MAGLALATIK

The Maglalatik (also known as Manlalatik or Magbabao) is an indigenous

dance from the Philippines. Coconut shell halves are secured onto the dancers' hands
and on vests upon which are hung four or six more coconut shell halves. The dancers
perform the dance by hitting one coconut shell with the other; sometimes the ones on
the hands, the ones on the body, or the shells worn by another performer, all in time
to a fast drumbeat.

Like many native Filipino dances, it is intended to impress the viewer with the
great skill of the dancer, and in some "Filipino Martial Arts" (FMA) circles, it has been
noted that the Maglalatik "consists of a trapping and boxing method hidden in a
dance."
 A. Where does the dance come from?

Maglalatik, also referred

to as “Manlalatik or
Magbabao” is a South East
Asian form of dance. This
“indigenous” dance style is
said to have originated from
the Philippines, and is
performed mainly by men.
This dance style literally
when translated means “latik maker” i.e. latik is a local coconut product.

Originally performed in Binan, Laguna as a mock-war dance that demonstrates a fight

between the Moros and the Christians over the prized latik or coconut meat during the
Spanish rule, this dance is also shown to pay tribute to the town’s patron saint, San Isidro
Labrador. It has a four-part performance such as the palipasan and the baligtaran showing
the intense battle, the paseo and the escaramusa- the reconciliation. Moro dancers wear read
trousers while the Christian dancers show up in blue. All dancers are male; with harnesses of
coconut shells attached on their chests, backs, thighs and hips.
 B. Is it a national or ethnic dance?

The indigenous Maglalatik dance of

Philippines mimics the battle between the
Christian and the Muslim Moro tribesmen.
Maglalatik is also called as Magbabao where
‘bao’ means ‘a coconut shell’. It is an all–
male dance with coconut shells used as
props. The Maglalatik embodies the element
of a battle, reconciliation and a prize as well. It is usually performed during religious
processions at the town fiesta of Binan.

1. From what tribe or group of indigenous people does it come from?

It originated in the town of Binan in the Laguna province of the Filipino Islands and
is also performed as homage to the town saint, San Isidro de Labrador. Maglalatik is an
original native dance of the Philippines in which the coconut halves are attached to the
torso of the dancer. A calm and elegant display of harmless weaponry, Maglalatik is a
four-part war dance, which the Moro had won technically.

2. What is the nature of the dance? Is it ritual, life cycle or Occupational?

The nature of the maglalatik dance is ritual. This dance was created to represent
a fight between the Moros and Christian Community and this dance is also performed to
pay tribute to the town’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. Over latik, a product obtained
after the coconut milk has been boiled. Furthermore, this dance is supposed to be
performed during festive occasions such as feasts and religious processions.
 C. What is the motif or theme of the dance?

Maglalatik is also called as Magbabao where ‘bao’ means ‘a coconut shell’. It is an all–
male dance with coconut shells used as props. The Maglalatik embodies the element of a
battle, reconciliation and a prize as well. It is usually performed during religious processions
at the town fiesta of Binan. It is also a mark of obeisance to the patron saint of the town, San
Isidro de Labrador. A calm and elegant display of harmless weaponry, Maglalatik is a four-
part war dance, which the Moro had won technically. Let us discuss Maglalatik dance in detail.
MEMBERS (GROUP 4) :

Amarellento,Ishi Eunice

Beniga,Althea Erica Ann

Celestial,Lea Jean

Diez,Olive Andrei

Dignadice,Joshua

Dublas,Peter Paul

Galam,Jade

Lariosa,Fate Trisha Ayne

Pontanos,Lady Adelyn