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ACTIVITY
In
PATH Fit 3
(PE 3)

Table of Contents
 Classification of Folk Dances
 Origin of Folk Dances in the Philippines

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Villanueva, Sydney Brailyn Prof. Santiago

Address: Brgy. San Jose, City of San Pablo, Laguna Cel. no. (0929) 356 7646 E – mail (Administrative Office), [email protected]
 CITY GOVERNMENT OF SAN PABLO
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG SAN PABLO
CHED Recognized Local College
TESDA Recognized Programs
ALCU Commission on Accreditation – Level 1 Re-Accredited
Member, Association of Local Colleges and Universities
Patriotism • Leadership • Service • Professionalism
Member, Local Colleges and Universities Athletic Association, Inc.

Nature of Philippine Folk dance

OCCUPATIONAL DANCES  depict actions of a particular occupation. (e.g. Planting,

Punding)

RELIGIOUS/CEREMONIAL  associated with religion, vows and ceremonies. (e.g.

Dugsu, Sua-sua)

COMIC DANCES  depict funny movements for entertainment. (e.g. Kinotan, Makonggo)

GAME DANCES  done with play elements. (e.g. Lubi-lubi, Pavo)

WEDDING DANCES  performed during wedding feasts. (e.g. Panasahan)

COURTSHIP DANCES  depict the art of courtship. (e.g. Hele-hele, Tadek, Pantomina)

FESTIVAL DANCES  suitable for special occasions. (e.g. Pandanggo, Habanera)

WAR DANCES  show imagery combat. (e.g. Sagayan, Palu-palo)

Classification of Philippines Folk Dances

GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN

    1. NATIONAL DANCES  found throughout the islands. (e.g. Rigodon, Carinosa, Jota)

        Rigodon

            - Originated from Spain, this dance is commonly performed at formal affairs like
inaugural balls where prominent membersof the                               government participate and
enjoy.

        Cariñosa

            - Cariñosa is a word that describes an affectionate, friendly and lovable woman. This
dance is performed in flirtatiousmanner with fans and               handkerchiefs to assist the
dancers hide-and-seek movements.

        La Jota Manileña

            - It is a dance named after the capital city of the Philippines, Manila, where an adaptation
of Castilian Jota afloatswith the clacking of bamboo castanets played                  by the dancers

Address: Brgy. San Jose, City of San Pablo, Laguna Cel. no. (0929) 356 7646 E – mail (Administrative Office), [email protected]
 CITY GOVERNMENT OF SAN PABLO
PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG SAN PABLO
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themselves. The costume and the graceful movements of theperformers noticeably inspired
by Spanish Culture. 

    2. LOCAL DANCES  found in specific locality. (e.g. Tinikling-Leyte; Subli-Batangas)

        Tinikling

        - Tinnikling is considered the national folkdance with a pair of dancers hopping between
two bamboo poles held just abovethe ground and               struck together in time to music.
Originated from Leyte Province, this dance is in fact a mimic movement of tiklingbirds
hopping over trees,               grass stems or over bamboo traps set by farmers. Dancers perform
this dance with remarkable grace andspeed jumping between bamboo poles.

        Subli-Batangas

        - This dance is one of the most popular dance in the Philippines and the favorite in
Batangas. This dance is simplyceremonial in nature and this                  is performed as homage
to the Holy Cross. The Holy Cross is known by the locals as the 'Mahal naPoong Santa Krus',
and the Holy Cross plays an               important role in the development of the dance. In fact, the
Holy Cross is consideredat the center of the dance and without the Holy Cross the                   
dance will not materialize.

HISTORY OF FOLK DANCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

 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

Address: Brgy. San Jose, City of San Pablo, Laguna Cel. no. (0929) 356 7646 E – mail (Administrative Office), [email protected]
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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.

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

Address: Brgy. San Jose, City of San Pablo, Laguna Cel. no. (0929) 356 7646 E – mail (Administrative Office), [email protected]
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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.

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

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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.

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

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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

Address: Brgy. San Jose, City of San Pablo, Laguna Cel. no. (0929) 356 7646 E – mail (Administrative Office), [email protected]
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PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG SAN PABLO
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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
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

Address: Brgy. San Jose, City of San Pablo, Laguna Cel. no. (0929) 356 7646 E – mail (Administrative Office), [email protected]
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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

 SAGAYA
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. 

Address: Brgy. San Jose, City of San Pablo, Laguna Cel. no. (0929) 356 7646 E – mail (Administrative Office), [email protected]