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Topic: Handicraft

Welcome Notes:

WELCOME BTVTED STUDENTS.

I. INTRODUCTION:

Philippine economy. Its value both as a product and a skill has been recognized time and again.
This has been integrated in the Philippine educational system because of its relationship to arts. According
to UNESCO and International Bureau of Education (Galvante1958), "the skill and understanding required
by studying art encourage the appreciation of nature, life, production, and art. Moreover, handicraft is also
recognized as an important means for aesthetic, intellectual, and moral education. Taking handicraft as part
of the curriculum would help students develop self-realization through self-confidence, creative self-
expression and communication of one's ideas to others. Students would also learn to respect and value the
artistic expression of others within the context of values prevailing in the community.

II. OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

A.
B. Explain the contribution of handicraft from industries to the country’s culture and
economy.
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III. PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES:

Before you proceed to the main lesson, test yourself in this activity.

DIRECTION: Encircle the picture which is used for handicraft.

Maguey Plant (Fibers)

Coconut Shells

Bamboo
Abaca

Wood
Rocks

GREAT!!!
You may now proceed to the main lesson.
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IV. LESSON PROPER

Based on the preliminary activities, what did you notice about it?
________________________________________________________
CONGRATULATIONS!
You may now proceed to the lesson.

Cultural Importance
The culture and tradition of our country have also been preserved through the love of
handicraft. History gives concrete evidence of our rich traditional art, skills and talents as well as the Filipino
way of life. Here are some examples: 1) Tacloban's name was said to have been derived from bamboo
baskets known as "taklub" or cover. This "taklub" was created for fishermen to catch fish, crabs or shrimps
in shallow areas by hovering a fish and covering it quickly to make a catch. 2) In Davao, a similar basket
was also used by the Bagobo tribe (Cole, 1913). This is the reason why, in the Social Sciences and in
Home Economics subject, these handcrafted materials are included as culture materials to study how the
community managed their resources. At present, craftsmen and majority of the Filipinos have developed
the love for handicraft products by showcasing them not only in museums but by also using them in their
everyday life.
Economic Importance
Handicraft is a great contributor to the economic development of the Philippines through job
creation and employment. A huge number of artisans and employees are hired by handicraft industries.
Even with low capital investments, handicraft products are now part of the international market which bring
additional income to the country.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and handicraft entrepreneurs operating the cottage
industries are supported through the financial programs and trade fairs coordinated by the Department of
Trade and Industry. The Philippine Chamber of Handicraft Industries has been organized by the
entrepreneurs themselves to help in the promotion of the handicraft industry of the country.
Thus, acquisition of knowledge and skills in handicraft is something that you must be proud
of. You will get financial reward by doing something for the end users and lovers of the crafted products.
Above all, you help spread the Filipino culture.

Handicraft in the Philippines: A Brief History

Handicraft in the Philippines is almost 5000 years old. In the Philippines, some evidence of
early Filipinos craftsmanship has been discovered in caves and in the burial places of ancient Philippine
tribes before the Spanish Colonial period (Galvante, Udan, & Salvador, 1958). Some of these relics were
the 29-earthenware secondary burial pots called the Maitum jars, named after Ayub, Cave in Maitum,
Saranggani Province where these jars were found. The report said that these jars were "anthropomorphic",
meaning human-shaped. The jars have head-shaped covers which depict varied facial expressions.
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Another similar treasure was found in Tabon Cave, Palawan This believed to be a work of a
master potter, the structural design of which feature: a lid with boat where two human figures are seated
thought to represent souls to a voyage to the afterlife.
Although there is limited literature about handicrafts during the early period, pottery is not the
only handicraft that has been documented. Furniture carvings and ornaments also share in the history of
handicrafts. The regular trade between the Philippines and the neighboring countries included handicrafts.
(Galvante, [Link]).
Handicraft flourished especially as religious items during the Spanish colonial period. The
more prominent handicrafts known were the sculpture woodcarving, metal craft, embroidery, and weaving,
The Philippines was known for embroidery such as Calado, which was applied to clothes and
undergarments. The Banton cloth in Banton, Romblon, woven from red, black, and white abaca threads is
also known as the oldest relic estimated to be 400 years old during the time of Spanish occupation.
The introduction of handiwork or skills in the primary curriculum paved the way to the growth
of handicraft in the country during the American occupation. The teaching of handicraft was taught
differentiated by gender. Carpentry was taught for boys while the embroidery such as Calado was for the
girls. Such development gave the local designs and indigenous handicraft to flourish and export of these
products was made possible. The existing free trade agreement with the United States has given way for
the export of Marikina shoes, buntal and Baliwag hats, and other embroidered products.
With the advent of technology, handicrafts from the different regions or provinces in the
country have been developed through time. The products of each region were not only known in the
Philippines but also abroad. Moreover, with advanced technology, enabling mechanized equipment to
facilitate some processes of production, efforts were made to characterize and define handicraft products to
differentiate them from machine-made ones (UNESCOITC, 1997). It is during this time that entrepreneurs
saw the rising demand for handicraft products.

Indigenous Philippine Arts and Crafts

Weaving is the most precious traditional livelihood that originated in the pre-colonial times and
is still kept until today. The art of weaving of the Cordillera tribal groups in the northern part of the country is
still existing despite the threat of the more practical, mass production of cloth. The natives used backstrap
loom to produce blankets and articles of clothing (The Freeman, 2016).

In the entire province of Antique, Pinya cloth has also been produced in looms. It is a delicate and exquisite
hand-woven cloth that is made from the fibers obtained from the leaves of pineapple plants. The Barong
Tagalog is the most popular product made from this organic and airy textile of pinya fiber.
Abaca fiber is produced from the abaca plant which is grown in some places in the country. Eastern
Visayas is the largest supplier of this product followed by the Bicol region. Abaca has been cultivated in the
country since 1500s and became known worldwide in the 1800s mainly used as ropes in ship rigging.
Sinamay fabric is also woven from abaca as well as specialty papers like vacuum bags, currency and tea
bags. Handicrafts like bags, carpets, and clothing are also some of the products made from abaca.
Handicrafts from Selected Regions
Almost every region in the Philippines has its own "specialty" products or unique process. Examples of
traditional handicrafts from selected regions are discussed in the succeeding paragraph.
1. Loom Weaving — Cordillera Administrative Region
Some of the tribes in the Cordillera have their unique weaving techniques. In Abra, there
are three known types of weaving techniques namely:
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Pinilian — weaving features designs common to the locality (Valmero, 2010). For
example, pineapple and guava are depicted since these are the main
products of Abra.
Binakol — features uniform geometric patterns that depict the waves of sea.
Tiniri — is differentiated in its technique rather than its design since it uses
"twisted weaving teqhnique" (Valmero, 2010).
In Baguio, the Easter Weaving Room has continuously trained and preserved the
weaving techniques particularly after the second World War. Present-day
weavers can still be observed while they work on their looms. The popular colorful
woven Ikat clothes and other items such as clothes, bags, rugs, and carpet have
been identified already with Baguio.
Other handicrafts made from the Cordillera Administrative Region are wood craft,
Baguio brooms (walis tambo) and metal craft.
2. Calado — Lumban, Laguna, and Taal, Batangas
Calado is a type of embroidery using a process of pulling threads from certain areas of a
cloth, usually pinya or jusi, then sewing the drawn threads using various stitches to form clean
holes on the cloth. The final process entails embroidery to create designs that are smooth,
evenly stitched and with an embossed quality to give depth and volume. The process is very meticulous
which will take a month or more to finish depending on the size or a project. The skill of the bordadoras
(embroiderers) from Lumban and Taal, in doing the Calado is truly famous even during early times.
3. Marble Craft — Romblon
Romblon marble is known to have qualities with commercial value that can rival those of other
countries like Italy. The famous mortar and pestle which are used in the kitchen are the earliest products
carved out of marble. Other products are the ash trays, nameplates for offices and tombstones used as
grave markers. The products made from marble are now diverse and the designs are becoming more
elaborate as these are used to produce large furniture and statues. This also improved the skills of the
Romblon carvers and sculptures while high-powered cutters became available.
Marble is perhaps the most difficult material to handle as an inorganic material for handicraft. This is mined
from the ground deposits and preparation of this is really a tedious process. Transporting the material
needs a heavy equipment to facilitate the process, Marble crafts preserve the integrity of the designs of the
carvers and sculpture. Crafts are valued and evaluated primarily on the quality of material such as the color
of the marble and the swirling effect (marbling) of colors.
Handicraft and Its Basic Elements
As defined, handicraft is referred to as a product, process, and a skill. It is a product (or artisan craft) when
referring to an object of "aesthetic production" (Shivers& Calder, 1974), that is created by hand or by using
only simple tools to serve a purpose or possess a value (Arribasj 2009). When its focus is on the
techniques such as weaving, to create an item by hand, the term referred to is process. Skill is the term
used when the focus is on the mode of expression as well as motor skills, particularly on the dexterity and
facility of the hands (Shivers & Calder 1974), In any handicraft process, it is the hands that control and
manipulate the materials and tools. In some cases, there may be a need for mechanical tools provided that
the direct manual contribution of the artisan remains the most substantial component of the finished
product.
Three basic elements of handicraft
Handicraft cannot be created without considering these three elements which are interrelated
with one another. The following are:
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1. Design. This refers to an idea or an arrangement scheme that is shown or exhibited into a
configuration, drawing, model, mold, pattern, plan or specification to work out the form of an,
Once the design is drawn by the artisan or designer, the expected finished product shall be
visualized with the given perspective.
2. Material. This is the most important element of handicraft which is used as input to a
production process for subsequent transformation into the finished product. This could either
be natural, modified or in its semi-processed state.
3. Technique. This refers to the method and process on how the material is to be handled.
The tools and equipment to be used will determine the technique to be applied in the
production stage.
The inter relationship of the three elements is illustrated in the following diagram as espoused
by the late Prof. Lydia Arribas. As shown, the handicraft product is the realization of the elements of design
and is most probably created depending on the need of the customer. In the selection of the material to be
used in the execution of the planned concept, the design and function of the object have to be considered.
In turn, the material selected will suggest the technique on how the material is treated processed and
handled to convert it to the desired object.

Design
Form
Function
Need
MATERIAL TECHNIQUE
Interrelationship of the Basic Elements of Handicraft (Arribas, 2009)

Types of Philippine Handicraft Industry

There are several handicraft industries in the Philippines. Different materials are used to
produce these products. These are sold both to local and foreign markets. Handicraft industries generate
income and improve the quality of lives of the owners and their workers, their respective families and
contribute valuable growth to our economy as well. The following are some of the major handicraft products
in our country:
 Rattan Craft
Rattan belongs to the palm family and a native species are found in the regions such as the
Philippines in Asia, Australia, and Africa.
In Filipino term, rattan is known as yantok. It is a long and slender climbing plant, whose
sheaths are protected by its spines that play a major role in supporting the rattan as it grows on other plants
in the forests. The flexibility and durability characteristics of rattan made the finished products popular.
Some of the products made out of rattan are bags, baskets, hats, wall décor, ash trays, picture frames, sofa
sets, TV racks, cabinets, and other articles and furniture for home use.
 Bamboo Craft
The art of making usable out of bamboos is called bamboo. You must have observed that are
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used in building bahay kubo (nipa-hut) furniture, house furnishings like hangers, trays, baskets,
dividers, lamp many more useful items at home.
 Leather Craft
Articles made out of leather are called leather craft. Taxidermy is the term that refers to the art
of preparing, stuffing, and mounting the skins of animals. This also makes use of the skin of
animals, but generally it is the head and the parts of the back is used. Some examples of leather
products are bag that shoes, jackets, coin purses, gloves, belts and wallets.
 Coconut Shell Craft
Coconut shells are made into useful articles through coconut shell craft industry. After the
coco meat is scraped from the shells, they are cleaned and cut into various shapes to be used in
making articles like buttons, brooches, table lamps, dippers, ladles, and many more.
Coco necklace is another product of coconut shell craft. Several varieties of coco necklace
are sold in the market with ethnic designs and have special colors and shapes. The coconut shell
components are combined with wood, shells, and many other products to make than more
attractive and •marketable.
 Basket Weaving
This is also called basketry, basket making, which is the process of weaving unspun
vegetable fibers into a basket. People who weave baskets are called basket makers.
Materials used in basketry are pine straw, stems, animal hair, grasses, thread, and other
varieties of fibrous or pliable materials that will bend and form a shape.
 Weaving
This is a fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at
right angles to form a fabric or cloth. Other methods of these are known as knitting, lace
making, felting, and braiding or plaiting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the
lateral thread are the weft or filling. Weft or woof is an old English word which means "that
which is woven."
 Tatting
This is a technique for handcrafting a durable lace through constructing a series of knots
and loops. Tatting is commonly used as lace edging, as doilies, collars, and other decorative
pieces. The lace is formed by a pattern of rings, and chains formed from a series of cow
hitch, or half-hitch knots, known as double stitches, over a core thread. Gaps are left
between the stitches to form picots, which are used for practical construction as well as
decorative effect.
 Macrame
This is a form of textile-making using knotting instead of weaving or knitting. Square knots
are the primary knots formed; and forms of hitching like full hitch and double half hitches are
made. Materials used in macramé are cords made of cotton twine, linen, hemp, jute, leathern
or yarn.
 Crochet
The process of creating fabric from yarn, thread, or other material strands using a crochet
hook is called crochet. "Crochet" is derived from a French word which means hook. Hooks
available in the market are made of different materials such as metals, woods or plastics.
Crocheting is done by pulling loops through other loops, but in addition, this incorporates
wrapping of working materials around the hook one or more times. Crochet differs from
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knitting. It only uses one hook while knitting has two knitting needles.
Basic Principles of Handicraft
People will appreciate the value of handicraft if they are guided with some statements of
truths. They are also regarded as basic principles in handicraft that will guide everyone in the practice of
this kind of art.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLES (Arribas, 2009) ARE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED BELOW:
1. Handicraft always serves a purpose or a need. Creation of handicraft is understood to have evolved
from a felt need, thus knowing the function of the object is important.
2. Knowledge of handicraft always requires the understanding of its essentials or basic elements
which are materials, techniques, and design (product).
3. Economy of materials and techniques must be practiced. The quality of the product is affected if this
principle is violated.
4. Handicraft activity requires attention in mind. A conducive workplace free from distraction is
necessary for a craftsman when working on a project.
5. Handicraft should be learned from simple to complex.
6. Good craftsmanship is influenced by the materials, techniques, tools, equipment, the working
environment, and the skill of the craftsman.
7. "Form follows function", the art principle which is the key to good design. This simply means that the
form or shape of a jar, including other features like a cover or handle, must be related to the function of the
jar itself.
8. There is always the best technique for accomplishing a design. It is necessary to plan and search
for the best technique before

We had just finished the discussion on Module 5. Let us

move on to the next higher level of activity/ies or exercise/s that
demonstrate your potential skills/knowledge of what you have
learned.

V. ANALYSIS, APPLICATION AND EXPLORATION

Activity 1
Name: ______________________________ Course & Sec : __________________

DIRECTIONS: Analyze the pictures and write the different types of Philippine Handicraft Products which
corresponds to the picture/s below. Choose the answers in the box.
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1. _____________________ 2.
_____________________ 3. _____________________

4. _____________________ 5. -
_____________________ 6. -
_____________________

7. _____________________ 8. _____________________ 9. -
_____________________

- Binakol - Rattan Craft - Marble Craft

-Macrame Finally, let us summarize

- Pinilian the lesson of what we had discussed
- Bamboo Craft
today.
- Tatting - Coconut Shell Craft - Calado

VI. GENERALIZATION
- Leather Craft - Wood Craft - Crochet

DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions with honesty.

1. What is the importance of the history of handicrafts in the Philippines?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
.
2. What is the contribution of handicraft industries to the country’s culture and economy?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
.
3. How are you going to show your appreciation in the handicrafts of the Philippines?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
.

KUDOS!
You have come to an end of Module 5.
OOPS! Don’t forget that you have still an assignment to do.
Here it is….

VII. ASSIGNMENT

Name: _____________________________ Course and Sec.: __________________

Direction: Encircle the number of the statements which shows the basic principle of the handicraft.

1. "Form follows function"

2. Handicraft is referred to as a product, process, and a skill.
3. Economy of materials and techniques must be practiced.
4. Handicraft is a product of aesthetic production.
5. Handicraft activity requires attention in mind.
6. “Form follows the owner”
7. Handicraft should be learned from simple to complex.
8. Good craftsmanship is influenced by the perseverance, talent, principles of the craftsman.
9. Handicraft always serves a purpose or a need.
10. Handicraft has three elements: design; material; and technique which should be considered because
they are interrelated to each other.

After your long journey of reading and accomplishing the

module, let us now challenge your mind by answering the evaluation
part of this module.
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VIII. EVALUATION

Name: _____________________________ Course and Sec.: ____________________

Direction: Read each statement carefully and choose the correct answer. Write your answer before the
number.
1. Tacloban’s name was derived from bamboo baskets known as “taklub” or cover used by early fishermen
in __________.
A. Cooking fish C. Catching fish
B. Drying fish D. Preserving fish
2. Pinilian,, Binakol and Tiniri are some known types of weaving techniques that originated in __________.
A. Baguio C. Tacloban
B. Abra D. Romblon
3. “Yantok” Is the Filipino term for ____________.
A. Rattan C. Bamboo
B. Shell D. Leather
4, A type of embroidery using a process of pulling threads from certain areas of a cloth.
A. Coloda C. Colado
B. Calodo D. Calado
5. Which basic element of handicraft is used as input to a production process for transformation into the
finished product?
A. Design C. Material
B. Fabric D. Technique
6. Refers to a great contributor to the economic development of the Philippines through job creation and
employment.
A. Prof. Lydia Arribas C. Indigenous Materials
B. Handicraft D. Great skills of men
7. The teaching of handicraft was taught differentiated by gender. The __________ was taught for boys.
A. Embroidery C. Weaving
B. Wood carving D. Carpentry
8. This is the most precious traditional livelihood that originated in pre-colonial times.
A. Embroidery C. Weaving
B. Wood carving D. Carpentry
9. Largest supplier of Abaca fiber,
A. Eastern Visayas C. Pangasinan
B. Bicol Region D. Quezon City
10. How will people appreciate the value of handicraft?
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A. If they are guided by the statements of truths/basic principles.
B. If they tried to make handicrafts on their own.
C. If they have more supply of indigenous materials of handicraft.
D. If they have the skills and perseverance to make the handicrafts.

CONGRATULATIONS on reaching the end of this module!

You may now proceed to the next module.
Don’t forget to submit all the exercises, activities and portfolio
after 1 week.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Well Done!!!

Prepared by:

Justin B. Veras
Instructor

Checked by:

Dr. Milagros O. Luang

College Dean