SPANISH DANCES

Danza

Danza is a folk dance of Cuban origin which became popular in the late 19th century, also known as
habanera or danza habanera. The habanera is a social dance in duple time and performed in a ballroom
or on a stage.

The Argentine writer Carlos Vega (1898-1966) traces its origin to the English contra dance or
square dance, which was then assimilated into Spain as contradanza or danza. Around 1825, it
was brought to Cuba in this form where it was combined with Afro-Cuban rhythms; and
around 1850, it was transformed into the habanera.

Jota Cagayana
Origin: Cagayan Valley

The Jota brought by the Spaniards from Southern Spain found its way into many places in the
islands. One such jota is named after the valley it adapted. Though Filipinized in many ways
that one, Jota Cagayana still displays the fire and fury of its European origin.

Until the turn of the century the Ibanag of Cagayan Valley perform this fast tempo dance which
ncludes familiar European steps, the mazurka, polka, gallop and waltz.
 Pantomina

Originally a wedding dance from the province of Albay, the dance is now popular at any social
gathering.

Abaruray

Abaruray is a contraction of the words Aba and Ruray. Aba is an exclamation which is
equivalent to “Hey!” or “Hi!” in English. Ruray is a nickname for Aurora.

Malaguena

This dance was a favorite dance of the people of Laguana and

Quezon during the Spanish Era.
 Jota Manileña
Origin: Manila

A dance that originated in the capital city around the 19th century. Like the other Jotas in
Philippine folk dances, this is an adaptation of the Castillian Jota, but the castanets are made of
bamboo and are only held, not fastened, to the fingers. It is recognizably Iberian in flavor.

Paypay de Manila

The young ladies carry scented fans, or "paypay" and flirt with young men with canes and straw
hats, once more giving evidence of the Kastilian influence.

Jota Paragua

A dance originating from Zamboanga, displays steps with very

strong Castillian influence, but using Philippine bamboo
castanets held loosely. The woman in Jota de Paragua waves a
shawl called manton.
Cordillera Folk dance
Cordillera, a name given by the Spanish Conquistadors when they first saw the mountain
ranges. Meaning "knotted rope", the Spanish term refers to the jumbled rolls and dips of this
long-range traversing the northern part of Luzon Island.

Today, if one is to generalize one of the six ethno-linguistic tribes as an "Igorot" is considered
degrading. Living amidst the rice terraces that tower over Northern Luzon are a people whose
way of life existed long before any Spaniard or other foreigners stepped foot on the Philippines.
The Bontoc, Ifugao, Benguet, Apayo, and the Kalinga tribes reign over Luzon's mountain
terrain.

CORDILLERA DANCES

LIKHA
They are pagan people, living simple lives to appease their gods. Their rituals celebrate their
daily lives - a good harvest, health, peace, war, and other symbols of living. Such traditions
have survived the changing scope of the Philippines and the tribes continue to maintain their
cultures that are a part of the colorful cultural fabric known as Philippine culture.

Ragsaksakan
Tribe: Kalinga

This dance portrays the walk of the industrious Kalingga women, carrying water pots on their
heads and wearing the colorful hand-woven "blankets of life" around their necks. Their walk
imitates the climb up the Rice Terraces in the Mountain Provinces of the Philippines.
 Banga
Tribe: Kalinga

"Banga" literally mean pots. The Banga or pot dance is a contemporary performance of
Kalinga of the Mountain Province in the Philippines. This dance illustrate the languid grace of a
tribe otherwise known as fierce warriors. Heavy earthen pots, as many as seven or eight at a
time, are balanced on the heads of maidens as they trudge to the beat of the "gangsa" or wind
chimes displaying their stamina and strength as they go about their daily task of fetching water
and balancing the banga.

Bendayan
Origin: Benguet Province, Northern Luzon

Also popularly called Bendian, this circle dance of the Benguet of Mountain Province is
restaged, keeping true to the dance's context and meaning. Long known as a dance to
celebrate the arrival of successful headhunters, the Bendayan has taken a new face. It is
part of every Benguet festivity with the circles slowly giving way to other formations
and interpretations.

Turayen
Tribe: Gaddang
Origin: Cagayan Valley

Gaddang comes from the word ga, meaning "heat" and dang, meaning burned". The Gaddang
live in the middle of Cagayan Valley and speak a language similar to Ilokano. Most of them
converted to Christianity, and those who live alongside Christianized Ilokano groups have
more or less adjusted to settled agriculture of mixed crops. Small and scattered groups in
southeastern Kalinga, eastern Bontoc, and Isabela regions retain their indigenous religion and
practice swidden agriculture (the cutting back and burning of existing vegetation to produce
temporary farming plots) with supplementary hunting and fishing. In this dance, the Gaddang
imitate birds attracted to tobacco trees.
 Lumagen / Tachok
Tribe: Kalinga
Origin: Luzon

When the Kalinga gather to celebrate a happy occasion like the birth of a first-born baby boy, a
wedding, or a budong (peace pact), the Kalinga Festival Dance (Tachok) is performed. This is
danced by the Kalinga maiden. The dance imitates birds flying in the air. Music is provided by
gangsa, or gongs, which are usually in a group of six or more.

Manmanok
Tribe: Bago

Three Bago Tribe roosters compete against each other

for the attention of Lady Lien. They use blankets
depicting colorful plumes to attract her.

Salisid
Tribe: Kalinga

The Salidsid is the Kalinga courtship dance, performed by a male and female (and thus is sometimes
called the "cayoo" dance). The dance starts when each of the dancers are given a pice of cloth called ayob
or allap. Usually the most important people in the village are the second to dance after the host has
signified that the occasion is formally open. The background and meaning in this dance is evident. The
male simulates a rooster trying to attract the attention of a hen while the female imitates the movements
of a hen being circled by a rooster.
 Uyaoy / Uyauy
Tribe: Ifugao

The Ifugao people are said to be the "children of the earth." The term Ifugao is derived from the
word ipugaowhich literally means "coming from the earth." The Spaniards, however, changed it
to Ifugaw, a term presently used in referring not only to these people but also to their province.
This Ifugao wedding festival dance is accompanied by gongs and is performed by the affluent
to attain the second level of the wealthy class. Wealthy people (Kadangyan) who have
performed this dance are entitled to the use of gongs at their death.

Tarektek
Tribe: Benguet

Two tareketek woodpeckers vie for the attention of three females. One Male woodpecker
rhythmically bang on a brass gong to represent a good voice, while the other swish about a
colorful blanket representing beautiful plumage.

Salip
Tribe: Kalinga

Tribes in the mountain provinces of Luzon preserve their identity, customs and lore. Their dances
celebrate important events in life such as birth, wedding, victory in war and thanksgiving. A Kalinga
wedding dance is an important celebration. The bridegroom offers the bride the protection and comfort
of his blanket. He simulates the movements of a rooster at love play, aspiring to attract and seize his love.
The bride's friends are ready to help prepare the bride by offering "bangas" (earthen pots) filled with
fresh water from the mountain spring.
RURAL AND BARRIO DANCES
Perhaps the best known and closest to the Filipino heart are the dances from the rural Christian
lowlands: a country blessed with so much beauty. To the Filipinos, these dances illustrates the fiesta
spirit and demonstrate a love of life. They express a joy in work, a love for music, and pleasure in the
simplicities of life. Typical attire in the Rural Suite includes the colorful balintawak and patadyongskirts
for women, and camisa de chino and colored trousersfor men.

A good example of rural or barrio dance is Sinulog. It is a ceremonial dance performed by the
people of San Joaquin, Iloilo, during the feast of San Martin. It originated in a barrio of San Joaquin
called Sinugbahan. It was believed that the image of San Martin was found at the edge of a beach, and
that it could not be removed until the people dance the Sinulog.

BINASUAN
Meaning "with the use of drinking glasses", this vibrant shows off balancing skill of the
performers. Glasses filled with rice wine are placed on the head and on each hand carefully
maneuvered with graceful movements.

ITIK-ITIK
According to history of this dance, a young woman named Kanang (short for Cayetana), began
improvising her steps in the middle of her performance imitating the movements of an "itik", a
duck, as it walks with choppy steps and splashes water on its back.
PANDANGGO SA ILAW
The word pandanggo comes from the Spanish dance "fandango" characterized with lively steps
and clapping, and "ilaw" is the Filipino word for "light", hence, the dance of lights.

SAYAW SA SALAKOT

The girls of the village show off their colorful farm hats.

TINIKLING
Tinikling is considered the national folkdance. 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