PHYSICAL EDUCATION 2

(PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES)

OUTLINE:

1. BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF FOLK DANCES IN THE PHILIPPINES

2. BASIC CONCEPT OF FOLK DANCE
3. FIVE CLASSIFICATIONS OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES
3.1 THE DANCES OF THE CORDILLERA GROUPS
3.2 WESTERN INFLUENCED DANCES
3.3 DANCE OF THE COUTRYSIDE
4. NATURE OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES
5. DANCE TERMS COMMON TO FOLK DANCES
6. FUNDAMENTAL DANCE POSITIONS AND STEPS
7. COMMON DANCE STEPS.
8. CHAPTER TEST

General Objectives:

At the end of this course, the students should be able to:

1. Obtain insights and knowledge on folk dances;
2. Enrich one’s natural interest, talent and abilities to perform varied Philippine folk
dances as a tool for self-expression;
3. Express better sense of responsibility, sensitivity to others and self-discipline
necessary in developing one’s skill in folk dancing.

1. BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF FOLKDANCES IN THE

PHILIPPINES

History bespeaks how dances of the Philippines existed from the pre-Spanish
Colonization to the present that is why classical tradition in dance did not flourish due
to diversified influences. In turn, the Philippines became a country blessed with
beautiful traditions either indigenous or influenced that made our people creative to
have adopted the naturalness, simplicity, expression of daily life, moods and feelings
simply portrayed in every folkdance or dance.
Filipino folk dances are colorful, beautiful, and vibrant. Their movement, dress,
and music reveal the unique Filipino culture and are important in building a national
Filipino identity. Most dances in the country were inspired by everyday activities, such
as working in the fields and harvesting rice, as well as celebrations such as feasts,
weddings, and births.
The history of dance and or a folkdance is tradition and therefore is the only
way of preserving the dances of the past. But, tradition may either be dynamic,
developing or growing or sometimes gradually change, may vanish or forgotten. At this
point, credit must go to the first National Artist in Dance, Francisca Reyes Aquino, in
her most genius way wrote down the instructions in words, some of the varied
folkdances of the country purposely adapting them for the classroom use and
instruction. These somehow helped preserved some of our dances performed today by
different dance groups for theater, school performance or merely for stage
entertainment.

2. BASIC CONCEPT OF FOLK DANCE

 Folk dancing is the oldest form of dance probably one of the earliest forms of
communication. It is this self-expression that separates folk dancing from the
functional aspects of games and gymnastics in the physical education program.
 Dance is the expression of oneself through rhythmic movement. Folk dance,
which is also the expression of oneself, is an expression through patterned
movements. It is this patterning that traditionally separates folk dance forms
from other dance forms.
 Folk dance may be defined as the traditional dance of a given country which
evolved naturally and spontaneously with everyday activities, e. g. occupations,
customs, festivals, rituals, and innumerable themes common to all people
everywhere.

3. FIVE MAJOR CLASSIFICATIONS OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES

3.1 The Dances of the Cordillera Groups

 The ethnic dances in the Philippines are found in the different regions from the
northern part to the southern part of the country. The cordillera groups
composed of the Bontocs, Ifugao, Benguet, Apayao, Kalinga, Itbeg, Ilonggot, and
Gaddang has its own unique customs and traditions reflected in their dance.
 Most of the dances are reflections of daily living.
 They used a metal gongs called ganza and other percussive instruments that
accompany their dances during rituals, festivities and other social gathering.

Ethic Group Title of Dance Dance Description

 Bontoc 1. Pattong  A war dance depicting a mock
fight of two warriors.
2. Balangbang  A victory dance performed after
head hunting.
3. Takik/Dongadong  A courtship and wedding dance.
 Ifugao 1. Talip  A courtship dance of the Ifugaos,
where a man lures a woman with
a blanket to be placed on the
woman shoulder.
2. Intaneg  A wedding dance among the
Ifugao.
3. Bumayah  A festival dance among the Ifugao
for thanksgiving in their gods.
4. Monghimong  A dance among the Ifugaos where
men turn up in the mass at the
burial of a murdered tribe
member.
 5. Dinuya  A festival from Lagawe Ifugao
performed by men and women
during major feast.
 Benguet 1. Bendian  A festival and victory dance
2. Tarektek  A courtship dance where two
female tarektek (woodpeckers)
try to get the attention of the
male tarektek by brandishing
their blankets over each other to
show their affections.
3. Chumnu  A female dance performed during
celebrations of tribal victory and
bountiful harvest.
 Apayao 1. Turayen  An Apayao dance imitating the
high flying bird.
2. Say-Yam  A major feast held to celebrate
the taking of a head of an enemy.
 Kalinga 1. Pattong  A dance of revenge vowed for the
death of the slain warrior.
2. Salip  A courtship dance where the
rooster-like male swoops around
the maiden.
3. Ragragsakan  A work-dance of Kalinga women
where carry baskets on their
heads.
4. Takiling  A victory dance after a successful
head hunting.
5. Tadjok  Kalinga’s most famous village
dance.
6. Idaw  A mock battle dance ensues
between two tribes.
7. Lumagen  A dance performed at Kalinga
festivals to celebrate
thanksgiving.
 Itneg 1. Idudu  A dance where the men lull their
babies to sleep while the women
till the fields and process the
harvest.
 Gaddang 1. Bumbuwak  In this dance, the gadding
imitates birds attracted to
tobacco trees.

3.2 Western Influenced Dances

 When the Spaniards came to the Philippines in the 16 th century, they brought
with them the Spanish religion and European arts and culture. The native
 religion and culture slowly gave way to Christianity and Western civilization. The
natives started to lose most of the ancient traditions in the literacy, visual and
performing arts. In no time, dances from Spain, France and other European
countries, such as the jota, balse, pandanggo, habanera, mazurka, paseo, marcha
and paso doble, were adopted and adapted to the tastes and needs of a colonial
society and the conditions of a tropical archipelago.

Types of Dance Title of Dance Dance Description

 Quadrille 1. Rigodon de Honor  A quadrille dance commonly
Dances performed in formal gatherings
in a quadrille formation.
2. Lanceros de  A quadrille dance from Tayabas,
Tayabas Quezon, performed by old folks
during the early days.
3. Birginia  A quadrille form of dance of the
Americans, “Virginia Reel”
inspired the Cagayanos to
develop a Filipino version called
Birginia.
4. Pasakat  A quadrille dance from Sta. Rosa,
Laguna.
5. Los Bailes de Ayer  A quadrille dance from Tarlac.
or Maharlika
6. Lanceros de  A version of lanceros from
Lingayen Pangasinan
7. Lanceros de  A dance from Silay, Negros
Negros Occidental which was not in
quadrille formation but in linear
formation.
 Jota 1. La Jota Mocadeǹ a  A festive dance from Moncada,
Tarlac which was originally
danced during a funeral
procession in the early times.
2. Jota Gumaqueǹ a  A jota version from Gumaca,
Quezon.
3. Jota Cabangan  A courtship dance from
Cabangan, Zambales
4. Jota Cagayana  A lovely dance which is an
adaptation from the Spanish Jota
performed by the early Spanish
settlers in the Cagayan Valley.
5. Jota de Manila  Manila’s version of the famous
Jota its typical Spanish stampas,
cobradas, and clicking of bamboo
castanets bearing Hispanic
culture.
6. Jota de Paragua  A version of the Jota, which bears
Spanish Stampas and Cobradas
from Paragua, the old name of
 Palawan.
 Pandanggo 1. Pandanggo  A festival dance from the
Rinconada province of Bicol depicting the
happy and contented life of the
people.
2. Pandanggo sa  A dance from Mindoro using
Ilaw Tinghoy or oil lamps placed on
the top of the head and one of
each hand.
3. Pandanggo sa  A pandanggo dance from
Sambalilo Camiling, Tarlac.
4. Pandanggo Ivatan  A wedding dance from Batanes.
5. Pandang-Pandang  Is an exciting and extraordinary
wedding dance from Antique.
 Balse 1. Valse Vieja  A festival dance from Pangasinan
meaning old waltz.
2. Valse Ybanag  A dance from Camalaniugan,
Cagayan meaning waltz of the
Ybaanag people.
3. Balse Marikina  A dance performed after Lutrina,
a religious procession.
4. Cariǹ osa  The famous national dance of the
Philippines depicting the
character of Filipina maiden’s
modesty and humility.
5. Sayaw Sta. Isabel  A dance performed during
thanksgiving feasts after a good
harvest, during balaihan,
wedding, or religious occasions.
 Habanera 1. Habanera  A habanera named after San
Narciseǹ a Narciso town in Zambales.
2. Habanera  A dance which was supposedly
Botoleǹ a performed in the earlier days in
honor of a departing priest. Later
on it became a dance performed
during social gatherings in
Botolan, Zambales.
3. Habanera de  A dance performed by betrothed
Soltera couple during one of the
ceremonies before the wedding.
4. Habasinan  From the word “haba” in
Habanera and “sinan” from
Pangasinan is a courtship dance.
 Mazurka 1. Mazurka de Cuyo  A social dance from Cuyo Island,
and early Spanish settlement in
Palawan.
2. Mazurka de Jagna  A mazurka named after Jagna
town.
3. Mazurka  A premiere dance of the elite in
 Mindoreǹ a Mindoro, and Don Antonio Luna,
who considered best dancer of
his time popularized it.
4. Mazurka  A traditional dance from Bohol
Boholana which was originally performed
by couples informally gathered
in the ballroom with no definite
sequence of steps.
5. Mazurka Val  A combination of two dances
mazurka and valse, where in one
the figures the skill of
coordination of movement of
both dancers while the boy
carries the girl on his feet while
dancing.
 Polka 1. Polkabal  A dance which acquired its name
from two well-known steps
polka and balse, corrupted into
one word as polkabal, by the
people of Atimonan, Quezon.
2. Polka Tagala  A dance from Bataan, where one
the figures, the ladies pick their
voluminous skirts forward and
backward to show-off their
beautiful lace petticoats.
3. Maliket-A-Polka  A dance from Pangasinan which
means happy polka.
4. Sileledaang  A dance which means laden with
sorrow in Ilocos Norte.
5. Polka sa Nayon  A polka dance version from
Batangas.
6. Polka Sala  A polka dance version from
Mindoro.

3.3 Dances of the Muslim Groups

 Down in the southern part of the country are the Muslim groups. The ethnic groups
are Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Yakan, Samal, Java Mapun, and Badjao.
 The dances performed by these groups describe the everyday living of the people.
 Common to their dances are the use of fingers to express feelings and emotions.
 Some believe that Muslim dances are influence by Malay and Indonesian due to its
geographical setting.

Group Title of Dances Dance Description

 Maranao 1. Singkil  A Maranao dance derived from
the sounds of the bell anklets
worn by the Princess as she leaps
 in and out of the criss-crossed
bamboo poles.
2. Kakulangan  Maranao women walk nobly with
their distinctive movements
particularly their graceful sway.
3. Pig-apir  A fan dance of Maranao maidens
showcasing their simplicity and
character.
4. Sagayan  A warrior dance that depicts the
hero-warrior prince Bantugan’s
preparation for war, the actual
combat, and the victory.
5. Karatong  A dance in memory of
Bantugan’s fighting evil spirits
whom he can hear but can’t see.
6. Kappa Malong  Also called Sambi sa Malong, this
Malong Maranao dance shows the many
ways of donning the malong, a
tabular circle of cloth used as
skirt, shawl, or mantle.
 Maguindanao 1. Asik  A doll dance for girls.
 Bajao 2. Tauti  A dance of fishing show.
 Yakan 1. Paunjalay  A pre-nuptial dance of the Yakan
tribe of Basilan performed by the
bride.
2. Pindulas  A dance depicting the movements
of fish as it wades in the water.
 Tausug 1. Pangalay ha  A dance imitating the graceful
Pattong movement of the swift vinta as
well as of the birds and fish of the
Tausug world.
2. Janggaya  A Tausug female dance using
extended fingernails.
3. Sua-ku-Sua  A dance from Jolo, Sulu with an
influence of Chinese movements
meaning “my pomelo tree”.
 Samal 1. Maglanka  A Samal dance class of girls and
women. This dance depicts the
training of Samal girls and
women on the languid and
flexible movements of the arms
which signifies good breeding.

3.4 Dances of the Tribal or Lesser Known Groups

 Also known as the lesser-known-group are ethnic groups living in the different
locations in the country that are untouched and never been influenced by the
westerners.
  These tribal groups are the Bukidnons, Bagobo, Manobo, T’boli or Tagabili,
Tagbanua, Mansaka, Mandaya, B’laan, Tagakaolo, and Tiruray.
 These tribal groups believe in “shamans” or spirits which primarily reflected in
most of their dances.

Example of Ethnic/Tribal Dance

Group Title of Dances Dance Description
 Bukidnons 1. Dugso  A dance by women commonly
wearing a bell anklet done
during thanksgiving of driving
away of bad spirits.
2. Hinaklaran  A festival and ritual dance of the
three Kaamulan Datus, where
chanting and dancing around an
altar.
 Manobo 1. Binabua-bua and  Fertility dance and courtship
Pangaliyag dance among the Manobos.
2. Binanog  Version of hawk dance.
3. Kinugsik kugsik  A dance imitating the
movements of squirrel.
 Bagobo 1. Todak  A Bagobo dance on the rice-
planting and harvesting cycle.
2. Baliti  A Bagobo dance representing the
quivering of the leaves of the
baliti tree.
 T’boli 1. Kadal Tajo  A mimic dance of beautiful birds
performed by young T’boli girls.
2. Kadal Iwas  A dance imitating the
movements of the monkey.
 Tagbanua 1. Pagdidiwata  A ceremonial rite performed
during bilug (full moon) for the
purpose of healing the sick,
imploring or in thanksgiving for
a good and bountiful harvest.
 Mansaka 1. Gapakaungod  A wedding dance among the
Mansaka.
2. Inamo sa Sayaw  A monkey dance for two.
 Mandaya 1. Kinabua  A dance imitating the
movements of a hawk.
 Talaandig 1. Pig-Agawan  Young women of the Talaandig
tribe try to outdo each other in
attracting an eligible man with
the use of colorful scarves.
 Higaonon 1. Binaylan-Banog  A typical dance of the Higaonons
depicting a mother hen and her
chicks being attracted by a
ferocious hawk, three hunters
save the hen from the clutches of
 the “banog” or hawk.
 Subanon 1. Sohten  An all-male dance that
dramatizes the strength and
stoic character of the Subanon
male. The Subanon warrior calls
the attention of the diwatas with
the sound of the leaves.

3.5 Dances of the Countryside

 Dances that typically characterize the nature and kind of work of the people.
 Commonly performed by ordinary group of people depicting daily activities.

Some Examples of Countryside Dances and its Description:

 Binasuan - a dance which requires a skill in balancing glasses of

wine, one on the top of the head and one on each hand.
 Bulaklakan - a dance using arches festooned with flowers.
 Karatong - bamboo noisemakers played by Cuyunen men to
accompany gaily dressed ladies in a boisterous street
parade.
 Maglalatik - a playful dance of young men beating coconut shells,
reflective of a mock battle over the “latik” or coconut
residue.
 Pandanggo sa Ilaw - a dance which requires a skill in balancing glasses of
tinghoy lamps, one on the top of the head and one on
each hand.
 Oasiwas - a dance using lighted glasses wrapped in scarves and
swayed like beacons for the homecoming of the
fisherman.
 Pasikat sa Baso - a Pangasinan dance that requires skill in balancing
glasses of wine on the head and hands while on top of a
bench.
 Salakot - a wide brimmed hat used to protect Filipinos from heat
and rain.
 Subli - a dance from the province of Batangas that reveals the
reverence given by the performers to a wooden cross.
 Tinikling - derived from long-legged Philippine bird called “tikling”
trapped from bamboo poles.
 Bati - a dance performed during Easter Sunday.
 Binislakan - which means sticks, is a Pangasinan dance that bear the
Chinese influence.
 Pabirik - depicts the stages of gold panning.
 Kalapati - depicts the movements of dove.
 Inalisan - a lively festival dance from Nangalisan, Laoag, Ilocos
Norte. Inalis means transfer from one place to another.
4. NATURE OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES

Philippine folk dances have basic similar unities. These are:

1. Occupational Dances. These are dances depicting action characterizing certain

occupations, industries, or human labor. Examples: Planting, harvesting, winnowing,
pabirik, etc.
2. Religious or Ceremonial Dances. These are dances that are performed in
connection with religious vows and ceremonies. Examples: Dugsu, Sua-ku-Sua, Putong,
Sta. Clara Pinung-pino, etc.
3. Comic Dances. These are dances with amusing and funny movements mainly
intended for entertainment like Makonggo, kinoton, etc.
4. Game Dances. These dances have some play elements and are performed for
recreational purposes. Most of these dances like Pabo, Lubi-lubi, etc.
5. Courtship Dances. These depict love-making of dances with love themes. Examples:
Cariǹ osa, Daling-daling, Lulay, etc.
6. Wedding Dances. These are dances performed during wedding feast. Examples:
Pandang-pandang, Kandingan, Pantomina, etc.
7. Festival Dances. These are dances suitable for special occasion like feast, a barrio
fiesta, good harvest and good fortune. Examples: Surtido, Kuratsa, La Jota, Pandanggo,
etc.
8. War Dances. These are intended to show imaginary combat or duel. Examples:
Sagayan, Palu-palo, etc.

5. DANCE TERMS COMMON TO FOLK DANCES

1. Arms in Lateral Position - Both arms are at one side, either right or left; at
shoulder, chest, or waist level.
2. Brush - Weight on one foot, swing the free foot in an arch, so that
the ball or heel strikes the floor at the lowest point of
the arch. This may be done forward, backward or
sideward.
3. Cabeceras - When dancers are in square formation, the couples
occupying the width of the hall is called “cabeceras” or
head couples. (Spanish origin)
4. Clockwise - Like the motion of the hands of a clock moving to the left,
when facing center of an imaginary circle. R shoulder is
toward the center when moving forward.
5. Counter Clockwise - The reverse direction of clockwise, the hands of the clock
moving to the right, when facing center. L shoulder is
toward the center of an imaginary circle when moving
forward.
6. Costados - The couple occupying the length of the hall when dancers
are in square formation (side pairs).
7. Crossed Arms - Partners facing each other or standing side by side join
their L hands together and the R hands together, either R
 over L or L over R hands.
8. Cut - Quick change of weight from one foot to the other is
displacing the supporting foot. May be forward, backward
or sideward.
9. Do-si-do (Dos-a-dos) - Two people walk toward each other, pass by the R
shoulder step sideward to the right, and return to position
walking backward, passing L shoulder.
10. Free Foot - The foot not supporting the weight of the body.
11. Free Hand - The hand not doing anything.
12. Hayon-Hayon - This is a Visayan term meaning to place one forearm in
front and the other behind the waist.
13. Hop - Spring on one foot and land on the same foot or in any
direction.
14. Inside Foot - The foot near one’s partner when they stand side by side.
15. Jaleo - Partners stand with R (L) elbows almost touching. Using
walking or any kind of dance steps they turn once
around, clockwise (counter clockwise). This is a
Tagalog term of Spanish origin.
16. Jump - Spring from one or two feet and land on both feet in any
direction.
17. Kumintang - Moving the hand from the wrist either clockwise or in a
counter clockwise direction. This is an Ilocano term.
18. Leap - A spring on the supporting foot and land on the other
foot in any direction.
19. Outside Foot - The foot away from one’s partner when they stand side
by side.
20. Outside Hand - The hand away from one’s partner when they stand side
by side.
21. Place - To put foot in a certain position without putting weight
on it; the sole of the foot rests on the floor.
22. Pivot - Turning on ball, heel of one or both feet on a fixed place.
23. Point - Touch the floor lightly with the toes of one foot, weight of
the body on the other foot.
24. Salok - To scoop or swing the arm downward, upward in front of
the body; the trunk following the movement of the
scooping arm. Free hand in 5th position or holding skirt.
This is a Tagalog term.
25. Saludo - Partners with feet together bow to each other or to the
audience, opposite dancer, or a neighbors. (Spanish
origin)
26. Sarok - Cross the R (L) foot in front of the L (R) foot, bend the
body slightly forward and cross the hands down in front R
(L) over L (R). This is a Visayan term.
27. Set - A unit formation composed of two or more couples.
28. Slide - To glide one foot forcibly on the floor with or without
transfer of weight.
29. Stamp - To bring down one foot forcibly on the floor with or
without transfer of weight.
30. Step - With the weight on one foot, shift the weight into the
other foot.
31. Supporting Foot - The foot carrying the weight of the body.
32. Tap - Toe or ball of free foot is placed momentarily on floor
and lifted again immediately.
33. Whirl - To turn fast by executing small steps in place to right or
left.