Islamic Arts vs. Arts during the Spanish period

Islamic Art is way different than the Art during the Spanish period.

As early as 13th century, Islam is widespread in Sulu. Sayyid Abbubakr of Arabia led an Islamic conversion of most ethnic tribes in Mindanao during the 15th century when he married Princess Piramisuli, the daughter of Rajah Baguinda. Islam became a driving force for the Mindanao natives to resist Spanish Colonization. Islam greatly influenced the art of Muslim Mindanao. The goal of the art is to negate materiality, away from human forms and divine unity is mirrored in the abstract forms and patterns that made the believers go through mental concentration. Art can also be seen in the mosque. The bulbous dome of the mosque symbolizes "all levels of cosmic existence", its octagonal base symbolizes the spirit and the four-sided base symbolizes the material world. The fountain serves as the function of ablution and the gardens symbolizes the paradise. The native Mindanao art perished through the flowing forms in the ukkil.

Art during the Spanish period is greatly influenced by Christianism and the demands of the church. It is 'baroque' it has drama, it is grand, it is elaborate and it has emotions. The music is equipped with European flavor. Liturgical music was introduced, teaching young boys of singing and playing the instruments. Secular music also flourished, chanted stories based on European literature were learned. Printed literature came in the form of catechism and prayer books which serves for Evangelization and teaching local inhabitants to read and write. Theater evolved from shamanism to the pomp and pageantry of the religious parades. Part of the merry making was the procession of saints and the inclusion of the santos in everything. They regard the santos as a living being that needs to be dressed, touched, cared for, and paraded as a devotion. Epics were replaced by plays about the birth, life and death of Christ. Dances with Mexican influence also came to the Philippines. Folk rituals become a way to invite natives to support the colonial order. Fiestas then became for the santos and not for the anitos.

Spanish Art has more influence to the Philippine Art than the Islamic Art. This is due to the colonization period of the Spaniards. Majority of Filipinos are Christians.