Philippine

Folk
Dances
Lecture Objectives
Introduction of the Philippine Folk
01 Dances

Identifying the Classification of

02 Philippine Folk Dance

Examples of different Philippine Folk

03 Dance
Philippine Folk Dance
Introduction
Philippine folk dances incorporate influences from
immigrants and conquerors and at the same time
maintaining distincly Filipino roots. Philippine folk
dancing is a true reflection of daily life in the past
centuries while enchanting modern audiences at the
same time.

There is no exact date as to when dancing became part of

our lives in the Philippines. The dances were performed
during festivals and remembrances of past military
victories, and are still performed during celebrations of
birth and weddings in modern times. Many modern folk
dance festivals still feature ancient dances performed in
colorful costumes used during the tribal period of the
Philippines.
Classification
of Philippine
Folk Dance
 Classification of
Philippine Folk Dance
During the Spanish period, dancing played an important part in the
social activities of the Filipinos. Kumintang, a pantomimed song and
dance was the oldest recorded activity among the Christianized
Filipinos. The Spaniards introduced different dances such as
Fandangos, Lanceros Rigodon, Carinosa and Curacha. Western cultures
and dances of other European countries which later became out
traditional folk dances.

Nowadays, folk dancing is increasing in popularity. There are numerous

fascinating Philippine dances which have already been documented and
performed not only in schools but also by various dance troupes well
organized by Mrs. Tolentino. The UP Folk Song and dances have
performed and showed their prowess in several towns and provinces
nearby Manila.
Maria Clara Dance
The Maria Clara dances merged Spanish court style (and its
stylized courtship conventions) with Philippine exuberance.
Maria Clara is the pure and noble heroine of a novel who
represents the finest qualities of Filipino womanhood. The
dancers wear European 16th-century dress but move to the
sounds of bamboo castanets.

Maria Clara's character represents the oppression and

struggles faced by Filipino women during Spanish colonial
rule. She serves as a symbol of the consequences of the
societal and political issues explored in "Noli Me Tangere"
and highlights the effects of the abusive power of the friars
on individual lives.
Cordillera Dance
This category includes dances that are performed in rural
communities across the country. These dances often
incorporate elements of daily life, such as farming and
fishing, and feature simple, and lively movements. Spanish-
influenced dances: The Spanish colonizers influenced many
aspects of Philippine culture, including dance. The dances in
this category are often performed during fiestas and other
celebrations, and they feature a mix of indigenous and
Spanish movement styles. Examples include the jota,
fandango, and rigodon.
Muslim Dance
This category includes dances that are performed in rural
communities across the country. These dances often incorporate
elements of daily life, such as farming and fishing, and feature
simple, and lively movements. Spanish-influenced dances: The
Spanish colonizers influenced many aspects of Philippine
culture, including dance. The dances in this category are often
performed during fiestas and other celebrations, and they
feature a mix of indigenous and Spanish movement styles.
Examples include the jota, fandango, and rigodon.
 Rural Dance
The category "Muslim dance" is commonly used in Philippine
folk dance circles, but only recently is it being addressed as
problematic. It provides a convenient but misleading umbrella
term for most of the dances found in the south of the
Philippines, practiced by communities whose religion is
predominantly Muslim. However, ironically, there can be no
such thing as "Muslim dance" because, aside from Sufism,
dancing is not traditionally permitted in the religion of Islam.
This, then, raises the questions why the term "Muslim dance" is
used at all and what are the implications and problems
surrounding its use
 Rural Dance
The category "Muslim dance" is commonly used in Philippine
folk dance circles, but only recently is it being addressed as
problematic. It provides a convenient but misleading umbrella
term for most of the dances found in the south of the
Philippines, practiced by communities whose religion is
predominantly Muslim. However, ironically, there can be no
such thing as "Muslim dance" because, aside from Sufism,
dancing is not traditionally permitted in the religion of Islam.
This, then, raises the questions why the term "Muslim dance" is
used at all and what are the implications and problems
surrounding its use
 Tribal Dance
Tribal dance refers to traditional dances performed by indigenous
peoples or tribes as part of their cultural rituals, celebrations, or
ceremonies. These dances often reflect the beliefs, customs, and values of
the specific tribe or community.

Tribes such as the T'boli, Bilaan, Manobo, Bagobo, and other groups
inhabit the vast regions of Mindanao. Like their Northern Luzon
counterparts, these groups honor pagan gods for the fruits and trials of
daily life. What distinguishes them from other tribes in the Philippines is
their intricate craftsmanship in metal, clothing, and jewelry. These tribes
pride themselves in their concept of beauty and are known for creating
colorful sets of jewelry and clothing out of dyed pineapple and banana
fibers with are showcased in their traditional dances.
 Examples of Philippine folk dance
Maria Clara Muslim Dance
01 03
Aray Dance Malong - Malong

Cordillera Dance Rural Dance

02 04
Kalinga Tinikling

Tribal Dance
05 Pagdiwata
The Aray Dance

A Visayan favorite, dancers show sprightly steps

accompanied by a song sung naughtily.
Bailes de Antano

A lively ballroom dance of two señoritas trying to

lure their handsome caballeros.
The Banga Salisid Dance
“Banga Salidsid” is a Kalinga (Igorot) cultural dance, a
beautiful and most interesting performance by Kalinga
girls and women. This dance has also been rightfully
called “The balancing act of life” because life is full of
hardships and challenges. “Banga" literally mean pots.
This dance illustrate the languid grace of a tribe
otherwise known as fierce warriors. Heavy earthen pots,
as many as seven or eight at a time, are balanced on the
heads of maidens as they trudge to the beat of the
"gangsa" or wind chimes displaying their stamina and
strength as they go about their daily task of fetching
water and balancing the banga.
The Kappa Malong - Malong Dance
The Kappa Malong – Malong is a Muslim – influenced dance. The sarong is
a pantubong costume, and dance is essentially shows the many ways that
you can get tired. There are also versions of the men’s and women dance
because they wear malongs in different ways.
Kappa Malong-malong, also called Sambi sa Malong, is a dance that
originates from the Maranao tribes of Mindanao in the Philippines. The
dance shows the many ways of wear-ing a ‘malong’, a simple tubular yet
highly-functional piece of cloth

The malong is a traditional “tube skirt” made of hand-woven (and

sometimes machine-made) multi-colored cotton cloth, bearing a variety of
geometric or ‘okir’ designs – a term used for geometric and flowing de-
signs. The malong is akin to the ‘sarong’ worn by peo-ples of Malaysia,
Brunei Darrusalam and Indonesia. The malong is traditionally used as a
garment by numerous other tribes in the Southern Philippines and the
smaller Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines.
 The Tinikling Dance
Tinikling is a traditional folk dance in the Philippines that has risen in popularity in the US
and Canada for its culturally unique dance and ensemble. You probably have seen a few viral
videos online with modern versions of the dance. It involves two people handling a beating
bamboo pole on the ground with specific rhythm patterns while one or more dancers in the
middle avoid the poles while dancing. Dance movements are generally hopping, jumping, and
turning with more variations and styles being developed today.
 The Pagdiwata Dance
Tagbanua
A crystallized presentation of an ancient nine-day ritual of thanksgiving among the
Tagbanuas of Palawan for a rice harvest focused on the babavlan or priestess and her
ministrations.
Thank your
for listening!