1.
Tinikling
Classification: Ritual
Origin: A Philippine folk dance that originated in Leyte.
Definition: 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 hops.
2. Itik-Itik
Classification: Life Cycle
Origin : A cultural dance in the Philippines that originated in Surigao del
Sur
Definition: 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
Classification: Occupational
Origin: An example of Philippine folk dance that originated in Biñan,
Laguna.
Definition: 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
Classification: Ritual
Origin: Binasuan is a tribal dance in the Philippines that originated in
Pangasinan.
Definition: 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
Classification: Ritual/ Life Cycle
Origin: Singkil is a Mindanao folk dance that originated in Lake Lanao.
Definition: 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
Classification: Ritual
Origin: A tribal dance in the Philippines that originated from the
Maranao tribe in Mindanao.
Definiton: 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, there
is also a men’s version of the dance since they wear malongs in different
ways.
7. Cariñosa
Classification: Life Cycle
Origin: A local dance in the Philippines that originated in Panay Island.
Definition: 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.
8. Sayaw sa Bangko
Classification: Life Cycle
Origin: A traditional folk dance in the Philippines that originated in
Pangasinan.
Definition: 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
Classification: Ritual
Origin: An ethnic dance in the Philippines that originated in Lubang
Island, Mindoro.
Definition: 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 is performed while balancing three oil lamps.
10. Pandanggo Oasiwas
Classification: Occupational
Origin: A folk dance in the Philippines that originated in Lingayen,
Pangasinan.
Definition: 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
Classification: Life Cycle
Origin: A type of folk dance in the Philippines that originated in Samar
Island.
Definition: 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. What an interesting folk dance in the Philippines, right?
12. Pantomina
Classification: Life Cycle
Origin: A type of dance in the Philippines that originated in Bicol.
Definition: 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.
