PHYSICAL EDUCATION WEEK 7

FOLKDANCE-LAPAY BANTIGUE

A.   Ethnic / Folk Dance Defined

         Folk dances are dances created by individuals to reflect the lives of people in a particular
country or region. These are not all ethnic dances. Ritual dances or dances with a ritual origin,
for example, are not called folk dances. Because of its aim, ritual dances are commonly referred
to as “religious dances”. When it is necessary to stress the dance’s cultural roots, the labels
“ethnic” and “traditional” are utilized. Almost all folk dances are ethnic dances in this sense (2
Give example Moderate and Vigorous physical activities 3, n.d.).

B.   Philippine Folk Dance

         Filipino folk dancing has a long history that blends influences from immigrants and
conquerors while keeping distinctly Filipino roots. Philippine folk dancing is a true picture of
everyday life in previous ages while also enthralling current audiences (2 Give example
Moderate and Vigorous physical activities 3, n.d.).

Classification of Philippine Folk Dance

 Nature Meaning   Examples  
 Occupational Dances  depict actions of a particular  Planting, Punding
occupation
 Religious /Ceremonials  associated with religion, vows  Dugsu, Sua-sua
and ceremonies
 Comic Dances  Depict funny movements for  Kinotan, Makonggo
entertainment
 Game Dances  done with play elements  Lubi-lubi, Pavo
 Wedding Dances  performed during wedding  Panasahan
feasts
 Courtship Dances  depict the art of courtship  Hele-hele, Tadek, Pantomina
 Festival Dances  suitable for special occasions  Pandanggo, Habanera
 War Dances  show imagery combat  Sagayan, Palu-palo
LAPAY BANTIGUE
Folk Dance Title:                         Lapay Bantigue
Meaning:                                      Seagulls of Bantigue Island, Masbate
Dance Culture:                            Coastal Christians
Place of Origin:                           Bantigue Island, Masbate
Ethnolinguistic Group:               Masbateño
Classification:                              Comic, Mimetic (fowl)

Background / Context:
           Batingue of Masbate, like many small islands, relies on the sea to supply fish to much of
the Bicol region.

           Batingue community looks forward to the arrival of boats with their fish every morning.
Thousands of lapay, or seagulls, have gathered on the beach alongside the humans, hovering
overhead or roaming about the sand and shoreline. People focus their attention to the lapay to
pass the time, shooing them or imitating their flight, swoops, dives, and glides. The first steps of
an unrehearsed dance began with this lighthearted frolicking. Later, music was used to provide
structure and order. It wasn’t long that couples competed in show-off lapay antics, which is still
the essence of lapay today (Hope-3_q1_w4_mod4 [92q35x53ppop]., n.d.).

Costumes:
Female 

 Top (Baro) and Skirt (Saya)

 Overskirt (Tapis)

Male 

 Top (Camisa de Chino)

 Pants (Colored peasant pants, rolled up just below the knee)
 Footwear – Barefoot
Lapay Bantigue Dance Competencies:
1st Step: LUPAD
           For 16 counts, gently flutter your arms and stride sideways. After that, turn to face your
partner and repeat this step for another 16 counts.

2nd Step: KUMINTANG

           Raise your right arm and raise your thumbs horizontally. Rotate your wrist and hand four
times clockwise and four times counter-clockwise. Your partner will go around you completing
the “Lupad” step while doing this. You and your partner will switch positions after each of the
four counts, with your partner doing the Kumintang and you dancing around him.

3rd Step: STEP TUKA

           Place the back of your palm on your partner’s forehead and make a pecking motion with
your back bent while facing them. Repeat for a total of eight counts. Then, while still performing
this step, travel in opposite directions, for example, you to the front and your companion to the
back. Rep this process four times.

4th Step
           You and your partner should stomp for eight counts while blending and facing different
directions, then raise your arms while twisting to face your partner. Repeat this process four
times.

5th Step
           For 16 counts, move your arms in front of you up and down. Then, lightly hop in front of
your partner and move your arms in unison up and down. Do this for a total of 16 counts.

6th Step: LUPAD

           For 16 counts, flap your arms smoothly and stride sideways. After that, turn to face your
partner and repeat this step for another 16 counts. After that, take your final position (Hope-
3_q1_w4_mod4 [92q35x53ppop]., n.d.).