PHILIPPINE FOLKDANCE

Unit Intended
Learning Outcomes:
• At the end of this unit students will be
able to:
• Identify important details about the
nature and history of Philippine
Folkdance.
• Identify the different classifications of
folkdance.
• Perform one dance under the
classification of Philippine Folkdance.
NATURE AND HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE FOLKDANCE

Philippine Folk Dance History

• Incorporates influences from immigrants and
conquerors while at the same time maintaining
distinctly Filipino roots.
• Philippine folk dancing is a true reflection of daily
life in past centuries
Pre-Colonial Period
• Before the Spanish conquistadors conquered
and Christianized the populace, from the
earliest occupation of this volcanic
archipelago, the people danced.
• They danced to appease the gods, to curry
favor from powerful spirits, to celebrate a hunt
or harvest, to mimic the exotic life forms
around them.
 Muslim Merchants
• Muslim traders from the Malay
Archipelago reached the
Philippines in the 14th century.
• Muslim were more interested
in commerce than
colonization.
• They also created their own
folk dances in the areas where
they settled.
• Singkil is one of the most
famous.
Spanish
Colonization
• the dancers adapted
imposed Christian belief and
culture to their own dances.
• borrowing court
choreography but
imbuing it with
Philippine spirit
• The Maria Clara dances
merged Spanish court style
(and its stylized courtship
conventions) with Philippine
exuberance.
 Folkloric Fusion

• The revered folk dances from

the lowlands and the hill tribes
persist in their traditional form
and in contemporary
choreography for Philippine
ballet companies.
• Dance is still the theater of
identity for the Filipino people,
a vibrant and cherished way to
tell their story forward with all
the rich history of their past.
Importance of Folkdance to
the Filipino Culture
• Need to preserve the joyful tunes we've
inherited from our ancestors and to pass
them on to others.
• It is all about preserving history and
tradition.
• People think folk dances are important
because they help keep a culture alive.
• Folk dances are important because they
preserve the Philippine culture and pass
it on to the next generation. They are a
uniting force to the Philippine people.
 Value
Philippine folk dance
helps keep the people
connected to their
ancestry and their
traditions. Folk dance
helps to preserve the
cultural unity of the
people.
5 Major Classifications of Philippine
Folkdance
• Cordillera Dances
• Spanish Influenced Dances
• Muslim Dances
• Tribal Dances
• Rural Dances
Cordillera Dances
• The mountainous Central Cordillera region of Northern Luzon is
also known by the term "Philippine Skyland”
• These dances reflect rituals which celebrate their daily lives- a
good harvest, health, peace, war, and other symbols of living.
• Inhabiting this rugged terrain are six ethno-linguistic tribes
known as the Ibaloy, Kankanay, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, and
Bontoc.
• Cordillera dances are accompanied with gongs and gangsa
GONGS GANGSA
 Spanish
Influenced Dance

• Nearly 400 years of Spanish rule left an

unremovable mark on the Philippines. Spain
brought with them all aspects of their culture to the
Islands. This includes the Catholic faith, clothing,
and dance.
• Philippine aristocrats created Filipino adaptations
of European dance. These includes jotas,
fandangos, mazurkas, and waltzes that were
danced by young socialites to the stringed music of
the rondalla.
• Dances reflects Christianity, and European art and
culture.
Muslim Dances
• Influenced by Malay, Javanese &
Middle Eastern Traders (Islam).
• Known for their mysticism, royalty,
and beauty which are evident in their
music and dances.
• Uses intricate hand & arm
movement.
• Uses shimmering costumes
• Muslim dances are accompanied by
the agong and kulintang
KULINTANG AGONG
Tribal Dances (mga katutubong sayaw)
• Ethnic minorities found in different parts of
the Philippines (T’boli, Bilaan, Manobo,
Bagobo, etc)
Intricate craftmanship in metal, clothings, and
jewelry.
• Reflects rituals and animals belief in “spirits”
& shamans, nature- “anito”
• 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.
• Dancers makes animal sounds, human
singing and uses indigenous materials.
 Rural Dances
• Depicts common work, daily activities of
the peasants.
• Reflects the simple life of the people in the
barrio
• Shows gaiety& laughter, festivities
• Perfomed in fiestas to honor patron saints
• Give homage to the barrio’s namesake for
a good harvest, health, and perseverance.
• Accompanied by Indigenous materials,
clapping, rondalla, percussion
instruments.
QUESTIONS AND
CLARIFICATIONS?