CHAPTER 2: FOLK DANCES

FOLK DANCE
These are the dances that tell much
about a country and its people.
These dances portray the customs,
mores, and traditions of the people
of a certain country.
They are handed down from
generation to generation.
PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE
 OBJECTIVES OF TEACHING
PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE
1. To foster patriotism and nationalism through the study of our dance.
2. To arouse better appreciation of Philippine music and folk dances.
3. To provide through dancing, a healthful form of relaxation and
recreation.
4. To develop a graceful and rhythmic coordination of body
movements that will improve posture.
5. To preserve for posterity, folk dances and music indigenous to the
different regions of the Philippines.
6. To demonstrate the growth of Filipino culture through the evolution
of Philippine dances.
 Francisca Reyes Aquino
She is the legendary “Mother of
Philippine Folk Dancing”.
She received the “Philippine Republic
Award of Merit”.
She founded the Philippine Folk Dance
Society.
CLASSIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE FOLK
DANCE
 A. GEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION
1. National Dances- found throughout the islands.
Examples: Rigodon, Carinosa, Jota

2. Local Dances- found in a certain locality.

Examples:
Tinikling- Leyte
Maglalatik- Laguna
Subli- Batangas
 B. NATURE
1. OCCUPATIONAL DANCES -depict actions of a particular occupation.
Examples: Planting, Pounding
2. RELIGIOUS/CEREMONIAL -associated with religion, vows and
ceremonies.
Examples: Dugsu, Sua-sua
3. COMIC DANCES- depict funny movements for entertainment.
` Examples: Kinotan, Makonggo
4. GAME DANCES -done with play elements.
Examples: Lubi-lubi, Pavo
 B. NATURE
5. WEDDING DANCES- performed during wedding feasts.
Example: Panasahan
6. COURTSHIP DANCES- depict the art of courtship.
Examples: Hele-hele, Tadek, Pantomina
7. FESTIVAL DANCES -suitable for special occasions.
Examples: Pandanggo, Habanera
8. WAR DANCES -show imagery combat.
Examples: Sagayan, Palu-palo
C. MOVEMENT
1. ACTIVE -fast energetic movements. (e.g.
Tinikling, Maglalatik, Polkabal)
2. MODERATE (e.g. Carinosa, Tagala)
3. SLOW (e.g. Pasakat, Amorosa)
4. SLOW AND FAST (e.g. Putritos, Habanera)
D. FORMATION
1. SQUARE (e.g. Rigodon, Los Bailes de
Ayer)
2. LONG FORMATION -dancers form 2
or more parallel lines. (e.g. Lulay,
Sakuting)
3. SET -consists of 2 or more pairs as a unit.
(e.g. Binadyong, Haplik)
POPULAR PHILIPPINE FOLK
DANCES
 1. Cariñosa
This is the National Dance of the Philippines
of Hispanic origin.
The essence of the dance is the courtship
between two sweethearts
This dance is performed in flirtatious
manner with fans and handkerchiefs to assist
the dancers’ hide-and-seek movements.
 2. Tinikling
It originated from Leyte Province.
This dance is a mimic movement of “tikling
birds” hopping over trees, grass stems or over
bamboo traps set by farmers.
 Dancers perform this with remarkable grace
and speed jumping between bamboo poles.
 3. Maglalatik
It was originated in Laguna
province.
It is a mock-war dance that
demonstrates a fight between the
Moros and the Christians over the
prized latik or coconut meat during
the Spanish Rule.
 4. Pandanggo sa Ilaw
It is said to have originated from Mindoro,
the seventh-largest island in the Philippines.
This dance of lights simulates fireflies at
dusk and at night.
 Pandanggo requires excellent balancing
skill to maintain the stability of three
tinggoy, or oil lamps, placed on head and at
the back of each hand.
 5. Kuratsa
The Spanish-influenced was once a
very popular dance in different parts of
the Philippines, particularly in the
Visayas region.
 This dance portrays a young playful
couple’s attempt to get each other’s
attention.
 6. Sayaw sa Bangko
is a folk dance from the Pangasinan province of
the Philippines.
 It is performed by a couple on a narrow bench,
inching and hopping from one end to another.
Dancer show skill in staying up the bench as they
exchange places by moving their way around or
the girl thrown in the air while boy moves to the
other end.
It is usually performed during town fiestas.
 7. Binasuan
It originated in Pangasinan Province
meaning “with the use of drinking
glasses” and it refers to how the
performers balance glasses on their heads
and hands while gracefully dancing.
 This is especially tricky because the
glasses are filled with rice wine or some
other form of liquid.
 8. Sakuting
is a dance from the province of Abra.
 It was originally an all-male dance
performance presenting a mock fight between
Ilocano Christians and non-Christians using
sticks.
The dance is traditionally performed during
Christmas at the town plaza or throughout the
town, from one house to another.
 9. Itik-itik
it is popular among the Visayan
settlers of the province of Surigao del
Norte.
Its steps are similar to the
movements of a duck (itik, in
Filipino), as it walks with short,
choppy steps and splashes water on
its back while attracting its mate.
 10. Subli
The term “Subli” is derived from two
Tagalog words subsub (stooped or in a
crouching position) and bali (broken).
It is a ceremonial worship dance
performed as a tribute to the Holy Cross
referred to in the vernacular as Mahal
Na Poong Santa Cruz.
 11. Paseo de Bacolor
Paseo de Bacolor is the signature
dance of the people of Bacolor.
 Paseo de Bacolor is a courtship dance
characterized by walking and flirting
movements.