Classification of Philippines Folk Dances

There are five types of folk dances in the Philippines.

Namely: Maria Clara Dance, Cordillera Dance,
Muslim Dance, Rural Dance, and Tribal Dance

1. Maria Clara Dance

In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan came to the
archipelago, signaling the start of Spanish
colonization. However, the Spanish didn't get a
foothold in the Philippines until 1565. Three
centuries of Spanish rule left an imprint on the
Filipinos. Many of them were converted to
Catholicism and forced to take Spanish surnames.
During this period, Western culture spread through
the islands, including such Western dances as the
waltz, fandango and polka. With a little Filipino flare,
they quickly became part of the culture. This "new"
style of dance was named Maria Clara after the tragic
character in Jose Rizal's novel "Noli Me Tangere."

Example of Maria Clara Dance

*LA JOTA MONCADENA-Is one of the most
famous interpretation and adaptation of the
Aragonese Jota dance. People of Moncada, Tarlac,
call it rather by a different name: Jota Florana. The
Jota Folrana was danced to the Ilocano/Yogad
bamboo musical instrument ensemble called tallelet.
Dance anthropologist Ramon Obusan said that the
Jota Florana was danced to accompany a bereaved
family to the burial of a loved one. The high pitched
clicking of the bamboo clickers are supposed to
represent melancholy wails. The slow portion of the
dance is in fact named patay (death) or desmayo
(fainting) that is performed to a very slow marcha
funebre. The same dance figure is found in another
Ilocano dance, the Ti Liday (which in Ilocano means
‘sorrow’ or grief-stricken’). The Jota Moncadeña
similar to other Filipinized versions of the Spanish
jota is literally mixe-up in flavor. The dance
combines Spanish and Ilocano dance steps and
music.
2. Cordillera Dance
The mountainous Central Cordillera region of
Northern Luzon is also known by the term
"Philippine Skyland." Inhabiting this rugged terrain
are six ethno-linguistic tribes known as the Ibaloy,
Kankanay, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, and Bontoc. They
prefer to be called by their respective tribal names
rather than the collective term Igorot, which was
first used by the Spaniards and later by Christian
lowlanders. These tribes were generally unfazed by
Spanish colonization. This homogeneous group is
recognized by their common socio-cultural traits.
They hold common religious beliefs, generally
nature-related, and make propitiatory offerings to
anitos, or household gods. Among these people of
the Cordillera, dance continues to be an expression
of community life that animates the various rituals
and ceremonies. It serves for self-edification of the
performers and entertainment for the spectators.
They dance to appease their ancestors and gods to
cure ailments, to insure successful war-mating
activities or to ward off bad luck or natural
calamities. They dance to congregate and socialize,
for general welfare and recreation, and as an outlet
for repressed feeling. They also dance to insure
 bountiful harvests, favorable weather, and to mark
milestones in the cycle of life.
Example of Cordillera Dance
UYA-UY-This is an Ifugao wedding festival dance
accompanied by gongs and is performed by the
affluent to attain the second level of the wealthy
class. Wealthy people who have performed this
dance are entitled to the use of gongs at their death

3. Muslim Dance
Mindanao, the Philippines’ southernmost island, is
the country’s cultural melting pot. It houses
influences from Spain, China, Indonesia, and the
Middle East. Although Mindanao carries a strong
flavor from other lands, there are people who have
lived there before it became a breeding ground of
foreign trade. Tribes such as the T’boli, Bilaan,
Manobo, Bagobo, and other groups inhabit the vast
regions of Mindanao. Like their Northern Luzon
counterparts, these groups honor their gods for the
fruits and trials of daily life. What distinguishes them
from other tribes in the Philippines is their intricate
craftsmanship in metal, clothing, and jewelry. These
tribes pride themselves in their concept of beauty
and are known for creating colorful sets of jewelry
and clothing out of dyed pineapple and banana
fibers with are showcased in their traditional dances.
The Muslims in the Philippines, also known as
Moros, were able to resist Spanish conquest. They
preserved the Islamic lifestyle that differs from the
majority of the Philippine population. The dances are
characterized by vivid colors and rhythmic
movements which reflect the influence of Arabian
and Indo-Malaysian cultures.

Example of Muslim Dance

*Singkil
Singkil originated from the Maranao people who
inhabit the shores of Lake Lanao. It is a re-telling of
an episode from the Maranao epic legend Darangen
involving the rescue of Princess Gandingan
 (abducted by the diwatas) by the legendary Prince
Bantugan.

4. Rural Dance
Perhaps the best known and closest to the Filipino
heart are the dances from the rural Christian
lowlands: a country blessed with so much beauty. To
the Filipinos, these dances illustrate the fiesta spirit
and demonstrate a love of life. They express a joy in
work, a love for music, and pleasure in the
simplicities of life. Typical attire in the Rural Suite
include the colorful balintawak and patadyong skirts
for the women, and camisa de chino and colored
trousers for the men.

Example of Rural Dance

*Binasuan-Is a folk dance that originated in
Bayambang, Pangasinan,. The word “binasuan”
means “with the use of drinking glasses.” The
dancers balance glasses on their heads and in their
hands as they move. The glasses are filled with rice
wine, which makes any misstep a messy mistake.
People dance binasuan at weddings and festivals. A
group of dancers generally performs binasuan,
moving in unison, but occasionally breaking into
smaller groups and performing different
choreography.
5. Tribal Dance
Tribes such as the T'boli, Bilaan, Manobo, Bagobo,
and other groups inhabit the vast regions of
Mindanao. Like their Northern Luzon counterparts,
these groups honor pagan gods for the fruits and
trials of daily life. What distinguishes them from
other tribes in the Philippines is their intricate
craftsmanship in metal, clothing, and jewelry. These
tribes pride themselves in their concept of beauty
and are known for creating colorful sets of jewelry
and clothing out of dyed pineapple and banana
fibers with are showcased in their traditional dances.

Example of Tribal Dance

*Pagdiwata-A crystallized presentation of an ancient
nine-day ritual of thanksgiving among the Tagbanuas
of Palawan for a rice harvest focused on the babaylan
or priestess and her ministrations.
Fundamentals Position of Arms and Feet
Arms and Feet Position:
 List of Folkdances
The Philippines has many popular folk dances
which have evolved and changed as they have
been passed down from generation to
generation. Although a particular dance might
be performed slightly differently from one
region to the next, its remains true to its roots.
Here are some of the most popular dances
from the region.
1.The Cariñosa is a dance made for flirting!
Dancers make a number of flirtatious
movements as they hide behind fans or
handkerchiefs and peek out at one another.
The essence of the dance is the courtship
between two sweethearts.
2. The Tinikling is considered by many to be the
Philippines' national dance. The dance's
movements imitate the movement of the
tikling bird as it walks around through tall grass
and between tree branches. People perform
the dance using bamboo poles. The dance is
composed of three basic steps which include
singles, doubles and hops. It looks similar to
playing jump rope, except that the dancers
perform the steps around and between the
bamboo poles, and the dance becomes faster
until someone makes a mistake and the next
set of dancers takes a turn.
3.The Sayaw sa Bangko is performed on top of
a narrow bench. Dancers need good balance as
they go through a series of movements that
include some impressive acrobatics. This dance
traces its roots back to the areas of Pangapisan,
Lingayen and Pangasinan.
4. The Binasuan is an entertaining dance that is
usually performed at festive social occasions
like weddings and birthdays. Dancers carefully
balance three half-filled glasses of rice wine on
their heads and hands as they gracefully spin
and roll on the ground. The dance originated in
Bayambang in the Pangasinan province, and
though it's usually performed alone, it can also
become a competition between several
dancers.
5. The Pandanggo sa Ilaw is similar to a Spanish
Fandango, but the Pandanggo is performed
while balancing three oil lamps - one on the
head, and one in each hand. It's a lively dance
that originated on Lubang Island. The music is
in 3/4 time and is usually accompanied by
castanets
6. The Pandanggo Oasiwas is similar to the
Pandanggo sa Ilaw, and is typically performed
by fishermen to celebrate a good catch. In this
version, the lamps are placed in cloths or nets
and swung around as the dancers circle and
sway.
7. The Maglalatik is a mock war dance that
depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highly-
prized food. The dance is broken into four
parts: two devoted to the battle and two
devoted to reconciling. The men of the dance
wear coconut shells as part of their costumes,
and they slap them in rhythm with the music.
The Maglalatik is danced in the religious
procession during the fiesta of Biñan as an
offering to San Isidro de Labrador, the patron
saint of farmers.
8. The Itik-Itik
The best description of the Itik-Itik is that the
steps mimic the way a duck walks, as well as
the way it splashes water on its back to attract
a mate. According to popular tradition, the
dance was created by a lady named Kanang
who choreographed the steps while dancing at
a baptismal party. The other guests copied her
movements, and everyone liked the dance so
much that it has been passed along ever since.
9. The Kuratsa is described as a dance of
courtship and is often performed at weddings
and other social occasions. The dance has three
parts. The couple first performs a waltz. In the
second part, the music sets a faster pace as the
man pursues the woman around the dance
floor in a chase. To finish, the music becomes
even faster as the man wins over the woman
with his mating dance.
10. The La Jota Moncadeña is adapted by the
Filipinos from an old Spanish dance. It's a
combination of Spanish and Ilocano dance
steps set to Spanish music and castanets. A
more solemn version of this dance is
sometimes used to accompany a funeral
procession, but it is also performed at
celebrations.
11. The Kappa Malong-Malong is a Muslim-
influenced dance. The malong is a tubular
garment, and the dance essentially shows the
many ways it can be worn. There are men's and
women's versions of the dance since they wear
malongs in different ways.
12. The Habanera Botolena is a strongly
flamenco-influenced dance that comes from
Botolan, Zambales. It combines Filipino and
Spanish steps, and is a popular dance at
weddings. It is also considered a courting dance
in some situations.
13. The Pantomina Also known as the Dance of
the Doves, the Pantomina mimics the courtship
between doves and is often also a courtship
dance between the couples that perform it.
This dance is an important part of the Sorsogon
Kasanggayahan Festival held each October,
where it is mainly performed by the elders of
the community.
14. The Surtido
Surtido literally means "assortment," and this
square dance combines influences of French,
Spanish and Mexican dance. Traditionally the
Surtido is performed by a head couple
accompanied by two other couples who lead all
the dancers through various formations that
resemble an old-fashioned quadrille.
15.The Singkil is a dance traditionally
performed by single women to attract the
attention of potential suitors. Dancers perform
a series of graceful movements as they step in
and out from between bamboo poles which are
rhythmically clapped together. Fans and
scarves are often used to enhance the dancers'
movements.
16. The Polkabal shows some European
influence in its steps. The dance is composed of
nine different steps which include various
movements such as fluttering, stepping heel-to-
toe, a reenactment of a bull fight, and even a
leisurely walk.
17. The Magkasuyo is a variation of the balse -
the one-two-three graceful triple meter that
Filipino traditional dance borrowed from the
Spanish waltz. It is a formal series of close-step-
close movements with a couple facing each
other in a courtship configuration. Balse
incorporates German and Spanish influence,
but the Magkasuyo is the specific invention of
Quezon province, a large farming and fishing
region southeast of Manila with a rich tradition
of outside influences, including Spanish, Malay,
and Muslim. A popular song Magkasuyo Buong
Gabi (Lovers for the Night) expands on the
romantic nature of the dance.