I.

Dance
What is Dancing?
-Dance is an expression of an intensified sense of life, arising from an inner perception that stimulates both mind and body.
It is man’s natural and primitive means of expression. The truest expression of a people is in its dance and its music. “The
body never lies.”
-Dance has been part of the life of every tribe, society or celebrates through dance. Dance is not only an individual or group
experience but also considered as a cultural mirror who wherein the spirit, character and artistry of its time are reflected.
-A dance as simple emotional expression when developed into a design with its planned organization of a pattern of
movement in rhythm, in space and or ground, with its sets of steps, gestures and dynamics becomes a dance form. And when
stylized in a common design becomes a dance from. These dance forms which take centuries to develop, reflect the customs
of the society in which they have evolved.
-According to William Cobbett, dancing is at once rational and healthful. It is the natural amusement of young people and
such it has been from the days of Moses. Our only quarrel with this statement is the reference to ‘young people’, since the
recreation of dancing provides pleasure and enjoyment, with relaxation and an improved social life, to people of all ages and
all backgrounds. It is an ideal path to health though gentle exercise in these days of tension, stress and sedentary work and
pleasures. Those who forsake the television screen to go dancing reap great mental and physical rewards.
-Dancing is based on natural walking steps forward and backwards. If this can be achieved with balance, control and small
steps, the actual figures will feel and look natural and rhythmic. So it is best to study and work on the recommended
exercises before working on the figures.
Dance
-It is defined as an inner impulse of man to rhythm or music expressing his feeling of joy, moods, sentiments or any human
experience.
Dance Education
-This refers to an educational process whereby the central process is the learning and studying the dance as the medium to
understand one’s self society and culture.
Dance Form
1.) Classical Dance - dance with standardized rules and restriction. It can be religious related dances or court and
royal entertainment form.
Ex. Tinikling – Considered as a national dance that is commonly performed on Filipino festivals at school or
theater performances.
Kuratsa – Commonly performed during festivals in Bohol and other Visayan towns, this dance portrays a
young playful couples attempt to get each other’s attention. It is performed in a moderate waltz style.
2.) Classical Ballet – A dance of supreme standards learned from an academe. This originated from Italy from the
word Bal-lo meaning to dance flourished in the royal court of France.
Movement:
-Classical-ballet technique is based on the turned-out position of the legs, which increases the range of movement
through added mobility in the hip joint and also imparts a more pleasing line to the extended leg.
-Classical Ballet in the Philippines – The dance form has been used to interpret stories of all kinds. It does by
allowing the characters to come alive, not in spoken dialoque but in body movements or pantomime. Creative
steps, arm gestures, facial expressions and body movements are the dancers ways to express the meaning of story
being revealed.
Ex. Lola Basyang – local fables
Rama Hari
3.) Modern Dance – A deviation from the principles of classical ballet developed by Isadora Duncan. She believed in
the principles of naturalness and the expression of the human body and soul. It is originated in Europe and
America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Ex. Hip Hop dance, Lyrical dance, Freestyle dance and fusion dance.
4.) Contemporary Dance – This is a combination of ballet and modern dance whereby it uses the varied medium of
other dance forms like folks, ethnic, jazz or tribal dance. Contemporary dance began at the start of the 20 th century
when US dancer Isadora Duncan (1878-1927) broke away from ballet and developed her own, more natural style.
Contemporary dance has many different styles, some of them closely linked to music, such as 1.) jazz, 2.) rock and
roll and 3. )hip-hop.
5.) Popular Dance – This is highly recognized as a dance form in television and other dance centers like discotheque
houses and social gatherings.
Ex. 1.) Hip Hop (US); 2.) Step Dance (Ireland); 3.) Flamenco (Spain); 4.) Waltz (Austria); 5.) Belly Dance
(Middle East); 6.) Bharatnatyam (India); 7.) Dragon Dance (China) and 8.) Ballet (Russia)
6.) Folk Dance - The term implies the traditional flavors and characteristics of the people, their feeling and
sentiments. It is also referred sometimes as traditional dance.
Ex. 1. Tinikling-Leyte, 2. Itik-Itik – Surigao Del Sur, 3. Maglalatik – Binan, Laguna, 4. Binasuan – Pangasinan, 5.
Singkil – Lake Lanao, 6. Kappa Malong-Malong – Maranao in Mindanao, 7. Carinosa – Panay Island, 8. Sayaw sa
Bangko - Pangasinan
7.) Ethnic/Tribal Dance – A dance particularly found in a group of people living together in locality with a common
belief and customs.
8.) Ballroom Dance – A popular term for dance performed on ballroom areas or for purposes of recreation and
entertainment.
 Example: Latin American Dance (Cha-cha, mambo, rumba, jive, samba and paso doble)
Standard Dance (Tango, Waltz, Foxtrot and quick step)
Classification of Dance
1.) National Dances – are traditional dances throughout the Philippines with common basic movement or pattern but
with slight variation.
Ex. Carinosa, Pandango, Balitaw, Kuratsa, Rigodon, Surtido and etc.
2.) Local or Regional Dances – are dance found in certain localities or regions only.
Ex. Esperanza (Nakua, Camarines Sur), Alcampor (Leyte), Maglalatik (San Pablo, Laguna)
3.) Occupational Dances – are dances that depict actions characterizing occupation industries and phases of human
labor.
Ex. Pabirik – depicts the difference stages of gold planning
Monanguete – tuba gatherer
Rice Festival – has the largest number of dances (Magtatanim, Paggapas, Paggiik, Pahangin, Pababayo, Pagtatahip)
4.) Religious or Ceremonial Dances – are performed in connection with religious vows, practices and ceremonies.
A religious dance maybe performed to drive away evil spirits and for having recovered from sickness, favors
granted and vows fulfilled.
Ex. Sinulog, Obando, Dugso
5.) Courtship Dance – are dances that depict making or/are dances with love themes.
Ex. Hele Hele bago Quiere, Rogelia, Lulay, Maramion
6.) Wedding Dance – are performed by newlyweds, by friends and relatives of the bride and groom or by the father of
the bride and mother of the groom.
Ex. Pandang-Pandang, Soryano, Pantomina
7.) Festival Dances – performed in connection with celebration a feast, a barrio, fiesta, good harvest and good future.
Ex. Kuratsa, La Jota, Putong
8.) War Dances – are intended to show imaginary combat or duel with the use fighting implements like bolo or spear.
Ex. Sagayan, Maglalatik, Inabaknon
9.) Comic Dances – are dances with funny and humorous movements mainly intended for entertainment.
Ex. Makonggo – movements of monkey
Kinoton – imitates the movements of person bitten by ants
10.) Game Dances – are dances that have some play elements and are for recreational purposes.
Ex. Pabo, Lubi-lubi, Sinenalan, Gayong-gayong
11.) Social Dances – are dances danced during social gathering.
Ex. Rigodon, Lanceros
II. PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES
1. What is Folk Dance?
-Folk Dance is a cultural art form handed from one generation to another. It communicates the customs, belief and
occupations of the people of a region or country. Folk dancing belongs to the people. It is the history of the people in
movement. They are traditional dances of a country which were evolved naturally in connection with everyday activities and
experiences of the people who developed them.
-In the Philippines, folk dance is a strong and enduring indigenous expression. The history of Philippine folk dancing
incorporates influences from immigrants and conquerors while at the same time maintaining distinctly Filipino roots.
Philippine folk dancing is a true reflection of daily life in past centuries while enchanting modern audiences at the same
time. They are a celebration of daily life, health, peace, war, harvest times and other aspects of life. According to the
National Commission for Culture and Arts, Philippine folk dances imitate nature and life because they are rituals for social
and spiritual expression.
2. Types of Folk Dance
a. National – traditional dance of a given country.
b. Regional – local
c. Character – created by individual or group
3. Characteristics of Philippine Folk Dance
a. In general, dancers stand apart.
b. There is little, if any, bodily contact.
c. Most of the dances are done by pairs or couples.
d. Hand movements play an important part.
e. Most dances are in long formation.
f. Most dances begin and end with “saludo”.
g. Dances from the lowlands have more foreign elements those found in the uplands.
h. War dances are found among non-Christian tribes.
4. Classification of Philippine Dances
General Classification
A. Geographical Extent of Origin
1. National dances – found throughout the islands with little or no modification
Examples: Rigondon, Carinosa, Jota, Balitaw, Pandanggo
2. Local dances – found in a certain locality
Examples: Tinikling (Leyte), Maglalatik (Binyang), Esperanza (Nabua), Subli (Batangas), Biniganbigat
(Abra)
Prepared by:
BHENCY B. ALEO
Subject Teacher