Dance - to move one’s body rhythmically usually to - Sinulog Festival (Cebu City)

music. It can be a form of recreation, - Ati-atihan Festival (Kalibo, Aklan)

entertainment, education, therapy, and religion.
Occupational Dance
Benefits of Dance - Depicts the lifestyle and daily work of the
people living in various topographies.
Physical Ex.
 Develops cardiovascular and muscular - Mananagat (Bogo, Cebu)
endurance - Fisherman’s Dance (Pasigin)
 Improves coordination, balance, flexibility, - Farmer’s Dance
and body composition Ceremonial Dance
 Lowers risk of cardiovascular diseases - Major category or classification of dance
 Helps improve and maintain bone density form or dance styles. Where the purpose is
Social ceremonial or ritualistice
 Gives sense of togetherness within a group - Usually associated with religious beliefs
 Encourages positive social interaction and Igorot Dance
interpersonal relationship - represents the life of the community
Cultural
 Promotes cultural values War Dance
- Dance involving mock combat
ELEMENTS OF DANCE - Usually in reference to tribal warrior
societies where such were performed as
1. Space ritual connected with endemic warfare.
- is the area the performers occupy and Ex.
where they move. - Mandadawak
Four Aspects: Singkil
Direction - Originated from the Maranao people who
Size inhabit the shores of lake Lanao
Level
Contemporary Dance / Modern Dance
Focus
- A dance where dancers are free to express
2. Timing their feelings through movements without
3. Energy adhering to any rules in dance
Six Qualities of Dance Energies:
Technique
 Sustained
- Movements derived from the expression of
 Percussive
their inner feelings
 vibratory - Dancers can change steps
 swinging Improvisation
 Suspended - Refers to the spontaneous movements
 Collapsing performed by the dancers
- Allows any steps or movements to interpret
Philippine Folk Dance message
- Indigenous dance of any specific “folk” or Choreography
the common people. - Refers to the routine of a dance where the
- Usually danced at social gathering which creators or choreographer represents
can be formed spontaneously or during his/her experience
yearly celebrations
Ex.
- Itik itik
- Binasuan
- Sayaw sa bangko
- Maglalatik

Festival Dance
- Cultural dances performed to the strong
beats of percussion instruments
- Usually done in honor of a patron saint or
as a thanks giving for a bountiful harvest
Ex.
- Dinagyang Festival (Iloilo city)
 NATURE AND BACKGROUND OF THE
DIFFERENT PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES
History of Philippine Folk Dance
Philippine folk dance is a reflection of daily life in
past centuries.
Traditional dances were designed to thank the
gods for natural and agricultural events, such as
rain and harvests.
Dancing was considered a religious activity among
the early Filipinos.
Dances were performed during festivals and
remembrance of past military victories, and still are
performed at celebrations of birth and weddings in
modern times.
More recent dances in the Phil. Derived from
historical events (arrival of the Spaniards and
conflicts with the moros)
Kumintang - oldest dance and song. It was a
pantomimed song and dance.
Pampango - another dance characterized by the
movements of the lion and the clapping of hands.
Philippine folk dancing is a true reflection of daily
life in past centuries while enchanting modern
audiences at the same time.
 Philippine folk dance mirrors the culture
and tradition of the Filipinos.
 Also been a source of identity of the
people.
Nature of Philippine Folk Dance
Occupational dances - depicts actions of a
particular occupation
Religious/Ceremonial - associated with religion,
vows and ceremonies
Comic dances – depict funny movements for
entertainment
Game dances – done with play elements
Wedding dances – performed during wedding
feasts
Courtship dances – depict the art of courtship
Festival dances – suitable for special occasions
War dances – show imagery combat
Classifications of Philippine Folk Dance
Cordillera Dances
- Reflects rituals which celebrate their daily
lives—a good harvest, health, peace, war
and other symbols of living.
Examples:
Banga Manmanok
Bendayan Ragragsakan
Lumagen/tachok Uya-uy
Spanish Influenced Dances
- Music rondalia
- Reflects Christianity and European arts
and culture
This era of dances was also refered to as
“Maria Clara”
Examples:
Estudiantina Pantomina
Mazurka Habanera
Polka Danza
Fandago – popular dance in rural area of Phil.
- Spanish folk dance which arrived in the
Phil. during the Hispanic period.
Lanceros – traditional dance from bailes de salon
- Traditionally danced by age 16-18 couples
by the formation of quidril
Rigodon – elegant dance brought in the Phil. by
Filipinos who returned from their travels abroad
during Spanish era.
- This dance takes its name from its opening
performances at formal affairs.
- Form of quidril which is a form of historic
dance performed usually by couples.
Cariñosa – national dance of the Phil.
- Spanish word means “affectionate or
lovable”
- Courtship dance
Curacha – traditional courtship dance between a
man and a woman which echoes the behaviours of
a chicken
Jota – performed by the Spanish señoritas and and
caballeros in social gatherings
Estudiantina – lively dance, favorite in social
gatherings and was usually by yound men and
women who students of private schools and
colleges in Manila.
Estudiantes (boys) Estudiantinas (girls)
Mazurka – Spanish-inspired ballroom dance
Polka – lively dance, danced by couples.
Pantomina – dance of the doves
- Courtship dance which imitates the
courtship of doves
Habanera – social dance performed in a ballroom
or stage
- Performed during weddings
Danza – Cuban origin
Southern Dances - Examples:

- Largely ceremonial and usually Tinikling Maglalatik

accompanied by percussion instruments. Subli Binasuan
- Known for their mysticism, royalty, and Karatong Itik-itik
beauty which are evident in their music and
Tinikling – dance that imitates the tikling bird
dances
Subli – favorite dance among barrios in Batangas
- Accompanied by the agung and kulintang
during May
Filipino Muslim dance is marked by intricate hand
- Ceremonial worship dance performed in
and arm movements along with shimmering
homage of the holy cross
costumes
Karatong – dance named before the bamboo
Examples:
instrument worn by male dancers around their
Burung-Talo Sagayan waists
Paunjalay Kapa Malong Malong Maglalatik – war dance depicting the fight between
Pangsak Tahing-Baila Christians and moros over “latik”
Binasuan – shows the balancing skills of dancers
Singkil – take its name from the belts worn on the Itik-itik – dance that imitates the movements of itik
ankles of the Muslim princess
- Oldest Filipino dance Tribal dances/Ethnic Dances
- Recounts the epic legend of duranan of
maranao people - Closely associated with ceremonials,
Pangalay – popular among badjao, samal, and rituals, sacrifice, and life
tausug - Type of dance used to symbolize the
- Basic dance with its expressive hand origins of one’s connection with their
movements is sometimes performed with culture.
long silver/golden nails - Basic part of life, still performed essentially
Asik – dance from Maguindanao tribe “for the gods”
Daling-daling – courtship dance from jolo, sulu Examples:
- Daling means “my love”
Janggay – dance of the badjao people T’boli-Kadal Tahaw Bagobo-Rice cycle
Pagapir – dance by ladies of the royal court from B’laan-Blit Palawan-Pagdiwata
the maranao tribe Bukidnon-Dugso Manobo-Bangkakaw
Burung-Talo – unique fighting dance
- Demonstrate battle between hawk and cat
Paunjalay – prenuptial dance
-performed before weddings
Pangsak –
Sagayan – primary dance of maguindanoan
performed by men recalling the heroic exploits of
maguindanoan mythological hero prince bantugan
- War dance
- Also done as a ritual dance for a person
possessed by friendly spirit
Kapa Malong Malong – Muslim dance
Tahing Baila – motions of fish are mimicked

Rural Dances
- Best known and closest to the Filipino
hearts
- Illustrates fiestas spirit, and love of life
- Express joy in work, love for music, and joy
in the simplicity of life
- Show gaiety, laughter, and festivities
- Performed in fiestas to honor patron saints
give homage to barrio’s namesake for a
good harvest, health, and indigenous
materials