Module III: Folk Dance

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this module, the students should be able to:

1. Define and explain the meaning of Folkdance.

2. Appreciate the value and benefits of dance to every individual.
3. Perform actively the basic fundamentals in Folk dancing and Basic steps of a Folk Dance.
4. Discuss intelligently the Characteristics and Classifications of Philippine folk Dances.
5. Arouse better appreciation of Philippine music and folk dances.

PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

Definition:

 Folkdances are traditional dances of a country which are evolved naturally and
spontaneously in connection with everyday activities and experiences of the people
who developed them.

 Folk Dance is a dance which intimate bond of customs, ideas, and traditions of the
past through which a multitude of national characteristics in music, steps, customs,
and costumes are preserved.

 A traditional dance transmitted from generation to generation.

 Folk Dancing is the heartbeat of the people.

 Folk dances are traditional social expression of ideas, feelings and thoughts of the
people or group of people through body movement.
 Dancing is the outburst of people’s feelings.
Characteristics of Philippine Folk Dances:

1. In general, dancers stand apart.

2. There is little, if any bodily contact.
3. Most of the dancers are done by pairs or doubles.
4. Hand movement played an important part.
5. Most dances are in long formation.
6. Most dances begin with end with “SALUDO”.
7. Dancers from the lowlands have more foreign elements than those found in the
uplands.
8. War dances are found among non-Christian tribes.

MAJOR CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO GROUPS

The Philippines is composed of more than 7,000 islands with diversified type of people and
cultures. Filipinos are musically inclined that every corner of the island showcase is tradition
embedded with traditional dancing. What we call Philippine Dance a classified according to
groups:

1. Dances of the Cordillera Groups.

2. Colonial influenced Philippine Dances.
3. Dances of the Muslim Groups.
4. Dances oft e tribal Indigenous Groups.
5. Dances of the country side.

CLASSIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE DANCES

I. General Classification

A. Geographical extent of origin

1. National Dances- found throughout the island with little or no classification.
Examples: Rigodon, Cariñosa, Jota, Balitaw, Pandanggo

2. Local Dances- found in certain locality.

Examples: Tinikling-Leyte
Maglalatik-Binan
Subli-Batangas
Biniganbigat-Abra
B. Nature
1. Occupational - Depicting action of certain occupation, industry,
Or human labor
Examples: - Pasiguin , Regatones, Pandango sa Bulig,
Mananguete, Pabirik., Kin-naras & etc.

2. Religious or - Performed in connection with religious vows

and ceremonies.
ceremonial

Examples: - Dugsu, Sua-sua, Subli, Sayaw sa Obando, Sala Te

Mais
3. Comic dances - Depicting funny movements for dance
entertainment.
Examples: -Kinbo-kinbo, Makonggo, Kinoton
4. Game Dances - With play elements (dance mixers)

5. Wedding Dances - Performed during wedding feast.

Examples: - Pantomina, Habanera Botolena

6. Courtship Dances - Depicting love-making

Examples: - La Jota Moncadena, Carinosa, Kuratsa

7. Festival dances - Suitable for special occasion or any social

gatherings
Examples: - Pandanggos, Karatong,

8. War Dances - Showing imaginary combat or duel

Examples: - Sagayan, Palu-palo, Maglalatik, etc.

9. Imitative Dances - dances mimicking the movements of any animals

Examples - Lapay Bantigue, Arigay, Kalapati.

C. Movements

1. Active - With fast energetic movements

Examples Tinikling, Maglalatik, Sakuting, Polkabal, etc.

2. Moderate
Examples Cariñosa, Tagala, Habanera, Paupuri, etc.

3. Slow
Examples Pasakot, Amorosa, Tiliday, Kundiman
 4. Slow and Fast
Examples Putritos, ba-Ingles, Habanera Botolena, Alcamfor

D. Formations

1. Square or quadrille
Examples Rigodon, Los Bailes de Ayer, etc.

2. Long Formation (two or more parallel lines)

Examples Lulay, Sakuting

3. Set Consisting of two or more pair as a unit partners

facing each other or standing side by side.
Examples Enganosa Polka Espanola, Haplik, Kakaoati, Etc.

II. Special Classification - group dances having special distinctive features

A. Dances with songs

Examples Abaroray, Manang Biday, Tinikling, etc.

B. Old Ballroom Dances

Examples Polka, Mazurka, Chotis, Valse, etc.

C. Dances with Implements

Examples Maglalatik, Sakuting, Jota Mocadena, Tinikling,
Salakot, Binasuan