Folkloric dance is the history of the people in movement. In some
cultures, pale fragments of it survive centuries of invasions and diasporas. In
the Philippines, folk dance is a strong and enduring indigenous expression.
Best Philippine Folk Dances
A. Philippine Folk Dances from Luzon
1. Banga
Tribe: Kalinga
The Banga or pot dance is a
contemporary performance of Kalinga of the Mountain Province in the
Philippines. This dance illustrates the languid grace of a tribe otherwise
known as fierce warriors.
2. Maglalatik
Maglalatik was originally performed in Biñan, Laguna
as a mock-war dance that demonstrates a fight between the Moros and the
Christians over the prized latik or coconut meat during the Spanish rule, this
dance is also shown to pay tribute to the town’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.
3.
Pandanggo sa Ilaw
Pandanggo sa Ilaw - The word pandanggo comes from the
Spanish dance “fandango”characterized with lively steps and clapping while following
a varying ¾ beat. Pandanggo requires excellent balancing skill to maintain the
stability of three tinggoy, or oil lamps, placed on head and at the back of
each hand. This famous dance of grace and balance originated from Lubang
Island, Mindoro.
Balse was a popular dance in Marikina, Rizal during
the Spanish times. Balse (valse in Spanish) means waltz. This dance was
performed after the lutrina ( a religious procession) and the music that accompanied
the dancers was played by the musikong bungbong (musicians using
instruments made of bamboo).
It is derived from the words Jota and valse. Jota is a
popular dance introduced in the Philippines by the Spaniards. Valse means
waltz, a step or a dance in 3/4 time.
This lively festival dance originated in Camohaguin, Gumaca, Quezon (formerly
Tayabas).
6. Makonggo
It is a comic dance from Santa Maria, Bulacan.
Makonggo is derived from the Tagalog word chonggo or unggo which means monkey.
In this dance, the dancer imitates a
monkey - its characteristic movements, gestures, grimaces, etc. when it is in a
happy, playful or angry mood, while it
is playing, eating, or resting. Only one man performs this dance. Most of his
movements are his own improvisations.
B. Philippine Folk Dances from Visayas
1. Tinikling
Tinikling means "bamboo
dance" in English. The dance imitates the movement of the tikling birds as
they walk between grass stems, run over tree branches, or dodge bamboo
traps set by rice farmers. Dancers imitate the tikling bird's legendary grace
and speed by skillfully maneuvering between large bamboo poles.
2. Kuratsa
The Kuratsa is highly favored by
the Waray people of the Eastern Visayan region in the Philippines. Strictly
speaking, The Kuratsa must be done the amenudo; that is, only one couple dances
it at a time. the Kuratsa is however, very different in the manner of execution
to the Mexican counterpart.
3. Mazurka
Boholana
Mazurka Boholana is a
Spanish-inspired ballroom dance from the Bohol province of the Philippines.
Although the mazurka is the Polish national dance, it was wildly popular
throughout Europe in the 19th century and even in colonized lands
overseas.
It is popularly known in Capiz
and is performed in any social gathering of the people inhabiting the mountains
of Capiz in the barrios of Tinpas and Panitan and also in the town of Panay.
C. Philippine Folk Dances from Mindanao
1. Itik-Itik
The Itik-Itik is a dance from
Surigao del Norte, in which the movements of a duck are imitated. An itik is a
species of duck.
2. Singkil
The Maranao dance called Singkil
is in the repertory of all Filipino dance troupes. In 1958 the Bayanihan Dance
troupe started with a simple version and has since developed it into a
theatrical and stylized spectacle to the point of its becoming the troupe's
signature piece.
3. Kandingan
Performed at Tausog weddings in
Jolo, the Kandingan consists of figures and steps based on classical and
traditional Indian dance forms. Dancers perform with slightly bent knees
turned outward, fingers held stiffly together with the thumb outward and
apart.
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