Regional and National

Dances with Asian

Influence
DANCING is the rhythmical
movement of the body, usually
with music, to express an idea
or emotion, to narrate story or
simply to enjoy and take
pleasure in the movement itself.
DANCING is also a physical activity that
can promote lifelong fitness and
wellness.
- good source of exercise that could help
develop grace and poise.
- help in maintaining good health as it
highlights health-related fitness
components such as cardio-vascular
endurance, flexibility, and strength.
PHILIPPINE FOLK
DANCES - tells about
our customs, ideas,
beliefs, superstitions,
and events of daily
living in a certain
community.
 BINISLAKAN (Lingayen)
Dance Researcher : Francisca Reyes
Meaning : With the use of sticks
Dance Culture : Christian Lowland
Place of Origin : Pangasinan
Country of Influence : China
Ethno-linguistic Group : Pangasinense
Classification : Social Dance
LINGAYEN in Pangasinan means having to
look backward and upward. It was
derived from “Li-King-Tung”, a Chinese
word given to the name Lingayen, the
capital of Pangasinan, by the Chinese
settlers of this place a long time ago
The barrio folks who lived at Almazin,
a small place between barrio
Pangasinan (Pulong) and Maniboc
danced this to commemorate the
stay of Limahong, a Chinese pirate
who built his kingdom here.
Binislakan, which in
Pangasinan means,
with the use of sticks.
 SUA-KU-SUA
Dance Researcher : Ramon A. Obusan
Meaning : My Pomelo Tree
Dance Culture : Lowland Muslim
(Coastal)
Place of Origin : Jolo, Sulu
Country of Influence : China, Malaysia and
Indonesia
Ethno-linguistic Group: Tausug
Classification : Courtship Dance
Background/Context:
Tausug of Sulu, Southern Philippines, though
known as fearsome warriors are also better
known as sturdy seafarers and hardy farmers.
Tausugs depend strongly on the income the
pomelo bring them and this relationship is
romanticized by comparing the sua’s gentle
leaves, slender branches, attractive fruits and
fragrant flowers to the virtues of a lady.
Sua-ku-sua performers,
some men but
especially women come
to the festivities with
face thickly covered
with finely ground rice
powder and their
eyebrows and sideburns
enhanced with soot- all
for beauty’s sake.
• Movements/Steps Particular to
Dance:
Creative imagery: Fans transform into
tiny sails, face mirrors, butterflies,
shields and leaves. Tausug traditional
steps with Chinese influence.
PANTS (SAWAL OR KANTIU) : Loose
Chinese pants with a 10-inch soft
white band (coco curdo) attached to a
wide waist. To tuck the pants in, the
white band is overlapped in front, one
side on top of the other and rolled out
to form a tight belt.
Material : Cheap
Chinese silk or any silky
material preferably in
navy blue, sunshine
yellow, grass green, red
or orange colors
Shoulder band (Siyag) :
A separate wrap-around
malong of rich material
strung over the right
shoulder crossing the
chest and hanging on
the left side.
Headpiece:
There are three choices:
• Gold or brass filigree called
tusuk;
• Paper bills pasted on slender
sticks; and
• Pasteboard cut-out, the front tip
8 to 10 inches high, similar to
Chinese crowns covered with
gold foil.
Accessories : Gold or imitation
gold earrings, necklace, bracelets
and brooches.

Suggested Footwear :Dancers are

in barefoot.
Male:
• Top (Bajo) : Short-waist collarless
shirt. Open at the front with the right panel
overlapping the left, studded with many tiny
brass buttons and is not intended to close the
front but used as an additional shirt
decoration. It is allowed to drop on the right
side
Material : cheap
printed or plain Chinese
silk or cotton.
Pants (Sawal or Kantiu) :
Similar to the female pants
but in darker colors and
bolder designs.
• Accessories :
Money-belt, Sarok hat,
pis siyabit (rectangular
hand-woven scarf tied on
the head or hung loosely
over one shoulder); Kris
(wavy knife) or Barong
(leaf-knife).
• Suggested Footwear :
dancers are in barefoot
• Music : 2/4 and 4/4;
composed of three parts: A, B and C.
Gabbang- bamboo xylophone shaped
like a small boat. Bamboo slats
thinned and cut to graduated sizes to
produce three octaves of pentatonic
scale
• Count : 1, 2 to a measure in
2/4 time signature 1, 2, 3, 4 to a
measure in 4/4/ time signature
 PANGALAY
Dance Researcher : Francisca Reyes-Aquino
Meaning : Finger nail
Dance Culture : Lowland Muslim (Coastal)
Place of Origin : Sulu
Country of Influence : Thailand, Malaysia,
Burma, Cambodia and
Indonesia
Ethno-linguistic Group : Tausug
Classification : Social Dance
PANGALAY -also known as DALING-
DALING or MENGALAI in Sabah is the traditional
“fingernail” dance of the Tausūg people of
the Sulu Archipelago and Sabah.
-dancers must have dexterity and flexibility of the
shoulders, elbows, and wrists – movements that
strongly resemble those of “KONTAW SILAT,” a
martial art common in the Malay Archipelago
-is performed mainly during weddings or other festive
events
The male equivalent of the
Pangalay is the PANGASIK and
features more martial
movements, while a pangalay
that features both a male and
female dancer is
called PANGILUK.
Dance Properties:
Costume : Dancer wears a typical
Joloana costume
Accessories : Expert and professional
dancers use janggay, extended metal
finger nails in each finger. The rich people
have janggay made of solid gold or silver.
Suggested
Footwear : dancers are in
barefoot.
Music : Played as many times as
necessary. Count one, two or
one, and, two and to a
measure.
• Movements/Steps Particular to Dance:
There are no definite directions, sequence of
figures, number and kinds of steps, hand
movements and positions used when
performed by the natives. For teaching
purposes the figures of this dance may be
created and dancers may form their own
combinations.
 TIKLOS
Dance Researcher : Francisca Reyes-
Aquino
Meaning : Refers to a group of
peasants
Place of Origin : Panay and Leyte
Country of Influence : China, Burma and
Cambodia
Classification : Recreational Dance
TIKLOS ( Leyte) - refers to a
group of peasants who agree
to work for each other one
day each week to clear the
forest, prepare the soil for
planting, or do any odd job in
the farm, including the
building of a house.
Tiklos music is played with a flute accompanied
by a guitar and the guimbal or the tambora
(kind of drum).
-is also played to gather the peasants before
they start to work.
Dance Properties:

Costume : Dancers are dressed in working costumes.

Music : Divided into two parts. A and B.
Count : one, two or one, ah, two, ah or one, and,
two to a measure.
Formation : Partners stand opposite each other about
six feet apart. When facing audience,
the girl stands at partner’s right side.
One to any number of pairs may take part in
this dance.