Al Jean J.

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List of Philippine Folk Dances

The Philippines enjoys a rich cultural heritage which includes a diverse collection of
traditional dances. From the well-known national dance the Tinikling, which pays homage
to the movements of a much-loved bird, to dances that reflect elements of daily
Philippine life, these folk dances all offer a glimpse into the history of the country.

Traditional Folk Dances of the Philippines

The Philippines has many popular folk dances which have evolved and changed as they
have been passed down from generation to generation. Although a particular dance
might be performed slightly differently from one region to the next, its remains true to its
roots. Here are some of the most popular dances from the region.

The Itik-Itik
The best description of the Itik-Itik is that the steps mimic the way a duck walks, as well
as the way it splashes water on its back to attract a mate. According to popular tradition,
the dance was created by a lady named Kanang who choreographed the steps while
dancing at a baptismal party. The other guests copied her movements, and everyone
liked the dance so much that it has been passed along ever since.

The Tinikling
The Tinikling is considered by many to be the Philippines' national dance. The dance's
movements imitate the movement of the tikling bird as it walks around through tall grass
and between tree branches. People perform the dance using bamboo poles. The dance is
composed of three basic steps which include singles, doubles and hops. It looks similar
to playing jump rope, except that the dancers perform the steps around and between the
bamboo poles, and the dance becomes faster until someone makes a mistake and the
next set of dancers takes a turn.

The Sayaw sa Bangko

The Sayaw sa Bangko is performed on top of a narrow bench. Dancers need good
balance as they go through a series of movements that include some impressive
acrobatics. This dance traces its roots back to the areas of Pangapisan, Lingayen and
Pangasinan.

The Binasuan
The Binasuan is an entertaining dance that is usually performed at festive social
occasions like weddings and birthdays. Dancers carefully balance three half-filled glasses
of rice wine on their heads and hands as they gracefully spin and roll on the ground. The
dance originated in Bayambang in the Pangasinan province, and though it's usually
performed alone, it can also become a competition between several dancers.

The Pandanggo sa Ilaw

The Pandanggo sa Ilaw is similar to a Spanish Fandango, but the Pandanggo is performed
while balancing three oil lamps - one on the head, and one in each hand. It's a lively
dance that originated on Lubang Island. The music is in 3/4 time and is usually
accompanied by castanets.

The Pandanggo Oasiwas

The Pandanggo Oasiwas is similar to the Pandanggo sa Ilaw, and is typically performed
by fishermen to celebrate a good catch. In this version, the lamps are placed in cloths or
nets and swung around as the dancers circle and sway.

The Maglalatik
The Maglalatik is a mock war dance that depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highlyprized food. The dance is broken into four parts: two devoted to the battle and two
devoted to reconciling. The men of the dance wear coconut shells as part of their
costumes, and they slap them in rhythm with the music. The Maglalatik is danced in the
religious procession during the fiesta of Bian as an offering to San Isidro de Labrador,
the patron saint of farmers.

The Kuratsa
The Kuratsa is described as a dance of courtship and is often performed at weddings and
other social occasions. The dance has three parts. The couple first performs a waltz. In
the second part, the music sets a faster pace as the man pursues the woman around the
dance floor in a chase. To finish, the music becomes even faster as the man wins over
the woman with his mating dance.

La Jota Moncadea
The La Jota Moncadea is adapted by the Filipinos from an old Spanish dance. It's a
combination of Spanish and Ilocano dance steps set to Spanish music and castanets. A
more solemn version of this dance is sometimes used to accompany a funeral
procession, but it is also performed at celebrations.

The Kappa Malong-Malong

The Kappa Malong-Malong is a Muslim-influenced dance. The malong is a tubular
garment, and the dance essentially shows the many ways it can be worn. There are
men's and women's versions of the dance since they wear malongs in different ways.

The Habanera Botolena

The Habanera Botolena is a strongly flamenco-influenced dance that comes from
Botolan, Zambales. It combines Filipino and Spanish steps, and is a popular dance at
weddings. It is also considered a courting dance in some situations.

The Pantomina
Also known as the Dance of the Doves, the Pantomina mimics the courtship between
doves and is often also a courtship dance between the couples that perform it. This
dance is an important part of the Sorsogon Kasanggayahan Festival held each October,
where it is mainly performed by the elders of the community.

The Cariosa
The Cariosa is a dance made for flirting! Dancers make a number of flirtatious
movements as they hide behind fans or handkerchiefs and peek out at one another. The
essence of the dance is the courtship between two sweethearts.

The Surtido
Surtido literally means "assortment," and this square dance combines
influences of French, Spanish and Mexican dance. Traditionally the Surtido is
performed by a head couple accompanied by two other couples who lead all

the dancers through various formations that resemble an old-fashioned

quadrille.
The Singkil
The Singkil is a dance traditionally performed by single women to attract the attention of
potential suitors. Dancers perform a series of graceful movements as they step in and
out from between bamboo poles which are rhythmically clapped

The Polkabal
The Polkabal shows some European influence in its steps. The dance is composed of nine
different steps which include various movements such as fluttering, stepping heel-to-toe,
a reenactment of a bull fight, and even a leisurely walk.

Different Music:
Mabuhay Singers - Itik Itik Dance Lyrics
Artist: Mabuhay Singers
Album: Philippine Folk Songs

Itik-itik kung tagurian

itoy sayaw sa ating bayan
humanga ang sangdaigdigan
na sa taglay mong katangian
Sa kaway ng iyong mga kamay
at sa imbay ng iyong baywang
anong ganda at anong inam
kapag ito ay minamasdan

Tinikling Song Lyrics

ONE VERSION OF TINIKLING

Tayo'y magsayaw irog ko ng tinikling

Tulad ng sayaw ng lolo't lola natin
Ang mga hakbang na kung di pagbubutihin
Dalawang kawayan tayo'y iipitin
At sa tinikling na tigib ng panganib
Ang hindi maingat iya'y maiipit
Pusong maharot ganyan din sa pag-ibig
Ang nakakamit paghakbang ay ligalig
Kung magsasayaw ka giliw ng tinikling
Kumpas ng kawayan kahit mapatulin
Ang mga binti mo'y kay hirap hulihin
'Sing ilap din ng puso mo sa paggiliw

Pandanggo sa Ilaw Lyrics - Philippine Folk Songs

Nang pista sa nayon
Nagsayaw ka hirang

Napakagandang pagmasdan
Ang maliliit mong hakbang
At ang tatlong basong
May taglay na ilaw
Ay tinimbang mong lahat
Sa ulo't sa mga kamay
Ngunit 'di mo alam
Na minamasdan kita
At nabihag mo ako
Sa iyong pandanggong kay sigla
Magbuhat na noon
Ay inaalala ka
Dahil sa walang lakas
Ang puso kong limutin ka
Sa pandanggo mo'y
Hanga ang lahat
Tangan mong mga ilawan
Ni isa'y walang lumagpak
Puso kong ito
Nais ko liyag
Ay ingatan mo na rin
Pagka't ikaw ang may hawak.

Mabuhay Singers - Carinosa Lyrics

Ang pangarap ko sa pag-ibig
Ay maging akin hanggang langit
Ang isang tapat kung gumiliw
Ang pagsuyo'y di mawawaglit
Matupad ko lamang ang nais
Hahamakin ko ang panganib
Sa pagkat ako'y cariosa kung umibig
II.
Ang puso laging malulumbay
Kung lilimutin mo
Ang pagsintang wagas aking mahal
Irog ko nahan ang pag-asa
Ng tanging pagsintang
Wari'y magdurusa
III.
Panaligan mo aking giliw
Kailan ma'y hindi lilimutin
Ang iyong pagsuyo sa akin
Iingatan ko hanggang libing
Kung ako'y naging cariosa
Sa piling mo lang aking giliw
Ang pag-ibig ko ay asahang
Walang maliw.