LESSON 3

PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

What is Folk Dance?
Folkloric dance is the history of the people in movement. They are traditional dances of
a country which are evolved naturally and spontaneously in connection with everyday activities
and experiences of the people who developed them.
In the Philippines, folk dance is a strong and enduring indigenous expression. The history
of Philippine folk dancing incorporates influences from immigrants and conquerors while at the
same time maintaining distinctly Filipino roots. Philippine folk dancing is a true reflection of
daily life, health, peace, war, harvest times and other aspects of life. According to the National
Commission for Culture ans the Arts, Philippine folk dances imitate nature and life because they
are rituals for social and spiritual expression.
Types of Folk Dance
▪ National- traditional dances of a given country
▪ Regional- local
▪ Character- created by individual or group

Characteristics of Philippine Folk dance

▪ In general, dancers stand apart.
▪ There is little, if any, bodily contact.
▪ Most of the dances are in long formation.
▪ Most dances begin and end with “saludo”.
▪ Dances from lowlands have more foreign elements those found in the uplands.
▪ War dances are found among non-Christian tribes.

Three (3) Major Regional Classification of Philippine Folk Dance

1. Tribal Dances From the Cordilleras- include non-Christian dances from the Cordilleras.
2. Lowland Christian Dances- dances coming from places with Western influences such as
that of the Tagalogs, Ilokanos, Pampaguenos, Pangasinense, Bisayans and Bicolanas. These
dances are influenced by Hispanic and European cultures.
3. Muslim Dances- dances from the people of the Southern Island of the Philippines such
as Mindanao and Sulu. These dances are influenced by Arabic and Indo-Malayan cultures.
Philippine folk dances regardless of their classification may be categorized as;
1. LIFE-CYCLE DANCES
Dances that serve as ritual as one passes to a different stage in life such as from birth to
childhood; from single-hood to marriage; and from life to death.
Different dances that portray life cycle:
⮚ Courtship dances
⮚ Wedding dances
⮚ Funeral dances

2. FESTIVAL DANCES
Dances that are either religious or secular and are connected with the celebration of
recurring events of special significance.
3. OCCUPATIONAL DANCES
Dances that depict the means of livelihood of the Filipino people. Palay festival, a
national dance in rice-growing regions, is an example of an occupational dance wherein dancers
portray different steps in rice growing - from planting to harvesting to threshing, flailing,
pounding, airing and winnowing.
4. RITUAL AND CEREMONY DANCES
Dances performed as part of the rituals and ceremonies of a certain tribe or group of
people.
5. GAME DANCES
Derivations from local folk games. One example of these dances is the Pukol dance from
Aklan and Capiz means “to strike or bump each other”.
6. JOKE AND TRICKSTER DANCE
Include jokes or tricks played by a dancer or another or group of dancers who is one of
them. The intention is to render that individual “to a physical or mental indignity or
discomfort.”
Example of these is the Pandanggo Sambalilo dance from the Tagalog regions wherein a
girl teases her male partner by playing with his hat then pushes him when he is about to
succeed in getting back on his hat from the floor.
7. MIMETIC OR DRAMA DANCE
Dances that mimic animals, inanimate objects or other people. The dancers get into
roles other than themselves and become actors totally immersed in the story the dances tell.
The itik-itik dance from Surigao is an example of a mimetic dance as it imitates the movement
of a duck.
8. WAR DANCE
Dances that express feud and enmity wherein two male dancers engage in physical
combat with Spartan-like intensity. Maglalatik ( Binan, Laguna) is an example of war dance as
this depicts a battle between Muslims of Southern Philippines and the Christian Filipinos of the
lowlands over latik ( the residue after coconut boils down). in this dance, the Muslim and the
Christians sought reconciliation in order to convert the Muslim Moros to Christianity.
9. SOCIAL AMENITIES DANCE
Dances that express social graces, hospitality and offerings of gifts to friends. All social
ballroom dances and most of the “Filipinized” Western dances that show camaraderie
merriment belong to this group.
Examples are Minuete Yano (Iriga Camarines Sur), Alay (Tagalog regions), and Habanera
Botolena (Botolan, Zambales) dances. Minuete Yano, for instance os performed by people from
high social standing in the community during special occasions honoring high government
officials and church dignitaries.
12 Most Popular Philippine Folk Dances
When talking about dance in the Philippines, we can’t help but think of the classic
Filipino folk dance that put the country on the world map. Here’s a list of folk dances in the
Philippines you should know if you want to learn more about the country’s culture.

1. Tinikling – A Philippine folk dance that originated in Leyte

- Tinikling is one of the most famous dances in the Philippines. The movements of this
Filipino folk dance imitate the movements of the tikling bird as it walks around through tall
grass and between tree branches. People use bamboo poles to perform this Filipino traditional
dance. Tinikling is composed of three basic steps which include singles, doubles, and h ops. 

2. Itik-Itik – A cultural dance in the Philippines that originated in Surigao del Sur

- The itik-itk is named after a species of duck (itik), whose movements the dance
imitates. This example of Philippine folk dance from Surigao del Sur mimics how the itik walks
and splashes water to attract a mate.

3. Maglalatik – An example of Philippine folk dance that originated in Biñan, Laguna

- Maglalatik, a folk dance in Luzon, is not just any other traditional dance in the
Philippines that mimics the movements of animals. This dance in the Philippines has a meaning.
It is a mock war dance that depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highly-prized food. 
 The Filipino folk dance is broken into four parts: two devoted to the battle and two
devoted to reconciling. The dancing men wear coconut shells as part of their costumes, and
they hit them in rhythm with the music. Maglalatik is danced in the religious procession during
the fiesta of Biñan, Laguna as an offering to San Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.

4. Binasuan – Binasuan is a tribal dance in the Philippines that originated in Pangasinan

- Another folk dance in the Philippines is binasuan. Binasuan, another folk dance in
Luzon, originated in Bayambang, Pangasinan. The word “binasuan” means “with the use of
drinking glasses.” It is one of the most challenging Filipino dances as the dancers need to
balance glasses on their heads and in their hands as they move. What makes it more difficult is
that the glasses are filled with rice wine, which makes any misstep a messy mistake. 

5. Singkil – Singkil is a Mindanao folk dance that originated in Lake Lanao

- Singkil is a Mindanao folk dance that originated from the Maranao people and is based
on the story in the Darangen, the pre-Islamic Maranao interpretation of the ancient Hindu
Indian epic, the Ramayana. 

This tribal dance in the Philippines means “to entangle the feet with disturbing objects
such as vines or anything in your path”. The lead dancer, in the role of Putri Gandingan (the
Darangen name for Sita), graciously manipulates either fans, scarves, or her hands while she
steps in and out of closing bamboo poles. The poles are arranged in either a parallel,
rectangular, or criss-cross fashion. The singkil dance is one of the most popular Philippine folk
dances.

6. Kappa Malong-Malong – A tribal dance in the Philippines that originated from the
Maranao tribe in Mindanao

- The Kappa Malong-Malong is a cultural dance in the Philippines influenced by Muslims.

The malong is a tubular garment, and the folk dance essentially shows the many ways it can be
worn. This traditional dance in the Philippines is not only for women though, but there is also a
men’s version of the dance since they wear malongs in different ways.

7. Cariñosa – A local dance in the Philippines that originated in Panay Island

- If there’s one type of folk dance in the Philippines that will surprise you, it’s Cariñosa
Philippine folk dance. You might think that most of the Philippine folk dances include women
characters that have a shy and Maria Clara personality. While it’s true, Carinosa dance is a
Filipino cultural dance made for flirting, hence it’s a courtship dance in the Philippines.

The dancers make a number of flirtatious movements as they peek out at one another behind
fans or handkerchiefs.
 8. Sayaw sa Bangko – A traditional folk dance in the Philippines that originated in
Pangasinan

- Another example of Philippine folk dance that will test your skills is the Sayaw sa
Bangko (dancing on a chair). It is performed on top of a narrow bench. To ace this ethnic dance
in the Philippines, dancers need good balance as they go through a series of movements that
include some impressive acrobatics. So if you want a challenging folk dance, try Sayaw sa
Bangko.

9. Pandanggo sa Ilaw – An ethnic dance in the Philippines that originated in Lubang Island,
Mindoro

- Just like Binasuan, Pandanggo sa Ilaw is a game of balancing glasses, only with candles
inside. Dancers have to balance three oil lamps: one on the head, and one in each hand. It’s a
lively Philippine folk dance that originated on Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro. The music is
in 3/4 time and is usually accompanied by castanets. So if you’re always game for challenging
Filipino dances, try Pandanggo sa Ilaw.

The Pandanggo sa Ilaw is similar to a Spanish Fandango, but the Pandanggo folk dance is
performed while balancing three oil lamps.

10. Pandanggo Oasiwas – A folk dance in the Philippines that originated in Lingayen,
Pangasinan

- The Pandanggo Oasiwas is a type of dance in the Philippines similar to the Pandanggo
sa Ilaw, and is typically performed by fishermen to celebrate a bountiful catch. In Pandanggo
Oasiwas folk dance, the lamps are placed in cloths or nets and swung around as the dancers
circle and sway.

11. Kuratsa – A type of folk dance in the Philippines that originated in Samar Island

- The Kuratsa is considered a courtship dance in the Philippines. This Filipino dance has
three parts. First is where the couple performs a waltz. Second, the music sets a faster pace as
the man pursues the woman around the dance floor in a chase. Lastly, the music becomes even
faster as the man wins over the woman with his mating dance.

12. Pantomina – A type of dance in the Philippines that originated in Bicol

- Pantomina is another courtship dance in the Philippines. It is a regular feature of

festivities in Bicol, and is said to mimic the movement of doves in courtship.