Philippines is rich of cultural heritage which includes a diverse collection of traditional dances which performed in different occasions like fiesta and other celebrations
Traditional dances were challenged by the new and appealing dance moves to the new generations called "the Millennials"
Francisca Reyes Aquino
Dedicated her life for more than four decades for the collection and dissemination of much of the available information to preserved Philippine folk dances
Francisca Reyes Aquino
Visited various places, including remote areas for research and recorded all the informations she had collected to preserved the authenticity of folk dances
Considered as the legendary "Mother of Philippine Dancing"
Philippine Folk Dances
Tradition dance of the people connected to their ancestry and their tradition and pass on from one generation to another
Means of expressing the beliefs, moods and emotions of a people, and have been the mode of communication
Tinikling
The Philippine National Dance
The name came from birds locally known as Tikling and that the term tinikling literally means "tikling-like"
Usually, there are two dancers, male and female, who steps gracefully in and out of crossed sets of bamboo poles being moved together and apart to the music
The dance will become faster and faster as it goes on
Singkil
One of the oldest of truly Filipino dances
Takes its name from the bells worn on the ankles of the Muslim princess
Recounts the epic legend of the "Darangan" story of Princess Gandingan, who was caught in the middle of a forest during earthquake caused by the diwatas, or fairies or nymph of the forest
The rhythmic clapping of crisscrossed bamboo poles represent the trees that were falling, which she gracefully avoids
Performed by ladies of the royalty of Lanao, the dancer is usually accompanied by a waiting lady, who holds a beautifully decorated umbrella over the Princess' head wherever she goes
Maglalatik: The Dance of War
A traditional dance that mimic the battle between the Christian and the Muslim Moro tribesmen
An all-male dance that used "bao" or coconut shell as props that why the dance is also called as "Magbabao"
Usually performed during religious processions at the town fiesta of Binan as a mark of obeisance to the patron saint of the town, San Isidro de Labrador
Pandanggo sa Ilaw: Grace and Balance
Comes from the Spanish dance "fandango" characterized with lively steps and clapping while following a varying ¾beat
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 was first dance created in the Philippines, originated from Lubang Island, Mindoro during the 15th century when the country was colonized by the Spanish
Itik-Itik
A young lady in Surigao del Norte named Kanang (the nickname for Cayetana), considered the best dancer and singer of her time, she became so enthusiastic and spirited during the performance that she began to improvise movements and steps similar to the movements of itik, the duck, as it walks with short, choppy steps and splashes water on its back while calling to its mate
The people liked the dance so much that they all imitated her
Sinulog Festival
Taken from the local word sulog (translated as "like movement of the water current")
This festivity is centered on the forward-backward, flowing movement that people offer to Santo Nino as a sign of gratitude
Such dancing signifies the people's acceptance of Catholicism and the detachment from paganism
Based on tradition, the Sinulog Festival is celebrated for nine days, the last day concluded on the third Sunday of January where the Grand Parade happens
Ati-Atihan Festival
Means "to be like the Ati's" (also called Aetas)
Ati-Atihan festival is said to have taken place when the new Malay settlers, in celebration of their peaceful agreement with the island's natives, colored their faces with soot to resemble and honor the darker-skinned Aetas
When the Spaniards colonized the Philppines, the festival was given Catholic significance and it was turned into a feast to honor the Santo Niño
Maskara Festival
This annual festival celebration every October in Bacolod City which is similar Brazil's Rio Carnival, literally translates to "many faces," because of the smiling faces of the mask, got the nickname of The City of Smiles
Pamulinawen
The purpose of Pamulinawen is to be used as a courting song to someone, especially a girl when she is angry as it says in the song that the singer will gladly accept torture over her anger at him
Buyogan Festival
A cultural feast that is celebrated annually in the month of August
The word "buyog" refers to a bee in which the town of Abuyog, Leyte got its name
Buyog (bees) dancers depict the origin of the town's name in a well choreographed dance/festival
It has environmental preservation dimension importance of bees in nature preservation and man's health
Buyogan Festival is one of the highlights in a long-week celebration in honor of St. Francis Xavier
Kadayawan Festival
An annual festival in the city of Davao in the Philippines
Its name derives from the friendly greeting "Madayaw", from the Dabawenyo word "dayaw", meaning good, valuable, superior or beautiful
The festival is a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living
Lanzones Festival
Province of Camiguin is known to many as the home of the sweetest Lanzones in the Philippines
Lanzones Festival is celebrated annually in every third week of October as a way to honor the bounty harvest of the Lanzones fruit
The main events of the week-long celebration include the Lanzones Festival Street Dancing and Tableau Competition and the Miss Camiguin Tourism