Compilation of Folk Dances

Ethnic and Non-native Philippine Folk Dances

Countries of the world have their own cultures made more colorful, beautiful and vibrant because of folk
dances that are a reflection of who they are and what they are.
In the East, the Chinese have their symbolical dragon dance; the Japanese have the ancestral dance Bon
Odori. In the West, the Americans have their Square Dance. The Scottish people have their world-famous
dances (Highland and Country Dance, Jig and Reel). On the other hand, the Philippines will not be left behind!
The Pearl of the Orient boasts of a variety of Philippine folk dances.
The Filipinos pay tributes and owe itself to cultural heritage. One way of showing such love and respect for
the country gave birth to the development of Philippine ethnic folk dances. And there are several of these;
namely, Binasuan, Subli, Itik-itik, Tinikling, Maglalatik, Cariosa etc.
Binasuan is a native dance of Pangasinan. This dance literally means dancing with glasses. The steps are
executed with glasses filled with rice wine balanced on the head and the hands of the dancers. Danced to
show balance and to reflect rural gaiety, Binasuan is performed usually in wedding ceremonies and occasions
in the barangay.
Subli owes its meaning to native words subsub meaning to fall with the head and bali or broken. This
meaning is reflected in the dance steps. The dancers move feebly and tortuously as if without vigor. This
dance, however, traces its roots to Batangas where it was originally played as a ritual dance which evolved
into a symbol of religious tradition performed during town fiestas.
Itik-Itik is one of the Philippine folk dances which have an interesting origin. According to stories, a Filipina
maiden-dancer of Surigao del Norte was asked to perform a native dance in one special occasion. She started
to improvise new steps and imitate the courtship movements of a local species of duck known as itik. The
spectators began to imitate her and that is how the dance came to be.
Tinikling is another Philippine folk dance that is inspired by an endemic bird called tikling. The steps of this
dance are an imitation of the movements of a tikling bird that hops and escapes the traps set by hunters.
Moving with poise and grace, the dancers skip in-between two bamboo poles that are held to pound
rhythmically against each other. This dance is a specialty of Leyte.
Maglalatik is danced to mimic the early battle against Christians and Moros to win coconut meat or latik
during the time of Spanish colonization. This is also performed to pay homage to the town saint of Bian,
Laguna San Isidro Labrador. This dance is divided into four parts: baligtaran, palipasan, paseo and
escaramusa. This is performed by all-male dancers who wear blue pants to represent the Christians and red
pant for the Moros. All dancers, however, have coconut shells mounted on their body parts.
Pandanggo sa ilaw. The word pandanggo is taken from the Spanish word fandango. The dance is
characterized by the lively steps performed in conjunction with the clapping while the dancers are following
the beat. Again, this dance calls for graceful balancing acts so that the lights held by the hand will not fall.
This dance is originally from Oriental, Mindoro.
These aforementioned Philippine folk dances are ethnic in nature and origin. On the other hand, there are
several Philippine folk dances that were influenced by some Western countries as some of these had
colonized Philippines in the past. One such country is Spain. Some of the so-called influenced Philippine folk
dances are the following: Pandango sa Ilaw, Cariosa, Balitao and Rigodon.
To conclude, these folk dances whether ethnic in origin or not reflect the lively culture that the Filipinos have.
These dances may be diverse but through these cultural forms, the Filipinos are unified and proud by way of
having Philippine folk dances that are truly one of the bests in the world.
INTRODUCTION AND DANCES
Countries in the world have their own cultures made more colorful, beautiful and vibrant
because of Folk Dances that are reflection of who they are. In the east, the Chinese have their symbolic
Dragon Dance, the Japanese have the ancestral dance Bon Odori. In the west the Americans have their
Square Dance. On the other hand, the Philippines will not be left behind."The Pearl of The Orient" boast
of a varitey of Filipino Folk Dances.

The Philippines consist of 7107 islands, and is broken down in three groups of islands. The Luzon,
Mindano, and Visayas. Each of these regions contain different languages,history, regligon, and
traditions. With each region having different influence in thier arts, crafts, and ancestorical dances. Lets
take a trip through each region and explore the different styles, costumes, Dances and Talents from
Each Region.... As we explore each of the regions and styles, please remember alot of these Cultural and
Folk dances represents hardships and daily back breaking tasks, that has turned into a art form. Many of
the dances you will read about here were actuall activities or chores that the Filipino endured to survive
the poor economy and state of the nation.....

Traditions and Hertitage - Luzon Region
We Shall Never Forget our Heritage
LUZON -- Consisting of the tribes such as Ifugao, Benquet, Kalinga, Bontoc, Apayo, Kalinga, sometimes
these are call Igorot. " But sometimes that is considered degrading ." Cordillerea name also used for
some parts the Luzon Region...
Northern most region of the Philippines, Luzon gets its Cultural influence from Hindu-Buddist, Spanish
and many ethnic regilous tribes. All with differences and beliefs. But in all the Cultural and Folk Dances
from this region represents all different factions in one way or the other.
Dances of Luzon
* Dance : Idaw
This dance sometimes has many names and different versions. Most common is this dance depicts the
hunting ritual performed before a tribal war. The tribes men would go out and look up and watch for the
scared Idaw bird. Which is said to lead the tribe to victory. Also look at the clothing, Philippines being a
very hot climate, plus the use of as little material as possible, the traditional clothing was not made to
cover much of the body....
* Dance : Banga
This dance displays the Igorot women on their way to the river to fetch the daily water supply for thier
familys. It shows the skill and strength of the women as they would carry heavy laiden clay pots (Banga)
full of water. Their grace and agility while balancing the heavy pots, sometimes stacks 5 high, is a
testiment of the Filipino and how hardships become a art form and talent. As a young girl you would
start with only one pot. Of course as you become older and more experienced, along with the fact that
you could provide more water for your family in one trip. Pots could be stacked as high as 5 or 6. The
more pots you could carry showed your skill and also you standing amoung the women of that area.
They would all gather and march to the river each day, singing a native song which is represented by the
flute and banging of bamboo on iron pots in the dance......
* Dance : Idudu
The family is the basic structure of family life among the Itneg / Tinggian poeple. The caring for the
Children is shared by both the mother and father. While the men are clearing the fields, breaking the
soil with bamboo and their feet, the women watch the children. Soon as the men are done, they take
care of the children while the women do back breaking work. You can see in the dance how the women
will take the bamboo baskets in a shaking fashion like drying the rice, while the men are going in circles
in background like they are toiling the land. Then you will see the women put down the baskets fold the
cloth into a baby while the husband stands aside. Then the women will turn over the baby to the
husband, pick up the bamboo and start toiling the land while the men hold and cradle the babys.........
* Dance : Ragsaksakan
The word means " Merriment". This dance would be performed after a successful headhunt and also for
a peace pact between waring tribles. The colorful hand woven blankets " blankets of life" are worn
around the neck while baskets to carry produce or rice are worn upon the head. Some versions of this
dance use the " Banga " instead of the basket.
Pride and Honor - Mindanao Region

Filipino is Worth Dying For

MINDANAO -- This is the southernmost region of The Philippines. Being the second largest island in the
Philippines, its Culture consists of mostly Muslium or " Moro " people, also composed of other ethnic
groups such as the Maranao, Tausug, Banguingui, and indigenous tribes know as Lumad. You will see
alot of Arabian, and Middle Eastern influence in thier costumes and dances.

Dances of Mindanao

*Dance : Singkil

Sinkil dance takes its name from the bells worn on the ankles of the Muslim princess. Perhaps one of the
oldest of truly Filipino dances, the Singkil recounts the epic legend of the "Darangan" of the Maranao
people of Mindanao. This epic, written sometime in the 14th century, tells the fateful story of Princess
Gandingan, who was caught in the middle of a forest during an earthquake caused by the diwatas, or
fairies or nymph of the forest.

The rhythmic clapping of criss-crossed bamboo poles represent the trees that were falling, which she
gracefully avoids. Her slave loyally accompanies her throughout her ordeal. Finally, she is saved by the
prince. Dancers wearing solemn faces and maintaining a dignified pose being dancing at a slow pace
which soon progresses to a faster tempo skillfully manipulate apir, or fans which represent the winds
that prove to be auspicious. The dancers weave expertly through criss-crossed bamboos.

*Dance : Kini Kini

Kini means the Royal Walk. Maranao women performed this dance with scarves. The beauty of the
scarve and the talent and grace in which it is displayed. Shows their elite social upbringing.

*Dance : Pangalay

A pangalay native to the Badjao, sometimes known as the "Sea Gypsies." Pangalay is a dance that
emphasizes the agility of the upper body. The rhythmic bounce of the shoulder with simultaneous
alternating waving of arms are the basic movement of this dance. The pangalay is commonly performed
at weddings and other social gatherings. You will also see some parts of the Sinkgil in this dance also.
Another part of this dance is also called the Muslium four Bamboos.

* Dance : Asik
This is performed by a solo madien, adorned with fine beads and make up, long head scarf. She would
dance to win the favor of her Sultan master. Many time the girls would dance to win the hearts of her
master or to make up for a wrong she had done. She would give her whole heart and soul into this
performance to soften the heart of her master to accept her...
LOVE OF LIFE AND COUNTRY - VISAYAS REGION
Live Long, Live Happy, Die Proud
VISAYAS -- Being the Central Island of The Philippines, Visayas is also broken down into three sections.
Central , Eastern, Western. Consisting of Austronesians, Negritos, these we Animist Tribal Group. Many
others tribes from around surrounding island would come after the downfall or break up of thier tribes.
Visayas became a melting pot for many different Tribes and Cultural backgrouds. You will find Arbian,
Spanish, and some Western influences in the dances of this region. You will see that the dances of the
Visayas are more upbeat and exciting, not so much in Drama and tribal meanings as other regions.
Visayas Dances
* Dance : Sayaw Sa Banko
This dance is native to the barrio of Pangapisan, Lingayen, Pangasinan, and demands skill from its
performers who must dance on top of a bench roughly six inches wide.
* Dance : Tinkling
Tinnikling is considered the national folkdance 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.
* Dance : Subli
The term subli is from two tagalog words subsub meaning falling on head and bali, which means
broken. Hence, the dancers appear to be lame and crooked throughout the dance. This version is
originally a ritual dance of the natives of Bauan, Batangas, which is shown during fiestas as a ceremonial
worship dance to the towns icon, the holy cross
* Dance : 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 towns 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