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Francisca R. Aquino
CPAR - NATIONAL ARTIST FOR DANCE (1973)
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Francisca R. Aquino
The legendary "Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing"
Born in Lolomboy, Bocaue, Bulacan, on March 9, 1899
Eldest of the three children of Felipe Reyes and Juliana
Santos
Obtained her High School Teacher's Certificate in 1923
and her Bachelor of Science in Education degree in
1924 from the University of the Philippines.
In 1934, she married Professor Ramon P. Tolentino, Jr.
but he died in 1939
They had a daughter, Cecilia Tolentino
In 1946, she married Serafin Aquino, secretary-
treasurer of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation
Francisca Reyes-Aquino died on November 21, 1983
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Her works
She was a Filipino folk dancer and academic noted for her research on Philippine folk dance.

Dances that Aquino taught:

Alahoy Binadyong Lubi-Lubi Polka sa Nayon
Apat Apat Himig Sa Nayon Maglalatik Tiklos
Ba-Ingles Kalapati, Manang Biday Tinikling
Basulto

Her books include the following:

Philippine Folk Dance and Games (1927)
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)
Philippine Folk Dances, Volumes I to VI.
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Her contributions to our country

She traveled the In her researches, She organized the

Philippines to collect and Aquino was able to Filipiniana Folk Dance
record the country's songs, gather about 50 Troupe which performed
dances, music, costumes, basic steps and 200 for servicemen as a part
musical instruments, folk dances of of the United States Army
customs, and formed various modes and Special Services for seven
various dance troupes. colors. months in 1945.

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Her contributions to our country

She organized the Aquino organized the Aside from doing

bureau’s Folk Song Philippine Folk Dance field researches,
and Dance Club which Society, a non-profit cultural Aquino also
was composed of organization, and once wrote books, 15
public school teachers served as consultant to the in all, and various
and high school world-famous Bayanihan articles on folk
students serving as its Dance Company. dances.
adviser.

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Her awards
For her great effort in researching and popularizing Philippine folk dances, she received the
following honors:

An honorary doctor of science in physical education degree from Boston University in 1949
The Republic of the Philippines award of merit "for outstanding contribution toward the
advancement of Filipino culture" in 1954
An honorary doctor of humanities degree from Far Eastern University
A certificate of award from the UNESCO National Commission
A presidential citation for distinguished service to the 10th World Jamboree from the Boy
Scouts of the Philippines in 1959
The Rizal Pro Patria Award in 1961
Ramon Magsaysay Award for government service in 1962
The National Artist Award, which was conferred on her on June 12, 1973
Karangalang Plaridel, given by the provincial government of Bulacan in 1974
A certificate of recognition from the YWCA of Brooklyn, New York 06
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Francisca R. Aquino
Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing
(MARCH 9, 1899 – NOVEMBER 21, 1983)

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

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