10 Philippine Folk Dance

Eric Josef Chavez

12-Galilei

1. Tinikling

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.

Steps: op on your right foot.

● Hop another time on the right foot. Perform these steps between both poles:
● Step on the left foot.
● Step on the right foot. ...
● Hop on the left foot outside the poles.
● Hop again on the left foot outside both poles. ...
● Step on your right foot.
● Step on your left foot.

2. Itik-Itik

Itik-Itik is a Philippines folk dance form created by imitating the “movements of a duck” such as
wading, flying, and short steps and splashing water on their backs like the ducks do. This
“mimetic” folk dance is said to have originated from the province of Surigao in Philippines.
Steps: Results revealed that the prominent dance steps in the Philippine local dance Itik-itik are
the (1) running, (2) cross step, slide close, slide close step, (3) heel, close-ball, close arm, (4)
step, slide-close, slide, (5) arms extension/flexion, and (6) flapping of the arms.

3. Maglalatik

This dance originated in Biñan, Laguna. During the night of the town fiesta of Biñan, they
dance the Maglalatik in the religious procession as it moves along the streets. They perform the
dance as an offering to the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro de Labrador.

Steps: Findings revealed that the prominent dance steps in the Philippine local dance Maglalatik
are the (1) jogging, (2) forward-backward step, (3) arm swing, and (4) 8 quick clap cycles

4. Binasuan

Binasuan is a folk dance that originated in Bayambang, Pangasinan,. The word “binasuan”
means “with the use of drinking glasses.” The dancers balance glasses on their heads and in
their hands as they move. The glasses are filled with rice wine, which makes any misstep a
messy mistake.
Steps: First, step out to the side with your right foot. Next, move your left foot up to your right
foot. Third, tap your right foot. Now repeat this sequence, this time stepping to the side with your
left foot.

5. Singkil

Singkil is a folk dance that originated in Mindanao. Place of origin: Lake Lanao. Singkil is a
Mindanao folk dance that originated from the Maranao people and is based on the story in the
Darangen, the pre-Islamic Maranao interpretation of the ancient Hindu Indian epic, the
Ramayana.

Steps: Singkil dance divided into four parts. Asik is the first part of the dance, wherein the slave
enters the stage dancing with an umbrella. The second part is the entrance of Putri Gandingan,
the entourage and Rajah Bantugan. The third part is Patay, the slow part of the dance.

6. Kappa Malong-Malong

Kappa Malong-malong dance originates from the Maranao tribes of Mindanao in the Philippines.
The dance shows many ways of wearing the malong – a tubular yet functional piece of cloth.
Some wear it as a shawl, a mantle or head piece. Great musical entertainment with the late Mr.
Brian Myers and company.
Steps:

7. Cariñosa

The cariñosa originated in Panay Island and was introduced by the Spaniards during their
colonization of the Philippines. It is related to some of the Spanish dances like the bolero and
the Mexican dance jarabe tapatio or the Mexican hat dance.
Steps: The basic footwork is similar to the steps used in a waltz: You move around the floor by
stepping to the side with your left foot, then moving your right foot next to your left. You finish off
this series of three movements by tapping your left foot on the floor.

8. Sayaw sa bangko

Sayaw sa Bangko (“dance on a bench”) is a folk dance from the Pangasinan province of the
Philippines. Performers dance on top of a bench that is normally six inches wide.

Bench Tapew ed dance (dance on top of a bench), is a dance Which originates from
Pangasinan and researched by Jovita Sison. It is performed by a couple on a narrow bench,
inching and hopping from one end to another. Dancer show skill in staying up the bench As they
exchange places by moving Their way around or the girl thrown in the air while the boy moves
to the other end. They do not Compete but rather complement each other so that no one falls. It
is usually performed During town fiestas.

Steps: 1. Hop on your right foot.

2. Hop another time on the right foot.

Perform these steps between both poles:

3. Step on the left foot.

4. Step on the right foot.

Do these steps outside the poles:

5. Hop on the left foot outside the poles.

6. Hop again on the left foot outside both poles.

Return to between the poles for these steps:

7. Step on your right foot.

8. Step on your left foot.

Doubles Tinikling Dance

For the foot work for these Tinikling steps, both dancers should start to the right side by the
bamboo poles.

9. Pandanggo sa ilaw

Just like Binasuan, Pandanggo sa Ilaw is a game of balancing glasses, only with candles inside.
Dancers have to balance three oil lamps: one on the head, and one in each hand. It’s a lively
Philippine folk dance that originated on Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro. The music is in
3/4 time and is usually accompanied by castanets. So if you’re always game for challenging
Filipino dances, try Pandanggo sa Ilaw.

The Pandanggo sa Ilaw is similar to a Spanish Fandango, but the Pandanggo folk dance is
performed while balancing three oil lamps.

Steps:The basic step for Pandanggo sa Ilaw is touch-step-touch and do-si-do accompanied by
clapping or snapping of fingers.
 10. Kuratsa

The Kuratsa is considered a courtship dance in the Philippines. This Filipino dance has three
parts. First is where the couple performs a waltz. Second, the music sets a faster pace as the
man pursues the woman around the dance floor in a chase. Lastly, the music becomes even
faster as the man wins over the woman with his mating dance. It originated from samar.

Steps: The dance is performed in three parts, with three different rhythms. The dancing couple
starts the performance with a ballroom waltz. Then the music shifts to a faster beat for the
"chasing" scene, in which the female dancer flees and the male pusues her all across the dance
floor.