Philippine Folk dance

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Characteristics

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List of popular Philippine Folk Dances from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao

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Characteristics

Characteristics of Philippine Folk Dances

In general, dancers stand apart.

There is little, if anybody contract.

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”.

Dance from low land have more foreign elements than those in upland.

War dances are found in non-Christian tribes.

It is traditional.

It is an expressive behavior.
 Simple basic rhythm dominates the folk dance and establishes the pattern of movement.

An unknown choreographer creates a folk dance.

It performs n action in the life of folk.

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The history of Philippine folk dancing 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 while enchanting modern audiences at the same time.

There is no recorded "start" to Philippine folk dance - as long as there have been people on the
islands they have been dancing. In fact, their mythology is filled with many different gods and goddesses
that needed to be placated, implored, or thanked for various natural events like rain and harvests. Many
of these festivals still feature ancient folk dances performed in costume of the tribal period.

It is impossible to know when exactly dancing became a part of life in the Philippines. Many
traditional dances were designed to thank the gods for natural and agricultural events, such as rain and
harvests. The dances were performed during festivals and remembrances of past military victories, and
still are performed at celebrations of births and weddings in modern times. Many modern folk dance
festivals still feature ancient dances performed in costume of the tribal period of the Philippines.

Philippine folk dance mirrors the culture and tradition of the Filipinos. It has also been a source of
culture identify of the people. In this diversified country, there are also great diversity of dances in
different forms and dynamics that grow out of various times, situation and experiences.

Philippine Folk dance

Home

Characteristics

Classification

History
List of popular Philippine Folk Dances from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao

Nature

Objectives

References

Value and Importance

Sitemap

List of popular Philippine Folk Dances from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao

YouTube Video

Best Philippine Folk Dances

A. Philippine Folk Dances from Luzon

1. Banga

Tribe: Kalinga

The Banga or pot dance is a contemporary performance of Kalinga of the Mountain Province in the
Philippines. This dance illustrates the languid grace of a tribe otherwise known as fierce
warriors.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7cF8kY8LD8

2. Maglalatik

Maglalatik was originally performed in Biñan, Laguna as a mock-war dance that demonstrates a fight
between the Moros and the Christians over the prized latik or coconut meat during the Spanish rule,
this dance is also shown to pay tribute to the town’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.
 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do4GyUk3XKc

3. Pandanggo sa Ilaw

Pandanggo sa Ilaw - The word pandanggo comes from the Spanish dance “fandango”characterized
with lively steps and clapping while following a varying ¾ beat. Pandanggo requires excellent
balancing skill to maintain the stability of three tinggoy, or oil lamps, placed on head and at the
back of each hand. This famous dance of grace and balance originated from Lubang Island, Mindoro.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLuWHNNi_Ug

Other dances in Luzon:

4. Balse

Balse was a popular dance in Marikina, Rizal during the Spanish times. Balse (valse in Spanish)
means waltz. This dance was performed after the lutrina ( a religious procession) and the music
that accompanied the dancers was played by the musikong bungbong (musicians using
instruments made of bamboo).

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlq8tSrN_QQ

5. Jotabal

It is derived from the words Jota and valse. Jota is a popular dance introduced in the Philippines by
the Spaniards. Valse means waltz, a step or a dance in 3/4 time. This lively festival dance originated
in Camohaguin, Gumaca, Quezon (formerly Tayabas).
 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H82gEiViPkk

6. Makonggo

It is a comic dance from Santa Maria, Bulacan. Makonggo is derived from the Tagalog word chonggo
or unggo which means monkey. In this dance, the dancer imitates a monkey - its characteristic
movements, gestures, grimaces, etc. when it is in a happy, playful or angry mood, while it is
playing, eating, or resting. Only one man performs this dance. Most of his movements are his own
improvisations.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKuMkVkC4vU

B. Philippine Folk Dances from Visayas

1. Tinikling

Tinikling means "bamboo dance" in English. The dance imitates the movement of the tikling birds as
they walk between grass stems, run over tree branches, or dodge bamboo traps set by rice
farmers. Dancers imitate the tikling bird's legendary grace and speed by skillfully maneuvering
between large bamboo poles.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nisbR3D5vQ

2. Kuratsa
 The Kuratsa is highly favored by the Waray people of the Eastern Visayan region in the Philippines.
Strictly speaking, The Kuratsa must be done the amenudo; that is, only one couple dances it at a
time. the Kuratsa is however, very different in the manner of execution to the Mexican
counterpart.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ig24-dYruA

3. Mazurka Boholana

Mazurka Boholana is a Spanish-inspired ballroom dance from the Bohol province of the Philippines.
Although the mazurka is the Polish national dance, it was wildly popular throughout Europe in
the 19th century and even in colonized lands overseas.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzepIUESB-8

Other dances in Visayas

4. Escotis

It is popularly known in Capiz and is performed in any social gathering of the people inhabiting the
mountains of Capiz in the barrios of Tinpas and Panitan and also in the town of Panay.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iuts4ppizXI

C. Philippine Folk Dances from Mindanao

1. Itik-Itik
 The Itik-Itik is a dance from Surigao del Norte, in which the movements of a duck are imitated. An
itik is a species of duck.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l60Aft-TOSY

2. Singkil

The Maranao dance called Singkil is in the repertory of all Filipino dance troupes. In 1958 the
Bayanihan Dance troupe started with a simple version and has since developed it into a theatrical
and stylized spectacle to the point of its becoming the troupe's signature piece.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkMhBhfBuHU

3. Kandingan

Performed at Tausog weddings in Jolo, the Kandingan consists of figures and steps based on classical
and traditional Indian dance forms. Dancers perform with slightly bent knees turned outward,
fingers held stiffly together with the thumb outward and apart.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPNwGpbA-BY

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