Lesson 5

PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

TOPICS:
1. Introduction to Philippine Folk Dance
2. Objectives of Philippine Folk Dances
3. Values of Folk Dances
4. Classification of Philippine Dances
5. Characteristics of Philippine Folk Dance

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
1. Gain knowledge about the facts in learning the folk dance
2. Classify folk dances according to traditional groups
3. Identify Philippine folk dances.

TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES

The Philippines is composed of more than 7,000 islands with diversified type of people
and cultures. Filipinos are musically inclined, that every corner of the island showcases a
traditional embedded with traditional dances. What we call the Philippine Dance Classified
according to groups.
1. Dances from Cordillera Groups
2. Wester – Influenced Dances
3. Dances of the Muslim Groups
4. Dances of the Tribal Indigenous Groups

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 5. Dances of the Countryside.
Folk Dance is a cultural art form handed down from one generation to another. It
communicates the customs, beliefs ad occupations of the people of a region or country. Folk
dancing belongs to the people. It emanates from them. (Francisca R. Aquino).
The traditional of an indigenous society that depicts the cultural characteristics of a specific
people of a given time and place.
Folk dance deals with the usual traditions of the past by which a multitude o national
characteristic in music and steps, and costumes are preserved.
Philippine Folk Dance, in general, is a dance consisting of rhythmic movement, sustained
by regular tempo, beat or music, conceived as a cultural mirror in which spirit, character, and
artistry of its time is reflected when placed on historical perspective.
As an expressive folk arts, dance depicts man’s traditional contemporary feeling. Some
dances are results of religious rites, or an ethic variety portraying the celebration of different
culture patterns.
Folk dance expresses the nation’s sentimentality and creativeness. These are the country’s
traditional dances, which portrays the people’s ideas, mores, thought and feelings by means of the
body movement.

TOPIC 2: OBJECTIVES OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

1. To foster patriotism and nationalism through the study of our dances.

2. To arouse better appreciation of the Philippines music and folk dances.
3. To provide through dancing, a healthful form of relaxation and recreation.
4. To develop graceful and rhythmic coordination of the body movements that will
improve posture.
5. To preserve the posterity, folkdance and music indigenous to the different region of the
Philippines.
6. To demonstrate the growth of the Filipino culture through the evolution of the
Philippine dances.

TOPIC 3: VALUES OF FOLK DANCES

1. Physiological and neuro- muscular development of the organic system of the body.
2. Cultural
3. Social and recreation

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 TOPIC 4: CLASSIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE DANCES

I. General Classification

A. According to Geography

1. National Dances – dances found throughout the Islands with little or no

modification.
Example: Rigdon, Carinosa

2. Local/Regional Dances – dances found in a certain locality or region

Examples: Tinikling - Leyte
Subli - Batangas
Maglalatik - Binyang
Biniganbigat - Abra
Kin-aras - Ilocos
Rogelia - La Union
B. According to Nature

1. Occupational Dance – depicts actions of certain occupation, industry, or human

labor.

Examples:
Pabirik (Camarines Sur) – depicts the different stages of gold
panning
Rice Fetival – a dance with the largest number of dancers from
planting to harvesting.

2. Religious or Ceremonial dances – these are dances that are performed in

connection with religious vows, practices and other ceremonies.
Examples:
Dugso – a dance to drive away devil spirits
Pinung-pino – a dance performed asking for a child.
Kuracha – a dance performed to give thanks for a bountiful
Harvest

3. Courtship Dances – these are dances with love themes depicting a n flirting,
affectionate movements.
Examples:
Carinosa, Daling-daling, Rogelia, Tadek

4. Wedding Dances – these are dances performed by newlyweds, by friends and

relatives of the bride and groom, or by the father of the bride or mother or the groom.
Examples:
Sinulog – A dance wherein the male dancers beat drums, shout,

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 and perform stunts or anything to drive evil spirits that may
harm or make the newlyweds unhappy.

Pandag-pandag (Antique) – A dance performed only by the

bride or groom. As they are dancing the friends and relatives of
each side throw coins or hang paper bills to the dresses of the
newlywed couple.

5. Festival dances – Dances performed in connection with celebration, a feast, a

barrio fiesta, good harvest and a good fortune.
Examples:
Kuratsa, Habanera, Surtido

6. Comic Dances – dances with funny and humorous movements mainly intended for
entertainment.
Examples:
Makonggo – dancer imitate the movements of monkey
Kinoton – dancers imitate the movements of person bitten by ants.

7. War Dances – dancer imitate are intended to show imaginary combat or duel with
the use of fighting weapons like bolo or spear.
Examples:
Sagayan, Maglalatik, Sagayan, Palo-Palo

8. Games Dances – dances that have some play elements and for recreational purposes.
Example:
Lubi-lubi, Pabo

C. According to Movements

1. Active – with energetic movements.

Example: Tinikling, Maglalatik, Sakuting, Polkabal

2. Moderate – with slow movements.

Example: Carinosa, Tagala, Habanera, Papuri

3. Slow – with slow movements.

Example: Pasakat, Amorosa, Habanera, Alcamfor

4. Slow and Fast Combination

Example: Puritos, La Jota Moncadena, tiliday, Kundiman

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D. According to formation

1. Square or Quadrille
Example: Rigodon, Lanceros, Los Bailes de Ayer

2. Long Formation or Line Formation - Two or more parallel lines

Example: Lulay, Sakuting

3. Set – consisting of two or more pairs as a unit partners facing each other or standing
side by side.
Example: Binadyong, Haplik, Kakawati

II. Special Classification

1. Dance with Songs

Example: Abaruray, Manang Biday, Rogelia, Lawiswis Kawayan

2. Old Ballroom Dances

Example: Polka, Mazurka, Chotis, Balse

3. Dance with Implements

Example: Maglalatik, Sakuting, Jota Moncadeña, Tinikling, Salakot

4. Dance with Combined Rhythm

Example: Surtido, Pantomina, Los Bailes de Ayer

TOPIC 5: CHARACTERISTICS OF FOLK DANCES

1. In general, dancers stand apart.

2. There is little if any, bodily contact.
3. Most of the dances are done by pairs.
4. Hand movements play an important part.
5. Most dances are in long formation.
6. Most dances begin and end with “saludo” (bow)
7. Dances from the lowland have more foreign elements that those found in upland.
8. War dances are found among non-Christian tribes.
Other Distinctive Characteristics of Philippine Folk Dances
1. Different from other folk dances from other places.
2. Gives pleasure to dancers and audiences.
3. Reflects cultures introduced by invaders and conquerors.
4. Provides socialization.
5. Passes down from one generation to another.
6. Some groups have repertory of dances.

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 Assessment

Learning Task 1.1: I know it!

Direction: Identify the following statements. Send your answer to your subject instructor
through google classroom or fb page.

____________1. Dances performed in connection with religious vows, practices, and beliefs in
spirits and anitos.
____________2. Dances performed by newlyweds, friends and relatives of the bride and
groom.
____________3. Dances that have some play elements for recreation purpose.
____________4. Dances characterizing certain occupations, industries, and phases of human
Labor.
___________ 5. These dances depict certain love themes.
___________ 6. Dances performed in connection with a celebration, feast, a barrio fiesta, good
harvest and good fortune.
___________ 7. Dances performed to show combat or duel using fighting implements.
___________ 8. Dances with amusing and funny movements mainly intended for entertainment.
__________ 9. Is a tradition, communal dancing that has been handed down from generation
to generation as a recreational activity.
__________10. Dances depicting a flirting, affectionate movements.

Learning Task 1.2: Let’s Answer it!

Direction: Read and answer the questions briefly.

1. When did folk dance start in the Philippines?

2. Why is there a great variety of folk dances in the Philippine?
3. Do you agree that young Filipinos find it satisfying and fulfilling to be involved in folk
dance?
4. How does modern technology affect the development of folk dance in our country at
present

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