Those who visit or live in the Philippines after previously living in another country are often amazed at the diversity of the arts in the Philippines. Although the country is often thought to have a simple way of life, the arts of the Philippines often hearkens back to previous eras and connects the native residents of the Philippines with their past heritage and history.

Works of Art in the Philippines

Artistic paintings dating back to the 17th century show a long history of beautiful artwork in the country. However, artwork created by contemporary artists is also quite popular, and there are numerous talented contemporary artists in the Philippines. In addition to paintings, weavings, carvings and pottery work is also popular in the Philippines. These traditional forms of art are often used to decorate and give the home a look of being connected to the country's rich heritage. Home decorating in the Philippines often focuses on traditions and family heritage, and reflects the overall thriftiness and resourcefulness of the people. As such, home decorating items are often passed down through the extended family and add to the overall richness and beauty of the home, even if the overall decorating style is quite simple. For visitors to the country who are interested in traditional and contemporary art from the Philippines, a visit to one of the country's art galleries can be a great experience. Sculpture is also a popular form of art in the Philippines.

Artistic Dance and Expression

In addition to painting and other works of art, residents of the Philippines often engage in traditional folk dances which have been passed down over the years. These dances can often appear to be quite elaborate and complicated to foreigners. Music in the Philippines often shows Western influences, but local musicians also tend to pay tribute to the musical heritage of their ancestors. Music that includes traditional instruments such as gongs, bamboo flutes and wooden drums is also popular, including traditional folk songs in native languages such as Tagalog. Traditional Filipino dances can be quite interesting and beautiful to watch. The varieties of dance and music native to the country vary between the southern and northern styles, reflecting the a range of influences from outside cultures over the years in the Philippines. Because of the influences from Mexico and Spain, some of the traditional and modern Filipino music has a somewhat Hispanic flair.

Support for the Arts in the Philippines

Although there is certainly no shortage of talented artists and art distributors in the Philippines, the local market for art is often rather small. In a country that is often more concerned with the simple pleasures of life, art for the sake of art is often overlooked. Local residents often decorate their homes with art that has been in their family for years, as opposed to purchasing art from well-known artists. However, visitors to the Philippines can often take advantage of rich artistic offerings for good prices. Although it is rare for a person in the Philippines to work as a full-time artist, there are still many talented native artists in the country producing beautiful works of art.