Philippine Folk Dance

• Philippine folk dance


  • To show cultural heritage
  • Expression through dance
• TINIKLING


  • Imitates the tikling bird considered by many as the Philippine National dance
  • Performed on top of narrow bench
  • Requires good balance because it includes impressive acrobatics
• BINASUAN


  • Balance three half-filled glasses of rice wine on head & hands
  • From Bayombong, Pangasinan
• PANDANG GO JA ILAW


  • Balancing three oil lamps
  • From Lubang Island
• PANDANGGO OASI WAS

  • Lamps are placed in clothes or nets & swung around
  • Performed by fishermen to celebrate good catch
• MAGLALATIK


  • Mock war dance
  • 4 parts: two parts (battle) two part (reconciling)
  • Between Christians and Muslims (Moro)
• KURATSA


  • Dance of courtship
  • 1st Part: Performs waltz
  • 2nd Part: Pursues the women
  • 3rd Part: Man wins over the woman with mating dance
• LA JOTA MONCA DE NA


  • Adopted from Spanish Dance (Spanish-Ilocano)
  • Spanish music and castanets
  • Solemn version is sometimes used to accompany a funeral procession
• KAPPA MALONG-MALONG


  • Muslim-influenced dance
  • To show the many ways how to use malong
  • Men and women version of the dance
  • Tribe of Maranao
• HABANERA BOTOLENA


  • Flamenco-influenced dance
  • From Botolon, Zambales
  • Filipino + Spanish steps - popular in weddings
• PANTOMINA


  • Dance of the doves
  • Mimics the courtship of doves
  • Performed by the elders of the community
  • From Sorsogon Kasanggayahan Festival - October
• CARI NOSA


  • Dance made for flirting - Flirtatious movements
  • They hide behind fans/handkerchiefs, and peek out at one another
• GURTI DO


  • Essence courtship between two sweethearts
• SINGKIL


  • Performed by single women to attract potential suitors
  • Step in and out between bamboo poles
  • Fans/scarves often used to enhance movements
  • Traditional dance of the Maranao of the Maranao Princess
• DANCES OF THE CORDILLERA GROUPS

  • Bontocs, Ifugao, Benguet, Apayao, Kalinga, Ilocos, Gaddang
• DANCES OF THE MUSLIM GROUPS


  • Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Samal, Mapun, Badjao
• DANCES OF THE LESSER KNOWN GROUPS/ ETHNIC DANCES

  • Bukidnons, Bagobo, Manobo, Tboli or Tagabili, Tagbanua, Mansaka, Mandaya, B'laan, Tiruray
• DANCES OF THE COUNTRYSIDE / RURAL / LOWLAND CITIES

  • Binasuon, Bulak lakan, Karatong, Maglalatik, Fandango Sa Ilow, Pasikat ca Baco, Subli, Tinikling, Gayong gayong, Binis lakan, Pabirik, Kalapati, Inalisan, Pantomina, Sinalampat, Katsutsa, Sayaw Ed Tapew no Bangko, Binigan bigat
• Characteristics of Philippine folk dances

  • Dances begin with Saludo (3-Step-Turn)
  • Very little body contacts although holding hands is common
  • Most dances are in long formation
  • Can perform by both young & old and by both sexes
• Classifications of Philippine folk dances

  • National dances
  • Local or regional dances
  • Occupational dances
  • Religious ceremonial dances
  • Comic dances
  • Game dances
  • Courtship dances
  • Wedding dances
  • Festival dances
  • War dances
• Formations


  • Square/Quadrille
  • Long formation
  • Circle
• Common dance terms


  • In lateral positions
  • Brush
  • Cabeceras
  • Clock wise
  • Counter-clock wise
  • Bilao
  • Crossed arms
  • Cut
  • Do-si-do
  • Free foot
  • Free hand
  • Hayon-hayon
  • Kumintang
  • Place
  • Pivot
  • Point
  • Salor
  • Saludo
  • Sarok
  • Set
  • Glide
  • Stamp
  • Step
  • Supporting foot
  • Tap
  • Whirl