Life of Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula

Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula was born on June 29, 1929 in Ilo-ilo

city. Her parents are Leon Reyes and Antonia Faustino. Their
family moved frequently due to the demands of her father’s
military career. She was married to Dalmacio Urtula and had
three children with him. She earned her Bachelor of Science
degree physical education at the Philippine Women’s
University. She also studied at the University of California and
San Francisco State College because she followed courses ballet
and modern dance. She spent four decades in discovering and
studying the Philippine folk and ethnic dances. She is the
founding dance director of Bayanihan Philippine National Folk
Dance Company. Lucrecia is not just a director but also a
choreographer, teacher, author, and a researcher. She was named
National Artist for Dance in 1988. Lucrecia died on August 4,
1999 at the age of 70 years old.

Contributions of Lucrecia reyes- urtula

Lucrecia have wrote several books. Philippine National

Dances (1946), Gymnastics for Girls (1947), Fundamental
Dance Steps and Music (1948), Foreign Folk Dances (1949),
Dances for all Occasion (1950), Playground Demonstration
(1951), and Philippine Folk Dances Vol. I to VI. PWU
Philippine Delegation of Dancers and Musicians participated in
the International Festival of Dance and Music from Dec 25,
1954 up to Jan 7, 1955.
Her major works are Singkil, which exhibits the dance of the
slave, dance of warrior, and the dance of the Muslim princess.
Vinta, a dance to honor the Filipino sailing prowess. A tale of
tribal conflict which is called ‘Tagabili’. And a mountain
wedding dance called ‘Salidsid’. Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula’s
greatest Contribution is the discovery of Phillipine folk and
ethnic dances.
Analysis of her technique, elements and principles

The technique used in Singkil that I have noticed, is that the female
dancer gracefully steps in and out of the bamboo that are arranged on the
floor in criss-cross position. The element are the slave, the warrior, and
the Muslim princess who dance to convey a story. The slaves dance with
fan, and the dancing Muslim princess has someone at her back holding an
umbrella. The musical instruments used in this dance form are the
kotiyapi i.e. bamboo guitar, insi i.e. bamboo flute, kobing i.e. harp, and
tintikan i.e. metal sticks.

Lucrecia

reyes-

urtula
National artist for dance, 1988