Folk Dance – are traditional dances of a country which were evolved naturally and spontaneously in

connection with everyday activities and experiences of the people who developed them. Is the
heartbeat of the people, are traditional social expressions of the ideas, mores, feelings, and thoughts of
a people or group of people through body movement

Values of Dancing
 Physiological or neuromuscular development of the organic systems of the body
 Cultural – depicts the culture of people
 Social and recreational

Types of Folk Dances

 National – traditional dances of a given country
 Regional – local
 Character – created by individual or group

Objectives
 To foster patriotism and nationalism through the study of our dance
 To arouse better appreciation of the Phillipine music and folk dances
 To provide through dancing, a healthful for of relaxation and recreation
 To develop a graceful and rhythmic ccordination of body movements that will improve posture
 To preserve posterity, folk dances and music indigenous to the different regions iin the
Philippines
 To demonstrate the growth of Filipino culture through the evolution of the Philippine Dances

Characteristics
 Dancers stand apart
 Little bodily contact
 Done by pairs or couples
 Hand movements are important
 Long formation
 Begins and ends with saludo
 Dances from the lowlands have more foreign elements than those found in the uplands
 War dances are found among non-Christian tribes

Classification
 Geographical extent of origin
o National Dances – found throughout the islands with little or no modification. Rigodon,
Carinosa, Jota, Balitaw, Pandanggo
 Local Dances – found in a certain locality. Tinikling – leyte, Maglalatik – Binyang, Espernza –
Nabua, Subli – Batangas, Biniganbigat – Abra

Nature
 Occupational – depicting action of a certain occupation, industry or human labor. Planting,
Harvesting, Pounding, Wnnowing, Pabirik, Mananguete
 Religious or Ceremonial – performed in connection with religious vows and ceremonies. Dugsu,
Sua- sua, Putong, Sta. Clarang pinong-pino
  Comic Dances – Depicting funny movements for entertainment. Kimbo-Kimbo, Makonggo,
Konoton
 Game Dances – with play elements, Lubi- lubi, Pavo
 Wedding dances – performed during wedding feast, Panasahan
 Courtship dances – depicting love-making. Hele-hele, bago quiere, Maramion, Tadek, Daling-
daling
 Festival Dances – suitable for special occasion or any social gathering. Pandango, Habanera,
Jota, Surtido
 War dances – showing imaginary combat or duel. Sagayan, Palu-palo

Movements
 Active – with fast energetic movements. Tinikling, Maglalatik, Sakuting, Polkabal
 Moderate – Carinosa, Tagala, Habanera, Purpuri
 Slow – Pasakat, Amorosa, Tiliday, Kundiman
 Slow and Fast – Putritos, Ba-Ingles, habanera Botolena, Alcamfor

Formation
 Square or Quadrille, Rigodon, Los Bailes de Ayer
 Long Formation – Lukay, Sakuting
 Set – consisting of two or more pairs as a unit, partners facing each other or standing side by
side., Binadyong, Haplik, Kakawati

Special Classification – group dances having special distinctive features.

 Dances with Songs – Abaruray, manang biday, Lulay, Rogelia, Lawiswis Kawayan,
 Old Ballroom Dances – Polka, Mazurka, Chotis, Valse
 Dances with Implements – Maglalatik, Sakuting, Jota Mocadefla, Tinikling, Salakot
 Dances of Combined Rhythm – Surtido, Pantomina, Los Bailes de Ayer

Factors affecting Folk Dances

 Geographical Location
 Economic Conditions
 Climatic Conditions
 Customs and Traditions

Do’s
 Dance in a natural and simple and direct manner
 Dance with ease, and smoothness
 Use the proper costumes for the dance
 Follow directions and dance instructions as closely as possible
 Dance with feeling and expression

Don’t’s
 Do not exaggerate the dance steps.
 Do not make the dance too dainty and graceful like ballet
 Don’t make entrance and exit long
 Don’t make steps too elaborate and complicated
 Don’t call a dance a folk dance unless steps come from traditional dances
Common Dance Terms
 Arms in lateral position
 Brush
 Cabeceras
 Clockwise
 Counterclockwise
 Costados
 Crossed arms
 Cut
 Dosido
 Free foot
 Free hand
 Hayon-hayon
 Hop
 Inside foot
 Jaleo
 A spring on one foot or both feet landing in any direction
 Kumintang
 Leap
 Outside foot
 Outside hand
 Place
 Pivot
 Point
 Salok
 Saludo
 Sarok
 Set
 Slide
 Stamp
 Step
 Supporting foot
 Tap
 Whirl
