• The Philippines enjoys a rich culture heritage which includes a diverse

collection of traditional dances.

• The Philippines has many popular folk dances which have evolved and
changed as they have been passed down from generation to
generation.
• Although a particular dance might be performed slightly from one
region to the next, it remains true to its roots.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST
POPULAR DANCES FROM THE
REGION
ITIK-ITK
• 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 Dance
TINIKLING
• 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
TINIKLING
•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.
SAYAW SA BANGKO
•The Sayaw sa Bangko is performed on top of a
narrow bench. Dancers need a good balance as they
go through a series of movements that include some
impressive acrobatics.
•The dancer traces its roots back to the areas of
Pangapisan, Lingayen and Pangasinan
BINASUAN
• 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
PANDANGGO SA ILAW

• 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 ¾ time and is usually accompanied by castanets
PANDANGGO OASIWAS
•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.
MAGLALATIK
• 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.
MAGLALATIK

•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.
KURATSA
• The Kuratsa is described as a dance of courtship and is often
performed at weddings and other social occasions.
• The dance has three parts. The first couple performs a waltz.
In the second part, the music sets a faster pace as the man
pursues the woman around the dance floor in a chase. To
finish, the music becomes even faster as the man wins over
the woman with his mating dance.
LA JOTA MONCADEŇA
•The La Jota Moncadeña is adapted by the Filipinos from
an old Spanish dance. It’s a combination of Spanish and
Ilocano dance steps set to Spanish music and castanets.
•A more solemn version of this dance is sometimes used
to accompany a funeral procession, but is is also
performed at celebrations
KAPPA MALONG-MALONG
•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
HABANERA BOTOLENA
•The Habanera Botolena is a strongly flamenco-
influenced dance that comes from Botolan,
Zamables. It combines Filipino and Spanish steps,
and is a popular dance at weddings.
•It can also considered a courting dance in some
situations.
PANTOMINA
•Also known as the Dance of the Doves, the Pantomina
mimics the courtship between doves and is often also a
courtship dance between the couples that perform it.
•This dance is an important part of the Sorsogon
Kasanggayahan Festival held on each October, where it
is mainly performed by the elders of the community.
CARIŇOSA
•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.
SURTIDO
• Surtido literally means “assortment” and this square dance
combines influences of French, Spanish and Mexican dance.
• Traditionally the Surtido is performed by a head couple
accompanied by two other couples who lead all the teachers
through various formations that resemble an old-fashioned
quadrille.
SINGKIL
•The Singkil is a dance traditionally performed by single
women to attract the attention of potential suitors.
Dancers perform a series of graceful movements as they
step in and out from between bamboo poles which are
rhythmically clapped together. Fans and scarves are
often used to enhance the dancers’ movements
POLKABAL
•The Polkabal shows European influence in its
steps. The dance is composed of nine different
steps which include various movements such as
fluttering, stepping heel-to-toe, a reenactment of
bull fight, and even a leisurely walk.
MAGKASUYO
•The Magkasuyo is a variation of the balse – the one-
two-three graceful triple meter that Filipino traditional
dance borrowed from the Spanish waltz. It is a formal
series of close-step-close movements with a couple
facing each other in a courtship configuration.
MAGKASUYO
• Balse incorporates German and Spanish influence, but the
Magkasuyo is the specific invention of Quezon province, a
large farming and fishing region southeast of Manila with a rich
tradition of outside influences, including Spanish, Malay, and
Muslim.
• A popular song Magkasuyo Buong Gabie (Lovers of the Night)
expands on the romantic nature of the dance