CABALBAG, JESSICA MAE G.
STEM-12
PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL FOLKDANCE
LUZON
1. BANGA DANCE OR POT DANCE
A contemporary performance of the kalinga of the Mountain Province in the
Philippines. This dance illustrates the languid grace of a tribe otherwise known
as fierce warriors.
This dance shows the skill and strength of the women as they carry heavy laden
clay pots, or banga, full of water. Their grace and agility while balancing the
heavy pots is a testament of how the Filipino strength and determination to survive
hardship. Young Igorot girls start only one pot. But, of course, as they become
older and more experienced, they are expected to provide more water for their
family. Pots could be as high as five or six stacks. Women would all gather and march
to the river each day, singing a native song accompanied by the flute and banging of
bamboo on iron pots in the dance.
2. IDAW
This dance has many names and different versions. It depicts the hunting ritual
performed before a tribal war. The tribesmen would go out and look up and watch
out for the scared Idaw bird which is said to lead the tribe to victory. Considering the
Philippines as a very humid country, the traditional clothing was made to cover not
much of the body.
As one of the cordillera dances, this Bontoc dance depicts a war ceremony performed
by warriors of rival tribes. Idaw, meaning “bird” is celebrated because it was the
omen bearer of war.
3. IDUDU
The family is the basic structure of family life among the Itneg or Tinggian
people. Caring for the children is shared by both the mother and father. While the
men are clearing the fields, breaking the soil with bamboo and their feet, the women
watch the children. Soon as the men are done, they take care of the children while
the women do back breaking work. You can see in the dance how the women will
take the bamboo baskets and shaking them in the manner of drying rice,while the
men are going in circles in the backround like they are tilling the land. Then, the
women put down the baskets, fold cloth into a baby while the husbands stand aside.
Afterward, the women will turn over the baby to their hundbands, pick up the
bamboo, and start tilling the land while the men hold and cradle the babies.
4. RARAGSAKAN
The Kalingga borrowed the beautiful word “ragragsakan” from the Ilocano, which
means “merriment”. The two biggest occasions for a ragragsakan in a kalinga
village are for the homecoming of successful head takers and
the culmination of peace pact between warring tribes. Kalinga maidens
balance “labba” or woven baskets on their heads, wave colorful tribal blankets, and
sing short salidumay songs as they snake through the terrace dikes and skip through
breaks in the path. This dance portrays the walk of the industrious kalinga women,
carrying water pots on their heads and wearing the colorful hand-woven “blankets
of life” around their neck.
VISAYAS
1. MAGLALATIK
The Maglalatik is an indigenous dance from the Philippines in which coconut shell
halves that are secured onto the dancer’s hands and on vests upon which are hng
four or six more coconut shell halves. The dancers – all male – perform the dance by
hitting one coconut shell with the other.
Originally performed in Biñan, Laguna as a mock-war dance that demonstrates a
fight between the Moros and the Christians, this dance is also performed to pay
tribute to the town’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. Moro dancers wear read
trousers while the Christian dancers wear blue. All dancers are male with harnesses
of coconut shells attached on their chests, backs, thighs, and hips.
2. SAYAW SA BANGKO
Sayaw sa bangko or Sayaw ed Tapew na Bangko is a dance which originates from
pangasinan as researched by Jovita Sison. It is performed by a couple on a narrow
bench. They do not compete, but rather complement each other, so that no one falls.
Sayaw sa Bangko is usually performed during town fiestas.
3. SUBLI
The term “subli” is from two tagalog words “subsub” meaning “falling on one’s
head” and “bali”, which means “Broken”. This version is originally a ritual dance
of the natives of Bauan, Batangas, which is performed during fiestas as a ceremonial
worship dance to the town’s icoon, the Holy Cross.
MINDANAO
1. ASIK
This dance is performed by a solo maiden, adorned with fine beads make-up, and a
long head scarf. The maiden would dance to win the favor of her Sultan master. She
would give her whole heart and soul into this performance to soften the heart of her
master and accept her.
2. KINI KINI
Kini means the Royal Walk. Maranao women perform this dance with scarves. The
beauty of the scarves and the talent and grace in which it is displayed shows their
elite social upbringing.
3. PANGALAY
The pangalay is native to the badjao, who are also known as “Sea Gypsies”. It is a
dance that emphasizes the agility of the upper body. The pangalay is commonly
performed at weddings and other social gatherings. One will also see some parts of
the Singkil in this dance. This dance is sometimes called the Muslim Dance of Four
Bamboos.
4. SINGKIL
The Singkil Dance takes its name from the bells worn on the ankles of the Muslim
Princess. The singkil recounts the epic legend of the “Darangan” of the Maranao
people of Mindanao. This epic, written sometime in the 14th century, tells the fateful
story of Princess Gandingan who was caught in the middle of a forest during an
earthquake caused by the diwatas or fairies or nymphs of the forest.
The faces of the dancers are formal and they maintain a dignified pose. Dancing
begins at a slow pace which soon progresses to a faster tempo in which dancers
skillfully manipulate fans that represent the winds that prove to be auspicious.
FOLK DANCE ACCORDING TO NATURE
1. BINATBATAN DANCE
The Binatbatan dance is an occupational dance from Paoay, Ilocos Norte. It depicts
the beating of cotton pods to separate the seeds drom the fibers. Weavers in Paoay
often engage themselves in abel-making contests. Dancers maneuver in and out of
parallel batbat sticks, each about 18 inches long. Th rhythm and speed of the beating
of the sticks make for a lively and colorful display.
2. MAG-ASIK
This is a Tiruray dance for Girls, performed in Nuro, Cotabato. According to the
natives the word “mag-asik” means “to sow seeds”. The dancers go around the
cloth with small, heavy steps but with graceful hand and arm movements. The dance
consists of two parts, which the natives call “komaligue” and “mag-asik”.
RELIGIOUS OR CEREMONIAL DANCES
DUGSO
Dugso is a dance which originated from Bukidnon in Northeast Mindanao. Dancers
perform this as an entertainment for the dieties, to make them feel more comfortable
during the fiesta that wwas organized for them. It was originally thought that this
dance was performed only during harvest time or upon the birth of a male heir.
Women would wear colorful feathered head dresses, plaid costumes, and anklets.
GAMES DANCES
LUBI-LUBI
Lubi-Lubi is a bicolano dance which is a combination of a simple folk and social
steps. Literally, lubi means coconut. According to the BIkolanos this dance
originated in Leyte and Samar where it is still danced like the Balitaw. It is also
popular in Albay and Sorsogon.
WEDDING DANCES
PAGKAWIN
The wedding ceremony is called Pagkawin. The festivity opens with the Pahanda or
presentation of dowry. Relatives of the groom present to the relatives of the bride
traditional dowries that usually include that Salap-pa, A bras box containing money,
jewelry, other valuables, and all important betel nut.
COURTSHIP DANCES
SUA-SUA
This is a dance from Jolo, Sulu. Literally, “Sua-sua” means “small orange
plant”. According to the Moros of the older generation, the movements in this
dance have been modified and modernized. Dancers sing as they perform the dance.
The natives often repeat the dance as many times as they like or until they are made
to stop.
FESTIVAL DANCES
PANDANGGO
Pandangggo sa Ilaw or “Fandango” is a very popular folk dance in the Philippines.
It is said to have originated from Mindoro, This dance of lights simulates fireflies at
dusk and at night. The phrase “sa ilaw” is Tagalog for “in light” and it refers to the
three oil lamps that are dances has to balance. The oil lamp is called tinghoy.
WAR DANCES
SAGAYAN
A philippine war dance performed by both the Maguindanao and Maranao depicting
in dramatic fashion the steps their hero, Prince Bantugan, took upon wearing his
armaments, the war he fought in, and his subsequent victory afterwards.
