MAPEH 6

Third Quarter
Handout#2
Philippine Folk Dances

1. Itik-Itik

The best description of the Itik-Itik is that the steps mimic the way a duck walks, as well as the way it splashes water on its
back to attract a mate. According to popular tradition, the dance was created by a lady named Kanang who choreographed the
steps while dancing at a baptismal party. The other guests copied her movements, and everyone liked the dance so much that it
has been passed along ever since.

2. Tinikling

The Tinikling is considered by many to be the Philippines' national dance. The dance's movements imitate the movement of
the tikling bird as it walks around through tall grass and between tree branches. People perform the dance using bamboo poles.
The dance is composed of three basic steps which include singles, doubles and hops. It looks similar to playing jump rope,
except that the dancers perform the steps around and between the bamboo poles, and the dance becomes faster until someone
makes a mistake and the next set of dancers takes a turn.

3. Sayaw sa Bangko

The Sayaw sa Bangko is performed on top of a narrow bench. Dancers need good balance as they go through a series of
movements that include some impressive acrobatics. This dance traces its roots back to the areas of Pangapisan, Lingayen and
Pangasinan.

4. Binasuan

The Binasuan is an entertaining dance that is usually performed at festive social occasions like weddings and birthdays.
Dancers carefully balance three half-filled glasses of rice wine on their heads and hands as they gracefully spin and roll on the
ground. The dance originated in Bayambang in the Pangasinan province, and though it's usually performed alone, it can also
become a competition between several dancers.

5. Pandanggo sa Ilaw

The Pandanggo sa Ilaw is similar to a Spanish Fandango, but the Pandanggo is performed while balancing three oil lamps - one
on the head, and one in each hand. It's a lively dance that originated on Lubang Island. The music is in 3/4 time and is usually
accompanied by castanets.

6. Maglalatik

The Maglalatik is a mock war dance that depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highly-prized food. The dance is broken into four
parts: two devoted to the battle and two devoted to reconciling. The men of the dance wear coconut shells as part of their
costumes, and they slap them in rhythm with the music. The Maglalatik is danced in the religious procession during the fiesta
of Biñan as an offering to San Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.

7. Kuratsa

The Kuratsa is described as a dance of courtship and is often performed at weddings and other social occasions. The dance has
three parts. The couple first performs a waltz. In the second part, the music sets a faster pace as the man pursues the woman
around the dance floor in a chase. To finish, the music becomes even faster as the man wins over the woman with his mating
dance.

8. Kappa Malong-Malong

The Kappa Malong-Malong is a Muslim-influenced dance. The malong is a tubular garment, and the dance essentially shows
the many ways it can be worn. There are men's and women's versions of the dance since they wear malongs in different ways.

9. Habanera Botolena

The Habanera Botolena is a strongly flamenco-influenced dance that comes from Botolan, Zambales. It combines Filipino and
Spanish steps, and is a popular dance at weddings. It is also considered a courting dance in some situations.

10. Cariñosa

The Cariñosa is a dance made for flirting! Dancers make a number of flirtatious movements as they hide behind fans or
handkerchiefs and peek out at one another. The essence of the dance is the courtship between two sweethearts.

11. Singkil

The Singkil is a dance traditionally performed by single women to attract the attention of potential suitors. Dancers perform a
series of graceful movements as they step in and out from between bamboo poles which are rhythmically clapped together.
Fans and scarves are often used to enhance the dancers' movements.