Instructor: Ms. Lanie E.

Cabauatan
Prepared by: Cris Aquino Perez
 Long before the discovery of the Philippines by
Magellan in 1521, the archipelago had been inhabited
by three (3) different racial groups: the Pygmies, the
Indonesians, and the Malays.
 The Negritos and the Proto Malays were the
decendants of the Pygmies. As early as those days
dancing among the Negritos was mostly pantomimic
to depict the events of daily chores.
 One dance, Sinulog, was a primitive duel dance
between two men using bolos.
 Dancing was considered a religious activity among
the early Filipinos.
 Dances were performed by the priests and
priestess in thanksgiving for a plentiful harvest, a
victorious battle, a prosperous voyage or recovery
from sickness.
 Our folk dances have a peculiar combination of
Spanish and Oriental movements. Our contact with
the Spaniards for more than three centuries has
influenced our music and dances so that we have
absorbed much of the Mindoro Occidental
movements.
 Mrs. Francisca Reyes Tolentino then, and now Mrs.
Francisca Reyes Aquino, is considered the mother of
the Philippine folk dances.
 Philippine folk dance is an important part of the
Physical Education program. Folk dances are taught
for the following reasons:
1. To foster patriotism and nationalism through the
study of our dances.
2. To arouse better appreciation of the Philippine music
and folk dances.
3. To provide, through dance, a healthful form of
relaxation and recreation.
4. To develop a graceful and rhythmic coordination of
body movements that improve posture.
5. To arouse and keep the interest of our children in
taking part and enjoying our own dances.
6. To preserve for prosperity the folk dances and music
indigenous to the different regions of the
Philippines.
7. To demonstrate the growth of Filipino culture
through the evolution of Philippine dances.
 Some of the characteristics of our folk dances are the
following:
1. As a rule, our dances begin and end with a saludo. A
saludo is a three-step-turn in place and a bow to
either partner or audience.
2. In general, dancers are far apart. A distance of about
6 to 8 feet from each other is normal.
3. There is very little, if any, body contact although
holding hands is common.
4. Most of our dances are done in pairs. Hand
movements play a very important role.
5. Many of our dances are done in long formation.
6. Our dances are performed by both young and old
and by both sexes.
 National Dances
 These are traditional dances throughout the Philippines
with a common basic movement or pattern but with
slight variations.

Examples are:
Cariñosa, Kuratsa, Balitaw, Rigodon, Pandango and
Surtido.
 Local or Regional Dances
 These are dances found in certain localities or regions
only.

Examples are:
Esperanza (Nabua, Camarines Sur)
Alcamfor (Leyte)
Rogelia (La Union)
Maglalatik (San Pablo Laguna)
Binganbigat (Abra)
 Occupational Dances
 These are dances that depict actions characterizing
certain occupations, industries, and phases of human
labor.
Examples are:
Pabirik (Camarines Sur) which depicts the different
stages of gold panning.
Mananguete (Tuba Gatherer) depicting the different
movements and actions of a tuba gatherer from the
sharpening of his sangot (scythe) to climbing a coconut
tree and finally tasting the native wine. Tuba is the
liquid dripping from the coconut bud.
Kin-aras (Cabugao , Ilocos Sur) depicts the different
stages in catching mudfish in fields, mud holes, brooks,
and ditches.
 Rice Festival has the large number of dances. It starts with
Pagtatanim (Rice Planting). When the grains are ripe,
Paggapas (rice harvesting) follows. Paggiik (rice threshing)
which separates the grains from the stalks. Paglulugas (rice
flailing) is another way of threshing with the use of Tioka.
Paghangin (airing) is a process separating the grains from
the chaff. Bayuhan (pounding rice) removes the husk from
the grain and then Pagtatahip (winnowing rice) separates
the husk from the grain.
 Religious or Ceremonial Dances
 These are dances that are performed in connection with
religious vows, practices, and ceremonies. A religious
dance may be performed to:

 A. drive away evil spirits like the Sinurog,

 B. ask for a favor to have a child like Sta. Clarang Pinong Pino
 C. give thanks for having recovered from sickness, for favors
granted as Dugso, and for vows fulfilled.
 Courtship Dances
 These dance depict love making or are dances with love
themes.

Examples are:
Helehele Bago Quiere
Rogelia
Lulay
Aringguiding-ding
Maramion
 Wedding Dances
 These are dances performed by newlyweds, by friends
and relatives of the bride and groom, or by the father of
the bride and mother of the groom.

Examples are:
Sinurog - a dance wherein the male dancers beat
drums, shout, dance, perform stunts or anything to drive
evil spirits that may harm or make the newlyweds
unhappy.
 Pandang-Pandang – (Antique) is danced only by the
bride and groom and the friends and relative of each side
complete as to who can throw more coins or paper bills to
the dancing newlyweds.
 Soryano – (Anining Antique) is danced by the parents of
the future groom as they visit the parents of the bride to
ask for her hands.
 Pantomina – (Bicol Regions) is danced by the bride and
groom and the visitors give any gift in kind or cash.
 Festival Dances
 These dances are performed in connection with a
celebration, a feast, a barrio fiesta, good harvest and
good fortune.

Examples are:
Kuratsa
Zapateado
La Jota
 War Dances
 These dances are intended to show imaginary combat or
duel with the use of fighting implements like the bolo,
kris, or spear.

Examples are:
Sagayan (Maranao)
Inabaknon (Aeta)
Negrito Duel
War Dances (Mts. of Zambales and Bataan)
 Maglalatik – this is a very interesting dance depicting the
fight between Christians and the Moros over tasty “latik”
(the residue of boiled coconut milk ). Coconut shells tied
and well spread over the body are used as fighting
instruments.
 Comic Dances
 These are dances with funny and humorous movements
mainly intended for entertainment.

Examples are:
Makongo – dancers imitate the movements of Monkeys
Kinoton – dancers imitate persons being bitten by ants
Pinuhag – dancers imitate persons being bitten by bees
while gathering honey.
 Game Dances
 These are dances that have some play elements and are
for the recreational purposes.

Examples are:
Pabo
Sineñalan
Lubi-lubi