Dannah Marie N.

Estrada
XII-Aristotle

Cultural dances performed to the strong beats of percussion instruments by a

community of people sharing the same culture usually done in honor of a Patron Saint
or in thanksgiving of a bountiful harvest. Festival dances draw peoples culture by
portraying the people’s way of life through movements, costumes, and implements
inherent to their place of origin. Festivals have been a consistent crowd-producing
activity leading to up-liftment of a community’s economy due to its tourism and
entertainment value.

Festival Dances maybe:

 Religious Festival Dances (Festival)

 Secular or Non Religious Dances (Festival)

Some Example of Religious Festival Dances

 Sinulog Festival Dances- Is one of the grandest, most distinguished and most
colorful festivals in the Philippines. Is held each year on the 3rd Sunday of
January in Cebu City to honor the Sto. Nino, or the child Jesus,

 Ati-atihan Festival Dances-It means “to be like aetas”or “make believed “ati’s”
Aetas were the primary settlers in the island according to history book.

 Pahiyas Festival Dances- The name came from the Filipino words “hiyas” which
means jewel and “pahiyas.” Which mean both precious offering and décor.
 Dinagyang Festival Dances- It means to make happy. Is the present progressive
word of the Ilonggo word, meaning making merry or merry-making.

 Sangyaw Festival Dances- It signifies “to proclaim news” in the neighbor

vernacular. The resuscitated celebration turned into a major achievement and took
an interest by social contingents from Ious performing gathering of different
celebration in the nation to contend on this side of the region.

Some Example of Secular or Non Religious Festival Dances

 Mascara Festival Dances- A combination of the English word “mass” and the
Spanish “kara” meaning face. This festival dance started in the early 1980s, when
world prices for sugar plummeted; and Bacolod City.

 Panagbenga Festival Dances- Is a kankanaey term for “a season of blooming.” It

is also known as the Bangus Flower Festival, a homage to the beautiful flower the
city is famous for as well as a celebration of Baguio’s re-establishment.

 Kaamulan Festival Dances- Is from the Binukid word “amul” which means to
“gather”. It is gathering of Bukidnon tribes people for a purpose.
 Kadayawan Festival Dances-Is derived from the prehistoric word “madayaw”a
warm and friendly greeting also used to explain a thing that is valuable, superior,
beautiful, good, or profitable.

 Bangus Festival Dances- Is an annual celebration in the City of Dagupan. It

highlights the city’s rich milk fish aquaculture industry in the province of
Pangasinan and in the country.