DANCE: The Dances of the Philippine Island

Dance - Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to
music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance
setting.
Spanish-Influenced Dances These dances are a reflection of Spanish culture merged with that of
ours. From the costumes alone, you can really tell whether it’s a Spanish-influenced Folk Dance or
not. Males swear the barong tagalog and females wear the maria clara of different elaborate
designs.
1. 4. Rural Dances  These are dances which reflect the true spirit and character of the Filipino
people. They wear peasant—occupational costumes but reflect in their movements activities
of fishing, farming, courtship and merrymaking. Some others mimic movements of animals
like birds, fish and others.
2. 5. Folkdance It is a dance genre which is primarily performed for social functions by people
with little or no training usually to traditional music which is a product of inherited tradition
which is passed from one generation to another.
3. 6. Folkdance  They are dances performed at social functions by people with little or no
professional training, often to traditional music or music based on traditional music.  They
are not designed for public performance or the stage, although traditional folkdances may be
later arranged and set for stage performances.
4. 7. Philippine Folkdance - Countries in the world have their own cultures made more colorful,
beautiful and vibrant because of Folk Dances that are reflection of who they are. In the east,
the Chinese have their symbolic Dragon Dance, the Japanese have the ancestral dance Bon
Odori. In the west the Americans have their Square Dance. On the other hand, the
Philippines will not be left behind. "The Pearl of The Orient" boast of a varitey of Filipino Folk
Dances.
5. 8. ----------------------------------------------  Talents from Each Region.... As we explore each of
the regions and styles, please remember a lot of these Cultural and Folk dances represents
hardships and daily back breaking tasks, that has turned into a art form. Many of the dances
you will read about here were actual activities or chores that the Filipino endured to survive
the poor economy and state of the nation.....
6. 9. ----------------------------------------------  The Philippines consist of 7107 islands, and is
broken down in three groups of islands. The Luzon, Mindano, and Visayas. Each of these
regions contain different languages, history, religion, and traditions. With each region having
different influence in their arts, crafts, and ancestral dances. Let’s take a trip through each
region and explore the different styles, costumes, and dances
7. 10. Different kinds of Folk Dances From LuzViMinda
8. 11. Folkdance of Luzon
9. 12. Luzon  Consisting of the tribes such as Ifugao, Benquet, Kalinga, Bontoc, Apayo,
Kalinga, sometimes these are call Igorot. " But sometimes that is considered degrading ."
Cordillera name also used for some parts the Luzon Region...Northern most region of the
Philippines, Luzon gets its Cultural influence from Hindu-Buddist, Spanish and many ethnic
religious tribes. All with differences and beliefs. But in all the Cultural and Folk Dances from
this region represents all different factions in one way or the other.
10. 13. Cordillera Dances  These are dances of the Kalingas, Ifugaos and other ethnolinguistic
groups of the Cordillera mountains. They are known for their distinct costumes such as G-
strings and tapis and grounded movements which is a reflection of their daily routine
11. 14. Idaw  This dance sometimes has many names and different versions. Most common is
this dance depicts the hunting ritual performed before a tribal war. The tribes men would go
out and look up and watch for the scared Idaw bird. Which is said to lead the tribe to victory.
Also look at the clothing, Philippines being a very hot climate, plus the use of as little material
as possible, the traditional clothing was not made to cover much of the body.
12. 15. Idaw
13. 16. Banga This dance displays the Igorot women on their way to the river to fetch the daily
water supply for their families. It shows the skill and strength of the women as they would
carry heavy laden clay pots (Banga) full of water. Their grace and agility while balancing the
heavy pots, sometimes stacks 5 high, is a testament of the Filipino and how hardships
become a art form and talent. As a young girl you would start with only one pot. Of course as
you become older and more experienced, along with the fact that you could provide more
water for your family in one trip. Pots could be stacked as high as 5 or 6. The more pots you
could carry showed your skill and also you standing among the women of that area. They
would all gather and march to the river each day, singing a native song which is represented
by the flute and banging of bamboo on iron pots in the dance.
14. 17. Banga
15. 18. Ragsaksakan  The word means " Merriment". This dance would be performed after a
successful headhunt and also for a peace pact between warring tribes. The colorful hand
woven blankets " blankets of life" are worn around the neck while baskets to carry produce or
rice are worn upon the head. Some versions of this dance use the " Banga " instead of the
basket.
16. 19. Ragsaksakan
17. 20. La Jota Moncadena  People of Moncada, Tarlac, call it rather by a different name: Jota
Florana. The Jota Folrana was danced to the Ilocano/Yogad bamboo musical instrument
ensemble called tallelet. Dance anthropologist Ramon Obusan said that the Jota Florana
was danced to accompany a bereaved family to the burial of a loved one. The high pitched
clicking of the bamboo clickers are supposed to represent melancholy wails. The slow
portion of the dance is in fact named patay (death) or desmayo (fainting) that is performed to
a very slow marcha funebre.
18. 21. La Jota Moncadena
19. 22. Subli  Subli is the dance portion of a devotion performed in honor of the Mahal na
Poong Santa Cruz, a large crucifix of anubing wood with the face of the sun in silver at the
center. The icon was discovered in the early decades of Spanish rule in what is now the town
of Alitagtag, Batangas. It is the patron of many towns in the area, notably the ancient town of
Bauan, Batangas.
20. 23. Subli
21. 24. Folk dance of Visayas
22. 25. Visayas  Being the Central Island of The Philippines, Visayas is also broken down into
three sections. Central , Eastern, Western. Consisting of Austronesians, Negritos, these we
Animist Tribal Group. Many others tribes from around surrounding island would come after
the downfall or break up of their tribes. Visayas became a melting pot for many different
Tribes and Cultural backgrounds. You will find Arbian, Spanish, and some Western
influences in the dances of this region. You will see that the dances of the Visayas are more
upbeat and exciting, not so much in Drama and tribal meanings as other regions.
23. 26. Sayaw Ed Tapew na Bangko This dance is native to the barrio of Pangapisan,
Lingayen, Pangasinan, and demands skill from its performers who must dance on top of a
bench roughly six inches wide.
24. 27. Sayaw Ed Tapew na Bangko
25. 28. Tinikling  Tinikling is considered the national folkdance with a pair of dancers hopping
between two bamboo poles held just above the ground and struck together in time to music.
Originated from Leyte Province, this dance is in fact a mimic movement of “tikling birds”
hopping over trees, grass stems or over bamboo traps set by farmers. Dancers perform this
dance with remarkable grace and speed jumping between bamboo poles.
26. 29. Tinikling
27. 30. Carinosa  Cariñosa (Spanish pronunciation: [kaɾiˈɲosa], meaning the loving or
affectionate one) is a Philippine dance of Hispanic origin from the Maria Clara suite of
 Philippine folk dances, where the fan or handkerchief plays an instrumental role as it places
the couple in romance scenario.
28. 31. Carinosa
29. 32. Maglalatik  Originally performed in Binan, 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. It has a four-part performance such as the palipasan and the
baligtaran showing the intense battle, the paseo and the escaramusa- the reconciliation.
Moro dancers wear read trousers while the Christian dancers show up in blue. All dancers
are male; with harnesses of coconut shells attached on their chests, backs, thighs and hips
30. 33. Maglalatik
31. 34. Binasuan  is a native dance of Pangasinan. This dance literally means “dancing with
glasses.” The steps are executed with glasses filled with rice wine balanced on the head and
the hands of the dancers. Danced to show balance and to reflect rural gaiety, Binasuan is
performed usually in wedding ceremonies and occasions in the barangay.
32. 35. Binasuan
33. 36. Itik-itik  is one of the Philippine folk dances which have an interesting origin. According
to stories, a Filipina maiden-dancer of Surigao del Norte was asked to perform a native
dance in one special occasion. She started to improvise new steps and imitate the courtship
movements of a local species of duck known as “itik.” The spectators began to imitate her
and that is how the dance came to be.
34. 37. Itik-itik
35. 38. Folk dance of Mindanao
36. 39. MINDANAO  This is the southern most region of The Philippines. Being the second
largest island in the Philippines, its Culture consists of mostly Muslim or " Moro " people, also
composed of other ethnic groups such as the Maranao, Tausug, Banguingui, and indigenous
tribes know as Lumad. You will see alot of Arabian, and Middle Eastern influence in their
costumes and dances.
37. 40. Muslim Dances The are dances of the exotic southern part of the country. They mirror
the character and colorful culture of Muslims as seen in their discrete expression and brightly
colored silk costumes.
38. 41. Singkil dance - Singkil dance takes its name from the bells worn on the ankles of the
Muslim princess. Perhaps one of the oldest of truly Filipino dances, the Singkil recounts the
epic legend of the "Darangan" of the Maranao people of Mindanao. This epic, written
sometime in the 14th century, tells the fateful story of Princess Gandingan, who was caught
in the middle of a forest during an earthquake caused by the diwatas, or fairies or nymph of
the forest.
39. 42. - The rhythmic clapping of criss-crossed bamboo poles represent the trees that were
falling, which she gracefully avoids. Her slave loyally accompanies her throughout her
ordeal. Finally, she is saved by the prince. Dancers wearing solemn faces and maintaining a
dignified pose being dancing at a slow pace which soon progresses to a faster tempo
skillfully manipulate apir, or fans which represent the winds that prove to be auspicious. The
dancers weave expertly through criss-crossed bamboos.
40. 43. Singkil dance
41. 44. Kini-kini Kini means the Royal Walk. Maranao women performed this dance with scarves.
The beauty of the scarve and the talent and grace in which it is displayed. Shows their elite
social upbringing.
42. 45. Kini-kini
43. 46. Pangalay - A pangalay native to the Badjao, sometimes known as the "Sea Gypsies."
Pangalay is a dance that emphasizes the agility of the upper body. The rhythmic bounce of
the shoulder with simultaneous alternating waving of arms are the basic movement of this
 dance. The pangalay is commonly performed at weddings and other social gatherings. You
will also see some parts of the Sinkil in this dance also. Another part of this dance is also
called the Muslim four Bamboos.
44. 47. Pangalay
45. 48. Asik - This is performed by a solo madien, adorned with fine beads and make up, long
head scarf. She would dance to win the favor of her Sultan master. Many time the girls would
dance to win the hearts of her master or to make up for a wrong she had done. She would
give her whole heart and soul into this performance to soften the heart of her master to
accept her...
46. 49. Asik