Philippine Dances

The Philippines has various collections of dances. People dance for

self-expression, traditions, events, reflection, and enjoyment. From the
Philippines dances, we can reflect the rich Philippine cultural heritage.
Philippine dances also show the story of our past.
Folk Dance
Folk traditions are handed down from generation to generation exhibited
in societal events. One of which is a folk dances that illustrates the different
forms of cultural expressions that uniquely belongs to a region. Folk dances
display cultural values, artistic features, and social function of the region where
they came from. Others dance for historical preservation.
Folk dances in the Philippines vary from the people who live in a province,
town, or region. They dance to express what is happening around them, to
perform in festivals, specific occasions, assemblies, and to communicate to
others their sentiments, joys, hopes and grievances. Watchers are pleased
with the dancers performances using objects that carry a symbol that they
balance. Sometimes, there is a story to the making of each folk dance.
Ten Popular Folk Dances
Folk Dance Origin Description
Itik-itik Surigao del Norte The dancer moves like a duck wading
and swimming.
Binasuan Pangasinan A glass filed with liquid is placed on the
head of the performer.
Singkil Mindanao The dancer shows the epic of Darangan
using bells.
Tinikling Leyte A pair of dancers are hopping between
bamboo poles struck on the ground like
a tikling in time with the music.
 Maglalatik Laguna Dancers pretend to battle for the latik or
coconut milk.
Pandango sa Mindoro Dancers put three oil lamps on the head
Ilaw while dancing.
Carinosa Bicol A woman dancer shows affection by
using handkerchief and a fan to hide her
feelings from the dancing suitors.
Sayaw sa Batangas Dancers perform dance moves on a
Bangko bench.
Kuratsa Bohol, Leyte, Dancers get each others attention.
Samar
La Jota Manila Dancers dance while making sounds
Manilena from the bamboo castanets.