PHILIPPINE FOLKDANCES AND THEIR HIGHLIGHTS HISTORY

TINIKLING - Tinikling is perhaps the most popular folk dance in the Philippines,
where its roots originate from the province of Leyte. Officially the National
Dance of the Philippines, Tinikling, is inspired by the movement of the tikling
birds, which the dance is aptly named after. The dancers, traditionally two
male and female dancers, perform using bamboo poles 9 feet long parallel to
each other. The native dance is composed of combinations of singles,
doubles, and hops that are determined by the beat of the bamboo poles.

CARIÑOSA - Another popular traditional dance in the Philippines, Cariñosa is a

Philippine folk dance representing the Maria Clara-like mannerisms and
personality of the Filipina women during the Spanish Colonial Period. The folk
dance originated from Panay Island and was introduced by the Spaniards
during their colonization. The courtship dance consists mainly of flirtatious
movements using a fan and a handkerchief where the male and female pairs
peek out at one another behind the fans and handkerchiefs.

PANDANGGO SA ILAW - Originally from Lubang Island, Occidental Mindoro,

Pandanggo sa Ilaw is a Filipino cultural dance of balancing oil lamps or
glasses with candles inside. One of the lamps or glasses is perched on the
head, and the other two on the palms of each hand. This native Filipino folk
dance is performed in 3/4 time and accompanied by castanets.

PANDANGGO OASIWAS - Similar to Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Pandanggo Oasiwas is

performed by fishermen to celebrate when they catch a lot of fish. Instead of
balancing oil lamps or glasses with candles inside on the palms of each hand,
they are placed inside nets and swung around during the dance.

SAYAW SA BANGKO - Sayaw sa Bangko, or “dancing on a chair,” is performed by

experienced dancers on top of a six-inch-wide wooden bench. The popular
folk dance is native to Pangasinan and was traditionally performed by
newlyweds during their wedding feasts.

KURATSA - Often performed at weddings, Kuratsa is another courtship folk

dance from Samar Island that imitates a rooster’s mating movements with a
hen. Kuratsa has three parts: the first part is a waltz between a male and
female dancer, the second part is when the male dancer pursues the female
dancer in a chase, and the last part is when the male dancer finally wins over
the female dancer with his dance.

SUBLI - Subli is a folk dance from Bauan, Batangas, performed for the Holy
Cross of Alitagtag, the patron of the Municipality of Alitagtag. The religious
folk dance is performed by experienced male and female dancers who hop
and slide, where the male dancers beat their castanets, and the female
dancers sway in a circle while holding their brimmed hats.

MAGLALATIK - Maglalatik is a folk dance that only includes male dancers with
coconut shell halves secured onto the dancers’ vests. Its history and origins
vary by region. One of its stories is that it is a mock war dance from Biñan,
Laguna, that represents a fight over coconut meat, a highly coveted food, and
is danced during a religious procession to San Isidro de Labrador, the patron
saint of farmers. The other story is that it tells the fight between the Christian
and the Muslim Moro tribespeople where the performers that represent the
Christians wear blue trousers. In contrast, the performers that represent the
Moro community wear red trousers. Maglalatik has four parts, two dedicated
to the battle and the other to reconcile.

ITIK-ITIK - Itik-itik, which translates to “duck,” imitates the movements of the itik
species, such as how they walk, fly and splash water. The folk dance comes
from Surigao del Sur. According to the tale of its origins, a young woman who
was considered the best dancer in the region performed Itik-itik during a
baptismal ceremony. The ceremony guests were entertained by her steps;
they copied her movements and have since passed them along.

KAPPA MALONG-MALONG - Kappa Malong-Malong is a tribal dance from the

Maranao tribes in Mindanao. The dance involves a malong, a tubular garment,
and the dancers show the versatile ways it can be worn, such as a headdress,
shawl, or skirt. Its cultural significance to the Maranao tribes is also depicted,
like how a tribesman will use the same malong from birth to death.

SINGKIL - Singkil originates from the Maranao tribes in Mindanao and translates
to “getting a leg or foot entangled in an object” or “to entangle the feet with
disturbing objects such as vines or anything in your path.” It was originally
performed by a solo female dancer accompanied by the beating of bamboo
poles.

The lead dancer is typically propped by a fan or scarf as she graciously in and
out of the crisscrossed bamboo poles. According to stories, Singkil was based
on Darangen, a pre-Islamic Maranao interpretation of the ancient Hindu Indian
epic Ramayana, and was traditionally danced by maidens who wish to attract
suitors.

LA JOTA MONCADEÑA - La Jota Moncadeña, or Jota Florana to the people from

Moncada, Tarlac, is the Filipino adaptation of Jota, a traditional courtship
dance from Aragon, Spain. La Jota Moncadeña combines Spanish and Ilocano
dance steps accompanied by castanets and traditional Spanish music. It is
performed at special celebrations, and a solemn version of the dance is
performed at funeral processions.

SURTIDO - Surtido, or Surtido Cebuano, is a square dance from Bantayan, Cebu,

with Spanish, Mexican, and French influence. The folk dance means
“assortment,” where the costados perform in different quadrille formations led
by the cabeceras.

PANTOMINA - Pantomina is a traditional courtship dance performed by

newlyweds during wedding feasts in Bicol. Wedding guests customarily throw
coins or place cash on a plate placed on the ground as the couple dance. The
regional folk dance mimics the dance of the doves using courting movements.
It was first featured by Francisca Reyes-Aquino, the Mother of Philippine
Dancing, in her research in 1926.

BINASUAN - Binasuan is a folk dance from Pangasinan where the dancers

balance drinking glasses on their heads and hands, similar to Pandanggo sa
Ilaw. Binasuan is among the most challenging Philippine folk dances because
the drinking glasses are filled with rice wine. The dance is typically performed
at weddings and festivals, sometimes as a competition between dancers who
can balance the rice wine-filled glasses.

Supporting and promoting Philippine folk dances are crucial to keep their
relevance for future generations. These forms of entertainment have deep
cultural, historical, and religious roots that reflect the traditions of a region or a
country. It’s important to appreciate and recognize these folk dances as it
gives the current society a way to look back and learn more about their
cultural identity.