SH1689

Traditional Dance

I. Philippine Folk Dances

The Philippines consists of 7,107 islands and is broken down in three (3) groups of islands –
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao – with each region having different influence in their arts,
crafts, and ancestral dances i.e. traditional or folk dances.
Folk dances are traditional dances of a country which evolved naturally and spontaneously in
connection with everyday activities and experiences of the people. These traditional dances
are handed down from generation to generation that described the traditions, belief,
occupations, way of life, and characteristics of people living in a certain nation through body
movements. It represents hardships and the daily back-breaking task of the Filipinos. These
hardships and tasks have turned into an art form which enriches our traditions and culture.
II. Brief History of Philippine Folk Dances
• When the Philippines was discovered by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, it had been
inhabited by different racial groups: Indonesians, Malays, and Pygmies. The offspring of
the Pygmies were Negritos whose dances describe their daily activities like Sinulog, a dual
dance where men use bolos.
• For centuries, dancing and singing have been the principal past time of the people. The
early Filipinos considered dancing as a religious activity. They performed dances in
thanksgiving for a fruitful harvest, a victorious battle, and prosperous voyage or recovery
from sickness.
• During the Spanish period, dancing played an important part in the social activities of the
Filipinos. Kumintang, a pantomimed song and dance was the oldest recorded activity
among the Christianized Filipinos.
• The Spaniards introduced different dances such as Pandanggos, Lanceros, Rigodon,
Cariñosa, and Curacha. Western cultures and dances of other European countries during
the 16th century were also introduced, absorbed, and blended in our native culture which
later became our traditional/folk dances.
• Nowadays, folk dancing has been increasing in popularity. There are numerous fascinating
Philippine traditional/folk dances which have already been documented and performed not
only in school but also in various dance groups, both for amateurs and professionals.
III. Classifications of Philippine Folk Dances
Francisca Reyes Aquino, the Mother of Philippine Folk
Dances, started the collection of dances and songs as early
as 1924. She authored six (6) volumes of books about
different Philippine Folk dances and many other
unpublished books. These dances have been categorized
into non-Christian or ethnic dances and Christian dances.
The non-Christian or ethnic dances are described as the
highest form of art of the Filipino dances because of their
innate, uniqueness, and beautiful movements. The Christian
dances, on the other hand, mostly adopted the Spanish and
http://ncca.gov.ph/ other European influences, and mixed the native Filipino
culture. These Christian dances include jotas, pandanggos, and habaneras. Moreover, she
elaborated the classifications of Philippine Folk Dances (see Table 1 on the next page).

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Table 1
General Classifications Special Classifications
Old Dances Dances of
Geography Nature Movement Formation Ballroom with Combined
Dance Implements Rhythm
National Occupational Active Square or • Polka • Maglalatik • Surtido
• Rigodon • Planting • Tinikling Quadrille • Mazurka • Sakuting • Pantomina
• Carinosa • Harvesting • Maglalatik • Rigodon • Chotis • Jota • Los Bailes
• Jota • Pounding • Sakuting • Los Bailes • Valse Macadeoa de Ayer
• Balitaw • Winowing • Polkabal de Ayer • Tinikling
• Pandanggo • Pabirik Moderate Long • Salakot
Local • Mananguete • Carinosa Formation
• Tinikling Religious • Tagala • Lulay
• Maglalatik • Dugsu • Habanera • Sakuting
• Esperanza • Sua-sua • Puripuri Set
• Subli • Putong Slow • Binadyong
• Biniganbigat • Sta.Clarang • Pasakat • Haplik
pinong-pino • Amorosa • Kakawati
Comic • Tiliday
• Kumbo- • Kundiman
kumbo Slow & Fast
• Makonggo • Putritos
• Kinoton • Ba-Ingles
Game • Habanera
• Lubi-lubi • Botoleoa
• Pavo • Alcomfor
Wedding
• Panasahan
Courtship
• Hele-hele
• Bago Quire
• Maramion
• Tadek
• Daling-
daling
Festival
• Pandanggo
• Habanera
• Jota
• Suntido
War
• Sagayan
• Palu-palo
IV. Philippine Folk Dances Description
• Dancers stand apart.
• Partners stay apart at six (6) inches away.
• There is a little body contact, if any.
• Most dances are in long formation.
• Hand movements play an important part.
• Most dances begin and end with “saludo.”
• Dance from the lowlands has more foreign elements than those found in the uplands.
• War dances are found among non-Christian tribes.
V. Tips in Folk Dancing
• Dance in a natural, simple, and direct manner.

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• Dance with ease and smoothness.

• Use the proper costumes for dance.
• Follow directions and dance instructions as closely as possible.
• Dance with feeling and expression.
VI. Fundamental Dance Movements in Folk Dancing
Table 2
Counts Equivalent Note or Rhythmic Pattern
1, 2 2/4 time, on one (1) measure
1, 2, 3, 4 6/8 time, one (1) measure (used in cut and rocking steps)
1, and 2/4 time, one (1) measure
1, 2 2/4 time, one (1) measure
1, and 2/4 time, one (1) measure
1, 2, 3 3/4 time, one (1) measure
1, 2, and 3 3/4 time, one (1) measure
1 and 2 and 3 3/4 time, one (1) measure
VII. Basic Dance Steps in Folk Dancing
Table 3
2/4 Note or Rhythmic Pattern
Dance Steps Step Pattern and Counting Measure
Bleking Step Heel – place, close ct. 1 ct. 2 1
Close Step Step, close ct. 1 ct. 2 1
Brush Step Step, brush ct. 1 ct. 2 1
Step Swing Step, swing ct. 1 ct. 2 1
Cut Step Cut or displace ct. 1 ct. 2 1
Hop Step Step, hop ct. 1 ct. 2 1
Touch Step Point, close ct. 1 ct. 2 1
Cross Step Cross, step, close ct. 1 ct. 2 1
Slide Step Slide, close ct. 1 ct. 2 1
Rocking Step Fall and raise, fall and raise ct. 1 ct. 2 1
Table 4
3/4 Note or Rhythmic Pattern
Dance Steps Step Pattern and Counting Measure
Mazurka Slide R, cut R with L, ct. 1 ct. 2 hop L and swing R backward ct. 3 in front of L 1
Redoba Slide R (diagonal fwd), cut R ct. 1 ct. 2 with L, cut with R ct. 3 1
Step swing-hop Step R (any direction), swing ct. 1 L across R in front, hop on R ct. 2 ct. 3 1
Step-brush-swing-hop Step R (fwd/swd), brush L and ct. 1 ct. 2 swing fwd, hop R ct. 3 1
Waltz step Step R (fwd/swd/bwd), close ct. 1 ct. 2 L to R, step R in place ct. 3 1
Waltz balance Step R (swd/fwd), close L to ct. 1 ct. 2 R and raise both heels, heels down ct. 3 1
Cross waltz Cross-step R across L, close ct. 1 ct. 2 L to R, step R in place ct. 3 1
Table 5
4/4 Note or Rhythmic Pattern
Dance Steps Step Pattern and Counting Measure
Step R, sideward; close L to R ct. 1 ct. 2 step sideward; hop on R ct. 3 ct. 4 raising L foot in
Escotis Step 1
rear
Step R sideward; close L to R ct. 1 ct. 2 step R sideward; hop on R ct. 3 ct. 4 raising L foot in
Schottische Step 1
front

References:
Adin, C. & Minas, P. (2004). Dance education in the school curriculum. C.M. Recto, Manila: Rex Bookstore.
Dimapilis, N., Espeso L., & Isip, M.L. (2010). Physical education 2: rhythmic activities. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Books
Atbp. Publishing Corp.
Tolentino, F. (2006). Philippine national dances. Quezon City, Philippines: Kayumanggi Press, Inc.
Filipinos and Dances. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.philippines.abouttravelingtheworld.com/philippines-culture/philippine-
dance/list-of-philippine-folk-dances/
List of Philippine Folk Dance. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://dance.lovetoknow.com/List_of_Philippine_Folk_Dance
Philippine Dance. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.camperspoint.com/Philippine-Dance

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