GENERAL

CLASSIFICATIONS OF
PHILIPPINE FOLK
DANCES
Joseph Lobo, LPT, EdD (on-going), MRIEdr, SMRIKin
Physical Education Department
Institute of Education, Arts and Sciences
 QUESTION:

What is a Folk Dance?

FOLK DANCE
• It is the oldest form of dance and the earliest
form of communication.
• The traditional dance of a given country which
evolved naturally and spontaneously with
everyday activities.
• It is handed down from generation to generation.
• It has more or less a fixed movement in their
pattern, but may differ in various areas or
provinces.
• Folk dancing is the heartbeat of the people.
 QUESTION:
What are the types of
Folk Dance?
TYPES OF FOLK DANCE

• NATIONAL – Traditional dances of a

given country.

• REGIONAL – Local dances.

• CHARACTER – created by local

individuals or group.
 QUESTION:
Cite some characteristics of
Philippine Folk Dance.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF PHILIPPINE FOLK
DANCES
• In general, dancers stand apart.
• There is little, if any, bodily contact.
• Most of the dances are done by pairs or couples.
• Hand movements play an important part.
• Most dances are in long formation.
• Most dances begin and end with “saludo.”
• Dances from the lowlands have more foreign
elements those found in the uplands.
• War dances are found among non-Christian
tribes.
CLASSIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE
DANCES
General and Special Classification of Philippine Folk Dances
 GENERAL
CLASSIFICATION
Geographical Locations | Nature of Dance | Movements | Formation
GEOGRAPHICAL
LOCATIONS/GEOGRAPHICAL
EXTENT OF ORIGIN

National Dances – traditional dances throughout the

Philippines with a common basic movement or pattern but with
slight variations.

Example:
Carinosa Kuratsa Balitaw
Rigodon Pandango Surtido
GEOGRAPHICAL
LOCATIONS/GEOGRAPHICAL
EXTENT OF ORIGIN

Local or Regional Dances – dances found in

certain localities or regions only.

Example:
Alcamfor (Leyte)
Maglalatik (San Pablo, Laguna)
Basulto (Pampanga)
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
Pagtatanim Paggapas Paggiik
Paglulugas Paghangin Pagbabayo
Pabirik – depicts the different stages of gold panning.
Mananguete – tuba gatherer.
NATURE OF DANCE
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 a child, give thanks
for having recovered from sickness, favors granted and vows
fulfilled.

Examples:
Obando Dugso Sinurog
NATURE OF DANCE
Courtship Dances - dances that depict love-
making or the love theme.

Examples:
Rogelia
Lulay
Hele-Hele Bago Quiere
NATURE OF DANCE
Wedding Dances- performed by newlyweds, 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 side)
Soryano (dance by the parents of the future groom, the
visit of the parents of the bride)
NATURE OF DANCE
Festival Dances - performed in connection with
celebrations, a feast, a barrio fiesta, good harvest and good
fortune.

Examples:
Kuratsa
La Jota
Putong
NATURE OF DANCE
War Dances - intended to show imaginary combat or
duel with the use of fighting implement like bolo, kris or
spear.

Example:
Inabaknon
Sagayan
NATURE OF DANCE
Comic Dances - dances with funny and humorous
movement mainly intended for entertainment.

Example:
Makonggo (movements of a monkey)
Kinoton (movements of person bitten by ants)
NATURE OF DANCE
Game Dances - dances that have some play
elements and are for recreational purposes.

Example:
Lubi-Lubi
Gayong-gayong
Pabo
NATURE OF DANCE
Social Dances - dances performed during social
gathering.

Example:
Rigodon
Lanceros
MOVEMENTS
Active - with fast energetic movements.
Examples:
Tinikling Maglalatik
Sakuting Polkabal
MOVEMENTS
Moderate
Examples:
Cariñosa Tagala
Habanera Purpuri
MOVEMENTS
Slow
Examples:
Pasakat Amorosa
Tiliday Kundiman
MOVEMENTS
Slow and Fast
Examples:
Putritos
Ba-Ingles
Habanera Botoleña
Alcamfor
FORMATION
Square or Quadrille
Examples:
Rigodon Los Bailes de Ayer
FORMATION
Long formation (two or more
parallel lines)

Examples:
Lulay Sakuting
FORMATION
Set- consisting of two or more pairs as a unit, partners
facing each other or standing side by side.

Examples:
Binadyong Haplik
Kakawati
SPECIAL CLASSIFICATION
DANCES WITH SONGS
Examples:
Aburaray
Manang Biday
Lulay
Rogelia
Lawiswis Kawayan
OLD BALLROOM
DANCES
Examples:
Polka
Mazurka Chotis
Valse
DANCES WITH
IMPLEMENTS
Examples:
Maglalatik
Sakuting
Jota Moncadeña
Tinikling
Salakot
DANCES OF COMBINED
RHYTHM
Examples:
Surtido
Pantomina
Los Bailes de Ayer
 -END OF THE MODULE-
Prepared by
Joseph Lobo, LPT, EdD (on-going), MRIEdr, SMRIKin
Physical Education Department
Institute of Education, Arts and Sciences