Philippine

Folk Dance
 WHAT IS DANCE?

- a form of
expression of
oneself through
rhythmic movement
 So, what is FOLK DANCE
- the oldest form of dance
and the earliest form of
communication
- the traditional dance of
a given country which
evolved naturally and
spontaneously with
everyday activities
e.g. occupations, customs,
festivals, rituals
 So, what is FOLK DANCE

 It is handed down
from generation to
generation

 It has more or less a

fixed movement in
their pattern, but
may differ in various
areas or provinces
 Folk Dance

 Incorporates influences from immigrants

and conquerors while at the same time
maintaining distinctly Filipino roots.

 It is a true reflection of daily life in past

centuries
 Folk Dance History

Pre-colonial

Muslim
merchants

Spanish

Folkloric Fusion
 5 Major Classifications of
Philippine Folk Dances

1. Cordillera Dances
2. Spanish Influenced Dances
3. Muslim Dances
4. Tribal Dances • Ritual dances
• Life cycle dances
5. Rural Dances • Occupational dances
 Cordillera Dances
 Bontoc, Ifugao,
Benguet, Apayo, &
Kalinga tribes
 a people whose
way of life existed
long before any
Spaniard or other
 Dances reflects rituals
foreigners stepped
which celebrate their
foot on the
daily lives - a good
Philippines
harvest, health, peace,
war, and other  Gongs, ganza
symbols of living
 Cordillera Dances
Bontoc – “Pattong”

Kalinga – “Banga”
 Spanish Influenced Dances
 Philippine aristocrats
created Filipino
adaptations of
European dances
 jotas, fandanggos,
mazurkas, waltzes
 danced by young
 Dances reflects socialites to the
Christianity, and stringed music of
European art and the rondalla
culturevk
Spanish Influenced Dances

“Jota”

“Habanera”
Rigodon

Pandanggo
 Tribal Dances
 Also known as Ethnic
dances; Ethnic minorities
found in different parts of
the Philippines (T’boli,
Bilaan, Manobo, Bagobo,
etc.)
 intricate
craftsmanship in
metal, clothing, and
jewelry
 reflects rituals &
animals, belief in
“spirits” & shamans,
nature – “anito”
 animal sounds,
human singing,
indigenous materials
 Tribal Dances

T’boli – “Madal Tahaw”

Manobo – “Bangkakaw”
 Rural Dances
 Reflects the simple life of
the people in the barrio
 Depicts common work,
daily activities of the
peasants
 Shows gaiety &
laughter, festivities
 Performed in fiestas to
honor patron saints
 give homage to the
barrio's namesake for
a good harvest, health,
& perseverance
 Indigenous materials,
clapping, rondalla,
percussion instruments
 Rural Dances

“Maglalatik”

“Saut sa Rarug”

“Oasioas”
 American Colonial Tradition
1. Vaudeville or Bodabil - Introduced by th
eAmericans among routines forms of
entertainment, which featured songs,
dance routines, and comedy skits as
well.
2. Modern Dance –
3. Folk and social dance- Folk Arts Festival ,
Annual Pangalay – CCP
Francisca Reyes Aquino

Mother of Philippine Follk Dancing

Francisca Reyes-Aquino became

interested in preserving the unique
folk culture that thrived throughout
the over 7,000 islands that make up
the Philippine archipelago
 Philippine Folk Dance
Associations

Folk Dance AssociationsPhilippine Folk

Dance Society
Dance Education Associations of the
Philippines
Bayanihan Philippine National Dance
Company
Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group
 Significance of Folk Dance

 Portray the belief and social systems of

ethnic Filipinos
 Psychological and Spiritual satisfaction
 Signify celebration
 Bond the community together
 Form entertainment and leisure
COSTUMES
IN
PHILIPPINE
FOLK DANCE
Typical Spanish Elite

Female:
MARIA CLARA
Male:
Barong Tagalog &
Black Pants
 Rural (Tagalog)

Female:
BALINTAWAK with
soft panuelo & tapis
Male:
Camisa de Chino &
trousers of different
colors
Rural (Visayan)
Female:
Kimona &
Patadyong with
soft kerchief
Male:
Barong or Camisa
de Chino and
trousers of any
color
 Cordillera/Tribal
Male:
- G-string, short
jacket & shoulder
band, feathered
head dresses
- “bahag”
Females:
- Hinabi na tela
(hablon)
- Accessories (beads)
Muslim

 “Sigpit” or
“Sablay”
 patadyong
 Malong
 pants
 Rural (Ilocano)

“Chambra” – blouse
“Siesgo” – A-line
skirt