SAKUTING

Sakuting is a Philippine folk dance that interprets a fight

between Ilocano Christians and non-Christians. This mock
fight between rival folks is traditionally performed during
Christmas at the town plaza or performed house-to-house
as a form of traditional caroling show. Dancers perform the
Sakuting to receive presents or the local money
called Aguinaldo.
Philippines Folk Dances as Fight Dances

Most Filipino dances tell a story. In the Sakuting, it is a

story of Ilocano Christians and non-Christians fighting
during the Spanish colonial rule in the country. (Ilocanos
are the people living in the Ilocos region in Northern
Philippines.) This regional ethnic dance celebrates cultural
heritage and national artistic pride by portraying Philippine
fighting art as a ritual ldance.

Regional History

Sakuting came from the Abra province in the northern part

of the island of Luzon. The Ilocos Region officially includes
Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan. Abra,
Mountain Province and Benguet were also parts of the
region before separating as the Cordillera Administrative
Region. All these provinces are home to the Ilocanos who
arenatives of the lowlands and the Tingguian tribes who
are natives of the mountain areas.
Origin

During the Spanish colonisation (1520 to 1898), the

garrison established to protect the Ilocanos who converted
to Christianity became a site for raids by the mountain
tribes. Andthe Sakuting dance interprets this struggle
between the lowland natives who became Christians and
the non-Christian natives from the mountain region.
Sakuting incorporatesthe traditional Filipino martial arts
called Arnis by using two sticks as extension of the armsto
fight the opponent. Before the Spanish era in the
Philippines, Filipinos commonly used Arnis for self-
protection. The Spanish banned its practice, forcing
Filipinos to utilise it inother forms. They openly retained
the practice by using Arnis movements as part of
folkdances like the Sakuting. While showing the story
between the Christians and non-Christian natives, the
stylised fight sequence revived the use of Arnis as this
dance isactually a two-stick Arnis exercise set to an
upbeat music.

SAKUTING COSTUME
 PANGALAY
“Fingernail dance” is the sobriquet given to a South East Asian dance known as
Pangalay. This “traditional” dance is said to have originated from Sulu islands
located in the Philippines, and is said to have been created by the Tausug
people. Apparently, this dance is said to be extremely similar to the classical
Balinese and Thai dances. Furthermore, this dance also comprises of another
version referred to as “Pakiring”. This dance style is supposedly based on pre-
Islamic and Buddhist concepts related to male and female celestial agents.

History/origin of the Pangalay:

According to the Sanskrit language Pangalay, means “Temple of dance”. This

dance is also said to have been created by people belonging to the Tausug
community. In terms of technique this dance is also similar to the Javanese and
Thai form of dancing, and is also said to possess elements belonging to a form of
Southeast Asian martial art known as “Kuntaw Silat”. In addition, this dance is
performed mainly during weddings and other festive occasions. There are two
alternate versions of this dance and they include:

Pangasik: Performed mainly by males.

Pangiluk: Performed by both males and females.

Costumes used in the Pangalay:

The costume used in this dance style usually includes the Joloano and Janggay.
In addition, metallic fingernail extensions also form a major component of the
costume.
 SUA KU SUA

The Tausug of Sulu, Southern Philippines, though

known as fearsome warriors are also letter known
as sturd! seafarers and hard! Farmers. Extensive
orchads are planted with coconuts and pomelos
and fields with with staples like rice and root crops.
At harvest time, pomelo fruits are gathered in
big baskets before the! are sent away.The tausugs
depend strong on the income the pomelo bring
them and this relationship is romanticized
comparing the sua's gentle leaves, slender
branches, attractive fruit and fragrant flower to the
virtue of lady.Put to music. It is the song sang by
couple while flapping the two fans