Abaruray

Type: Spanish Influence

Origin: Quezon
Pronounciation: (ah-bah-ROOH-rahy)

The name of this dance came from a contraction of the words Aba and Ruray. Such
dance is performed by the girls who balances the glass of wine on their head from
which the young man drinks.

Alcamfor

Type: Muslim Dance

Origin: Leyte
Pronounciation: (ahl-kahm-FOHR)

This is a couple’s dance in which the girl holds a handkerchief laced with camphor oil,
a substance that supposedly induces romance.

Aray

Type: Spanish Influence

Origin: Ermita, Manila
Pronounciation: (ah-RAHY)

The Aray is a Filipino form of the Spanish jota accompanied by sprightly steps. The
dance, itself, is flirtatious and involves the graceful use of tambourines by women.
Asik

Type: Muslim Dance

Origin: Lanao del Sur
Pronounciation: (ah-SIHK)

A Bagobo Festival dance wherein the girl wears long metal fingernails while holding
an umbrella and posing in doll-like motions.

Bagobo Rice Cycle

Type: Tribal Dance

Origin: Davao del Norte

A tribal dance from the Bagobo Tribe which portrays the cycle of planting and
harvesting of rice.

Balse

Type: Spanish Influence

Origin: Rizal
Pronounciation: (BAHL-seh)

Derived from the Spanish word "valse," that means waltz, the dance was popular in
Marikina and Rizal province during the Spanish times. Balse was performed after the
Lutrina - a religious procession, and the music that accompanied the dancers was
played by the musikong bungbong or musicians using instruments made of bamboo.
 Banog

Type: Cordillera Dance

Origin: Ifugao

This dance depicts hunters protecting their hen and chicks in Binaylan from a
hungry hawk. The hunters trap the hawk and kill it in the end.

Bendayan

Type: Cordillera Dance

Origin: Benguet

This is a circle dance, which is being performed to celebrate the arrival of successful
headhunters. It is also popularly known as Bendian.

Binaylan

Type: Tribal Dance

Origin: Agusan
Pronounciation: (bih-NYE-lahn)

This is a ritual dance, which originated from the Bagobo tribe living in the central
uplands of Mindanao, imitating the movements of a hen, her banog or baby chicks,
and a hawk. The hawk is sacred and is believed that it has the power over the well
being of the tribe. The hawk tries to capture one of the baby chicks and is killed by
the hunters.
Danza

Type: Spanish Influence

Origin: Cuba

A folk dance originated from Cuba that became popular in the late 19th century. It is
also known as habanera or danza habanera which is a social dance and performed
either in a ballroom or on a stage and makes use of Afro-Cuban rhythms.

Dinuyya

Type: Cordillera Dance

Origin: Ifugao
Pronounciation: (dih-NOOH-yah)

This is a festival dance from Lagawe. It is performed by the Ifugao men and women
during a major feast. Accompanying the dance are three gangsa or gongs: the
tobtob, a brass gong about ten inches in diameter and played by beating with open
palms, and the various hibat or gongs played by beating the inner surface with a
stick of softwood.

Dugso

Type: Tribal Dance

Origin: Bukidnon
Pronounciation: (DOOHG-soh)

A thanksgiving dance from the Talaindig Tribe.

Gayong Gayong
 Type: Muslim Dance
Origin: Aklan, Capiz

In rural gatherings, this dance offers much fun. Gayong is a pet name for
Leodegario. According to the legend and to the words of the song, Gayong and
Masiong (pet name for Dalmacio) once attended a feast commemorating the death of
a townsman. While eating, Masiong choked on a piece of Adobo so he called,
"Gayong! Gayong!" to ask for help to dislodge a bone from the Adobo meal from his
throat. In this dance, Masiong's liking for feasts and the consequence of his voracity
are held up to playful ridicule

Habanera Jovencita

Type: Spanish Influence

Origin: Zambales
Pronounciation: (ah-bahn-NYER-rah deh hoh-vehn-SEEH-
tah)

A graceful and beautiful habanera dance usually performed at a women's debut or

wedding. Jovencita means "young lady" in Spanish.

Itik-Itik

Type: Rural Folks

Origin: Surigao del Norte
Pronounciation: (EEH-tihk-EEH-tihk)

This dance is performed at a baptismal party held in the province of Surigao del
Norte. Such dance improvises the movements and steps that is typical of how an itik
or the duck acts and walks.

Jota Cagayana
 Type: Spanish Influence
Origin: Cagayan

This dance originated from Spain and found its way into many places in the islands.
Although it is “Filipinized” in many ways, Jota Cagayana still displays the fire and fury
of its European origin. It is performed by the Ibanags situated in the Cagayan Valley.
The steps are similar to that of the famous European dance steps such as the
mazurka, polka, gallop and waltz.

Jota Isabela

Type: Spanish Influence

Origin: Isabela

An Ilocano dance performed by Ilocano settlers of the woodlands of old Isabela.

Jota Paragua

Type: Spanish Influence

Origin: Palawan
Pronounciation: (pah-RAHG-wah)

A dance originating from Zamboanga which makes use of Philippine bamboo

castanets being held loosely and displays steps with very strong Castillian influence.

Kadal Tahaw
 Type: Tribal Dance
Origin: South Cotabato

A T'boli bird dance. This is being done to celebrate the good planting and harvesting
which simulates the flights and hops of the tahaw bird.

Kapa Malong Malong

Type: Muslim Dance

Origin: Cotabato
Pronounciation: (KAH-pah MAH-long MAH-long)

A traditional Maranao dance performed by women wearing a malong, shawl, mantle

or a head-piece whereas the men's version uses a sash or waist-band, shorts or
bahag, and a head-gear or a turban which can also be used while working in the
fields.

Karatong

Type: Muslim Dance

Origin: Palawan

The annual parade of San Agustine includes the celebration of blossoming mango
trees that grow abundantly on the island of Cuyo, the former capital of the Palawan
province. Starting at the church patio and ending at the town plaza, groups of ladies
sway their colorful "bunga manga," which are meant to represent the flowers of the
mango tree while the men strike lively, syncopated beats with their karatong.

La Simpatika
 Type: Spanish Influence
Origin: Pangasinan

Simpatika means demure, charming, and lovable, which are the qualities of a
señorita deeply in love. The flavor and context of La Simpatika centers on love
exploits of gentlemen suitors who are after the love of their life. In the Philippines
where moral rules are strict and binding, society calls for the ladies to be impeccably
demure and gentlemen to be prim and proper.

Lumagen

Type: Cordillera Dance

Origin: Kalinga
Pronounciation: (looh-MAH-gehn)

A dance performed at Kalinga festivals to celebrate Thanksgiving and occasions such

as the birth of a first-born child, victories in battle, and marriage.

Maglalatik

Type: Rural Folks

Origin: Laguna
Pronounciation: (mahg-lah-lah-TIHK)

A native dance, which makes use of coconut shells as props. All the male dancers
were using harnesses of coconut shells positioned on their backs, chests, hips and
thighs.

Malaguena
 Type: Spanish Influence
Origin: Quezon

A favorite dance of the people from Laguna and Quezon during the Spanish times.

Malakas at Maganda

Type: Tribal Dance

Origin: Leyte

This is a legend and ancient tradition dance wherein it has been said that a weary
bird perched on a huge bamboo because it heard some strange noises inside. It
pecked the bamboo, split open and there came from the inside, 'Malakas' the first
man and 'Maganda' the first woman. Malakas (The Strong) and Maganda (The
Beautiful) are the parents of all the people of the island.

Manmanok

Type: Cordillera Dance

Origin: Ilocos Norte
Pronounciation: (mahn-mah-NOHK)

A dance featuring tribe roosters from the Bago Tribe competing for the attention of
Lady Lien. They use blankets designed with colorful plumes as a means to attract
her.

Oasiwas
 Type: Christian Dances
Origin: Pangasinan
Pronounciation: (wah-SEE-wahs)

After a good catch, fishermen of Lingayen would celebrate by drinking wine and by
dancing, swinging and circling a lighted lamp hence the name "Oasiwas," which in
the Pangasinan dialect means "swinging." This unique and colorful dance calls for
skill in balancing an oil lamp on the head while circling in each hand a lighted lamp
wrapped in a porous cloth or fishnet. The waltz-style music is similar to that of
Pandanggo sa Ilaw.

Pagapir

Type: Muslim Dance

Origin: Lanao del Sur

This dance is being performed by the ladies of the royal court in preparation for an
important event. These ladies gracefully manipulate the Apir or fan while doing small
steps or the so-called "kini-kini" which for them is a sign of having a good
upbringing.

Pangalay

Type: Muslim Dance

Origin: Zamboanga del Sur
Pronounciation: (pahng-AH-lahy)

A popular festival dance in Sulu. This is a traditional fingernail dance being

performed at wedding celebrations held by the affluent families.
Pangalay ha Pattong

Type: Muslim Dance

Origin: Tawi-Tawi
Pronounciation: (pahng-AH-lahy-hah-pah-TOHNG)

A dance performed by a royal couple balancing on top of bamboo poles and imitating
the movements of a southern boat with colorful sails or the so-called "vinta".

Pangalay sa Agong

Type: Muslim Dance

Origin: Sulu

A Tausug's traditional dance wherein two warriors compete against each other for the
attention of a young woman. They use gongs to show their prowess and skill.

Pangsak

Type: Muslim Dance

Origin: Basilan

A dance performed by a couple who wears woven costumes and whose faces are
dotted with white paint in order to hide their identity from evil spirits.

Pantomina
 Type: Spanish Influence
Origin: Bicol

A dance imitating the complex stages of love and courtship. This is also a popular
dance at any social gathering.

Paseo de Iloilo

Type: Spanish Influence

Origin: Iloilo
Pronounciation: (PAH-say-oh deh eeh-loh-EEH-loh)

The most sophisticated courtship and flirtation dance of the Spanish Era. This dance
portrays the men competing against each other in order to win the heart of a young
lady.

Pasigin

Type: Rural Folks

Origin: Pasig

Pasigin came from the word Pasig that is mentioning the name of the river. The
dance was interpreting and inspiring the life of the fishermen.

Paso Doble
 Type: Spanish Influence
Origin:
Pronounciation: (PAH-so-DOH-bleh)

Meaning "two-step," the name is actually a misnomer as it is an ordinary walking or

marching step called the "one-step." The term refers to the stirring marching music
played as background music at bullfights and fiestas throughout Spain.

Paypay de Manila

Type: Spanish Influence

Origin: Manila

A dance performed by lovely young ladies carrying scented fans and flirts with young
men with canes and straw hats. Ladies dances their way to the heart of the men they
desire through the use of a fan.

Polkabal

Type: Christian Dances

Origin: Atimonan, Quezon
Pronounciation: (POHL-kah-bahl)

A dance influenced by two distinct European styles: polka and valse.

Sagayan
 Type: Muslim Dance
Origin: Cotabato

A Maranao war dance performed by fierce warriors. They carry a shield elaborately
painted with curlicues, rounds, twirls and mirrors. This is also performed before any
celebration or gathering as a means to drive away the evil spirits as well as to
welcome the good fortunes or omen.

Salip

Type: Cordillera Dance

Origin: Kalinga
Pronounciation: (SAH-lihp)

A Kalinga wedding dance that depicts a warrior claiming his bride presenting her with
a matrimonial blanket. The woman responds by balancing several clay pots upon her
head.

Salisid

Type: Cordillera Dance

Origin: Kalinga

A courtship dance being done to symbolize a rooster trying to attract the attention of
a hen. This is performed and portrayed by both male and female which serves as the
rooster and hen respectively. The dance starts when each of them are given a piece
of cloth known as "ayob" or "allap".
Sublian

Type: Rural Folks

Origin: Batangas

Subli came from two Tagalog words, the “subsub” means stooped or in a crouching
position and “bali” means broken. The dance was first seen many years ago in the
barrio of Dingin, Alitagtag, Batangas. It was done during the town and barrio fiestas
in the month of May. This is sacred and dance as ceremonial worship performed in
homage to the Holy Cross that referred to Mahal na Poong Santa Cruz.

Takiling

Type: Spanish Influence

Origin: Lubuagan, Kalingga

The homecoming of triumphant headhunters after a successful kayaw of

headhunting, done to avenge the death or evil done to a family member or relative,
is celebrated with the playing of special gongs called gangsa. The minger or
successful warriors are honored by their female relatives with gift of feather of lawi,
beads or bongon and colorful g-string s called ba-ag. Victory songs are sung by the
by the villagers while the minger dance with closed fists while the bodan or the
unsuccessful members of the headhunting group are demoted to playing the
gangsas.

Tarektek
 Type: Cordillera Dance
Origin: Benguet

A woodpecker courtship dance which imitates the movements of the birds, with a
colorful blanket for a prop.

Tiadot

Type: Christian Dances

Origin: Samar

A South American inspired dance. Gaily-dressed couples show off the fashion of the
period, long tailed skirts and American Serrada suits.

Turayen

Type: Cordillera Dance

Origin: Cagayan

Gaddang originated from the word 'ga' and 'dang' which means heat and burned
respectively. The Gaddangs live in the middle of the Cagayan Valley. Their dialect is
similar to that of the Ilokanos. Most of them are Christian converts and into
agriculture. In this dance, the Gaddang imitates the birds attracted to tobacco trees.

Uyaoy / Uyauy
 Type: Cordillera Dance
Origin: Ifugao
Pronounciation: (OOH-yah-OOHY)

An Ifugao wedding festival dance, which makes use of gongs and is usually
performed by the affluent wealthy people. Those who have performed this dance are
entitled to the use of gongs at their death.

Source: http://www.globalpinoy.com/ch/index.php