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 highly-prized 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
Biñan 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 Moncadeña
The La Jota Moncadeña 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 Cariñosa
The Cariñosa 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 together. Fans and scarves are often used
to enhance the dancers' movements.
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.

The Magkasuyo
The Magkasuyo is a variation of the balse - the one-two-three graceful triple meter that Filipino
traditional dance borrowed from the Spanish waltz. It is a formal series of close-step-close
movements with a couple facing each other in a courtship configuration. Balse incorporates
German and Spanish influence, but the Magkasuyo is the specific invention of Quezon province,
a large farming and fishing region southeast of Manila with a rich tradition of outside influences,
including Spanish, Malay, and Muslim. A popular song Magkasuyo Buong Gabi (Lovers for the
Night) expands on the romantic nature of the dance.

Reference: https://dance.lovetoknow.com/List_of_Philippine_Folk_Dance