FOLK DANCEPE LESSON 6

3RD QUARTER

TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Itik-Itik

The best description of the Itik-Itik is that the steps mimic the way a duck

walks, as well as the way it splashes water on its back to attract a mate.

According to popular tradition, the dance was created by a lady named

Kanang who choreographed the steps while dancing at a baptismal party.

The other guests copied her movements, and everyone liked the dance so

much that it has been passed along ever since.

ITIK-ITIK

TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Tinikling is considered by many to be the Philippines’ national dance. The

dance’s movements imitate the movement of the tikling bird as it walks

around through tall grass and between tree branches. People perform the

dance using bamboo poles. The dance is composed of three basic steps which

include singles, doubles and hops. It looks similar to playing jump rope, except

that the dancers perform the steps around and between the bamboo poles,

and the dance becomes faster until someone makes a mistake and the next

set of dancers takes a turn.

TINIKLING

TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Sayaw sa Bangko is performed on top of a narrow

bench. Dancers need good balance as they go through a

series of movements that include some impressive

acrobatics. This dance traces its roots back to the areas of

Pangapisan, Lingayen and Pangasinan.

SAYAW SA BANGKO

TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Binasuan is an entertaining dance that is usually performed at

festive social occasions like weddings and birthdays. Dancers

carefully balance three half-filled glasses of rice wine on their heads

and hands as they gracefully spin and roll on the ground. The dance

originated in Bayambang in the Pangasinan province, and though it’s

usually performed alone, it can also become a competition between

several dancers.

BINASUAN

TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Pandanggo sa Ilaw is similar to a Spanish Fandango, but

the Pandanggo is performed while balancing three oil lamps

– one on the head, and one in each hand. It’s a lively dance

that originated on Lubang Island. The music is in 3/4 time and

is usually accompanied by castanets.

THE PANDANGGO SA ILAW

TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Pandanggo Oasiwas is similar to the Pandanggo sa

Ilaw, and is typically performed by fishermen to

celebrate a good catch. In this version, the lamps are

placed in cloths or nets and swung around as the

dancers circle and sway.

THE PANDANGGO SA ILAW

TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Maglalatik is a mock war dance that depicts a fight over coconut

meat, a highly-prized food. The dance is broken into four parts: two

devoted to the battle and two devoted to reconciling. The men of

the dance wear coconut shells as part of their costumes, and they

slap them in rhythm with the music. The Maglalatik is danced in the

religious procession during the fiesta of Biñan as an offering to San

Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint of farmers

THE MAGLALATIK

TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Kappa Malong-Malong is a Muslim-influenced

dance. The malong is a tubular garment, and the dance

essentially shows the many ways it can be worn. There

are men’s and women’s versions of the dance since

they wear malongs in different ways.

THE KAPPA MALONG-MALONG

TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Cariñosa is a dance made for flirting!

Dancers make a number of flirtatious movements

as they hide behind fans or handkerchiefs and

peek out at one another. The essence of the

dance is the courtship between two sweethearts.

THE CARIÑOSA

TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Singkíl originated from the Maranao people who inhabit the shores of Lake

Lanao. It is derived from a story in the Darangen, the pre-Islamic Maranao

interpretation of the ancient Hindu Indian epic, the Ramayana. The name of the

dance itself means “to entangle the feet with disturbing objects such as vines or

anything in your path”. It is a popular dance performed during celebrations and

other festive entertainment. Originally only women, particularly royalty, danced

the Singkíl, which serves as either a conscious or unconscious advertisement to

potential suitors.

THE SINGKIL