AGUSTIN, ASHLEY N.

12-ABM

THE HISTORY OF BINASUAN

To begin, what exactly is binasuan? Binasuan is a Filipino dance that primarily consists
of three drinking glasses that a Binasuan dancer (usually a woman) gracefully balances on her
head and in the palms of both her hands as she moves. Each glass is half-full of rice wine, and
the skill of a Binasuan dancer is determined by her ability not to drop a glass or spill any wine
during her performance.

The tradition of Binasuan dance originated in the Pangasinan province of the Philippines.
Pangasinan is located on the central western coast of the country and is the site of several
national festivals featuring Binasuan dance. In the Pangasinan language, Binasuan means "with a
glass in hand" Despite being unknown when the Binasuan dance originated, the dance has been a
significant part of Filipino culture for centuries. Originally, dance was used to express gratitude
to the gods for blessings and prosperity during festivals and traditional celebrations.

A Binasuan dance is a colorful, lively art that Philippine culture often performs at
weddings and parties. In some instances, dancers will compete over who can perform the most
intricate moves while balancing their glasses for the amusement of the audience. The Binasuan
dancers are known for their skill and grace in spinning, rolling, and turning while holding three
glasses of rice wine while dancing to fast-paced music. In some cases, dancers use other
elements, such as weights placed on their feet, to increase the difficulty of the dance.

Reference:
Gutierrez, K. (n.d.). Folk Dance in Region 1. Studocu.
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/arellano-university/bs-criminology/
folkdanceineachregioninthephilippines-180117013708/7267641