PE1105
RHYTHMIC
ACTIVITIES
MODULE 3
Central Luzon State University
Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
MODULE 3
PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL DANCES
Dancing was considered as a religious
activity among the early Filipinos. Dances
were performed by the priests and
priestesses in thanksgiving for a plentiful
harvest, a victorious battle, a prosperous
voyage or recovery from sickness.
• Komintang- the oldest dance and song among the
Christianized Filipino groups.
- It was a pantomimed song and dance.
• Pampango- another dance characterized by the
movements of the loins and clapping of the hands.
THESE DANCES WERE LAID ASIDE WITH THE COMING OF
THE SPANIARDS, BUT LATER WE REVIVED AS NEW DANCES
SUCH AS THE FANDANGO, LANCEROS, RIGODON, CARINOSA
AND CURACHA WERE INTRODUCED BY THE SPANIARDS.
• Mrs. Francisca Reyes Tolentino
• (known today as Mrs. Francisca Reyes Aquino) is
considered the mother of Philippine Folk
Dances.
• Her books were: Philippine National Dances and
six volumes of Philippine Folk Dances.
• University of the Philippines Folk Song and
Dance Troupe
- organized by Mrs. Tolentino
– the original and foremost dance troupe that paved
way to the birth of many dances and troupes.
Other groups such as Filipiniana, Barangay, Bayanihan, Filipinescas,
and many others later organized and have gone outside the country
of our foreign friends.
DEFINITION OF PHILIPPINE
FOLK DANCES
1. Folk dances are traditional dances of a country which were
evolved naturally and spontaneously in connection with everyday
activities and experiences of the people.
2. Folk dancing is the heartbeat of the people.
3. Folk dances are traditional social expressions of the ideals,
mores, feelings, and thoughts of people or group of people
through body movement.
4. Dancing is the outburst of people’s feelings.
TYPES OF FOLK DANCES
A. National – traditional dances of a
given country.
B. Regional – local
C. Character – created by an
individual or a group.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PHILIPPINE DANCES
1. As a rule, our dances begin and end with a “saludo”.
A SALUDO is three-step-turn in place and bow to either partner
or audience.
2. In general, dancers stand apart.
A distance between 6 to 8 feet from each other.
3. Most of the dances are done in pairs or couple.
4. There is little, if any, bodily contact.
Holding of the hands is very common.
5. Most of the dances are done in pairs or couple.
6. Hand movements play an important part.
7. Dances from the lowlands have more foreign elements
than those found in uplands.
8. War dances are found among non-Christian tribes.
OBJECTIVES OF TEACHING PHILIPPINE
FOLK DANCES
1. To foster patriotism and nationalism through the study
of our dances
2. To arouse better appreciation of Philippine music folk
dances
3. To provide, through dance, a healthful form of
relaxation and recreation
4. To develop a graceful and rhythmic coordination of
body movements that improve posture.
5. To arouse and keep the interest of our children in
taking part and enjoying our own dances.
6. To preserve posterity and folkdances and music
indigenous to the different regions of the Philippines.
7. To demonstrate the growth of Filipino culture through
the evolution of Philippine dances.
VALUES OF DANCING
A. Physiological and neuro-muscular development
of the organic systems of the body.
B. Cultural – depicts the culture of people.
C. Social and Recreational.
CLASSIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE
DANCES
A. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
I. Nature of Dances
A. NATIONAL DANCES. These are traditional
dances throughout the Philippines with a
common basic movement or pattern but with
slight variations.
B. LOCAL or REGIONAL DANCES. These are dances
found in certain localities or regions only.
C. OCCUPATIONAL DANCES. These are
dances that depict actions characterizing
certain occupations, industries and phases of
human labor.
D. RELIGIOUS OR CEREMONIAL DANCES. These are
dances that are performed in connection with religious
vows, practices, and ceremonies.
A religious dance may be performed to:
a) Drive away evil spirits like the Sinurog.
b) Ask for a favor to have a child like Santa Clarang Pinong- pino or
Bayluhan.
c) Give thanks for having recovered from sickness, for favors
granted as Dugso, and for vows fulfilled.
d) Offer first fruits of harvest; the farmers in Capiz
refrain from eating their yield without first observing
this dance ritual.
This dance Panurong Surong starts when everybody attending
the ritual is already a bit drunk from the native wine “tuba”.
e) Supplicate for rain when a dry spell or drought sets in
An-Annit (Bontoc, Mt. Province.) performed by the
Applay Tribe.
E. COURTSHIP DANCES. These dances
depict love making or are dances
with love themes.
F. WEDDING DANCES. These are dances
performed by newlywed, by friends and
relatives of the bride and groom, or by the
father of the bride and the mother of the
groom.
G. FESTIVAL DANCES. These dances are
performed in connection with a celebration, a
feast, barrio fiesta, good harvest, and good
fortune.
H. WAR DANCES. These dances are
intended to show imaginary combat or
duel with the use of fighting implement
like the bolo, kris or spear.
I. COMIC DANCES. These are dances with
funny or humorous movements mainly
intended for entertainment.
J. GAME DANCES. These are dances that
have some play elements and are for
recreational purposes.
II. MOVEMENTS
1. Fast or Active – with fast energetic movemets
Examples: Tinikling, Maglalatik, Tubong Kalatong,
Manmanok etc.
2. Moderate
Examples: Carinosa, Ilocana a Nasudi, Jotabal,
Jota Pangasinana etc.
3. Slow
Examples: Kundiman, Tiliday, Pasakat etc.
4. Slow and Fast
Examples: Pandanggo Rinconada, Ba-Ingles, Habanera
Botolena, Jota Moncadena etc.
III. FORMATION
1. Square or Quadrille
Examples: Baranggay, Los Bailes de Ayer, Pasakat,
Rigodon Royale, Lanceros de Lingayen
2. Long Formation or Line Formation
Examples: Lulay, Sakuting
3. Set – consists of two or more pairs as a unit,
partners facing each other or standing side by
side.
Examples: Binadyong, Haplik, Kakawati, Ati Ati sa
Bukid, Pasakat, Estudiantina
B. SPECIAL CLASSIFICATION – group
dances having special distinctive features
1. Dances with Song
Examples: Putungan, Manang Biday, Lulay, Sua ko Sua,
Ati Ati sa Bukid, Ragragsakan, etc.
2. Old Ballroom Dances
Examples: Polka, Mazurka, Chotis, Birginia etc.
3. Dances with Implements
Examples: Jota Moncadena, Salakot, Bulaklakan,
Binasuan, Tarektek, Bayluhan, Kayaw, Burong Talo,
Pig-Aper, Pandanggo Sambalilo
4. Dances of Combined Rhythm
Examples: Pandanggo Rinconada, Habanera Batolena,
Pantomina, Paseo de Bicol, Surtido Norte, Habanera
de Soltera
FACTORS AFFECTING FOLK
DANCES
1. Geographical Location
2. Economic Conditions
3. Climatic Conditions
4. Customs Traditions
DO’S IN FOLK DANCING
1. Dance in a natural, simple and direct manner.
2. Dance with ease and smoothness.
3. Use the proper costume for the dance.
4. Follow directions and dance instructions as
closely as possible.
5. Dance with feelings and expression.
DON’TS IN FOLK DANCING
1. Do not exaggerate the dance steps.
2. Do not make entrance and exit long.
3. Do not make the dances too dainty and graceful
like ballet.
4. Don’t make steps too elaborate and complicated.
5. Don’t call a dance folk dance unless steps come
from traditional dances.
END OF MODULE 3
