1. What is folk dance?

A folk dance is a dance developed by people that reflect the life of the people of a
certain country or region. Not all ethnic dances are folk dances. For example, ritual
dances or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances.
Folk dance, generally, a type of dance that is a vernacular, usually recreational,
expression of a past or present culture. The term folk dance was accepted until the mid-
20th century. Then this and other categories of dance were questioned and their
distinctions became subject to debate. It is also essential to note that people in many non-
Western cultures do not themselves describe any activity as dance in the way that English
speakers do. This article examines possible ways to look at and define folk dance, how
various groups might conceive of their dances, and how the study of folk dance was born
and developed.
Folk dance keeps a culture of people alive, by sharing and teaching younger
generations the dances. Dance keeps the history of people alive as well. Dances are ways
a community celebrates a special event or important date in time.

2. What do you think the difference of Philippine folk dance to modern dance?
Philippine folk dancing is a true reflection of daily life in past centuries while
enchanting modern audiences at the same time. 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.
Modern dance is pretty obviously created now, but folk dance used to be a
modern dance that was taught through the generations. Modern dance is pretty obviously
created now, but folk dance used to be a modern dance that was taught through the
generations. Modern dance is different because it is basically a mix between jazz style
dancing and Ballet. It helps you become more flexible and ties in different steps from
jazz, ballet, and not to mention it has many of its own very creative steps while Folk
dance is a traditional dance originating among the common people of a nation or region.
Learning a variety of dance styles allows for versatility in the way your body is
able to translate movement and choreography. When you have a wider vocabulary to
work from, your ability to comprehend and take ownership over your learning (be is
dance or otherwise) enhances. All techniques serve each other.

3. If you are given a chance to dance one Philippine folkdance what will it be? Why?

I will choose Tinikling because even though it is common, I want to dance it

because it is easier to learn, you just need to figure out the right timing and balance
yourself.
One of the most popular folk dances in the Philippines is the Tinikling. The
traditional dance, which usually involves a pair of two bamboo poles, is considered to be
the oldest in the country and its appeal has spread across the globe particularly to the
United States. Tinikling is an important dance to the Philippines in a variety of ways.
 Through unique props, clothing, and entertaining dance movements, it represents many of
the values that are important to the Philippines such as nature and life.
Tinikling is a viable dance which could improve the health related fitness of the
performers in terms of muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance
and flexibility. Also, the dance could improve skill-related fitness such as power, agility,
balance and coordination

4. Did you consider Philippine folkdance as a treasure of the Philippines? Why?

Yes because 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. They are like a treasure that is continuously passed to the new generations.
Philippine folk dance is a way for a better understanding and wide
knowledge of our culture and traditions, especially that the history and origin are all
reflected from the particular folk dances that are performed distinctively in every
part of the country. For Filipinos, culture and traditions are really important
therefore there are no traditional celebrations that aren’t celebrated without a dance,
and nothing lacks effort and creativity. The pieces of evidence are seen or
reflected in the lively steps, ins truments , costumes , and overall sense
poss ess ed by folk dances found in the Philippines. Furthermore, the
Philippine folk dance is one of the most important key element for the permanence,
and the existence of our country for the reason that we achieved national
unification through this. Moreover, appreciating the Philippines’ traditional dances as
the country’s cultural bequest truly reflects the identity of us, as Filipinos, that
prioritizes or lovingly embraces the culture and traditions of our country.
Folk dances are dances bound by tradition with movements passed down through
the generations. Folk dance is not just one singular style of dance, but a collection of
many dances. Each style of folk dance can date back several generations (or centuries)
with ties to the Old World.

ASSESSMENT
Site an example of Philippine folkdance and explain its history (400)
Tinikling is a traditional Philippine folk dance which originated during the Spanish
colonial era. The dance involves two people beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the
ground and against each other in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in
between the poles in a dance. It is traditionally danced to rondalla music, a sort of serenade
played by an ensemble of stringed instruments which originated in Spain during the middle
Ages.
The name tinikling is a reference to birds locally known as tikling, which can be any of a
number of rail species, but more specifically refers to the slaty-breasted rail (Gallirallus striatus),
the buff-banded rail (Gallirallus philippensis), and the barred rail (Gallirallus torquatus). The
term tinikling literally means "to perform it tikling-like. The dance originated in Leyte, Island in
Visayas. It 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. Two or four
parallel pairs of bamboo poles, each around 6 to 12 ft (1.8 to 3.7 m) long, are held by two or
more sitting or kneeling people ("clappers" or "clickers"). The poles are used as percussive
instruments accompanying rondalla music played with string instruments
(usually bandurrias, guitars, laúdes, octavinas, or ukuleles). They produce clapping sounds as
they are struck against the ground (or two raised pieces of wood) and each other in a triple
meter pattern. Traditionally, the poles are tapped twice on the ground on the first two beats, then
brought together on the third beat. Two or more dancers then weave through the rapidly moving
bamboo poles with bare feet and ankles. The dancers have to carefully follow the rhythm so as
not to get their ankles caught between the poles as they snap closed. They start the dance with
their hands at their hips or clasped behind their backs. The tempo of the bamboo poles becomes
faster as the dance progresses, forcing the dancers closer together as their movements become
more frantic.
Today tinikling is taught throughout the United States. In grades K-12 the dance is used
as an aerobic exercise for physical education classes, to help expand physical movements such as
hand coordination, foot speed, and also rhythm. Tinikling is commonly performed at schools and
on special occasions, such as the Filipino Independence Day, as a celebration of Filipino culture
and Filipino pride.