Philippine Folk Dance

Here is the list of popular Philippine Folk Dances from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao:

A. Philippine Folk Dances from Luzon

1. Banga

Tribe: Kalinga

The Banga or pot dance is a contemporary performance of Kalinga of the Mountain Province in the Philippines. This dance illustrates the languid grace of a tribe otherwise known as fierce warriors.

2. Maglalatik

Maglalatik was originally performed in Biñan, 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.

3. Pandanggo sa Ilaw

Pandanggo sa Ilaw - The word pandanggo comes from the Spanish dance “fandango”characterized with lively steps and clapping while following a varying ¾ beat. Pandanggo requires excellent balancing skill to maintain the stability of three tinggoy, or oil lamps, placed on head and at the back of each hand. This famous dance of grace and balance originated from Lubang Island, Mindoro.

Other dances in Luzon:

4. Balse
Balse was a popular dance in Marikina, Rizal during the Spanish times. Balse (valse in Spanish) means waltz. This dance was performed after the lutrina ( a religious procession) and the music that accompanied the dancers was played by the musikong bungbong (musicians using instruments made of bamboo).

5. Jotabal
It is derived from the words Jota and valse. Jota is a popular dance introduced in the Philippines by the Spaniards. Valse means waltz, a step or a dance in 3/4 time. This lively festival dance originated in Camohaguin, Gumaca, Quezon (formerly Tayabas).

6. Makonggo
It is a comic dance from Santa Maria, Bulacan. Makonggo is derived from the Tagalog word chonggo or unggo which means monkey. In this dance, the dancer imitates a monkey - its characteristic movements, gestures, grimaces, etc. when it is in a happy, playful or angry mood, while it is playing, eating, or resting. Only one man performs this dance. Most of his movements are his own improvisations.

B. Philippine Folk Dances from Visayas

1. Tinikling

Tinikling means "bamboo dance" in English. The dance imitates the movement of the tikling birds as they walk between grass stems, run over tree branches, or dodge bamboo traps set by rice farmers. Dancers imitate the tikling bird's legendary grace and speed by skillfully maneuvering between large bamboo poles.

2. Kuratsa

The Kuratsa is highly favored by the Waray people of the Eastern Visayan region in the Philippines. Strictly speaking, The Kuratsa must be done the amenudo; that is, only one couple dances it at a time. the Kuratsa is however, very different in the manner of execution to the Mexican counterpart.

3. Mazurka Boholana

Mazurka Boholana is a Spanish-inspired ballroom dance from the Bohol province of the Philippines. Although the mazurka is the Polish national dance, it was wildly popular throughout Europe in the 19th century and even in colonized lands overseas.

Other dances in Visayas

4. Escotis
It is popularly known in Capiz and is performed in any social gathering of the people inhabiting the mountains of Capiz in the barrios of Tinpas and Panitan and also in the town of Panay.

C. Philippine Folk Dances from Mindanao

1. Itik-Itik

The Itik-Itik is a dance from Surigao del Norte, in which the movements of a duck are imitated. An itik is a species of duck.

2. Singkil

The Maranao dance called Singkil is in the repertory of all Filipino dance troupes. In 1958 the Bayanihan Dance troupe started with a simple version and has since developed it into a theatrical and stylized spectacle to the point of its becoming the troupe's signature piece.

3. Kandingan

Performed at Tausog weddings in Jolo, the Kandingan consists of figures and steps based on classical and traditional Indian dance forms. Dancers perform with slightly bent knees turned outward, fingers held stiffly together with the thumb outward and apart.

Reference:

Philippine Folk Dances by Francisca Reyes Aquino

http://astore.amazon.com/philfolkdanc-20