PE02: LESSON 1 (PHILIPPINE FOLKDANCE)

1. DANCE – rhythmic and expressive body movement.

2. FOLK DANCE – traditional recreational dance of indigenous society; reflects
traditional characteristics and life of people.

HISTORY

Tribes use chants and dances all night long to break the spell causing illness and
pestilence.

Dance expresses tribe’s love of nature and gratitude to gods.

Movements: swoop like birds, stomping feet like rumbling of the earth.

FOLKDANCE

 Dances performed with no professional training, often to traditionally based

music.
 Dances are not design for public performances, later set for stage
performances.
 Execution dominated by inherited tradition not innovation.
 New Dancers often learn informally by observing and help from others.
 Designed for thanking gods for good harvest and rains.
 Often performs in festivals, weddings, births and post military victories.

FRANCISCA REYES TOLENTINO

(“Mother of Philippine Folk Dance”)

ETHNIC DANCES

A. DANCES OF NON-CHRISTIAN FILIPINOS – traditionalist or “pagan” groups.

They offer it for deities and reflects their custom and beliefs. E.g. MUSLIM group.
B. DANCES OF CHRISTIAN FILIPINOS – started with savage, vigorous and
mimetic character. Can be performed without music. Often called as rituals.
 DANCES OF MUSLIM

 Their dances are mostly influenced by HINDU, JAPANESE, CHINESE, ARAB-

PERSIAN that are oriental, stylized and exotic.
 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS: AGONG, KULINGTANGAN, BAMBOO
XYLOPHONES and DRUMS.

DANCE OF AETAS AND NEGRITOS

 Focused on ARM and FEET movement.

 INSTRUMENTS: THEIR BODY, BAMBOO, WOODEN STICKS, CLAPPERS,
SHIELDS, NATIVE LUTES, KUDYAPI, KETTLE DRUMS, METAL DRUMS,
GONGS.
 Dances for COURTSHIPS, RITUALS, GAME AND ANIMAL DANCES, DUELS
OR WAR DANCES.

THE PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE IS CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO:

1. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS

 NATIONAL DANCES – traditional dances with common basic movement

or pattern with slight variations.
 REGIONAL\LOCAL DANCES – dances found only in certain locations.

2. NATURE OF DANCES

 OCCUPATIONAL DANCES – dances depicts actions associated to

occupation and industries.(e.g) Mananagat, Pabirik, Pagtatanim.
 SOCIAL DANCES – performs on social gatherings. (e.g.) Rigodon,
Rigodon De Honor, Rigodon Royale.
 RELIGIOUS/CEREMONIAL DANCES – dances connected to religion.
(e.g.) Sinurog, Obando, Dugso.
 COURTSHIP DANCES – dances depicting love making. (e.g.) Lulay,
Hele-Hele, Bago Quire.
 WEDDING DANCES – performed by newly weds with their friends and
relatives, father of the bride, mother of groom. (e.g.) Pantomina,
Pandang-pandang, Sinakiki.
  FESTIVAL DANCES – performed in connection of celebration or a feast.
(e.g.) Kuratsa, A la jota, Putong
 WAR DANCES – dances intended to show imaginary combat or duel by
using fighting equipment. (e.g.) Inabaknon, Sagayan, Idaw.
 GAME DANCES – dances that have some play elements and recreational
purposes. (e.g.) Lubi-lubi, Pabo, Gayong-gayong.
 COMIC DANCES – dances with funny and humorous movements for
entertainment. (e.g.) Kinoton, Kadang-kadang, Makonggo.

CLASSIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES

 Dances for the Less Known Group – dancers with Mythical bindings imitative
of the movements of the birds, monkeys, sea creatures and other live animals.
 Dances of the Cordillera – dances classified with ceremonial gatherings,
courtship, war, festival and imitation of nature.
 Dances of Countryside – dances for the poor farmers and people in the rural
areas.
 Dances of Mindanao Groups – dances with touch of Japanese, Chinese, and
Arab-Persian culture.
 Spanish/European/Western-Influence Dances – modern style dances
embracing trends and fashion.

BIBAKIIG
 B – BONTOC
 I - IFUGAO
 B - BENGUET
 A – APAYAO
 K – KALINGA
 I – ITNEG
 I – ILONGGOT
 G – GADDANG
 OCCASION FOR THE PRESENTATION OF CORDILLERA DANCES

PESHITS + KANYAO

DANCES:

1. Banga
2. Bendian
3. Dinuya
4. Pattong
5. Bagbagsakan
6. Tadeck
7. Takiling
8. Takik
9. Tarektek
10. Turayen

REGION 9 ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA

(Cebuano, Chavacano, Tausug, Subanon, Yakan, Sama, English, Malay)

 Zamboanga Del Norte

 Zamboanga Del Sur
 Zamboanga Sibugay
 Surigao Del Norte
 Surigao Del Sur
 Butuan

REGION 10 NORTHERN MINDANAO

(Cebuano, Maranao, Subanen, Higaonon, Bukid, Kamigin, Ilianen, Matigsalug,

Iranun, Western Bukidnon, Hiligaynon, Waray)

 Bukidnon
 Camiguin
 Lanao Del Norte
 Misamis Occidental
 Misamis Oriental
 Cagayan De Oro
 Iligan
REGION 11 DAVAO REGION

(Cebuano, Mandaya, Kalagan, Gilangan, Dibabawon, Tagabawa, Mansaka,

Sangirese, Obo, Sarangani, Hiligaynon, Japanese, Hokkien, English)

 Davao De Oro
 Davao Del Norte
 Davao Del Sur
 Davao Occidental
 Davao Oriental
 Davao City

REGION 12 SOCCSKSARGEN

(Maguindanao, Cebuano, Iranun, Sarangani, Tboli, Bilaan, Dulangan Manobo,

Tagabawa, Obo, Teduray, Hiligaynon, Ilianen,Ilocano, Kapampangan,Karay-a,
English)

 Cotabato
 Sarangani
 South Cotabato
 Sultan Kudarat
 General Santos

REGION 13 CARAGA

(Cebuano, Surigaonon/Tandaganon, Butuanon, Kamayo, Manobo)

 Agusan Del Norte

 Agusan Del Sur
 Dinagat Islands
 Surigao Del Norte
 Surigao Del Sur
 Butuan
ARMM – AUTONOMOUS REGION OF MUSLIM MINDANAO

 Basilan
 Lanao Del Sur
 Maguindanao
 Sulu
 Tawi-tawi

DANCES:

 ASIK
 BURONG TALO
 KAKULANGAN
 MAGLANGKA
 PANG-ALAY
 PANGALAY HA PATTONG
 PANGSAKYAKAN
 PINDULAS
 SAGAYAN
 SILONG SA GANDING
 SINGKIL
 PAGAPIR

DANCES OF LESS KNOWN GROUP

 LUMADS – are the un-Islamized and un-Christianized Austronesia peoples of

Mindanao. Considered as vulnerable groups, they live in hinterlands, forests,
lowlands and coastal areas
 “Lumad” means native in the Visayan languages.

Dances:

 Kadal-Blelah
 Karasaguyon
 Kadal Tahaw
 Binaylan
 Dugso
  Sohten

Spanish / European / Western Influenced Dances

Dances:

 Pandango
 Habanera
 Jota
 Valse
 Mazurka
 Paseo
 Rigodon
 Lanceros

These dances are called “bourgeoisie” or elite during the Spanish period.

Different Dances:

1. Maria Clara
– Maria Clara was the female main character in Jose Rizal’s piece
“Noli Me Tangere”. She was characterized as a Filipina woman of virtue and
nobility. This dance is a mix of Spanish gracefulness and customized native
props such as bamboo castanets and Asian fan.
COSTUME: Maria Clara dress for female and Barong Tagalog for male.

2. La Jota Manilena
– This dance is named after the capital of the Philippines, Manila, where an
adaptation of Castilian Jota afloats with the chacking of bamboo castanets
played by the dancers.
Costume: inspired by Spanish Culture.

3. Habanera Botolena
– A wedding party dance where the bride and groom performed together with
their parents, friends and relatives. It is originated in the town of Botolan
Zambales Province.
4. Pandango Rinconada
– A festival dance from the Camarines Sur, Province of Bicol depicting the
happy and contented life of the people.

DANCES OF COUNTRYSIDE

- These dances are for the farmers and common people in the rural areas.
These dances are light and more informal, portraying the life endeavors of the
lowlanders.
- Requires skills and characters which depict their kind of work.

Different Dances:

5. Pandango sa Ilaw
– this dance requires balancing skill to maintain the stability of three “tinggoy” or
oil lamps, placed on the head and at the back of each hand. Originated from
Lubang Island, Mindoro.

6. Subli
– this term comes from two words, “subsub” means falling on head and “bali”
means broken. The dancers appear to be lame and crooked. This is originally
performed as ritual, which is shown during fiestas as a ceremonial worship
dance to the town’s icon, the holy cross, (Bauan, Batangas).

7. Kuratsa
– Commonly performed in festivals in Visayan towns, this dance portrays a
young playful couple’s attempt to get each other’s attention. It is performed in a
moderate waltz style.

8. Cariñosa
 – a word that describes an affectionate, friendly and lovable woman. This
dance is performed in flirtations, manner with fans and handkerchiefs to assist
the dancers’ hide-and-seek movements.

9. Pantomina
– it means “Dance of the Doves”. This dance is the highlight of Sorsogon’s
Kasanggayahan Festival every third week on October Groups of participants,
mainly elderly in colorful costumes, dance to the tune of Pantomina song. It is a
courtship dance imitating the courtship of doves, where men attempt to please
the women.

10. Tinikling
– The national dance is considered as the oldest of the Ph folkdances. The
name takes from the word and movement of “tikling” as it roams in grass and
streams. Dancers skip gracefully back and forth while trying to avoid getting their
feet caught by two bamboo poles.

11. Itik-Itik
– Itik-itik is a mimetic folkdance in the Philippines. It originated
in Cantilan, Surigao del Sur. Itik-itik was discovered in this town by National
Artist for Dance Francisca Reyes-Aquino. Originating from a dance
called Sibay and performed to the tune of Dejado, the story was told that an
expert young dancer named Cayetana at a barrio of Cantilan during a baptismal
party had become so carried away with the rhythm that she began to improvise
short, choppy steps similar to ducks and then splash water on their backs.

12. Binasuan
- The binasuan is a Filipino folk dance in which the performer holds full wine
glasses in each hand while performing balancing tricks . Wine may be used to fill
the glasses, but other liquids may be substituted. Binasuan originated
in Pangasinan and is popular at festive events such as weddings.
13. Manglalatik
- The Maglalatik (also known as Manlalatik or Magbabao) is an indigenous
dance from the Philippines. Coconut shell halves are secured onto the dancers'
hands and on vests upon which are hung four or six more coconut shell halves.
The dancers perform the dance by hitting one coconut shell with the other;
sometimes the ones on the hands, the ones on the body, or the shells worn by
another performer, all in time to a fast drumbeat .

14. Binislaran – A Filipino folkdance believed to have Chinese origins, dancers

uses sticks (bislak) imitating the use of chopsticks.