Philippine folk dances incorporate influences from immigrants and

conquerors and at the same time maintaining distincly Filipino roots.

Philippine folk dancing is a true reflection of daily life in the past
centuries while enchanting modern audiences at the same time.

There is no exact date as to when dancing became part of our lives in the
Philippines. The dances were performed during festivals and
remembrances of past military victories, and are still performed during
celebrations of birth and weddings in modern times. Many modern folk
dance festivals still feature ancient dances performed in colorful
costumes used during the tribal period of the Philippines.

CULTURAL AND FOLK

DANCES IN THE
PHILIPPINES
The various cultures of the different countries in the world have been
made more colorful, beautiful, and vibrant because of folk dances that
reflect who they are. The Philippines consists of 7,107 islands, broken
down in three groups – Luzon, Visayas , and Mindanao. Each of these
areas has different dialects, history, religion, and traditions. Every region
also has different influences in their arts, crafts, and ancestral dances.
Let’s take a trip and explore the different styles, costumes, dances, and
talents of each region Many of the dances you will read about here were
actual activities or chores that the Filipinos endured to survive the poor
economy and state of the nation.
 LUZON
THE TRADITIONS AND HERITAGE OF LUZON

“We shall never forget our heritage”

Luzon, the nothernmost region of the Philippines is rich in traditions and

heritage. In traces its cultural influences from Hindu, Buddhist, Spanish,
and many other ethnic religious tribes. The cultural folk dances from this
region represent all the different factions or tribal groups in one way or
another.

The Cordillerans or Igorot is the term or the collective name of

several ethnic groups in the Phlippines. These tribes – The Ifugao,
Kalinga, Bontoc, Apayao, Ibaloi, kalangaya, and
the Kankanaey in benguet mostly inhabit the mountains of Luzon.

THE DANCES OF LUZON

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.

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.

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.

RAGRAGSAKAN
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
LOVE OF LIFE AND COUNTRY – VISAYAS
REGION

“Live Long, Live Happy, Die Proud”

The central islands of the Philippines, are grouped into three

sections: Central, Eastern, and Western. The peope in the region
consist of Autronesians, Negritos, and the Animist Tribal Group. Visayas
became a melting pot for many different tribes and cultural
backgrounds. You will see that the dances of the Visayas are more upbeat
and exciting, not so much in drama and tribal meanings as other regions.

THE DANCES OF VISAYAS

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.
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.

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.

TINIKLING
This is the most popular and best known of the Philippine dances and is
honored as the Philippine National Dance. Dancers imitate the tikling
bird’s legendary grace and speed by skillfully maneuvering between large
bamboo poles. The name “Tinikling” means “bamboo dance” in
English.

Considered as one of the oldest dances from the Philippines, Tinikling

originated in the island of Leyte in the Visayas. The bird was named
“tikling” from which the Tinikling dance got its name. Because of
creativity of the people, they imitate the Bird’s movement between
branches and stems using bamboo poles.

MINDANA
O
“Pride and Honor – Mindanao Region”

Mindanao is the southernmost region of The Philippines. It is the second

largest island group and its cultural groupings consist of mostly Muslim
or “Moro” people, and other ethnic groups such as the Maranao, Tausug,
Banguingui, and indigenous tribes known as Lumad.

THE DANCES OF MINDANAO

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.

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.

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.

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.
CLASSIFICATION OF FOLK
DANCE ACCORDING TO
NATURE
OCCUPATIONAL DANCES are those that depict the actions of a
particular occupation.

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.

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/CEREMONIAL DANCES are those associated with
religion, vows and ceremonies.

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.
COMIC DANCES are those that depict funny movements for
entertainment

KINOTON

Is a comic dance from Ilocos Sur. It depicts the movement of a person

bitten by ants.

MAKONGGO
(there’s no picture for makonggo)

A comic dance which originated in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. A solo performer

imitates the movements characteristic of a monkey, its gestures and
grimaces.

GAME DANCES are those that are done with play elements.
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 are those dances that are performed during

wedding feasts.

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 depict the art of courtship.

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 are those which are suitable for special occasions.

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.