CONTEMPORARY ARTS:

DANCE

Indigenous dances

Influenced and molded by experiences and events in the community

Ex. War dances of the people of Mountain Provinces
Reflect the group’s values and beliefs
Ex. Samal’s pangalay – performed slowly with intricate poses

Most indigenous dances:

Performed as ritualistic dances to ask for good fortune and abundance

Performed as narratives of the community’s daily lives
Ex. Mimetic dances

Arrival of the colonizers

Indigenous ritualistic dances were adapted as vehicles of veneration to the different figures in
Christianity
Social dances were influenced by the trends in Europe
Popular European dances:
1. Pandango
2. Polka
3. Ballroom dance rigodon de honor – can still be seen performed in debuts

American Occupation

Introduced many dance forms from the West and its colonies
Beginning of contemporary dance in the country
Philippines were exposed to the Afro-Cuban dance forms:
1. Tango
2. Samba
3. Mambo
4. Cha-cha
Popular dance crazes from the US:
1. Foxtrot
2. Charleston
3. Boogie woogie
4. Mashed potato

Early 20th century

Classical ballet was introduced; Foreign dance troupes taught Filipinos ballet
Pioneering Filipino dancers became the 1st generation of Filipino Ballet dancers, teachers and
choreographers
 CONTEMPORARY DANCE FORMS

AEROBIC DANCE

Dance routine made into exercise program.

Accompanied by upbeat pop music.
Formal aerobic dance has three phases:
1. Warm-up
2. Aerobic dance
3. Cooldown exercises
Examples of aerobic dancing:
Jazzercise, aero hip-hop, ballroom dancing, belly dancing, Brazilian-developed Zumba

BALLET

Both dance and theatre art.

Style and dance technique that follows strict set of moves and performance
Originated from the European court spectacles
Brought to Philippines by the Americans
Different contemporary reiterations of the ballet form:
Modern ballet, Opera ballet and Folkloric ballet
A. Modern Ballet
 Uses traditional ballet techniques and style set to contemporary ideas and subjects
 Uses contemporary, experimental attitude toward traditional dance techniques and
style
 Not limited to the confines of the stage and can be presented outdoors and other
unconventional venues
 Tackle prevailing themes and accompanied by modern music
 Pioneer is the founder of Ballet Philippines, Alice Reyes
 Examples:
o Tony Fabella’s Limang Dipa set in a street in Manila and Beautiful Girls,
about a beauty contest.
B. OPERA BALLET
 More modern version is rock ballet
 Combines dance and singing
 Mahal
o one of the first rock opera ballet
o product of the collaborative efforts of abel Labrador, Mon Faustmann, Rahissa
Lahat-Wala, and Julie and Rose Borromeo
 Rama Hari
o By Ryan Cayabyab, Bienvenido Lumbera, and Alice Reyes
 C. FOLKLORIC BALLET
 Subjects and themes are based on the art and culture of the community
 Agnes - by the Davao born Agnes Locsin
 Tapestry/Bayanihan – by Alice Reyes
 Baile de Aye – by Corazon Generoso-Iñigo
 Three Major ballet companies:
1. Ballet Philippines
2. Philippine Ballet Theater
3. Ballet Manila

FOLK DANCE

Different dances performed by various cultural groups throughout the country

Changes from region to region and performed by nonprofessional dancers who are
members of the community
Performed during riyuals, festivals, fiestas and other community celebrations
Mimetic dances
 under the category of folk dances
 imitate animals like the Kadal Blelah of T’boli and Kinabuwa of the Mandaya
 depict movements of a fisherman, and the Pangasinense’s Tanobong which mimic
steps in making a broom
Traditional dances are used by ethnic groups to celebrate their identity based on their
literature, legends and beliefs
 Examples : Tinikling of the Waray – Philippine national dance, Subli of Batangas,
 Integral to festivals: Ati-atihan of Aklan, Masskara of Bacolod and Sinulog of
Cebu
Professional dance troupes:
 Bayanihan Dance Company, Darangan Cultural Dance Troupe of Marawi and
Tambuli Cultural Troupe of Tawi-tawi

STREET DANCE

Term used to describe vernacular dances, or dances that developed organically within a
community
Dance form that began in urban spaces rather than in formal dance studios
 Parks
 Streets
 Yards
 Night clubs
Early forms gained popularity during the late 1970s
Improvisational and social in nature
Encouraged interaction with audience and other dancers
Ecame more common in the Philippines in 1980s coinciding with the popularity of punk
and rap music
Popular street dance moves in the Philippines include hip-hop routine such as:
 B-boying (breakdancing)
 Popping
 Locking
 Roboting
Promulgated through television, music videos and Internet
Dance form is adapted as an aerobic exercise in PE classes, dance studios, and gyms.
Popular street dance troupes in the Philippines:
 Philippine All-star Dance Crew
o Became two-time champion in the World Hip-hop Dance Championship in
2006 and 2008
 A-team
o Won World Hip-hop Dance Championship in 2014
 XB Gensan
o Won back to back championships in the 2015 and 2016 Dance2Dance World
Street dance competition.