Folk Dance in the Philippines

It is impossible to know when exactly dancing

became a part of life in the Philippines.
Philippine folk dancing is a true reflection
of daily life in past centuries.
Traditional dances were designed to thank
the gods for natural and agricultural events,
such as rain and harvests.
 Folk Dance introduce by the Spaniards
• Fandango
• Lanceros
• Rigodon
• Carinosa
• Curacha
 Folk Dance with Spanish influence
• Estudiantina
• Mazurka Boholana
• Mazurka Mindorena
• Polka sa Nayon
 Estudiantina
This is a lively dance which originated from Unisan,
Quezon province (formerly Tayabas).During the olden days,
this dance was a favorite in social gatherings and was
usually by young men and women who were students of
private school and colleges in Manila.
The boys were called Estudiantes by the barrio folks
and the girls, Estudiantinas.
Usually performed with the accompaniment of a flute
and guitar.
 Lanceros de Tayabas
A dance honoring the town of
Tayabas Quezon. Its name takes from
chivalrous knights and lanciers of
King Arthur’s fame.
 Polka sa Nayon
Popular in the province of
Batangas during the Spanish time.
Usually danced during fiestas and
in big social affairs.
 Cariñoza
Philippine national dance. It
is a Spanish word which means
affectionate or lovable.
 Subli
Well known ceremonial worship dance
in honor of Mahal na Poong Sta. Cruz.
Originate some 300 years ago in the Barrio
of Dingin, Alitagtag, Batangas.
Derived from the Tagalog words
“subsub” (stooped or in a crouching
position and “bali” (broken).
 Jotabal
Lively festival dance introduce by the
Spaniards originated in Camohaguin,
Gumaca Quezon. Derived from “jota”
means popular dance and” balse” means
waltz.
 Jotabal
Very popular dance among the well-
heeled families of Gumaca, Tayabas (now
Quezon). A well-known local musician at
the time, Señor Herminigildo Omana,
introduced this dance. It became popular
with the young people and was handed
down between generations.
 Tinikling
A folkdance of Visayas with a pair of dancers
hopping between two bamboo poles held just above
the ground and struck together in time to music.
Originated from Leyte Province, this dance is in fact
a mimic movement of “tikling birds” hopping over
trees, grass stems or over bamboo traps set by
farmers. Dancers perform this dance with remarkable
grace and speed jumping between bamboo poles.
 Maglalatik
Originally performed in Binan, Laguna
as 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, this dance is
also shown to pay tribute to the town’s
patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.
 Binasuan
Originated in Pangasinan Province
“meaning with the use of drinking glasses”,
this vibrant dance basically shows off
balancing skill of the performers. Glasses filled
with rice wine are placed on the head and on
each hand carefully maneuvered with graceful
movements. This dance is common in
weddings, fiestas and special occasions.
 Itik-Itik
A mimetic folk dance in The
Philippines. It originated in the province of
Surigao in Mindanao. In Itik-itik (from the
Tagalog word for "duck"), the dance steps
imitate the movements of ducks among
rice paddies and swamplands, such as
wading, flying, and short, choppy steps.
 Pandanggo sa Ilaw
The word pandanggo comes from the Spanish
dance “fandango”characterized with lively steps and
clapping while following a varying ¾ beat.
Pandanggo requires excellent balancing skill to
maintain the stability of three tinghoy, or oil lamps,
placed on head and at the back of each hand. This
famous dance of grace and balance originated from
Lubang Island, Mindoro.
 Pantomina
The dance was also called Salampati during the
Spanish occupation.
It means"Dance of the Doves", this dance is the
highlight of Sorsogon’s Kasanggayahan Festival
every third week of October. It is a courtship dance
originated from imitating the courtship and
lovemaking of doves that then showed during the
dance where men attempt to please the women.