Philippine folk dances tend to hold people linked with their heritage and sustain the people's ethnic

unity. For hundreds of years, people have been performing folk dances to keep the tradition alive and
move it on to the next generation. The Itik-itik dance, a mimetic folk dance in the Philippines, is one of
the dances unique to the Philippines. "The dance moves mimic the motions of ducks between rice
paddies and swamplands in Itik-itik (from the Tagalog word for "duck"), such as wading, flying, and
quick, choppy steps.

This traditional dance was first done, according to legend, by a young woman called Kanang, who was
the best dancer in the province of Surigao del Norte. She was asked to appear at a baptismal
celebration, and she improvised her dance moves to mimic the way a duck walks and splashes water on
her back to lure another partner. The people around her who watched Kanang dance were so fond of it
that they all imitated her. For stage presentations and ballroom dancing in social events, the dance
quickly became popular in the province.

The Itik-itik dance consists of a pair of dancers, a male and a female dancer. Barong Tagalog or Camisa
de Chino and White Trousers worn by the male dancer, while the female dancer wears Balintawak or
Patadyong style.

There are several combinations of steps from Itik-Itik from which the dancers make their choice and
blend. (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 are the popular dance moves
in the Philippine local dance Itik-itik. The quadriceps, hamstring muscle group, adductor muscle group,
calves and glutes are the main muscles used in the lower body. The pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi,
deltoid, trapezius, biceps, and triceps muscles are the upper body muscles involved. Thus, the dance
instructor will be able to devise exercises by identifying the muscles involved in the dance to eventually
train the prime mover muscles for injury avoidance before the actual execution.

In terms of physical strength, muscular stamina, cardiovascular endurance and stability, the movements
in the dance will strengthen the performers' health-related fitness. Dance may also boost skill-related
fitness, such as balance. Thus, the local Itik-itik dance is a feasible dance that can encourage the
performers' health and skill-related fitness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJIvlTR2HDI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQnUlPP5kWQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvSnYTaZIdg