PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

Folk dance
- is a form of dance
developed by a group of people that
reflects the traditional life of the
people of a certain country or region.
- is a recreational or ceremonial
dance performed usually by
members of the community to which
the dance is traditional.
 History 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 History in the Philippines
More recent dances done in the
Philippines derive from historical
events such as the arrival of the
Spaniards in the 16th century and the
conflicts with the Moors.
Several dances, especially those
influenced by Spanish dance forms, re-
enact the courtship of a man and a
woman in all its many aspects from the
sublime to the ridiculous.
 Folk Dance History in the Philippines
Dancing was considered a
religious activity among the early
Filipinos.
Among the Christianized Filipino
groups, the Kumintang was the oldest
Dance and song. It was a pantomimed
song and dance.
The Pampango is another dance
characterized by the movements of the
Lion and clapping of the hands.
Characteristics of Folkdance
1. It is traditional
2.It has an expressive behavior
3.Simple, basic rhythm of movement to
dominates the folk dance and
establishes the pattern of movement.
4.It is created by an unknown
choreographer or by communal
efforts.
5.It performs a function in the life of
the people
What are the differences between folk,
national, and ethnic dances?

Answer:
Folk dances are traditional dances found
in a certain country while National Dances are
also traditional folk dances but have a
national scope. They are popular and widely
danced throughout a given country, often
with number of regional variations.
Carinosa , Curacha and Pandango are
example of National folk dances and they are
popular dances throughout the country.
Pandango…has several variations coming
from Luzon and Visayas Island.
Pandango Ilocano
Pandango Visayas
Pandango Dumaguete
Pandango Ivatan
Pandango Rinconada
Pandango sa Ilaw
Ethnic dances or Ethnological
dances are those performed in
primitive tribes and have retained
their close kinship with religious
ritual and community custom.
These dances may “ require a
certain level of special performing
skills”.
Different Types of Ethnic Dances
1. RITUAL DANCES – depict ritual ceremonies
a. Ex. Dugso ( Bukidnon)
b. Pagdidiwata ( Palawan )
2. LIFE –CYCLE DANCES- dances relating to the
cycle of human life such as birthing , courtship ,
wedding and Funeral.
Ex. Binasuan (Pangasinan)
Daling-daling ( Muslim courtship dance from
Sulu)
3. OCCIPATIONAL DANCES- dances that exhibit
work and occupation of the dancers.
Ex. Maghasik ( Cotobato)
Mananagat ( Cebu)
What are the Different Types
of Philippine Folk Dances?
1. 1.Tribal dances from the
Cordillera
2. 2. Lowland Christian
dances
3. 3. Muslim Dances
Philippine folk dances regardless of their
Classification
1. Life-cycle dances
2. Festival dances
3. Occupational dances
4. Ritual and Ceremonial dances
5. Game dances
6. Joke and Trickster dances
7. Mimetic or Drama dances
8. War dances
9. Social Amenities dances
 Folk Dances 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.
Costume:
Girl-Maria Clara
Boy- Barong Tagalog
Lanceros De Tayabas
A dance
honoring the
town of
Tayabas
Quezon. Its
name takes
from
chivalrous knights and lanciers of
King Arthur’s fame.
Costume:
Girl- Baro’t Saya
Boy- Barong Tagalog
Properties:
Scarf(Baksa)-soft bandana with floral
design
Skirt(saya)
Overskirt (sobre falla)- plain
checkered of striped wrapped around
the waist and gathered on the left side
reaching below the knee.
Polka sa Nayon
Popular in the province of
Batangas during the Spanish
time. Usually danced during
fiestas and in big social affairs.
Costume:
Girl-Maria Clara or Balintawak
Boy-Barong Tagalog
Dance Steps
Plain Polka- with a step pattern of
step, close, step, pause.
Heel and toe polka – heel place.
Toe point, step close, step pause.
(2M)
Cariñoza
Philippine national dance. It is a
Spanish word which means affectionate or
lovable.

Costume:
Girl-Balintawak or
Patadyong and Camisa.
Boy- Barong Tagalog
and any kind of
trousers.
Properties:
Girl-fan
Boy- handkerchief
Dance Terms

Bow- also called Saludo. It is a sign of

respect or courtesy.

Clockwise- motion in the direction of

the hands of the clock

Counterclockwise- motion in a reverse

direction of the hands of the clock.
Arms in Lateral Position- Both arms on one
side of the body either left or right side.This can
be done at shoulder , chest or waist level.

Arms in Reverse T Position- Both arms sideward,

elbow bent at right angle forearms parallel to
head, palms facing inward.

Kumintang- Ilocano dance term done by turning

the hand from the wrist either clockwise or
counterclockwise.
Dance Steps

Three Steps and point- done in a two

measures (2M). With a step pattern step(1),
ste(2), step(3), point (1,2,3)

Waltz- with a step pattern of step (1), close

(2), step (3).

Close step- with step pattern of step (1, 2)

close (3).

Touch Point- with a step pattern of Point

(1,2), close-step (3).
Dance Figures
---Saludo---
1. Three Steps and Point
2. Pointing
3. Back to Back
4. Hide and Seek with Fan
5. Kneeling and Fanning
6. Hide and Seek with
Handkerchief
7. Flirting with Handkerchief
8. Flirting
--Saludo---
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).
 It is performed by the ladies
with their hats together with the
graceful movements of their arms
and hands, while the male dancer
performed in a stooping position
trying to attract the women by
stomping the ground and clicking
castanets.
 This dance
performed for
nine days as
novena with the
accompaniment
of kalatong or
tugtugan, a
dried hollow
wood shaped
from the trunk
of a jack-fruit tree and covered by dried
skin of forest lizard called bayawak.
Jotabal
-lively festival dance
introduce by the Spaniards
originated in Camohaguin,
Gumaca Quezon. Derived from
“jota” means popular dance
and” balse” means waltz.
Jota Gumaqueña

-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.
 It has a four-part performance
such as the palipasan and the
baligtaran showing the intense battle,
the paseo and the escaramusa- the
reconciliation. Moro dancers wear
read trousers while the Christian
dancers show up in blue. All dancers
are male; with harnesses of coconut
shells attached on their chests, backs,
thighs and hips.
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.
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
-is 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.
According to history of this dance, a
young woman named Kanang (short for
Cayetana) happened to be the best
performer in the province of Surigao
del Norte. At one baptismal reception,
she was asked to dance the Sibay, and
began improvising her steps in the
middle of her performance imitating
the movements of an “itik”, a duck, as it
walks with choppy steps and splashes
water on its back while attracting its
mate. Because of its unusual steps and
fascinating interpretation, the
audience began imitating her.
Pantomina (Spanish for Pantomime)
-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.
BASIC DANCE STEPS IN
FOLKDANCE
> Always put your
hands on waist (boy)
> And skirt (girl)
Curtsy (Saludo)for the Boys
Raise one arm sideward,
Step one foot sideward,
Raise one arm overhead,
Bring one foot in rear,
Arm down sideward,
One foot is pointed in front, and the
body leans forward
Curtsy (Saludo) for the Girls
Raise one arm sideward,
Step one foot sideward,
Raise arm overhead,
Bring one foot in rear
Arm down sideward
Kneel in rear, other foot place in front
Step Close
Step right foot sideward
Step left foot close to right and pause.
Step Point
Step right sideward
Point left foot in front.
Bleking
Step right foot sideward
Place left heel in front
Waltz Balance
Step right foot sideward (forward)
Step left foot close to right.
Raise both heels.
Slide Step
Slide right foot sideward
Step left foot close to right.
Step Brush
Step right foot sideward
Brush left foot in front.
Step Raise
Step right foot sideward
Raise your left foot in front.
Step Swing
Step right foot sideward
Swing left foot in front.
Step Hop
Step right foot sideward
Raise left foot in front, hop on right.
Waltz
Step right foot sideward, count 1
Step left foot close to right, count 2
Step right foot in place, count 3
Cross Waltz
Step right across to left in front, cnt. 1
Step left sideward, cnt. 2
Step right foot close to left, cnt. 3
Mazurka
Step right foot sideward, cnt 1
Hop on left foot , cnt. 2
Cut right foot in front , cnt. 3