National Artists of the Philippines

in the Field of Dance

 Learning Objectives
 To get to know some of the national artists
of the Philippines in the field of dance
 To gain appreciation of how their
performances popularized Filipino cultural
dances both in the local and international
stages
Key Understanding
 Students will learn about the national artists of the
Philippines in the field of dance which could
deepen their appreciation about the uniqueness of
Filipino culture.

Key Question
 How did their dance researches and performances
as well as their choreographed and directed
concerts influence the contemporary performing
dance scene in the country ?
 Filipino National Artists in Dance
1. Francisca Reyes
Aquino
This UP alumna from
Bocaue, Bulacan was a
folk dancer and PE
teacher, who, with her
regional travels, decided to
compile and research on
Image Credit:
http://www.reflectionsofasia.com/folkdances%20books%20%20in%205%20vol.jpg
the ethnic and colonial
dances of the Philippine
regions.
Filipino National Artists in Dance
2. Ramon A. Obusan
A dancer, a choreographer, a
stage designer, and an artistic
director through his Ramon
Obusan Folkloric Dance
Group, he promoted the
unique and graceful dances of
the Philippines via
performances here and around
the world. He can be seen here
in the photo dancing.
 Filipino National Artists in Dance
3. Alice Reyes
Best-known as being the founder
of Ballet Philippines (1969), the
official resident dance group of
the Cultural Center of the
Philippines, she used her being a
dancer, a teacher, a director, and
an administrator to propel ballet
training and performances in the
:
Image Credit

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/files/2014/06/t0630enriquez-reyes_feat8_1.jpg
country. In the photo, she is
shown dancing the role of Sita in
the ballet show Rama Hari.
 Filipino National Artists in Dance
4. Leonor Orosa Goquingco
A native of Jolo, Sulu, she was
known for her versatility. As
stage actress, classical ballerina,
and director, she founded the
Philippine Ballet Theater in
1987. On the writing front, her
articles about dance were
published abroad like in Dance
Magazine (New York),
Image Credit:
http://rizal.lib.admu.edu.ph/aliww/images/women_pics/LOGoquinco_big.jpg
Enciclopedia della Spettacolo
(Rome), and Arts of Asia (Hong
Kong).
Filipino National Artists in Dance
5. Lucrecia Reyes Urtula
She was an Iloilo City
dancer, teacher, and
researcher. As executive
director of the Bayanihan
Dance Group, she brought
to the local and foreign
spotlight the following
ethnic dances ― Singkil,
Vinta, Tagabili, Pagdiwata and
Salidsid.
 Culminating Activity
Research Project on the History of Dance
in the Philippines
What genre of dance is your favorite (ballet, jazz,
disco, ballroom, latin, flamenco, zumba, hip hop,
etc.)? Make a short research project about its history
in the Philippines (include names of famous
performers and also cutout pictures of performances
if possible). For instance, Liza Macuja for ballet or
Bayani Casimiro for tap dancing.