Rural Dances in the Philippines

Luzon

Bayluhan

The Bayluhan is a dance

performed in Malabon and
Navotas by childless women
who were unable to make
the annual pilgrimage to
neighboring Obando to do a
prayer-dance for a child. The
women wait instead for
their friends who went to
the fertility festival to
return, and then they
recreate the fertility dance.

Binasuan

This colorful and lively dance from

Bayambang in the Pangasinan
province shows off the balancing
skills of the dancers. The glasses
that the dancers gracefully yet
carefully maneuver are half-filled
with rice wine. Binasuan, meaning
“with the use of a drinking glass”
in Pangasinan, is often performed
as entertainment at weddings,
birthdays, and fiestas.
Visayas

Gaway-Gaway

This particular dance came from

the town of Jaro in Leyte Province,
where planting the gaway is the
predominant occupation of the barrio
folks. Gaway-gaway is a harvest dance
that celebrates the bountiful harvest of
the gaway--a plant of the taro family
that is grown both for the vegetable
and its roots. During harvest season,
the customary participation of the
children in harvesting gaway is seen. Gaway is harvested by pulling the stalk off the ground.
Hence, the pulling of the stalks leads to the unavoidable hitting of each other’s elbows, which
has been adapted into a peculiar characteristic of the dance called siko-siko.

Kuratsa

A dance originating in Bohol, Visayas, it is

popular at Ilokano and Visayas festivals. This
dance commands a sense of improvisation which
mimics a young playful couple’s attempt to get
each other’s attention.
Mindanao

Dugso
The dance must have originated
from Bukidnon, northeastern
Mindanao since they are performed
as an entertainment for the deities
in fiestas organized for them. It was
originally thought that this dance
was performed only during harvest
time or upon the birth of a male
heir. Women would wear colorful
feathered head dresses, plaid
costumes and anklets. They would step rhythmically around a bamboo arch decorated with
newly-gathered palay (rice stalks) and corn, and their movements are emphasized by the
tinkling sounds from the anklets.

SAGAYAN

It is a Philippine war dance

performed by both the Maguindanao
and Maranao depicting in dramatic
fashion the steps their hero, Prince
Bantugan, took upon wearing his
armaments, the war he fought in and
his subsequent victory afterwards.
Performers, depicting fierce warriors
would carry shield with shell
noisemakers in one hand and double-
bladed sword in the other attempting
rolling movements to defend their
master
 Spanish-Influenced Dances

Paypay de Manila

The young ladies carry scented fans, or

"paypay" and flirt with young men with
canes and straw hats, once more giving
evidence of the Kastilian influence.

Paseo de Iloilo (from Ilo-Ilo)

This is one of the most sophisticated

courtship and flirtation dances of the
Spanish era. The gentlemen compete
among each other to win the heart of the
dalaga, or young lady, by exemplifying
chivalry, grace, and confidence. One of the
most sophisticated courtship and flirtation
dances of the Spanish era. The gentlemen
compete among each other to win the heart
of the dalaga, or young lady, by
exemplifying chivalry, grace, and confidence.

Bulah-bulah

A Spanish-influenced dance variation of palangay performed by the

tausog-samal groups which uses shells or bamboo castanets
Singkil (Mindanao Cultural Dance)

Singkil originated from the Maranao people who inhabit the shores of Lake Lanao. It is a re-telling of an episode from the
Maranao epic legend Darangen involving the rescue of Princess Gandingan (abducted by the diwatas) by the legendary Prince
Bantugan.

Banga (Cordillera Dance)

Tribe: Kalinga

"Banga" literally mean pots. The Banga or pot dance is a contemporary performance of Kalinga of the
Mountain Province in the Philippines. This dance illustrates the languid grace of a tribe otherwise known
as fierce warriors. Heavy earthen pots, as many as seven or eight at a time, are balanced on the heads of
maidens as they trudge to the beat of the "gangsa" or wind chimes displaying their stamina and strength
as they go about their daily task of fetching water and balancing the banga.
 Ethnic (Tribal) Dances

Kadal Blelah

Tribe: T'boli

Origin: Lemlosnon, South Cotabato

The Dancers perform a simulation of movement of

birds.

Bendayan

Origin: Benguet Province, Northern Luzon

Also popularly called Bendian, this circle

dance of the Benguet of Mountain
Province is restaged, keeping true to the
dance's context and meaning. Long known
as a dance to celebrate the arrival of
successful headhunters, the Bendayan has
taken a new face. It is part of every
Benguet festivity with the circles slowly
giving way to other formations and
interpretations.

Binanog

Origin: Calinog, Iloilo

Tribe: Tumandok or Suludnon

The binanog is inspired from the movement

of a "banog," a Filipino term for eagle
derived from "tabanog" or kite. A courtship
dance, it portrays the flight of the bird
through lively choregraphy with hands and
legs. Just like how a male banog follows a
female banog, the male dancer must be
observant on the changes of the girl dancer's
steps in order to pursue her.