PH FOLKDANCE

• Folk dancing is a form of social dancing that has become part of the customs and traditions of
a people. Most folkdances developed among people in villages and were passed on from generation to
generation in a particular region

• Folk dancing is the oldest form of dance probably one of the earliest forms of communication.
It is this self-expression that separates folk dancing from the functional aspects of games and
gymnastics in the physical education program.

Mother Of Philippine Folk Dance - Francisca Reyes Aquino . National Artist For Dance (March 1899-
November 21, 1983)

5 MAJOR CLASSIFICATIONS OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES

Dances of the Cordillera Groups

• The Cordillera groups composed of the Bontocs, Ifugao, Benguet, Apayao, Kalinga, Itneg,
Ilonggot, and Gaddang (BIBAKIIG) have their own unique customs and tra- ditions reflected in
their dances

Ethnolinguistic Title of dance Dance description

Group
- Bontoc 1. Pattong  A war dance depicting a mock fight of two warriors.

2. Balangbang  A victory dance performed after head hunting.

 A courtship and wedding dance.

3. Takik/Don-gadong
 A courtship dance from Western Bontoc usually
4. Palakis
performed at wedding celebrations & during festivals like
the canao & begnas.

- Ifugao 1. Talip  A courtship dance of the Ifugaos, where a man lures a

woman with a blanket to be placed on the woman's
shoulder.

2. Intaneg  A wedding dance among the Ifugao

3. Bumayah  A festival dance among the Ifugao for thanksgiving in

their gods.

4. Monghimong  A festival dance among the Ifugaos where men turn up

in a mass at the burial of a murdered tribal member.

 A festival from Lagawe, Ifugao performed by men and

5. Dinuya women during major feasts.
- Benguet 1. Bendean  A festival and victory dance.

2. Tarektek  A courtship dance where two female tarektek

(woodpeckers) try to get the attention of the male
tarektek by bran- dishing their blankets over each other
to show their affections.

3. Chumnu  A female dance performed during celebrations of tribal

victory and bountiful harvest.

- Apayao 1. Turayen  An Apayao dance imitating the high flying bird.

2. Say-Yam  A major feast held to celebrate the taking of a head of an
enemy.

- Kalinga 1. Pattong  A dance of revenge vowed for the death of the slain
warrior.

2. Salip  A courtship dance where the rooster-like males swoops

around the maiden.

 A work-dance of Kalinga women where they carry basket

3. Ragragsakan
on their heads.

4. Takiling  A victory dance after successful head hunting.

5. Tadjok  Kalinga's most famous village dance.

6. Idaw  A mock battle dance ensues between two tribes.

7. Lumagen  A dance performed at Kalinga festivals to celebrate

thanksgiving.

8.Palok  A festival dance performed by Kalingas in any social

gathering.

- Itneg 1. Idudu ➤ A dance where the men lull their babies to sleep while the
women till the fields and process the harvest.

- Gaddang 1. Bumbuwak ➤ In this dance, the gaddang imitate birds attracted to

tobacco trees.

Dances with Western Influence

 • When the Spaniards came to the Philippines in the 16th century, they brought with them the
Spanish religion and European arts and culture.
Types of Title of dance Dance description
dances
- Quadrille 1.Rigodon de ➤ A quadrille dance commonly per- formed in formal gatherings in a
Dance Honor quadrille formation.

2.Lanceros de ➤ A quadrille dance from Tayabas, Quezon performed by old folks

Tayabas during the early days.

3.Birginia ➤ A quadrille form of dance of the Americans, the "Virginia Reel"

inspired the Cagayanos to develop a Filipino version called Birginia.

➤ A quadrille dance from Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

4.Pasakat

5.Los Bailes de ➤ A quadrille dance from Tarlac.

Ayer or
Maharlika

6.Lanceros de ➤ A version of lanceros from Pangasinan.

Lingayen
➤ A dance from Silay, Negros Occidental which was not in quadrille
7.Lanceros de formation b ut in linear formation.
Negros

- Jota 1. La Jota ➤ A festive dance from Moncada, Tarlac which was originally danced
Moncadena during a f funeral procession in the early times.

2. Jota ➤ A jota version from Gumaca, Quezon.

Gumaqueña

3. Jota Cabangan ➤ A courtship dance form Zambales.

4. Jota Cagayana ➤ A lovely dance which is an adaptation from the Spanish Jota
performed by the early Spanish settlers in the Cagayan valley.

5. Jota de Manila ➤ Manila's version of the famous Jota with its typical Spanish
stampas, cobradas and clicking of bamboo castanets bearing
Hispanic culture.

6. Jota de ➤ A version of the Jota, which bears Spanish stampas and cobradas
Paragua from Paragua, the old name of Palawan.

7. Jota Bicolana ➤ A jota version from Bicol Region performed during social
gatherings.

➤ A jota version from Batangas popular during the time of Dr. Jose
8. Jota Rizal
Rizal.

➤ A festival dance originated in Camohaguin, Gumaca, Quezon which

9. Jotabal
derived from the words jota and baise
- Fandanggo 1. Pandanggo ➤ A festival dance from the province of Bicol depicting the happy and
Rin-conada contented life of the people.

2. Pandanggo sa ➤ A dance from Mindoro using tinghoy or oil lamps placed on the top
llaw of the head and one on each hand.

3. Pandanggo sa ➤ A pandanggo dance from Camiling, Tarlac.

Sambalilo

4. Pandanggo ➤ A wedding dance from Batanes.

Ivatan

5. Pandang ➤ Is an exciting and extraordinary wedding dance from Antique.

Pandang

- Balse 1. Valse Vieja ➤ A festival dance from Pangasinan meaning old waltz.

2.Valse Ybanag ➤ A dance from Camalaniugan, Cagayan meaning waltz of the Ybanag
people.

3.Balse Marikina ➤ A dance performed after the Lutrina, a religious procession.

4.Cariñosa
➤ The famous national dance of the Philippines depicting the
character of Filipina maiden's modesty and humility.

➤ A dance performed during thanksgiving feasts after a good harvest,

5.Sayaw Sta. Isabel
during balaihan, weddings, or religious occasions.

- Habanera 1. Habanera ➤ A Habanera named after San Narciso town in Zambales.

Narcisena

2. Habanera ➤ A dance which was supposedly performed in the earlier days in

Botolena honor of a departing priest. Later on it became a dance performed
during social gatherings in Botolan, Zambales.

3. Habanera De ➤ A dance performed by betrothed couple during one of the

Soltera ceremonies before the wedding.

4. Habasinan ➤ From the word "haba" in habanera and "sinan" form Pangasinan is
a courtship dance.

- Mazurka 1. Mazurka de ➤ A social dance from Cuyo Island, and early Spanish settlement in
Cuyo Palawan.

2. Mazurka de ➤ A mazurka named after Jagna town.

Jagna
 3. Mazurka ➤ A premiere dance of the elite in Mindoro, and Don Antonio Luna,
Mindoreña who considered best dancer of his time popularized it.

4. Mazurka ➤ A traditional dance from Bohol which was originally performed by

Boholana couples informally gathered in the ballroom with no definite sequence
steps.

5. Mazurka Val ➤ A combination of the two dances, mazurka and valse, which
features the skill of coordination of movement of both dancers as the
boy carries the girl on his feet while dancing.

- Polka 1. Polkabal ➤ A dance which acquired its name from two wellknown steps polka
and valse, corrupted into one word as polkabal, by the people of
Atimonan, Quezon.

2. Polka Tagala ➤ A dance from Bataan, where one of the figures, the ladies pick their
volu-minous skirts forward and backward to show-off their beautiful
lace petticoats.

3. Maliket-A-Polka ➤ A dance from Pangasinan which means happy polka.

➤ A dance which means laden with sorrow in Ilocos Norte.

4. Sileleddaang

5. Polka sa ➤ A polka dance version from Batangas.

Nayon

6. Polka Sala ➤ A polka dance version from Mindoro.

Dances of Muslim Groups
• Down in the southern part of the country are the muslim groups. The ethnic groups are the
Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Yakan, Samal, Java Mapun, and Badjao.
Types of Title of dance Dance description
dances
- Maranao 1. Singkil ➤ A Maranao dance derived from the sounds of the bell anklets
worn by the Princess as she leaps in & out of the criss- crossed
bamboo poles.

➤ Maranao women walk nobly with their distinctive movements

2. Kakulangan parti-cularly their graceful sway.

➤ A fan dance of Maranao maidens showcasing their simplicity

3. Pig-apir and character.

4. Sagayan ➤ A warrior dance that depicts the hero - warrior prince

Bantugan's preparation for the war, the actual combat and the
victory

5. Karatong ➤ A dance in memory of Bantugan's fighting evil spirits whom he

can hear but can't see.

6. Kappa MalongMalong ➤ Also called Sambi sa Malong, this Maranao dance shows the
many ways of donning the malong, a tabular circle of cloth used
as skirt, shawl or mantle.

7. Kapiil sa Munsala ➤ A handkerchief dance from Lanao commonly performed by girls.

Maguindanao 1. Asik ➤ A doll dance for girls.

- Badjao 1. Tauti ➤ A dance of fishing scenario.
- Yakan 1.Paunjalay ➤ A pre-nuptial dance of the Yakan tribe of Basilan. performed by
2 .Pindulas the bride.

➤ A dance depicting the movements of fish at it wades in the

water.

- Tausug 1. Pangalay ha ➤ A dance imitating the graceful movement of the swift vinta as
Patong well as of the birds and fish of the Tausug world.

2. Janggay ➤ A Tausug female dance using extended fingernails.

3. Sua-ku-Sua ➤ A dance from Jolo, Sulu with an influence of

Chinese movements meaning "my pomelo tree".
- Samal 1. Maglanka ➤ A Samal dance class of girls and women. This dance depicts the
training of Samal girls and women on the languid and flexible
move-ments of the arms which signifies good breeding.

• Some believe that Muslim dances are influenced by Malays and Indonesians due to their
geographical setting.

Dances of the Ethnic or lesser- known Groups

Types of Title of dance Dance description
dances
-Tboli 1. Kadal Tajo ➤ A mimic dance of the beautiful birds performed by young T'boli
girls.

2. Kadal Iwas ➤ A dance imitating the movements of the monkey.

Tagbanua 1. Pagdiwata ➤ A ceremonial rite performed during bilug (full moon) for the
purpose of healing the sick, imploring or in thanks giving for a
good and bountiful harvest.

- Mansaka 1. Gapakaungod ➤ A wedding dance among the Mansaka people.

2. Inamo sa Sayaw ➤ A monkey dance for two.

- Mandaya 1. Kinabua ➤ A dance imitating the movements of a hawk.

Talaandig 1. Pig-Agawan ➤ Young women of the Taalandig tribe try to outdo each other in
attracting an eligible man with the use of colorful scarves.

- Higaonan 1. Binaylan - banog ➤ A typical dance of the Higaonons depicting a mother hen and
her chicks being attacked by a ferocious hawk, three hunters save
the hen from the clutches of the "Banog" or hawk.

- Subanon 1. Sohten ➤ An all male dance that dramatizes the strength and stoic
character of the Subanon male. The Subanon warrior calls the
attention of the diwatas with the sound of the leaves.

Dances of the Countryside

• Dances that typically characterize the 1. Binasuan - a dance which requires a skill in
nature and kind of work of the people. balancing glasses of wine on the top of the
Commonly performed by ordinary groups head and one on each hand.
of people depicting daily activities.
• Dances were light and more informal. 2. Bulaklakan - a dance using arches
festooned with flowers.
Some Examples of countryside Dances and their
Descriptions:
3. Karatong-bamboo noisemakers played by skillful dance from the barrio of Pangapisan,
Cuyunen men to accompany gaily dressed Lingayen, Pangasinan.
ladies in a boisterous street parade.
21. Biniganbigat-courtship dance from
4. Maglalatik - a playful dance of young men Bangued, Abra portraying a story of a boy
beating coconut shells, reflective of a mock who is very much in love with a girl.
battle over the "latik" or coconut residue.

5. Pandango sa Ilaw - a dance which requires a 4 Classification of Folk dance

skill in balancing glasses of Tinghoy lamps,
one on top of the head and one on each A. Geographical Locations
hand. - National Dances - traditional dances
throughout the Philippines with a common basic
6. Oasiwas - a dance using lighted glasses movement or pattern but with slight variations
wrapped in scarves and swayed like beacons
for the homecoming of the fisherman. Examples: Carinosa, Pandango, Rigodon,
Kuratsa
7. Pasikat sa Baso-a Pangasinan dance that
requires skill in balancing glasses of wine on • Local or Regional Dances - dances found in
the head and hands while on top of a bench. certain localities or regions only.
8. Salakot - a wide brimmed hat used to Examples: Alcamfor (Leyte), Maglalatik (San
protect Filipinos from the heat and rain. Pablo, Laguna), Basulto (Pampanga)
9. Subli - a dance from the province of
Batangas that reveals the reverence given by
the performers to a wooden cross.

10. Tinikling-derived from the long-legged

Philippine bird called "tikling" trapped from B. Nature of Dance
the bamboo poles.

11. Bati- a dance performed during Easter

1. Occupational Dances
Sunday. • Dances that depict actions,
characterístics, occupations, industries,
12. Gayong-gayong-a game dance. and phases of human labor.

13. Binislakan - which means sticks, is a Examples:

Pangasinan dance that bears the Chinese • Rice Festival - the largest group of
influence. dancers
• Pabirik-depicts the different stages of
14. Pabirik-depicts the stages of gold panning. gold panning
• Mananguete - tuba gatherer
15. Kalapati - depicts the movements of doves.
2. Religious or Ceremonial Dance
16. Inalisan - a lively festival dance from • Performed in connection with religious
Nangalisan, Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Innalis vows, practices, and ceremonies. A
means to transfer from one place to another. religious dance may be performed to
drive away evil spirits, ask for a favor to
17. Pantomina - very popular wedding dance in have child, give thanks for having
the Bicol regions. recovered from sickness, favors granted
and vows fulfilled.
18. Sinalampati-dance from Tanjay, Negros
Oriental which depicts the actions of mother Examples: Obando, Dugso, Sinulog
doves fondling, caressing, and feeding their
young. 3. Courtship Dances
• Dances that depict love theme
19. Katsutsa - very interesting courtship dance
from San Pablo, Laguna. Examples: Rogelia, Lulay

20. Sayaw Ed Tapew na Bangko - dance which 4. Wedding Dances

means "Dance of a Bench". A lively and
 • performed by newly weds, by friends and
relatives of the bride and groom, or by D. Formation
the father of the bride and the mother of
the groom.
4.1 Square or Quadrille - Examples:
Rigodon, Los Bailes de Ayer, etc.
Examples:
• Pantomina (bride and groom)
• Pandang-Pandang (bride and groom and
4.2 Long Formation - (two or more
friends or relatives of each side) parallel lines) Examples: Lulay,
Sakuting
• Soryano (dance by the parents of the
future groom, the visit of the parents of
the bride) 4.3 Set-consisting of two or more pairs as
a unit, partners facing each other or
5. Festival Dances - performed in connection standing side by side. Examples:
Binadyong, Haplik, Kaka-wati, etc.
with celebration, a feast, a barrio fiesta, good
harvest, and good fortune.

Examples: Kuratsa, La Jota, Putong

6. War Dances - Intended to show imaginary DIFFERENT DANCE TERMINOLOGIES USED

combat or duel with the use of fighting IN FOLK DANCING
implements like bolo, Kris or spear.

Examples: Inabaknon, Sagayan war dance Arms in Lateral Position - both arms are at one
side, either right or left; at shoulder, chest, or
waist level. Brush-weight on one foot, hit the
7. Comic Dances - dances with funny and floor with the ball or heel of the other foot, and
humorous movements mainly intended for lift that foot from the floor to any direction.
entertainment.
Bilao -to turn palms of hands up and down
Examples: alternately, hands at waist level in front, elbows
• Makonggo (movements of a monkey) close to waist.
• Kinoton (movements of person bitten by
ants) Cabeceras - the couples occupying the width of
• Talbeng (portraying monkeys) the hall when the dancers are in square
formation (head couple).

8. Game Dances - dances that have some play Clockwise -like the motion of the hands of the
elements and are tor recreational purposes. clock. R shoulder is toward the center of an
imaginary circle.
Examples: Gayong-Gayong, Lubi-lubi, Pabo
Counterclockwise the reverse direction of
9. Social Dances - dances performed during clockwise, L shoulders to- - ward the center.
social gathering. Movement is toward right when facing center of
circle.
Examples: Rigodon, Lanceros
Costados - the couple occupying the length of
the hall when dancers are in square formation
C. Movements (side pairs).

3.1 Fast or Active - with fast energetic Crossed Arms - Partners facing each other
movement. Examples: Tinikling, or standing side by side join their L hands
Maglalatik, Polkabal, Sakuting, etc. together and the R hands together; either R
over L or L over R hands. Cut - to displace
3.2 Moderate-Examples: Carinosa, quickly one foot with the other.
Tagala, Habanera, Purpuri, ect.
Do-si-do (Dos-a-Dos) - Partners advance
3.3 Slow-Examples: Pasakat, Kundiman forward, pass each other's right (or left) side,
step across to the right (or left) move backwards
3.4 Slow and Fast - Examples: Putritos, without turning around, pass each other left (or
right) side to proper places.
Ba Ingles, Habanera Botolena,
Alcampor.
Free Foot - the foot not bearing the weight of the
body. Pivot - to turn with the ball, heel, or whole foot; on fixed
place or point.
Free Hand - the hand not placed anywhere, or
not doing anything. Point - touch the floor lightly with the toes of one foot,
weight of the body on the other foot.
Hayon-Hayon - to place one forearm in front and
the other at the back of the waist. Slide - to glide foot smoothly along the floor.

Hop -a spring from one foot landing on the same Salok - swinging the arm downward - upward passing in
foot in place or in any direction. front of the body as if scooping; the trunk is bent forward
following the movement of the arm doing the salok.
Inside Foot - the foot nearer the partner when
partners stand side by side. Saludo - partners with feet together bow to each other, to
the audience, opposite dancers, or the neighbors.
Jaleo -partners turn around clockwise (with R elbows
almost touching) or counterclockwise (with Lelbows Sarok -cross the R (or L) foot in front of the L (or R) bend
touching) using walking or any kind of dance step. the body slightly forward and cross the hands down in front
with the R (or L) hand over the L (or R).
Jump -a spring on one foot or both feet landing on both feet
in any direction. Set -a dance formation like a square or a unit formation
Kumintang -moving the hand from the wrist either in a composed of two or more pairs.
clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
Stamp - to bring the foot forcibly and noisily on the floor.
Leap - a spring from one foot, landing on the other foot in
any direction. Step -to advance or recede by moving one foot to another
resting place with a complete transfer of weight from one
Outside Foot - the foot away from one's partner, when foot to another.
partners stand side by side.
Supporting Foot - the foot that bears the weight of the
Outside Hand - the hand away from one's partner when body.
partners stand side by side.
Whirl - to make fast turns by executing small steps in
Place - to put foot in a certain position without putting place, to right, or to left.
weight on it; the sole of the foot rests on the floor.