Philippine

Folk Dances
An Introduction to the Culture
and Tradition of the Philippines
through Dances

Group Presentation by Group 3

Physical Education & Health 2
 History
Various racial groups that populated the Philippines
before the Spanish colonization are Indonesians,
Malays, and Pygmies.

Negritos - the offspring of Pygmies, who used

dances to describe their daily activities.

Sinulog - a dual dance performed by two men using

Bolos.

Dancing was regarded as a religious activity by the

early Filipinos.
 History
During the Spanish period, dancing played an important
part in the social activities of the Filipinos.

The first recorded activity among Christianized Filipinos

is the Kumintang, which is a pantomimed song and dance.

Dances introduced by Spaniards: Fandangos, Lanceros

Rigodon, Carinosa, and Curacha.

Western cultures and dances from other European

countries also influenced our traditional folk dances.
 Introduction to Folk dance
A traditional, communal dance that has been
handed down from generation to generation
and performed as a recreational activity.
It is also a country’s cultural dance, which
portrays the people’s ideals, mores, thoughts,
and feelings by means of body movements.
It also expresses the nation’s sentimentality
and creativity.
There are three types: national (traditional
dances of a given country), regional (local),
and character (created by a group or
individual).
 Objectives of Folk dance
1. To foster patriotism and nationalism through the study of our
dances.
2. To arouse better appreciation of Philippine music and Folk dances.
3. To provide through dancing, a healthful form of relaxation and
recreation.
4. To develop a graceful and rhythmic coordination of the body
movements that will improve posture.
5. To preserve the posterity, folk dance and music indigenous to the
different regions of the Philippines.
6. To demonstrate the growth of Filipino culture through the evolution
of the Philippine dances.
Important People in Folk dance

Francisca Reyes-Aquino Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula

Francisca Reyes-Aquino
(March 9, 1899 – November 21, 1983)

Mother of Filipino folk dance

Graduated with a BS Education
degree from the University of
the Philippines
Filipino folk dancer who devoted
her life to preserving Filipino
history by researching and
teaching folk dances
The country's first researcher on
traditional folk dances and music
Francisca Reyes-Aquino
(March 9, 1899 – November 21, 1983)

1926: "Philippine Folk Dances

and Games"
Wrote several books about
Philippine folk dance
Discovered and taught dances
such as Tinikling, Maglalatik,
Lubi-lubi, and Polka sa Nayon
through her books
Important People in Folk dance

Francisca Reyes-Aquino Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula

Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula
(June 29, 1929 – August 4, 1999)

Studied in Philippine Women’s

University
Filipino choreographer, theater
director, dance educator, author,
and researcher
Founding director of the
Bayanihan Philippine National
Folk Dance Company
Transformed folk dances into
real theater
Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula
(June 29, 1929 – August 4, 1999)

Spent almost 40 years

studying Philippine folk and
traditional dances
Her major works are Singkil,
Vinta, Tagabili, Pagdiwata,
and Salidsid
Became the National Artist
for Dance in 1988
Important People in Folk dance

Francisca Reyes-Aquino Lucrecia Reyes-Urtula

 Classification of Folk dance
A. Geographical Extent of Folk dance
National Dances Local or Regional Dances
Traditional dances Dances found in certain
throughout the Philippines localities or regions only.
with a common basic
movement or pattern but Examples:
with slight variations. Tinikling – Leyte
Maglalatik – Binyang Laguna
Examples: Cariñosa, Esperanza – Nabua
Rigodon, Jota, Balitaw, Subli – Batangas
Pandanggo Biniganbigat – Abra
 Classification of Folk dance
B. Nature of Philippine Folk dance
1. Occupational dance - is a form of art that expresses the
hardworking value of Filipinos. The theme of the folk
dance would differ depending on where they live - near
the seas, in the fields, by the mountains, etc.

Example: Panulo sa Baybayon - literally means fishing at

the sea with only the petroleum gas as light. This dance
offers wholesome enjoyment to the barrio folks of Cadiz,
Negros Occidental after na abundant catch during fine
weather.
Panulo sa Baybayon - Occupational dance
 Classification of Folk dance
B. Nature of Philippine Folk dance
2. Religious/Ceremonial dance - a folk dance
associated with religion, vows and ceremonies.

Example: Subli - originated from Bauan and

Alitagtag, Batangas. It is a ceremonial worship
dance performed in homage to the Holy Cross
referred to in the vernacular as Mahal Na Poong
Santa Cruz
Subli - Religious/Ceremonial dance
 Classification of Folk dance
B. Nature of Philippine Folk dance
3. Comic dances are dances with 4. Wedding dances are dances
amusing and funny movements being performed by newlyweds,
mainly intended for friends and relatives of the bride
entertainment. and groom, or by the father of the
bride and the mother of the
groom.
Examples: Makonggo - derived
from the Tagalog word chonggo
Examples: Kandingan -
or unggo, the dance involves the
performed at Tausog weddings in
dancer imitating a monkey.
Jolo, draws inspiration from
Indian dance forms.
Makonggo - Comic dance
Kandingan - Wedding dance
 Classification of Folkdance
B. Nature of Philippine Folkdance
5. Game dances – are dances that have someplay
elements and are performed for recreational
purposes. Most of these are dance mixers.

Example: "Lubi-lubi" is a Bikol dance which

originated in Leyte and Samar. Literally, "lubi"
means coconut. This dance is a combination of
simple folk and social steps.
Lubi-lubi - Game dance
 Classification of Folkdance
B. Nature of Philippine Folkdance

6. Courtship dances – are dances that depict

courting and flirting, with affectionate
movements.

Example: Cariñosa - The word “cariñosa” means

“having or showing affection”. It is a courtship
dance that portrays acts of flirtation between a
man and a woman.
Cariñosa - Courtship dance
 Classification of Folkdance
B. Nature of Philippine Folkdance
7. Festival dances are the kind of 8. War dances are a kind of
dances that are performed for dance intended to show
celebration, feast, festivals and imaginary combats or duels
rituals. using fighting moves like spears,
bolo, or kris.
Example: Pandanggo - is a dance
that originated from Mindoro. It Example: Palu-Palo - is a
is danced mostly for rituals and cultural performance of Ivatans
religious reasons as well as where they strike “opponent’s”
processions. sticks to reenact the battle of the
two opposing sides.
Pandanggo - Festival dance
Palu-palo - War dance
Thank you for
listening!
Group presentation by Group 3
Physical Education & Health 2