LESSON 10

THE NATIONAL ARTISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR DANCE

Introduction
According to dance scholar B. E. S. Villaruz, “the diversity of Philippine dances, as manifested in different
dynamics and forms, grew out of the various contexts and experiences of the people. This explains how the
movement and choreography are based on the environments of the archipelago.
One of the oldest dances in the country is the Tinikling, the word being derived from the movements of
the tikling bird as it wanders on grass stems and crushes several branches of trees. Carinosa, another well – liked
dance, is in itself a Spanish word that means “the loving or affectionate one”. This is a courtship dance which is
closely associated with Panay Island in the Visayas region.
Home to the Muslim majority in the country, Mindanao is known for its spirituality, royalty, and splendor,
which are evident in its dances. Muslim dances are known by their colorful and elaborate costumes, and precise
and regal movements. These include the Pangalay, Burung Talo, and Asik.
The National Artists for Dance

FRANCISCA REYES AQUINO

(1899 – 1983)
Year of Conferment: 1973
Francisca Reyes Aquino is one of the pioneers of Filipino folk dances. She has conducted research on
Filipino dances by visiting secluded districts and neighborhoods in Luzon in the 1920s. Her 1926 thesis entitled
“Philippine Folk Dances and Games”, has been a thorough guide to educators and students in understanding the
different dances in the country. She has received several awards, including the Republic Award of Merit, and a
UNESCO Cultural Award.

LEONOR OROSA GOQUINGCO

(1917 – 2005)
Year of Conferment: 1976
Also known as Cristina Luna, Leonor Orosa Goquingco has been dubbed as Trailblazer, Mother of
Philippine Theater Dance, and Dean of Filipino Performing Arts Critics. A woman of many talents that included
piano playing, scene and costume design, sculpture, acting, direction, dance and choreography, Goquingco has
pioneered the blending of folk dance and ballet, making the latter more viable. Inspired by the dances of the Igorots,
the Moros, and Christians, she has produced Filipinescas: Philippine Life, Legend, and Lore in Dance in 1960. In
1980, she has produced another book The Dances of the Emerald Isles: A Great Philippine Heritage, which covers a
comprehensive cross section of the inestimable music and dance tradition of the Filipinos.

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 RAMON OBUSAN
(1938 – 2006)
Year of Conferment: 2006
Ramon Obusan was a dancer, choreographer, stage designer, and artistic director. In 1972, he established the
Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (ROFG), a dance company that reflects the culture of Filipinos in dance and music.
The group performs dance productions and rituals from ethno-linguistic and indigenous groups, including the
natives of Cordillera, the Bagobo, the Aeta, the Maranao, and the T’boli.

LUCRESIA REYES – URTULA

(1929 – 1999)
Year of Conferment: 1988
Lucresia Reyes – Urtula was the dance director of the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company
(now the Bayanihan Dance Company), which is considered the oldest dance company in the country. She
choreographed creative dances based on her research on cultural dances. Some of her most recognized dances are
the Singkil, Vinta, Tagabili, Pagdiwata, and Salidsid.

ALICE REYES
(1942 – )
Year of Conferment: 2014
A dancer and choreographer, Alice Reyes is the legendary founder of Ballet Philippines, the premier ballet
dance company of the Philippines. She has extensively trained abroad, having given grants from the John D.
Rockefeller III Foundation, and the Music Promotion Foundation of the Philippines. She has choreographed
favorite ballet productions such as Cinderella and Romeo and Juliet; and Filipino works such as Amada, Itim-Asu,
Bayanihan Remembered, and Mga Babae. Her lasting contribution is the professionalization of dance as a career.

oOo

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