Traditional Folk Dances of the Philippines

The Philippines has many popular folk dances which have evolved and changed
as they have been passed down from generation to generation. Although a particular
dance might be performed slightly differently from one region to the next, its remains
true to its roots. Here are some of the most popular dances from the region.

The 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.

The 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.

The 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.

The 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.
The 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.

The Pandanggo Oasiwas

The Pandanggo Oasiwas is similar to the Pandanggo sa Ilaw, and is typically
performed by fishermen to celebrate a good catch. In this version, the lamps are placed
in cloths or nets and swung around as the dancers circle and sway.

The 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 Bian as an offering to San Isidro de Labrador,
the patron saint of farmers.

The 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.

La Jota Moncadea
The La Jota Moncadea is adapted by the Filipinos from an old Spanish dance.
It's a combination of Spanish and Ilocano dance steps set to Spanish music and
castanets. A more solemn version of this dance is sometimes used to accompany a
funeral procession, but it is also performed at celebrations.

The 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.
The 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.

The Pantomina
Also known as the Dance of the Doves, the Pantomina mimics the courtship
between doves and is often also a courtship dance between the couples that perform it.
This dance is an important part of the Sorsogon Kasanggayahan Festival held each
October, where it is mainly performed by the elders of the community.

The Cariosa
The Cariosa 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.

The Surtido
Surtido literally means "assortment," and this square dance combines influences of
French, Spanish and Mexican dance. Traditionally the Surtido is performed by a head
couple accompanied by two other couples who lead all the dancers through various
formations that resemble an old-fashioned quadrille.

The 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.

History Through Dance

Dancing plays an important role in Filipino culture, telling their history and preserving
traditions through folk dancesand music. These dances are entertaining to observe, and
even more fun to learn and perform yourself.