loa Jota Isabgla 1997 National Folk Dance WorkshopLSEIOZ1E toss raden Dance Researcher: MILA LAYUGAN DANCEL Resource Person: MILA R ANCHETA 11997 National Folk Dance Workshop Meaning + AJota honoring tsabela Province Dance Culture Lowland Christian Place of Origin + Cuayan, fsabela Ethnolinguistic Group: bana. Classification : Sock Backaround / Content: In the course of three hundred years, galleons plied the Manila-Acapulco route carrying conquts- tadores, soldiers, sallors, missionaries, teachers and traders to Philippine shores. With them came governance, socio-political Ideas, religion, trade and commerce and thé arts changing the Philippine landscape. The introduction of Christianity by the Spaniards did not make the Filipino completely abandon their Impulse and style as new ideas were tempered and sulted to the Filpinos way of ife With government and church in place, officials tackled social obligations. A long Ist of changes happened during the Spanish conquest topped by new govemment, churches and mission schools for the tslands. The birthdays of the King and Queen of Spain were celebrated with fantabulous fles~ tas. Smaller events lke the arrival of new dignitaries and officials from Spain ana the welcoming of the galleons from Mexico called for other kinds of flestas. In occasions lke these, a big ball becomes the centerpiece. Decorated salas and hall of elegant houses open doors to the elt, /strados, alta sociodadand who's who of town, Quests dressed In thelr finest gowns and sults acqulred from fashion centers of the world, render the occasion with pomp and circumstance. A string symphon strikes popular tunes to accompany the valse, andanggo, paso doble, and polka and other dances. Bailes, as these balls are called, ends when the sun starts to show Itself In the early days of Spanish conquest, it was not unusual to name any place in the Philppines In honor of the Spanish reigning queen, thus the big tract of fertile lands in Cagayan Valley was named Isabela. And her birthdays were equally honored with lavish celebrations that inclide big balls. One speculates that the Jota /sabela must have had tts beginning In one of these grand occasions Movements / Steps Particular to Dance: Dance Properties: Costume Female; Fairly elaborate baro't saya or Maria Clara ‘op (Bare) : White or off white blouse; fimsy kanyamaso pina, fne abaca, organza or nylon with bilowy sleeves reaching down the cuffs; bodice and sleeves with elaborate embroidery or decorations on the edges. A corpino chemise and inagua'sip for modesty. Searf (panuet): An alampay, made of the same baro material folded In a trtangle, thrown over the shoulders, stiffened with starchloa Jota Isabela