Module 3

Physical Education 2 – Folk Dances found here in the Philippines.

Prepared by: Michaela V. Lozada

Traditional Folk Dances of the Philippines

Introduction:

The Philippines has many popular folk dances which have evolved and
changed as they have been passed down from generation to generation.
Although a particular dance might be performed slightly differently from one region to the next, its remains true
to its roots.

Philippine dance has played a tremendous role in Filipino culture. From one of the oldest dated dances called
the Tinikling, to other folkloric dances such as the Pandanggo, Cariñosa, and Subli, and even to more modern-
day dances like the ballet, it is no doubt that dance in the Philippine setting has integrated itself in society over
the course of many years and is significantly imbedded in culture. Each of these dances originated in a unique
way and serve a certain purpose, showcasing how diverse Philippine dances are.

ORIGIN OF THE DANCE IN THE PHILIPPINES ACCORDING TO THE FILIPINO LEGEND

According to Philippine legend, the first man and the first woman went
up to the hill to make their first home. They begot many children and later
became the ancestors of diverse tribes.

Several beliefs influenced their way of life. When death struck, when lightning flashed in the sky, and when
thunder rumbled, the tribes were struck with fear. They thought that the gods were angry. To placate their
deities, they offered sacrificial rites by way of fire and smoke in the beliefs that smoke from the fires they
kindled carried their invocation heavenwards.

When illness and pestilence befell the tribes, the people wailed and chanted and danced long into night, so
that the evil spell might be broken. When the earth caked from drought, they performed dance of propitiation so
that the divine entities might take pity on the and send rain to their parched fields. And when the rains came
and drenched the soil to assure a bountiful harvest, these children of the gods danced in the moonlight in joy
and thanksgiving.

In the acts of imploring, conciliating and giving thanks to the gods, the people these islands created a dance to
live forever in themselves, in their children and their children’s children.

FOLK DANCE DEFINITIONS

 The traditional recreational dance of an indigenous society showing the cultural characteristics of a
specific people at given time and place.
 Traditional, special expression through movements with rhythmic accompaniment which are
characteristics of the community life of the people of different nationalities.
 The vivid intimate bond of customs, ideals, and traditions of the past through which a multitude of
national characteristics in music, steps, and costumes are preserve.
  A dance developed spontaneously by a specific folk, usually handed down from generation to
generation a fixed basic patterns.

ETNIC DANCES
The ethnic dances of the Philippines are classified into two major categories:
 The dances of the Non-Christian Filipinos
a) Dances of the traditionalist or pagan groups
b) Dances of Muslim groups

Dances of the Aetas or Negritoes

 They are focused on the feet
 The arm movements are simple and free
 Dances are:
1. rituals
2. flirtation
3. courtship
4. game dances
5. animal dances
6. duel or war dances

Dances of the Muslims

 Have cultural influences from Hindu, Japaneses, Chinese, and Arab-persian civilizations
 Are oriental, exotic and stylized
 The musical instruments are agongs, kulingtangan, bamboo xylophones and drums.

THE PHILIPPINE DANCE

Dance in the Philippines influences the diversity of our cultural beginning and the
drama of our everyday lives. It blends the exotic customs and cultures of many
countries and races- Indonesian, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Spanish, and American.

Filipinos posses natural grace an inborn love for music and dance. Dancing is
considered a religious activity among them. They dance at many occasions – birth,
love, courtship, thanksgiving, wedding, war, victory, marriage, planting, and
harvesting, prosperous voyage, recovery from sickness and to heal the sick.

In places where life is easy, the dances are gay and frolicsome. Dances in places
where life is hard are sad, slow and even mournful.

Filipinos are also lovers of rituals as shown in ceremonial dances during town fiestas, Christmas, Easter, Ash
Wednesdays. There are dances performed by the priests and priestesses in the thanksgiving for a plentiful
harvest, a victorious battle, a prosperous voyage or recovery from sickness, to drive away evil spirits an in
invoking their gods and anitos.

THE PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES ARE CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO:

1. GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS

 National Dances – traditional dances throughout the Philippines with a common basic movements or
pattern but with slight variations.
Examples:
  Carinosa - Cariñosa (Spanish pronunciation: [kaɾiˈɲosa], meaning the loving or affectionate) is a
Philippine dance of colonial era origin from the Maria Clara suite of Philippine folk dances, where
the fan or handkerchief plays an instrumental role as it places the couple in romance scenario.
 Kuratsa - Kuratsa is one of the traditional dances in Leyte and Samar province. It is widely danced
especially during fiesta, family reunions, and weddings. It is referred to as a
courtship dance where dancers imitate courtship movements of rooster and a hen in a creative
way.
 Balitaw - The balitaw is an extemporaneous exchange of love verses between a man and a
woman. Danced and mimed, it is accompanied by a song, or the dancers themselves sing,
improvising the steps and verses. ... The dancers may be costumed in balintawak or patadyong or
in contemporary everyday clothes.
 Rigodon - The rigodon originated as a Baroque folk dance in southern France. The rigodon
dance features couples moving in a lively pace to an upbeat duple meter. Here the term upbeat
refers to the unaccented beat occurring prior to the first beat of a measure.

 Local or Regional Dances – dances found in certain localities or regions only.

Example:
 Basulto (Pampanga) - Basulto is a love song in satirical form. The dance is usually performed with the
accompaniment of the song. One verse of the song is sung, then a figure of the dance is performed.
The singing and dancing are done alternately.
 Maglalatik (San Pablo, Laguna) - The Maglalatik (also known as Manlalatik or Magbabao) is an
indigenous dance from the Philippines. ... The dancers perform the dance by hitting one coconut shell
with the other; sometimes the ones on the hands, the ones on the body, or the shells worn by another
performer, all in time to a fast drumbeat. The Maglalatik (also known as Manlalatik or Magbabao) is an
indigenous dance from the Philippines. Coconut shell halves are secured onto the dancers' hands and
on vests upon which are hung four or six more coconut shell halves. The dancers perform the dance by
hitting one coconut shell with the other; sometimes the ones on the hands, the ones on the body, or the
shells worn by another performer, all in time to a fast drumbeat.
Like many native Filipino dances, it is intended to impress the viewer with the great skill of the dancer,
and in some "Filipino Martial Arts" (FMA) circles, it has been noted that the Maglalatik "consists of a
trapping and boxing method hidden in a dance."The name of the dance means "latik-maker", from latik,
a coconut product that is used in Filipino cooking.

2. NATURE OF THE DANCE

 Occupational Dances – dances that depict actions, characteristics, occupations, industries, and
phases of human labor.

Examples: Rice festival – the largest number of dances.

Pabirik – depicts the different stages of gold planning
Managuete – tuba gatherer
 Religious or Ceremonial Dances- performed in connection with religious vows, practices, and
ceremonies. A religious dance may be performed to drive away evil spirits, ask for a favor to have child,
give thanks for having recovered from sickness, favors granted and vows fulfilled.

Example:
 Obando - The Obando Fertility Dance is a festival where couples who hope to be blessed by children
perform street dances in a long procession. ... The Fertility Dance of Obando has been part of tradition
even before the Spanish conquest of the Philippines. The Obando Fertility Rites are a dance ritual,
initially an Anitist ritual, and later also became a Catholic festival celebrated every May in Obando,
Bulacan, Philippines.
 Sinurog- The Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival is an annual cultural and religious festival held on the third
Sunday of January in Cebu City, and on the fourth Sunday of January in Carmen, Cebu, and is the
centre of the Santo Niño Catholic celebrations in the Philippines.
 The festival is considered to be first and Queen of festivals in the Philippines, with every celebration of
the festival routinely attracting around 1 to 2 million people from all over the Philippines every year.
[1]
Aside from the religious aspect of the festival, Sinulog is also famous for its street parties, usually
happening at night before and at the night of the main festival.

 Courtship Dances – dances that depicts love-making or the love theme.

Examples:
 Lulay - Lulay is the name of a young girl being courted; and Ilocana Nasudi means a young, unmarried
girl
 Rogelia
 Wedding Dances – performed by newly weds, by friends and relatives of the bride and groom, or by
the father of the bride and the mother of the groom.
Examples:
Pantomina – (Bride and Groom)
Pandang-Pandang (bride and groom and friends or relatives of each other)
Soryano – (dance by the parents of the groom, the visit of the parents of the bride)

 Festival Dances – performed in connection with celebrations, a feast, a barrio fiesta, good harvest and
good fortune.

Examples:
 Kuratsa - Kuratsa is one of the traditional dances in Leyte and Samar province. It is widely danced
especially during fiesta, family reunions, and weddings. It is referred to as a
courtship dance where dancers imitate courtship movements of rooster and a hen in a creative way.
 La Jota - The Jota Moncadena is the interpretation and adaptation by the old people of Moncada,
Tarlac. Hence, the dance is named after the place from where it originated. It is a combination of
Spanish and Ilocano dance steps and music. The use of bamboo castanets makes the dance lively,
gay and delightful.

 War Dance – intended to show imaginary combat or duel with the use of fighting implement like bolo,
kris, or spear.

Example:
 Inabaknon - are intended to show imaginary combat or duel with the use fighting implements like bolo
or spear. Dances with funny and humorous movements mainly intended for entertainment.
 Sagayan - Sagayan is an “Extremely dramatic” dance form belonging to Southeast Asia. This “war”
dance is said to have originated in Philippines, and is mainly performed by the Maguindanao and
Maranao community. Apparently, this dance is performed to honour the Maguindanao and the Maranao
communities, who were supposed to have been warriors. Furthermore, this dance comprises of
colourful costumes, and is performed mainly during the annual Sagayan festival.

 Comic Dances – dances with funny and humorous movements mainly intended for entertainment.

Examples:
 Makonggo – movement of the monkey
 Kinoton - movements of bitten by ants

 Game Dances- dances that have some play elemets and are for recreational purposes.
Examples:
 Lubi-Lubi - "Lubi-lubi" is a Bikol dance, a combination of simple folk and social steps. (Literally, "lubi"
means coconut. ... In the Bikol regions, whenever there is ballroom dancing the "lubi-lubi" is often
introduced to break the monotony. It is also popular in Albay and Sorsogon
 Gayong-gayong - Gayong-gayong is a Muslim dance. In it a rural gatherings, this dance offers much
fun. Gayong is a pet name for Leodegario.
  Pabo - This dance game from the tagalog regions is good to introduce in a social gathering where the
members are not acquainted with each other. ... The dance is called Pabo because the odd dancer at
the center of the circle struts around like a turkey as he looks for a desirable partner.

 Social Dances – dances performed during social gathering

Examples:
 Rigodon - The rigodon originated as a Baroque folk dance in southern France. The rigodon
dance features couples moving in a lively pace to an upbeat duple meter. Here the term upbeat refers
to the unaccented beat occurring prior to the first beat of a measure.
 Lanceros - Lanceros de Tayabas is a Quezon provincial folk dance that refers its name from the
chivalrous knights and lanciers of King Arthur's court. The dance was performed in grand ballrooms of
majestic palaces where noble gentlemen escorted graceful ladies.

GROUP CLASSIFICATIONS OF DANCES FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES

1. Dances of Cordillera Groups –

 BIBAKIIG – acronym for Bontocs, Ifugaos, Benguets, Apayai, Kalinga, Itneg, Ilonggot, and Gaddang.
 PESHITS AND KANYAO – occasions for the presentation of Cordillera dances.
Classification: ceremonial. Courtship, war, festival, imitative in nature.
Some of the dances:

 Takik - flirtation, love or wedding, dance from western Bontoc

 Pattong – danced by one or two warriors
 Dinuyya- from lagawe Ifugao, it is a dance festival performed by men and women during a major feast
 Bendian – Victory dance
 Turayen – a dance imitating a high flying bird
 Takiling – victory dance performed after a head-hunting spree.

2. Dances of the Mindanao groups

– dances have touches Of Hindu, Javanese, Chinese, and Arab-Persian culture.

Some of the dances :

 Kakulangan – among Maranao, is danced with the use of a beautifully decorated umbrella
 Sagayan- is a war dance which dramatizes the hero-warrior prince.
 Asik – is a doll dance for girls
 Pang-alay- from Jolo, Sulu, portrays the varied life activities of the people.
 Maglanka – is dance class of noble Samal women
 Pindulas – Depicts the movements of the fish
 Binanog – is a Manobo hawk dance.

3. Spanish/European/Western Influenced Dances

– the westernization culture brought changes in the style of dancing among Filipinos. Introduction of
pandango, Habanera, Jota, Valse

Some of the dances includes: Habanera Botolena - is a dance of married couples in Botolan, Zambales.
Pandango Rinconada - is a festival dance from the province of bicol depicting
the happy and contented life of the people.
4. Dances of Countryside
 If there were dances for the so-called “bourgoise” during the Spanish period, there were also dances for
the poor, farmers, and people in the rural areas.
 Dances were light and more informal.
 Frequently, the dances requires skills and character that depicts their kind of work
 Some of the dances are:
  Binasuan – is a dance that requires a balancing skills with glass of wine.
 Bati – is a adance performed during Easter Sunday
 Gayong-Gayong – is a a game dance

5. Dances of the Less-known Groups

 Kadal Blelah is a Tiboli dance with mythical bindings imitative of the movements of the birds
 Karasaguyon is a courtship dance – is a courtship dance
 Kadal Tajo – a dance that depicts the movements of the bird in the middle of the forest.

BENEFITS OF DANCING

1. FITNESS – dancing is one of the versatile and satisfying activities one can participate in as a form of
expression, recreation, or form of exercise to develop fitness.

2. JOY AND SATISFACTION – The physical well-being of a person who participates in improved.

3.GRACE AND COORDINATION – It improves response to rhythmic patterns. Constant participation in dance
activities will improve one’s neuromuscular coordination and help one’s acquisition of grace.

4. SELF-EXPRESSION – It develops poise and good posture.

Summary:

Folk dance is very important. It is our ancestors product and we must be proud of it. We shouldn’t be ashamed
of our own treasure. The treasure that mark you being a real and proud Filipino. The dances that have been
discussed prove to us that Filipinos are very creative and very intelligent. They used their imagination to create
an obra that can be used and passed from generation to generation. You can get many benefits in dancing. It
can make you fit, healthy and happy. If you are enjoying the things that you do, it will make you happy and
more even proud. Many dances will come in every week, months, and years but don’t forget were you came
from. Don’t forget the things that molds you being a “Pinoy” don’t be feel ashamed to show who you are, what
culture that you have, and how boring (may others say) your dance and song… the important is, you. Being the
real you make the Philippine folk dance more interesting and fun. Adult and young people should know how to
practice and give importance to folk dance. Others in today’s generation might find it boring but if you see the
hidden message of it, you will be and always be proud being a Filipino.

_______________________________
References: https://folkdance607.wordpress.com/
: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_dance
References: https://feu.instructure.com/
: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_dance
: https://dance.lovetoknow.com/List_of_Philippine_Folk_Dance
References: https://dance.lovetoknow.com/List_of_Philippine_Folk_Dance
: https://folkdance607.wordpress.com/2017/11/10/folk-dance-in-philippines/
: https://feu.instructure.com/
More details: https://prezi.com/5qigaszdwrjw/ethnic-dance/
References: https://sites.google.com/site/folkdancesofthephilippines/philippine-folk-dance/cordillera-
dance :https://cherryhoney1818.wordpress.com/2017/10/07/folk-dance-in-
mindanao/
:http://www.seasite.niu.edu/tagalog/modules/modules/Dances/dances_of_the_philippine_country.htm