LESSON 5 DANCE
ballet was introduced to the Filipino audiences as
Dancing
- Is very popular in the Philippines.
- The types and forms of dances expressed in the
Philippines is quite diverse.
- This is especially true for the indigenous dances of the
Philippines.
Indigenous Dances
- Influenced and molded by various factors such as the
experiences and events in the community as reflected
by the war dances of the people of the Mountain
Provinces.
- It can reflect the group’s values and beliefs like the
Samal’s Pangalay which is performed slowly with
intricate poses.
- Most were performed as ritualistic dances to ask for
good fortune and abundance.
- As a narrative of the community’s daily lives.
- With the arrival of the colonizers, the dancing tradition
and forms changed.
- Indigenous ritualistic dances were adapted to be used
as vehicles of veneration to the different figures of
Christianity.
- Social dances influenced by the trends in Europe such
as pandanggo, polka, ballroom dance “rigodon de
honor” which we can still be seen performing in
debuts.
- American occupation introduced dance forms from the
West and its colonies.
Beginning of Contemporary Dance
- The Philippines was exposed to the Afro-Cuban dance
forms such as tango, samba, mambo, cha-cha.
- Popular dance crazes from the US like the foxtrot,
Charleston, boogie woogie, mashed potato, and the
twist soon.
- During the early twentieth century, European classical
many foreign dance troupes performed in Manila.
- These pioneering Filipino ballet dances became the
first generation of Filipino Ballet dancers, teachers,
and choreographers.
- This tradition of passing of skills and knowledge is the
basis of the continuing development of Philippine
contemporary dance.
Types of Contemporary Dance
Aerobic
- Is a dance routine made into an exercise program.
- It is accompanied by upbeat pop music.
- It has three phases:
o warm up
o aerobic dance
o cooldown
✔ Jezzercise, Aero hip-hop, ballroom dancing, and
more recently the Brazilian developed Zumba.
Ballet
- Is both a dance and theater.
- It is a style and dance technique that follows a strict
set of moves and performances.
- It originated from European court spectacles and was
later brought to the Philippines by the Americans.
- There are different contemporary reiterations of ballet
form, namely, modern ballet, opera ballet, and folkloric
ballet.
Modern Ballet
- Uses traditional ballet techniques and style set to
contemporary ideas and subjects.
- This type of ballet is not limited to the confines of the
stage and can be presented outdoors and in other
unconventional venues.
- The pioneer of modern dance in the Philippines is the
founder of Ballet Philippines, Alice Reyes (1942).
✔ Tony Fabella’s (1941-2009) Limang Dipa (1981)
that was set in the streets of Manila and Beautiful
Girls (1990) which was about a beauty contest.
Opera Ballet “Rock ballet”
- This type of ballet combines dance and singing.
✔ One of the first rock opera ballets in the Philippines
was Mahal (1975), a product of the collaborative
efforts of Abel Labrador, Mon Faustmann, Rahissa
Lahat—Wala, and Julie and Rose Borromeo.
✔ Rama Hari (1988) by Ryan Cayabyab, Bienvenido
Lumbera, and Alice Reyes.
Folkloric Ballet
- Is a performance that presents subjects and themes
based on the art and culture of a community.
✔ Agnes by Reyes, and Baile de Aye by Corazon
Generoso-Inigo (b.1930).
- There are three major ballet companies in the
Philippines: Ballet Philippines (1969), Philippine Ballet
Theater, and Ballet Manila (1995).
Folk Dance
- Is the different dances performed by various cultural
groups throughout the country.
- It changes from region to region and is performed by
nonprofessional dancers who are members of the said
community.
- It is often performed during rituals, festivals, and
fiestas.
Mimetic Dances
- Under the category of folk dances are mimetic dances
which are dance movements that imitate animals like
Kadal Blelah of the T’boli and the Kinabuwa of the
Mandaya.
- Mimetic dances also depict movements that copy
communal activities such as planting rice and
harvesting.
 Mananagat of Cebu, which imitates the
movements of the fisherman.
- These traditional dances have been used by the
ethnic groups to celebrate their identity and are based
on their literature and beliefs.
✔ Tinikling of Waray (Philippine’s Traditional Dance),
Subli of Batangas.
- Some are also integral to festivals such as the Ati-
atihan of Aklan, Maskara of Bacolod, and Sinulog of
Cebu.
Street Dance
- Is a term used to describe vernacular dances, or
dances that developed organically within a community.
- It is a dance form that began in urban open spaces,
such as parks, streets, yards, and nightclubs; rather
than in formal dance studios.
- It gained popularity during 1970’s.
- These dances were improvisational and social in its
nature. It encouraged interaction with the audiences
as well as with other dancers.
- It became more popular in the 1980's coinciding with
the popularity of punk and rap music.
- Popular street dance moves in the Philippines include
hip-hop routines such as b-boying (breakdancing),
popping, locking, and roboting.
- Due to its popularity this dance form is often adapted
as an aerobic exercise in PE classes, dance studios,
and gyms.
✔ Philippine All-star dance crew that became two-
time champion in the World Hip-hop Dance
Championships in 2006 & 2008
✔ A-team who won the same competition in 2014
✔ XB Gensan who won back-to-back championships
in 2015 & 2016 Dance2Dance World Street Dance
ompetition.