PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH 12
Philippine Folk Dances
These are traditional dances of a country which were evolved naturally and spontaneously in connection with
everyday activities and experiences of the people who developed them.
With each passing year, customs and beliefs of groups of people get built little by little, slowly with time forming
into traditions. Folk dances represent one of the strongest ways these (sometimes truly ancient) traditions of countries and
regions can be showcased to the public. Even though many traditional dances bear the name of an ethnic dance, not all of
them remained folk dances, but all of them try to emphasize the cultural roots of the particular dance. Some of them
morphed over time into religious dances, and as such, they are not primarily used to showcase tradition but to enhance
religious ceremonies and beliefs. Such dances are often called religious or ritual dances.
Folk dancing is the heartbeat of the people.
Types of Folk dances:
1. National – traditional dances of a given country.
2. Regional – local.
3. Character – created by individual or group.
OBJECTIVES OF TEACHING PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES
1. To foster patriotism and nationalism through the study of our dance.
2. To arouse better appreciation of Philippine music and folk dances.
3. To provide through dancing, a healthful form of relaxation and recreation.
4. To develop a graceful and rhythmic coordination of body movements that will improve posture.
5. To preserve for posterity, folk dances and music indigenous to the different regions of the Philippines.
6. To demonstrate the growth of Filipino culture through the evolution of Philippine dances.
Characteristics of Philippine Folk Dances:
1. In general, dancers stand apart.
2. There is little, if any, bodily contact.
3. Most of the dances are done by pairs or couples.
4. Hand movements play an important part.
5. Most dances are in long formation.
6. Most dances begin and end with “saludo.”
7. Dances from the lowlands have more foreign elements those found in the uplands.
8. War dances are found among non-Christian tribes.
Classification of Philippine Dances
I. General Classification
A. GEOGRAPHICAL EXTENT OF ORIGIN
1. National dances-found throughout the islands with little or no modification.
Examples: Rigodon, Carinosa, Jota, Balitaw, Pandanggo.
2. Local dances-found in a certain locality.
Examples: Tinikling-Leyte, Maglalatik-Binyang, Esperanza-Nabua, Subli-Batangas, Biniganbigat-Abra
|B. NATURE
1. Occupational-depicting action of certain occupation, industry, or human labor.
Examples: Planting, Harvesting, Pounding, Winnowing, Pabirik, Mananguete,
2. Religious or Ceremonial – performed in connection with religious vows and ceremonies.
Examples: Dugsu, Sua – sua, Putong, Sta. Clarang Pinong-pino, etc.
3. Comic dances – depicting funny movements for entertainment.
Examples: Kimbo – kimbo Makonggo, Kinoton
4. Game dances – with play elements (dance mixers)
Examples: Lubi – lubi, Pavo
5. Wedding dances – performed during wedding feast.
Examples: Panasahan, etc.
6. Courtship dances – depicting love making.
Examples: Hele – hele, Bago Quiere, Maramion, Tadek, Daling – daling
7. Festival dances – suitable for special occasion or any social gathering.
Examples: Pandanggo, Habanera, Jota, Surtido
8. War dances: showing imaginary combat or duel.
Examples: Sagayan, Palu-palo, etc.
C. MOVEMENTS
1. Active – with fast energetic movements.
Examples: Tinikling, Maglalatik, Sakuting, Polkabal, etc.
2. Moderate
Examples: Cariñosa, Tagala, Habanera, Purpuri, etc.
3. Slow
Examples: Pasakat, Amorosa, Tiliday, Kundiman, etc.
4. Slow and Fast
Examples: Putritos, Ba-Ingles, Habanera Botoleña, Alcamfor, etc.
D. FORMATION
1. Square or Quadrille - Examples: Rigodon, Los Bailes de Ayer, etc.
2. Long formation (two or more parallel lines) - Examples: Lulay, Sakuting
3. Set – consisting of two or more pairs as a unit, partners facing each other or standing side by side. - Examples:
Binadyong, Haplik, Kakawati, etc.
II. Special Classification - Group dances having special distinctive features.
A. Dances with Songs
Examples: Aburaray, Manang Biday, Lulay, Rogelia, Lawiswis Kawayan, etc.
B. Old Ballroom Dances
Examples: Polka, Mazurka Chotis, Valse, etc.
C. Dances with Implements
Examples: Maglalatik, Sakuting, Jota Moncadena, Tinikling, Salakot,
D. Dances of Combined Rhythm
Examples: Surtido, Pantomina, Los Bailes de Ayer
Factors Affecting Folk Do’s in Folk Dancing Don’ts’s in Folk Dancing
Dances
1. Geographical location 1. Dance in a natural, simple and direct 6. Do not exaggerate the dance steps.
2. Economic conditions manner. 7. Do not make the dances too dainty
3. Climatic conditions 2. Dance with ease and smoothness. and graceful like ballet.
4. Customs and traditions. 3. Use the proper costume for the 8. Don’t make entrance and exit long.
dance. 9. Don’t make steps too elaborate
4. Follow directions and dance and complicated.
instructions as closely as possible. 10. Don’t call a dance a folk dance
5. Dance with feeling and expression. unless steps come from traditional
dances.
COMMON DANCE TERMS
Arms Movements Legs Movements
1. ARMS IN LATERAL POSITION – Both arms are at 1. BRUSH – Weight on one foot, hit the floor with the
one side either right or left, at shoulder, chest or waist ball or heel of the other foot and lift that foot from the
level. floor to any direction.
2. CROSSED ARMS – Partners facing each other or 2. CUT – To displace quickly one foot with the other.
standing side by side join their left hands together and 3. DO-SI-DO – Partners advance forward, pass each
the right hands together; either right over left or left other’s right (left) side, step across to the right move
over right hands. backwards without turning around, pass each other left
3. HAYON-HAYON – To place one forearm in front and side to proper places.
the other at the back of the waist. 4. HOP – A spring from one-foot landing on the same
4. KUMINTANG – moving the hand from the wrist foot in place or in any direction.
either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. 5. JALEO – Partners turn around clockwise (with right
5. MASIWAK – To turn the hand from the wrist half- elbows almost touching) or counterclockwise (with
way clockwise then raise and lower wrist once or twice. left elbows almost touching) using walking or any
This is an Ibanag term. kind of dance step.
6. PATAY – To bend the head downward and to support 6. JUMP – A spring on one foot or both feet landing on
the forehead with the R forearm or with the crook of both feet in any direction.
the R elbow while the left hand supports lightly the 7. LEAP – A spring from one-foot landing on the other
palm of the right hand. This is usually done with the foot in any direction.
left foot pointing in rear and knees slightly bent. This is 8. PLACE – To put foot in a certain position without
an Ilocano term and the movement is commonly found putting weight on it.
in Ilocano dances. 9. PIVOT – To turn with the ball, heel or whole foot on
7. SALOK – To swing the arm downward-upward a fixed place or point.
passing in front of the body as if scooping, the trunk is 10. POINT – Touch the floor lightly with the toes of one
bent following the movement of the arm doing the foot, weight of the body on the other foot.
salok. 11. PANADYAK – To stamp in front or at the side with
8. SALUDO – Partners bow to each other, to the the right foot and tap with same foot close to the left
audience, opposite dancers, or to the neighbors with foot. This is a Tagalog term.
feet together. This is of Spanish origin and is used in 12. SAROK – Cross the R foot in front of the L, bend the
almost all Philippine dances. body slightly forward and cross the hands down in
front of the R hand over the L. This is a Visayan term.
13. SLIDE – To glide foot smoothly along the floor. The
movement may be finished with or without transfer of
weight.
14. STAMP – To bring the foot forcibly and noisily on
the floor with or without transfer of weight.
15. TAP – To rap slightly with the ball or toe of the free
foot, flexing the ankle joint keeping weight of the
body on the other foot. There is no change or transfer
of weight.
16. WHIRL – To make fast turns by executing small steps
in place to right or left.
BASIC DANCE STEPS
2/4 time dance steps
DANCE STEPS STEP PATTERN COUNTING
Bleking step heel-place, close 1,2
Touch step point, close 1,2
Close step step, close 1,2
Hop step step, hop 1,2
Cross step step, cross or cross, step 1,2
Change step step, close, step 1 and 2
Changing step jump (one ft. in front and The other in rear) there are two 1,2
Changing steps in a measure
Contraganza step leap, cross-step, step 1 and 2
Habanera step step, close, step 1, 2 and
Shuffling step with both feet flat on floor, take tiny Slide steps 1 and 2 and
3/4 time dance steps
DANCE STEPS STEP PATTERN COUNTING
Native waltz step, close, step 1, 2, 3
Cross waltz cross-step, close, step 1, 2, 3
Waltz balance step, close-heels raise, heels down 1, 2, 3
Mazurka step slide, cut, hop 1, 2, 3
Redoba step slide, cut, cut 1, 2, 3
Sway balance w/point step, cross-step, step point 12, 3/ 1, 23
Sway balance w/A hop step, cross-step, step, hop 12, 3/ 1, 23
Sway balance w/A waltz step, cross-step, step, close, step 12, 3/ 1, 23
CLASSIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE
Nature Meaning Examples
Occupational Dances depict actions of a particular occupation Planting, Punding
Religious /Ceremonials associated with religion, vows and ceremonies Dugsu, Sua-sua
Comic Dances depict funny movements for entertainment Kinotan, Makonggo
Game Dances done with play elements Lubi-lubi, Pavo
Wedding Dances performed during wedding feasts Panasahan
Courtship Dances depict the art of courtship Hele-hele, Tadek, Pantomina
Festival Dances suitable for special occasions Pandanggo, Habanera
War Dances show imagery combat Sagayan, Palu-palo
