Dances of the

Philippine
Islands
 . DANCE
Dances of the Philippine Islands
Dance
• Dance is an art form that
generally refers to
movement of the body,
usually rhythmic and to
music, used as a form of
expression, social
interaction or presented
in a spiritual or
performance setting.
. FOLKDANCE
Dances of the Philippine Islands
Folkdance
• They are dances performed at
social functions by people
with little or no professional
training, often to traditional
music or music based on
traditional music.
• They are not designed for
public performance or the
stage, although traditional
folkdances may be later
arranged and set for stage
performances.
 Philippine Folkdance
• Countries in the world have their own cultures
made more colorful, beautiful and vibrant
because of Folk Dances that are reflection of
who they are. In the east, the Chinese have their
symbolic Dragon Dance, the Japanese have the
ancestral dance Bon Odori. In the west the
Americans have their Square Dance. On the
other hand, the Philippines will not be left
behind. "The Pearl of The Orient" boast of a
variety of Filipino Folk Dances.
Talents from Each
Region....
As we explore each of the regions and styles,
please remember a lot of these Cultural and
Folk dances represents hardships and daily
back breaking tasks, that has turned into a art
form. Many of the dances you will read about
here were actual activities or chores that the
Filipino endured to survive the poor economy
and state of the nation
Talents from Each
Region....
The Philippines consist of 7107 islands, and is
broken down in three groups of islands. The
Luzon, Mindano, and Visayas. Each of these
regions contain different languages, history,
religion, and traditions. With each region
having different influence in their arts, crafts,
and ancestorical dances. Lets take a trip
through each region and explore the different
styles.
 Different
kinds of Folk
Dances From
LuzViMinda
Dances of the Philippine Islands
Folkdance of
Luzon
Dances of the Philippine Islands
Luzon
• Northern most region of
the Philippines, Luzon
gets its Cultural influence
from Hindu-Buddist,
Spanish and many ethnic
regions tribes. All with
differences and beliefs.
But in all the Cultural and
Folk Dances from this
region represents all
different factions in one
way or the other.
Luzon
• Consisting of the tribes
such as Ifugao, Benquet,
Kalinga, Bontoc, Apayo,
Kalinga, sometimes
these are call Igorot. "
But sometimes that is
considered degrading ."
Cordillerea name also
used for some parts the
Luzon Region...
Idaw
• This dance sometimes
has many names and
different versions. Most
common is this dance
depicts the hunting
ritual performed before
a tribal war. The tribes
men would go out and
look up and watch for
the scared Idaw bird.
Idaw
• Which is said to lead the
tribe to victory. Also
look at the clothing,
Philippines being a very
hot climate, plus the use
of as little material as
possible, the traditional
clothing was not made
to cover much of the
body....
Banga
• This dance displays the
Igorot women on their way
to the river to fetch the daily
water supply for thier
familys. It shows the skill and
strength of the women as
they would carry heavy
laiden clay pots (Banga) full
of water. Their grace and
agility while balancing the
heavy pots, sometimes stacks
5 high, is a testiment of the
Filipino and how hardships
become a art form and talent.
Banga
• As a young girl you would
start with only one pot. Of
course as you become older
and more experienced,
along with the fact that
you could provide more
water for your family in one
trip. Pots could be stacked
as high as 5 or 6. The more
pots you could carry
showed your skill and also
you standing amoung the
women of that area.
Banga
• They would all gather and
march to the river each day,
singing a native song
which is represented by the
flute and banging of
bamboo on iron pots in the
dance.
Ragsaksakan
• The word means
"Merriment". This dance
would be performed after a
successful headhunt and
also for a peace pact
between waring tribes. The
colorful hand woven
blankets " blankets of life"
are worn around the neck
while baskets to carry
produce or rice are worn
upon the head.
La Jota
Moncadena
• People of Moncada, Tarlac,
call it rather by a different
name: Jota Florana. The
Jota Folrana was danced to
the Ilocano/Yogad bamboo
musical instrument
ensemble called tallelet.
Dance anthropologist
Ramon Obusan said that
the Jota Florana was
danced to accompany a
bereaved family to the
burial of a loved one.
La Jota
Moncadena
• The high pitched clicking of
the bamboo clickers are
supposed to represent
melancholy wails. The slow
portion of the dance is in
fact named patay (death) or
desmayo (fainting)
Subli
• Subli is the dance portion of a
devotion performed in honor
of the Mahal na Poong Santa
Cruz, a large crucifix of
anubing wood with the face
of the sun in silver at the
center. The icon was
discovered in the early
decades of Spanish rule in
what is now the town of
Alitagtag, Batangas. It is the
patron of many towns in the
area, notably the ancient
town of Bauan, Batangas.
Folkdance of
Visayas
Dances of the Philippine Islands
Visayas
• Being the Central Island
of The Philippines,
Visayas is also broken
down into three sections.
Central, Eastern, Western.
Consisting of
Austronesians, Negritos,
these we Animist Tribal
Group. Many others tribes
from around surrounding
island would come after
the downfall or break up
of their tribes.
Visayas
• Visayas became a melting
pot for many different
Tribes and Cultural
backgrounds. You will
find Arbian, Spanish, and
some Western influences
in the dances of this
region. You will see that
the dances of the Visayas
are more upbeat and
exciting.
Sayaw Ed Tapew
na Bangko
• Sayaw Sa Banko or Sayaw
ed Tapew na Bangko
(dance on top of a bench),
is a dance which
originates from
Pangasinan and
researched by Jovita
Sison. It is performed by a
couple on a narrow
bench, inching and
hopping from one end to
another.
Sayaw Ed Tapew
na Bangko
• Dancer show skill in
staying up the bench as
they exchange places by
moving their way around
or the girl thrown in the
air while boy moves to
the other end. They do
not compete but rather
complement each other
so that no one falls. It is
usually performed during
town fiestas.
Tinikling
• Tinikling is considered
the national folkdance
with a pair of dancers
hopping between two
bamboo poles held just
above the ground and
struck together in time
to music.
Tinikling
• Originated from Leyte
Province, this dance is in
fact a mimic movement
of “tikling birds”
hopping over trees,
grass stems or over
bamboo traps set by
farmers. Dancers
perform this dance with
remarkable grace and
speed jumping between
bamboo poles.
Maglalatik
• Originally performed in
Binan, Laguna as a
mock-war dance that
demonstrates a fight
between the Moros and
the Christians over the
prized latik or coconut
meat during the Spanish
rule, this dance is also
shown to pay tribute to
the town’s patron saint,
San Isidro Labrador.
Maglalatik
• It has a four-part
performance such as the
palipasan and the baligtaran
showing the intense battle,
the paseo and the
escaramusa- the
reconciliation. Moro dancers
wear read trousers while the
Christian dancers show up in
blue. All dancers are male;
with harnesses of coconut
shells attached on their
chests, backs, thighs and hips
Binasuan
• is a native dance of
Pangasinan. This dance
literally means “dancing
with glasses.” The steps are
executed with glasses filled
with rice wine balanced on
the head and the hands of
the dancers. Danced to
show balance and to reflect
rural gaiety, Binasuan is
performed usually in
wedding ceremonies and
occasions in the barangay.
Itik- itik
• Is one of the Philippine folk
dances which have an
interesting origin. According
to stories, a Filipina maiden-
dancer of Surigao del Norte
was asked to perform a
native dance in one special
occasion. She started to
improvise new steps and
imitate the courtship
movements of a local species
of duck known as “itik.” The
spectators began to imitate
her and that is how the dance
came to be.
Folkdance of
Mindanao
Dances of the Philippine Islands
 Mindanao
• This is the southern most
region of The Philippines.
Being the second largest
island in the Philippines, its
Culture consists of mostly
Muslium or " Moro " people,
also composed of other
ethnic groups such as the
Maranao, Tausug,
Banguingui, and indigenous
tribes know as Lumad. You
will see alot of Arabian, and
Middle Eastern influence in
thier costumes and dances.
Singkil
• takes its name from the
bells worn on the ankles of
the Muslim princess.
Perhaps one of the oldest
of truly Filipino dances, the
Singkil recounts the epic
legend of the "Darangan"
of the Maranao people of
Mindanao.
Singkil
• 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
nymph of the forest. The
rhythmic clapping of criss-
crossed bamboo poles
represent the trees that were
falling, which she gracefully
avoids.
Singkil
• Her slave loyally
accompanies her
throughout her ordeal.
Finally, she is saved by the
prince. Dancers wearing
solemn faces and
maintaining a dignified
pose being dancing at a
slow pace which soon
progresses to a faster
tempo skillfully
manipulate.
Kini- kini
• Kini means the Royal
Walk. Maranao women
performed this dance
with scarves. The beauty
of the scarve and the
talent and grace in
which it is displayed.
Shows their elite social
upbringing.
Pangalay
• A pangalay native to the
Badjao, sometimes known
as the "Sea Gypsies."
Pangalay is a dance that
emphasizes the agility of
the upper body. The
rhythmic bounce of the
shoulder with simultaneous
alternating waving of arms
are the basic movement of
this dance.
Pangalay
• The pangalay is commonly
performed at weddings and
other social gatherings.
You will also see some parts
of the Sinkgil in this dance
also. Another part of this
dance is also called the
Muslium four Bamboos.
Asik
• This is performed by a solo
madien, adorned with fine
beads and make up, long
head scarf. She would dance
to win the favor of her Sultan
master. Many time the girls
would dance to win the
hearts of her master or to
make up for a wrong she had
done. She would give her
whole heart and soul into
this performance to soften
the heart of her master to
accept.