Physical Education Common Philippine Folk Dances

PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES While a dance means to move rhythmically to music, typically following a set sequence of steps, there’s certainly more to it than its literal meaning. Dance is a source of entertainment and a good healthy lifestyle. But as for the Philippine folk dances, we see a bigger picture and a deeper meaning. A traditional dance in the Philippines connects us to a place’s culture. It is about history, traditions and majestic beauty of the place it is associated with. The cultural dances in the Philippines evolved from different regions which are distinct from one another as they are affected by religion and culture. 12 Most Popular Philippine Folk Dances When talking about dance in the Philippines, we can’t help but think of the classic Filipino folk dance that put the country on the world map. Here’s a list of folk dances in the Philippines you should know if you want to learn more about the country’s culture: 1. Tinikling A Philippine folk dance that originated in Leyte Tinikling is one of the most famous dances in the Philippines. The movements of this Filipino folk dance imitate the movements of the tikling bird as it walks around through tall grass and between tree branches. People use bamboo poles to perform this Filipino traditional dance. Tinikling is composed of three basic steps which include singles, doubles, and hops. 2. Itik-Itik A cultural dance in the Philippines that originated in Surigao del Sur The itik-itk is named after a species of duck (itik), whose movements the dance imitates. This example of Philippine folk dance from Surigao del Sur mimics how the itik walks and splashes water to attract a mate. 3. Maglalatik An example of Philippine folk dance that originated in Biñan, Laguna Maglalatik, a folk dance in Luzon, is not just any other traditional dance in the Philippines that mimics the movements of animals. This dance in the Philippines has a meaning. It is a mock war dance that depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highly-prized food. 4. Binasuan Binasuan is a tribal dance in the Philippines that originated in Pangasinan The word “binasuan” means “with the use of 5. Singkil Singkil is a Mindanao folk dance that originated in Lake Lanao Singkil is a Mindanao folk dance that originated from the Maranao people and is based on the story in the Darangen, the pre-Islamic Maranao interpretation of the ancient Hindu Indian epic, the Ramayana. 6. Kappa Malong-Malong A tribal dance in the Philippines that originated from the Maranao tribe in Mindanao The Kappa Malong-Malong is a cultural dance in the Philippines influenced by Muslims. The malong is a tubular garment, and the folk dance essentially shows the many ways it can be worn. This traditional dance in the Philippines is not only for women though, there is also a men’s version of the dance since they wear malongs in different ways. 7. Cariñosa A local dance in the Philippines that originated in Panay Island If there’s one type of folk dance in the Philippines that will surprise you, it’s Cariñosa Philippine folk dance. You might think that most of the Philippine folk dances include women characters that have a shy and Maria Clara personality. While it’s true, Carinosa dance is a Filipino cultural dance made for flirting, hence it’s a courtship dance in the Philippines. 8. Sayaw sa Bangko A traditional folk dance in the Philippines that originated in Pangasinan Another example of Philippine folk dance that will test your skills is the Sayaw sa Bangko (dancing on a chair). It is performed on top of a narrow bench. To ace this ethnic dance in the Philippines, dancers need good balance as they go through a series of movements that include some impressive acrobatics. 9. Pandanggo sa Ilaw An ethnic dance in the Philippines that originated in Lubang Island, Mindoro Just like Binasuan, Pandanggo sa Ilaw is a game of balancing glasses, only with candles inside. Dancers have to balance three oil lamps: one on the head, and one in each hand. It’s a lively Philippine folk dance that originated on Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro. The music is in 3/4 time and is usually accompanied by castanets. So if you’re always game for challenging Filipino dances, try Pandanggo sa drinking glasses. It is one of the most challenging Filipino dances as the dancers need to balance glasses on their heads and in their hands as they move. What makes it more difficult is that the glasses are filled with rice wine, which makes any misstep a messy mistake. Ilaw. 10. Pandanggo Oasiwas A folk dance in the Philippines that originated in Lingayen, Pangasinan The Pandanggo Oasiwas is a type of dance in the Philippines similar to the Pandanggo sa Ilaw, and is typically performed by fishermen to celebrate a bountiful catch. In Pandanggo Oasiwas folk dance, the lamps are placed in cloths or nets and swung around as the dancers circle and sway. 11. Kuratsa A type of folk dance in the Philippines that originated in Samar Island The Kuratsa is considered a courtship dance in the Philippines. This Filipino dance has three parts. First is where the couple performs a waltz. Second, the music sets a faster pace as the man pursues the woman around the dance floor in a chase. Lastly, the music becomes even faster as the man wins over the woman with his mating dance. 12. Pantomina A type of dance in the Philippines that originated in Bicol Pantomina is another courtship dance in the Philippines. It is a regular feature of festivities in Bicol, and is said to mimic the movement of doves in courtship