing with visitors and outsiders do Paetenians use "Pay-ti." When the American Maryknoll missionaries came to Paete in the late 1950s, they even referred to the town as "Piety."
Piday was also a maker of local toys such as the yoyo and the small acrobat hand puppet. Taka eventually became folk art and was sold to nearby towns for festivals. In the 1970s, Tere Afuang, a knowledgeable practitioner of the craft, popularized the craft
Takas have indeed become the epitome of folk art. They exist in every possible bright and happy color combination, simplified curvilinear forms, flora & fauna motifs, sweet innocence, and delectable charm. These designs change rapidly as time goes by. The development of the taka and takaan (and any cultural norm for that matter) usually spread in an outward path from its source. The present generation seems to have forgotten where the taka originated
olores Landicho, 79, said: “The people now do not buy the original because of its cost.”
Original Taal-embroidery costs about P75,000 to P100,000 and waiting time of three months.
Ninety-three -year-old Remedios Reyes, who started her Taal embroidery business in 1947, after World War II, worries about the dwindling market for their products. She has handed down management of her business to her daughter, Chona, who points to other reasons that led to the diminishing demand for the real Burdang Taal: “Five years ago, the exporters stopped exporting our products. Also, instead of buying an original Burdang Taal gown, many just rent
olores Landicho, 79, said: “The people now do not buy the original because of its cost.”
Original Taal-embroidery costs about P75,000 to P100,000 and waiting time of three months.
Ninety-three -year-old Remedios Reyes, who started her Taal embroidery business in 1947, after World War II, worries about the dwindling market for their products. She has handed down management of her business to her daughter, Chona, who points to other reasons that led to the diminishing demand for the real Burdang Taal: “Five years ago, the exporters stopped exporting our products. Also, instead of buying an original Burdang Taal gown, many just rent