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Philippine Folk Dance The Itik-Itik

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PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

The Itik-Itik

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.

The 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. 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.
The Sayaw sa Bangko

The Sayaw sa Bangko is performed on top of a narrow bench. Dancers need


good balance as they go through a series of movements that include some
impressive acrobatics. This dance traces its roots back to the areas of
Pangapisan, Lingayen and Pangasinan.

The 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.
The 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 3/4
time and is usually accompanied by castanets.

The 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.

The 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.
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.

The 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 couple
first 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 Moncadeña

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 it is also performed at celebrations.
The 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.

The Habanera Botolena

The Habanera Botolena is a strongly flamenco-influenced dance that comes


from Botolan, Zambales. It combines Filipino and Spanish steps, and is a
popular dance at weddings. It is also considered a courting dance in some
situations.

The 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 each October, where it is mainly performed by the elders of the
community.

The Cariñosa

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.
The 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 dancers through various formations that resemble an old-fashioned
quadrille.
The 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.

The Polkabal

The Polkabal shows some 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 a bull fight, and even a
leisurely walk.

The 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. 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 Gabi (Lovers for the Night) expands on the romantic nature of the
dance.

History Through Dance


Dancing plays an important role in Filipino culture, telling their history and
preserving traditions through folk dances and music. These dances are
entertaining to observe, and even more fun to learn and perform yourself.

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