How WWYD

to WEAR
dance WHAT
like a YOU
pro
Cariñosa DANCE
dancer?
" dance is the hidden
language of the soul"
- Martha Graham

UNFOLDING
P150 Issue Date: 04/09/22

HISTORY:
Cariñosa´s QUIJANO, DANLOYD CALAMBA

Origin Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in

Filipino
C O N T E N T
01 UNFOLDING HISTORY:
Carinosa´s Origin

03 HOW to dance like a

Pro Carinosa Dancer

04
WWYD
Wear What YOu
Dance

05 References
 UNFOLDING
HISTORY:
Carinosa´s Definition,
History and Origin
WHAT IS CARINOSA?
The cariñosa is a much-loved folk dance
in the Philippines. Spanish in origin, it is
regarded as a national dance by scholars,
and the characteristic shy behavior of the
female dancer is said to represent the
mannerisms of Philippina women.

HISTORY
The cariñosa is a popular folk dance that was
introduced to the country by the Spaniards
when they arrived in the 16th century. It
belongs to the Maria Clara suite of
Philippine folk dances. These are so named
in honour of Maria Clara, who was the main
character in Jose Rizal’s novel Noli Me
Tangere, ('Don’t Touch Me’), about the
colonisation of the Philippines by the
Spanish. In it, Maria Clara is portrayed as a
noble and loyal woman, who after the
publication of the novel in the 19th century
became the female symbol of virtue for
Philippina women.

GEOGRAPHY
It is believed that Panay Island, located in
the Visayan Islands group was the
original home of the cariñosa. The
Spanish first arrived on the island in
1569. The dance soon spread around the
Philippines, giving rise to different
versions in different regions, such as in
Bicol, where both dancers carry
handkerchiefs.

01
UNFOLDING
HISTORY:
Carinosa´s Definition,
History and Origin
FEATURES
The music is Spanish-influenced, with three-
quarter rhythms that resemble a bolero or a
waltz in both speed and style. Ensemble
orchestras comprising banjos, mandolins,
strings and drums are typical. The orchestras
were once mainly composed of men,
however more and more women are starting
to take part.

THE DANCE
To dance the cariñosa, a man and a woman
dance together, taking slow steps around the
room, similar to those of a waltz. The female
holds a fan or handkerchief, which she coyly
hides behind. The dance itself is intended as a
courtship dance, and is of a flirtatious nature.
Cariñosa literally means "she that is loving" as
the verb ending indicates it refers to a
woman.

MISCONCEPTION
During the Marcos regime, the cariñosa was
named the national dance of the Philippines.
To this day school text books still claim this;
however, the Philippine government
maintains it is another dance called
"tinikling," which is a native dance. Today, the
cariñosa is performed at social gatherings and
festivities.

02
HOW
TO DANCE LIKE A
PRO CARINOSA DANCER

What Does the Cariñosa Dance Look Like?

In this dance, performers should refrain from touching each other. Instead,
their movements and expressions will show how the man is interested in
the woman, while the woman is shy and wants to be chased.
When the music starts, the female dancer holds her skirt with one or both
hands, swaying the fabric to the side while moving around the floor. She
sways to the side with her left foot, then steps her right foot next to her
left. As mentioned above, the female dancer uses a fan. She must fan
herself to the beat of the music while dancing.
The couple glances at each other from behind the man's handkerchief as if
they are playing peekaboo; each partner holds the corners of the hanky
while blocking the other's face. They exchange flirtatious waves and
gestures, and then the woman kneels down on one knee and fans herself
while the man dances around her, and vice versa.

Dance Steps for the Cariñosa

IThe basic step of the cariñosa is similar to the
waltz, and the music is 3/4 signature. If you
want to learn the dance, here are the basic
steps that you can follow:

Step 1: 3 step, turn, and bow facing each other. Step 6:

Step 2: 3 step and point right-left direction in 3 steps forward.
16 counts. Male dancer moves forward, then kneels.
Female dancer taps the man with her fan and
Step 3: Touch step—3 step forward in 2 count.
4 touch steps, change position, then repeat. does 4 touch steps.
Step 4: Change position.
3 step forward and back to back. Female dancer kneels as the pair looks at each
4 touch steps. other, and the man does 4 touch steps.
Step 7:
Change position and repeat the first two parts
of step 4. 3 steps forward.
Step 5: Female dancer takes hold of the handkerchief.
3 step forward. The pair moves the hanky up and down four
Female dancer opens her fan and starts times.
Change position, then repeat the first three
fanning herself.
03
4 touch steps. parts of step 7.
Change position and repeat the first three Step 8: Dance gracefully.
parts of step 5.
 EAR YOU
HAT
WHAT TO WEAR?
It was traditional for a Spanish
‘Maria Clara’ costume to be worn,
which consisted of a long dress and
a long-sleeved short embroidered
dress made from pineapple fibers.
Now more traditional Philippine
dress is usual. Men wear white
shirts and colored trousers, while
the women wear native dresses.

BARONG

BARO´T SAYA

04
REFERENCES/SOURCES:
Carinosa´s History:
https://ourpastimes.com/history-of-the-
carinosa-dance-12329347.html
Costume:
https://ourpastimes.com/history-of-the-
carinosa-dance-12329347.html
Carinosa´s Dance Steps:
https://hobbylark.com/performing-
arts/Carinosa

05