Physical Education 2 – Lecture 1 and 2

Rhythmic Activities – refers to bodily responses to any type of rhythmic accompaniment that
will provide leeway to the people to satisfy their need for self-expression.
Dance - Is a rhythmic and expressive body movements, usually coordinated into a pattern and
adopted to musical accompaniment.
Important Features of the Dance
1. Rhythm
2. Design
3. Technique
4. Dynamics
5. Gestures
Kinds of Dance
A. Dance for Participation
1. Religious Dance
2. Recreational Dance
B. Dance for Presentation
Folk Dance - It promotes national goodwill through describing the habits, customs and beliefs of
the people all over the world.
Social Dance - It give opportunity to develop the individual’s ability to communicate, mingle
and socialized with other people. It also prepares a person to basic dance steps, positions,
movements and rhythms.
Ballroom Dancing - Has sustained its popularity through ballroom clubs opened for the
enjoyment of the public. Anyone can enjoy ballroom dancing since there are no restriction to
gender and age. Women can best express.

Introduction to Philippine Folk Dances

On the other hand, the Philippine has a “The Pearl of the Orient” boast of a variety of
Filipino Folk Dances.
What are the Fold Dances?
Traditional dances of a certain land which were evolved naturally and spontaneously in
connection and experiences of the people. The traditional dances handed down from generation
to generation that describe the traditions, beliefs, occupations and ways of life and characteristics
of people living in a certain place through body movements.
Values Derived from Studying Philippine Folk Dances
1. Strengthen patriotism and Nationalism
2. Appreciate the aesthetic value of Philippine folk dances
3. Preserve the Filipino heritage through folk dancing
4. Promote the Filipino culture through folk dancing
5. Gain health posture through graceful and rhythmic coordination of body movement.
6. Provide a healthy form of relaxation and recreation.
Brief History of the Philippine Folk Dances
For centuries, dancing and singing have been the principal past time of the Filipino
people. They considered dancing as religious activity. During the Spanish period, dancing played
an important part of the social activities of our ancestors.
Kumintang - oldest recorded activity among the Christianized Filipinos.
Spaniards introduce Fandangos, Lanceros, Rogodon, Cariños a and Curach. Philippine
Folk Dances are blended with the Western and other European countries during the 16th century.
The Bayanihan, Filipinescas, Filipiniana, Bara ngay, and Ramon Obusan Dance Troupes have
performed outside the country through our own Folk Dance and brought pride and prestige to the
Filipinos.
Classification of Philippine Folk Dances
Francesca Reyes Aquino
Considered as the “Mother of Philippine Folk Dances” for her untiring efforts in
collecting, compiling, and propagating folk dances, and for her outstanding contribution to the
advancement of Filipino culture in the field of dance In 1973, President Marcos gave Dr. Reyes
Aquino the National Artist for Dance Award.
Classification of Philippine folk dances according to Dr. Reyes :
1. Geographical Location
A. National Dances – Cariñosa, Balitaw, Kutarsa, Pandanggo, Rigodon, and Surtido
B. Local or Regional Dances – Maglalatik, Basulto and Alcamfor
2. Nature of the Dance
A. Occupational Dances – Mananagat, Pabirik and Rice Festivals
B. Religious or Ceremonial Dances – Sinurog, Dugso and Obando
C. Courtship Dances – Lulay, Hele-hele and Bago Quire
D. Wedding Dance – Pantomina
E. Festival Dances – Kuratsa and La Jota Moncadeña
F. War Dances – Inabaknon and Sagayan
G. Comic Dances – Pabo and Lubi-lubi
H. Social Dances – Lanceros
5 Groups Classification of Dances Found In the Philippines

1. Dances of the Cordillera Groups - bendian, turayen and takiling

2. Dances of Mindanao Groups – pandanggo riconada and habanera botoleÑa

3. Spanish, Europe,/Western Influence Dance – asik, pindulas, and kakulangan

4. Dance of the Countryside – binasuan, binislakan and gayong-gayong

5. Dances for the Lesser Known Group – kadal tajo and kadal blelah

Characteristics of Philippine Folk Dances

1. Dancers stand apart

2. Partner stay apart at 6’ away

3. There is a little, if any, bodily contact.

4. Most dancers are in long formation.

5. Most of the Dancers are done by pairs or couples.

6. Hand movements play an important part.

7. Most dances begin and end with “saludo”

8. Dance from the Lowlands have more foreign elements than those found in the uplands.

9. War dances are found among nonChristian tribes.

Dos in Folk Dancing

1. Dance in natural, simple and direct manner.

2. Dance with ease and smoothness.

3. Use the proper costumes for dance

4. Follow directions and dance instruction as closely as possible.

5. Dance with feeling and expression.

Philippine Folk Dance

 One of the Philippine Cultures that incorporate influences from immigrants and conquerors.
  Developed while Filipinos were working in the fields, celebrating feasts, harvest, birth and
weddings.
 The form of dances represents the rituals, feasts, harvest and etc.
 From courtship dances to those portraying various elements of nature, many different sub-
genres exist within Philippine folk dancing.

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, it remains true to its roots. It is impossible to know when
exactly dancing became a part of life in the Philippines. Many traditional dances were designed to thank
the gods for natural and agricultural events, such as rain and harvests. The dances were performed
during festivals and remembrances of past military victories, and still are performed at celebrations of
births and weddings in modern times. Many modern folkdance festivals still feature ancient dances
performed in costume of the tribal period of the Philippines. There are some of the most popular dances
in each region from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Philippine Folk dances from Luzon

 Cariñosa

- word that describes an affectionate, friendly and lovable women. This dance is performed in
flirtatious manner. 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.

 Banga

- the Banga or pot dance is a contemporary performance of Kalinga of the Mountain Province in
the Philippines. This dance illustrates the languid grace of a tribe otherwise known as fierce warriors.
-This dance displays the Igorot women on their way to the river to fetch the daily water supply for their
family. It shows the skill and strength of the women as they would carry heavy laden clay pots (banga)
full of water.

 Maglalatik

- a mock war dance that depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highlyprized 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.

 Pandanggo sa Ilaw

- the word pandanggo comes from the Spanish dance “fandango” characterized with lively steps
and clapping while following a varying ¾ beat. Pandanggo requires excellent balancing skill to maintain
the stability of three tinggoy, or oil lamps, placed on head and at the back of each hand. This famous
dance of grace and balance originated from Lubang Island, Mindoro.
  Balse

- a popular dance in Marikina, Rizal during the Spanish times. Balse (valse in Spanish) means
waltz. This dance was performed after the lutrina (a religious procession) and the music that
accompanied the dancers was played by the musikong bungbong (musicians using instruments made of
bamboo)

 Jotabal

- it is derived from the words Jota and valse. Jota is a popular dance introduced in the
Philippines by the Spaniards. Valse means waltz, a step or a dance in 3/4 time. This lively festival dance
originated in Camohaguin, Gumaca, Quezon (formerly Tayabas).

 Makonggo

- a comic dance from Santa Maria, Bulacan. Makonggo is derived from the Tagalog word
chonggo or unggo which means monkey. In this dance, the dancer imitates a monkey - its characteristic
movements, gestures, grimaces, etc. when it is in a happy, playful or angry mood, while it is playing,
eating, or resting. Only one man performs this dance. Most of his movements are his own
improvisations.

Philippine folk dances from Visayas

 Tinikling

- Tinikling means "bamboo dance" in English. The dance imitates the movement of the tikling
birds as they walk between grass stems, run over tree branches, or dodge bamboo traps set by rice
farmers. Dancers imitate the tikling bird's legendary grace and speed by skill fully maneuvering between
large bamboo poles.

 Kuratsa

- the Kuratsa is highly favored by the Waray people of the Eastern Visayan region in the
Philippines. Strictly speaking, The Kuratsa must be done the amenudo; that is, only one couple dances it
at a time. the Kuratsa is however, very different in the manner of execution to the Mexican counterpart.

 Mazurka Bohalana

- a Spanish-inspired ballroom dance from the Bohol province of the Philippines. Although the
mazurka is the Polish national dance, it was wildly popular throughout Europe in the 19th century and
even in colonized lands overseas.

 Escotis

- it is popularly known in Capiz and is performed in any social gathering of the people inhabiting
the mountains of Capiz in the barrios of Tinpas and Panitan and also in the town of Panay.

Philippine folk dances from Mindanao

  Itik-itik

- a mimetik folk dance in the Philippines. It originated in the provence of Surigao in Mindanao. In
Itik-itik (from the Tagalog word for “duck”), the dance steps imitate the movements of ducks among the
rice paddies and swamplands, such as wading, flying and short, choppy steps. An itik is a species of duck.

 Singkil

- the Maranao dance called Singkil is in the repertory of all Filipino dance troupes. In 1958 the
Bayanihan Dance troupe started with a simple version and has since developed it into a theatrical and
stylized spectacle to the point of it becoming the troupe's signature piece.

 Kandingan

- performed at Tausog weddings in Jolo, the Kandingan consists of figures and steps based on
classical and traditional Indian dance forms. Dancers perform with slightly bent knees turned outward,
fingers held stiffly together with the thumb outward and apart.