Al Jean J
Al Jean J
Al Jean J
Legaspi BSN-IA
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.
The Tinikling
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.
The Binasuan
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.
The Maglalatik
The Maglalatik is a mock war dance that depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highlyprized 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 Bian as an offering to San Isidro de Labrador,
the patron saint of farmers.
The Kuratsa
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.
La Jota Moncadea
The La Jota Moncadea 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.
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.
The Cariosa
The Cariosa 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.
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 Polkabal
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.
Different Music:
Mabuhay Singers - Itik Itik Dance Lyrics
Artist: Mabuhay Singers
Album: Philippine Folk Songs
Napakagandang pagmasdan
Ang maliliit mong hakbang
At ang tatlong basong
May taglay na ilaw
Ay tinimbang mong lahat
Sa ulo't sa mga kamay
Ngunit 'di mo alam
Na minamasdan kita
At nabihag mo ako
Sa iyong pandanggong kay sigla
Magbuhat na noon
Ay inaalala ka
Dahil sa walang lakas
Ang puso kong limutin ka
Sa pandanggo mo'y
Hanga ang lahat
Tangan mong mga ilawan
Ni isa'y walang lumagpak
Puso kong ito
Nais ko liyag
Ay ingatan mo na rin
Pagka't ikaw ang may hawak.