PHYSICAL

EDUCATION
2
PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

PROFFESOR:

REY MIRADORA
SCHEDULE:

M 12:00 – 2:00 PM
I. HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE
The history of Philippine folk dancing
incorporates influences from immigrants and
conquerors while at the same time maintaining distinctly Filipino roots. Philippine folk
dancing is a true reflection of daily life in past centuries while enchanting modern
audiences at the same time.
It is impossible to know when exactly dancing became a part of life in the
Philippines. Many traditional dances were designed to thank the gods for natural and
agricultural events, such as rain and harvests. The dances were performed during
festivals and remembrances of past military victories, and still are performed at
celebrations of births and weddings in modern times. Many modern folk-dance festivals
still feature ancient dances performed in costume of the tribal period of the Philippines.
Philippine folk dance mirrors the culture and tradition of the Filipinos. It has also
been a source of culture identify of the people. In this diversified country, there are also
great diversity of dances in different forms and dynamics that grow out of various times,
situation and experiences.

Folk Dance History in the Philippines

Folkloric dance is the history of the people in movement. In some cultures, pale
fragments of it survive centuries of invasions and diasporas. In the Philippines, folk
dance is a strong and enduring indigenous expression.
Before the recorded history of the Philippines, before the Spanish conquistadors
conquered and Christianized the populace, from the earliest occupation of this volcanic
archipelago, the people danced. They danced to appease the gods, to curry favor from
powerful spirits, to celebrate a hunt or harvest, to mimic the exotic life forms around
them. They danced their stories and their shamanic rituals, their rites of passage and
their remembered legends and history.
Rural dances include such favorites as the high-stepping Tinikling, which mimics
a bird, and the Gaway-Gaway, which features the movements of children pulling the
stalks of the gaway roots during a bountiful harvest. The pagan tribes, the Higaonon,
Subanon, Bagogo, and others who have inhabited the Philippines for thousands of
years, preserved their customs and symbolic dances. Partly through isolation, they kept
their culture free from the influence of the waves of immigrants who settled the
archipelago over the centuries. Today, tribal dances like Dugso (a dance of gratitude for
a good harvest or a male heir, danced with ankle bells), Sohten(an all-male war dance)
and Lawin-Lawin(another male dance which mimics a swooping, soaring eagle) are
carefully documented and kept alive in performance by Filipino folk dance troupes and
cultural institutions, such as the Parangal Dance Company. The Pagdiwata is a trance
dance, featuring women dancers who enact a thanksgiving ritual at the time of the
harvest moon. The shamanic figures mime the spirits who possess them and enact a
drama that can last for hours.
Muslim Merchants
Muslim traders from the Malay Archipelago reached the Philippines in the 14th
century, well ahead of the Europeans. Thier conversion of the populace was a modest
affair; they were more interested in commerce than colonization, although they did
establish strongholds and convert the local populace to Islam. They also created their
own folk dances in the areas where they settled. Singkil is one of the most famous. It
depicts the plight of a princess caught in a magical earthquake in a forest. Her faithful
servant tries to shield her with a parasol as the princess gracefully dodges falling trees
and is eventually saved by a prince.

Spanish Colonization
Folk dances survived the European invasion, and the dancers adapted imposed
Christian belief and culture to their own dances, borrowing court choreography but
imbuing it with Philippine spirit. The Maria Clara dances merged Spanish court style
(and its stylized courtship conventions) with Philippine exuberance. Maria Clara is the
pure and noble heroine of a novel who represents the finest qualities of Filipino
womanhood. The dancers wear European 16th-century dress but move to the sounds of
bamboo castanets.

Folkloric Fusion
The revered folk dances from the lowlands and the hill tribes persist in their
traditional form and in contemporary choreography for Philippine ballet companies.
Dance is still the theater of identity for the Filipino people, a vibrant and cherished way
to tell their story forward with all the rich history of their past.

The Beat Goes On

Traditional dance is still performed at celebrations of births and weddings.
Modern folk-dance festivals still feature ancient dances performed in costumes of the
tribal period of the Philippines. If you are fortunate enough to attend a performance, you
will hear percussion instruments such as the gangsa (a small copper gong), a tobtob
(brass gong) or a hibat (a gong played with a soft wooden stick), accompanying dances
such as the Palok and the Lumagen. Many tribal dances use no external musicians; the
dancers generate their own accompaniment with stomping and hand clapping.

Idudu: A Snapshot of Ancient Culture

 From the area of Abra, Cordillera comes the Idudu, which is a celebration of the
family as the fundamental building block of Philippine culture. Depicting a typical day in
the life of a family, the father is shown working in the fields while the mother cares for
the children. As soon as the father is done, the mother goes into the fields to continue
the work while the father goes back to the house to put the baby to sleep.
A singer usually provides a well-known lullaby during this part of the dance, and it
emphasizes the necessity of cooperation and mutual support in the Tingulan family
structure.

Maglalatik: The Dance of War

A dance from before the conversion of the Philippines to Christianity is called the
Maglalatik. It represents a fierce battle between the Moro tribesmen (wearing red
trousers) and the Christian soldiers from Spain (wearing blue). Both groups wear
harnesses with coconut shells attached tightly to their bodies which are struck
repeatedly with other shells held in the hands.
Originally from the Binan, Laguna province, it is now one of the most common
dances in Philippine folk dance performances.

Pandanggo sa Ilaw: Grace and Balance

Derived from the Spanish word fandango, this dance is one of several designed
to show off the grace, balance, and dexterity of the performers. Three glasses of wine
(or, in modern times, water) are held in hands and on top of the dancers' heads as they
move, never spilling a drop.
This is similar to the Binasuan dance from the Pangasinan Province which is
done with drinking glasses.

Tinikling: Birds Dancing Over Bamboo

Perhaps the best-known dance in Philippine folk dance history, the Tinikling
mimics the high-stepping strut of birds in the Philippine jungles over the bamboo traps
the hunters would set for them. Two dancers, usually male and female, gracefully step
in and out of crossed sets of bamboo poles being moved together and apart to the
music.
The dance gets faster and faster as it goes on, and it has been an audience
favorite for Philippine dance companies touring the world. Tinikling illustrates the
complexity and rhythmic challenge of expressive and intricate Filipino folk-dance forms.
More on Cultural Dances
A recent rebirth in interest for all folk and cultural dances has spurred many
resources to appear online. You can watch these folk dances on YouTube, read about
the cultural history on informational sites, and even learn some of the dances through
instructional videos. Check out some of these resources to further develop your
knowledge of Philippine folk dancing:

Sayam Pilipinas: Plenty of information is available through this informational website,

where the dances are divided into categories and then explained with the help of
pictures.

Cultural Center of the Philippines: This government-run site showcases Philippine

arts and features folk dance companies such as Bayanihan, the National Dance
Company of the Philippines, with performance dates and ticket prices.

Parangal: A Filipino dance company based out of San Francisco which brings the art of
the Philippines to American audiences.

ArtsBridge America: The way that dance and culture intertwine all around the world is
explored in this performance curriculum designed to teach about cultural dances of the
world.

Ritwal: A DVD featuring several different types of Philippine folk dancing, this is a visual
feast for anyone interested in the genre.

Ancient to Modern Dance History

The history of dancing in the Philippines is a long and rich story that shows how
intertwined the dances are with daily life and important events. Learn a few of the
dances in order to really increase your understanding and appreciation of this dance
genre; while the choreography may seem difficult at first, a little focused study can go a
long way.

Traditional Folk Dances of the Philippines

 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 differently from one region to the next, it remains true
to its roots. Here are some of the most popular dances from the region.

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.

II. DEFINITION OF RHYTHMIC ACTIVITIES

Rhythmic activities
are usually expressed as synchronized dancing with preplanned movements.

History of Rhythmic Activity

Rhythmic activities trace back to the Olympics, with sports such as gymnastics
that combined movement with the use of rhythm. This created a form of physical
expression with strength and ability. Now, rhythmic activities commonly extend to
physical games with elements of song and dance.

Purpose of Rhythmic Activities

Rhythmic activities are combinations of physical movements with sounds, beats,
or music. Rhythmic activities rely on an internal or external rhythm used for self-
expression, exercise, demonstration of physical ability, socialization, and expression of
culture.
What are the five phases of rhythmic activity program?
 Aerobics - a kind of exercise that merges rhythmic aerobic exercise and strength
training exercise.
 Break dancing - an athletic style of dance.
 Gymnastics - a sport that needs balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination
and endurance in order to execute.
 Bending - a movement around a joint.
 Stretching - muscles or tendons are flexed.

Examples of rhythmic activities
 line dancing, classic dances like the waltz, and other popular social group
dances.
 Skills include: walking, running, hopping, skipping, galloping and sliding to music;
moving to music with a partner or in a group, with others in a circle and in a
square. Activities: Explore the kinds of movement which can be done to music
when large groups are formed in circles and squares.
 Now, rhythmic activities commonly extend to physical games with elements of
song and dance. Some current examples include jump rope games, popular
dance workouts, like Zumba, or even the use of noisemakers.

Benefits of Rhythmic Activities

Rhythmic activities improve physical and mental health. Aside from increased
physical confidence, rhythmic activities can also improve mental functions because
rhythm regulates the brain and prevents cognitive decline. It also boosts the chemicals
in our brain that support better memory and learning.

III. DO’S AND DON’TS IN PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

Do’s in Folk Dancing
1. Dance in a natural, simple and direct manner.
2. Dance with ease and smoothness.
3. Use the proper costume for the dance.
4. Follow directions and dance instructions as closely as possible.
5. Dance with feeling and expression.
Don’t’s in Folk Dancing
1. Do not exaggerate the dance steps.
2. Do not make the dances too dainty and graceful like ballet.
3. Don’t make entrance and exit long.
4. Don’t make steps too elaborate and complicated.
5. Don’t call a dance a folk dance unless steps come from traditional dances.

IV. PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE vs. FOREIGN FOLK DANCE

PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE FOREIGN FOLK DANCE
 Most dances begin and end with  In foreign folk dance it is more
“saludo”. traditional, such as the Chinese
 Dance from low land have more symbolic dragon dance, and
foreign elements than those in Japanese ancestral dance, and
upland. American square dance.
 War dances are found in non-
Christian tribes.
 Simple basic rhythm dominates the
folk dance and establishes the
pattern of movement.
 Represents actual activities and
chores they endure and survive

 They are dances performed at social functions by people with little or no

professional training, often to traditional music or music based on traditional
music.
 They are not designed for public performance or the stage, although traditional
folkdances may be later arranged and set for stage performances.
 Their execution is dominated by an inherited tradition rather than by innovation
(although like all folk traditions they do change over time)
 Most of the dances are done by pairs or couples.
 Most dances are in long formation.

V. FUNDAMENTAL POSITION OF THE ARMS AND FEET

FUNDAMENTAL DANCE POSITIONS
There are five fundamental or basic positions in dance that are commonly
termed as 1st position, 2nd position, 3rd position, 4th position, and 5th position of the
feet and arms.
 1st position
Feet: Heels close together, toes apart with an angle of about 45 degrees.
Arms: Both arms raised in a circle in front of chest with the fingertips
about an inch apart.
2nd position
Feet: Feet apart sideward of about a pace distance.
Arms: Both raised sideward with a graceful curve at shoulder level.
3rd position
Feet: Heel of one foot close to in-step of other foot.
Arms: One arm raised in front as in 2nd position; another arm raised
upward.
4th position
Feet: One foot in front of other foot of a pace distance.
Arms: One arm raised in front as in 1st position; another arm raised
overhead.
5th position
Feet: Heel of front foot close to big toe of rear foot.
Arms: Both arms raised overhead.

The Basic Natural Movements:

1. Locomotor movements
Are those that move the body in space in any direction with the feet as the
moving base.
Examples: walking, running, jumping, hopping, skipping, leaping, galloping and
sliding

2. Non-locomotor
Are those in which various parts of the body move in space with a fixed base.
The base may be standing, kneeling, sitting or lying.
Non-locomotor movements:
1. Flexion--- Bending or shortening of a body part occurring at a joint.
2. Extension—Turning, twisting or circling
3. Pendular---- Swinging/ swaying arms forward, backward or sideward.
4. Percussive—Striking and hitting: pushing and pulling.
5. Vibratory----- Shaking and beating.
6. Sustained---- A slow, smooth flowing movement with a balance of movement
throughout the entire series.
7. Suspended--- A sharp movement followed by a series of slow or prolonged
movements until a peak is reached.

VI. WHAT IS BALLROOM

Ballroom dance - type of social dancing, originally practiced in Europe and the United
States, that is performed by couples and follows prescribed steps. The tradition was
historically distinguished from folk or country dance by its association with the elite
social classes and with invitational dance events. In the 21st century, however, ballroom
dance is present in many parts of the world and has practitioners in virtually all
segments of society. It is performed in various contexts, including invitational and public
dance events, professional dance exhibitions, and formal competitions.

Standard ballroom dances include the waltz and

the polka from the 19th century and the fox-trot,
the two-step, and the tango, among others, from the
20th century. Other popular dances—such as
the Charleston, swing dancing, the mambo, the twist,
and disco dancing—have also visited the
ballroom repertoire at various points in the tradition’s
history. Owing to the social and stylistic breadth of the
ballroom tradition, the term ballroom dance has often
been loosely applied to all sorts of social and popular
dancing.
ballroom danceProfessional ballroom
dance competition.Porfirio
Landeros/Kwixite Media