FOLK DANCE

M I G U E L V I L L AM O R
S T E P H E N C O M E N D AD O R
K Y L E AL I V I AD O
 FOLK DANCE

• The Philippines enjoys a rich cultural heritage which

includes a diverse collection of traditional dances. From
the well-known national dance the Tinikling, which pays
homage to the movements of a much-loved bird, to dances
that reflect elements of daily Philippine life, these folk
dances all offer a glimpse into the history of the country.
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.
 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.
 ITIK-ITIK
ORIGINATED IN SURIGAO
 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.
 TINIKLING
ORIGINATED IN THE SPANISH ERA
 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.
 SAYAW SA BANGKO
ORIGINATED IN BAYAMBANG IN THE PANGASINAN
 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.
 BINASUAN
ORIGINATED IN PANGASINAN
 PANGANGGO

• 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.
 PANDANGGO
SIMILAR TO SPANISH FOLK DANCE (ORIGINATED IN LUBANG ISLAND)
 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.
 PANDANGGO OASIWAS
FISHING TOWN OF LINGAYEN IN PANGASINAN
 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 Biñan as an offering to San Isidro de
Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.
 MAGLALATIK
ORIGINATED FROM BIÑAN, LAGUNA
 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.
 KURATSA
HIGHLY FAVORED BY THE VISAYAN PEOPLE
 LA JOTA MONCADEÑA

• The La Jota Moncadeña 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
 LA JOTA MONCADEÑA
INTERPRETATION AND ADAPTATION BY THE OLD PEOPLE OF MONCADA,
TARLAC.
 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 KAPPA MALONG-MALONG
ORIGINATES FROM THE MARANAO TRIBES OF MINDANAO
 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.
 HABANERA BOTOLENA
ORIGINATED IN BOTOLAN, ZAMBALES
 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.
 PANTOMINA
ORIGINATED FROM BICOL
 CARIÑOSA

• The Cariñosa 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.
 CARIÑOSA
ORIGINATED IN PANAY ISLAND IN THE VISAYAN ISLANDS
 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.
 SURTIDO
ORIGINATED IN BANTAYAN, CEBU
 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.
 SINGKIL
ORIGINATED FROM THE MARANAO PEOPLE
 POLKABAL

• The Polkabal shows some European influence in its steps. The

dance is composed of nine different steps which include
various movements such as fluttering, stepping heel-to-toe, a
reenactment of a bull fight, and even a leisurely walk.
 POLKABAL
ORIGINATED IN BATANGAS POLKA SA NAYON
 MAGKASUYO

• The Magkasuyo is a variation of the balse - the one-two-three

graceful triple meter that Filipino traditional dance borrowed
from the Spanish waltz. It is a formal series of close-step-close
movements with a couple facing each other in a courtship
configuration. Balse incorporates German and Spanish
influence, but the Magkasuyo is the specific invention of
Quezon province, a large farming and fishing region southeast
of Manila with a rich tradition of outside influences, including
Spanish, Malay, and Muslim. A popular song Magkasuyo
Buong Gabi (Lovers for the Night) expands on the romantic
nature of the dance.
 MAGKASUYO
ORIGINATED FROM QUEZON
THE END