Lesson 2:
Dances of the Philippine Island (Folk Dances)
Objectives:
1.
Interpret the literature of the different dances.
2.
Determine the culture and tradition of the
different people through dances
3.
Perform different folk dances with a graceful
and rhythmic coordination of body movements
a. Basic Concept of Folk
Dances
b. Classification of Philippine
Folk Dances
1. Dances of the Cordillera
Group
2. Dances with Western
Influenced
3. Dances of the Muslim
Group
4. Ethnic Dances
Dances of the
countrysidesignature
What comes to your mind every time you saw
this kind of dances? How these dances
promotes nationalism and patriotism?
Basic Concept of Folk Dance
Folk dancing is the oldest form of dance probably one of the earliest forms of
communication. It is this self –expression that separates folk dancing from the functional
aspects of games and gymnastics in the physical edu- cation program.
Dance is the expression of oneself through rhythmic movement. Folk dance, which is
also the expression of oneself, is an expression through patterned movements. It is this
patterning that traditionally separates folk dance forms from other dance forms. It is
probably this characteristic of folk dance that has turned many youngsters off to dance
– their inability to perform a set of patterned movements.
Folk dance may be defined as the traditional dance of a given country which evolved
naturally and spontaneously with everyday activities, e.g. occupations, customs,
festivals, rituals, and innumerable themes common to all people everywhere. Genuine
folk dances are handed down form ge- neration to generation and are danced by
everyday folk of all ages. They are more or less fixed in their pattern, but may differ in
various areas of provinces.
A. PHILIPPINE FOLK AND ETHNIC DANCES
B. Example of Dances among the Cordillera Groups
Five Major Classifications of Philippine Folk Dances
The Dances of the Cordillera Groups
 The ethnic dances in the Philippines are found in the different regions from the
northern part to the southern part of the country. The Cordillera groups composed
of the Bontocs, Ifugao, Benguet, Apayao, Kalinga, Itneg, Ilonggot, and Gaddang
(BIBAKIIG) have their own unique customs and tra- ditions reflected in their dances.
 Most of the dances are reflections of daily living.
 They used metal gongs called ganza and other percussive instruments to
accompany their dances during rituals, festivities, and other social gathe- rings.
Example of Dances among the Cordillera Groups
Ethnolinguistic
Group
•
Bontoc
Title of Dance
1.
Pattong

2.
Balangbang

Takik/ Dongadong
4. Palakis

1. Talip

2. Intaneg
3. Bumayah


4. Monghimong

5. Dinuya

3.
•
Ifugao
Dance Description

A war dance depicting a mock fight of two
warriors.
A victory dance performed after head
hunting.
A courtship and wedding dance.
A courtship dance from Western Bontoc
usually performed at wedding celebrations
& during festivals like the canao & begnas.
A courtship dance of the Ifugaos, where a
man lures a woman with a blanket to be
placed on the woman’s shoulder.
A wedding dance among the Ifugao
A festival dance among the Ifugao for
thanksgiving in their gods.
A festival dance among the Ifugaos where
men turn up in a mass at the burial of a
murdered tribal member.
A festival from Lagawe, Ifugao performed
by men and women during major feasts.
•
Benguet
2.
Bendean
Tarektek
3.
Chumnu
1.



•
Apayao
1.
2.
Turayen
Say - Yam


•
Kalinga
1.
Pattong
2.
Salip
3.
Ragragsakan
Takiling
Tadjok
Idaw
7. Lumagen
4.
5.
6.
8.
Palok
•
Itneg
1. Idudu
•
Gaddang
1. Bumbuwak
A festival and victory dance.
A courtship dance where two female
tarektek (woodpeckers) try to get the
attention of the male tarektek by brandishing their blankets over each other to
show their affections.
A female dance performed during celebrations of tribal victory and bountiful harvest.
An Apayao dance imitating the high flying
bird.
A major feast held to celebrate the taking
of a head of an enemy.
A dance of revenge vowed for the death
of the slain warrior.
 A courtship dance where the rooster – like
males swoops around the maiden.
 A work – dance of Kalinga women where
they carry basket on their heads.
 A victory dance after successful head
hunting.
 Kalinga’s most famous village dance.
 A mock battle dance ensues between two
tribes.
 A dance performed at Kalinga festivals to
celebrate thanksgiving.
 A festival dance performed by Kalingas in
any social gathering.
 A dance where the men lull their babies
to sleep while the women till the fields and
process the harvest.


In this dance, the gaddang imitate birds
attracted to tobacco trees.
Western Influenced Dances
When the Spaniards came to the Philippines in the 16th century, they
brought with them the Spanish religion and European arts and culture. The
native religion and culture slowly gave way to Christianity and Western civilization. The
natives started to lose most of their ancient traditions in the literary, visual, and
performing arts. In no time, dances from Spain, France, and other European countries,
such as the jota, balse, pandanggo, habanera, escotis, mazurka, paseo, marcha, and
paso doble were adopted and adapted to the tastes and needs of a colonial society
and the condi- tions of a tropical archipelago.
Examples of Dances with Western Influenced
Types of
Dances
• Quadrille
• Dances
Title of Dance
1.
Rigodon de Honor

2.
Lanceros de
Tayabas

3.
Birginia

4.
5.
6.
Pasakat

7.
8.
•
Jota
Dance Description
Los Bailes de Ayer or 
Maharlika
Lanceros de

Lingayen
Lanceros de Negros 
1.
La Jota
Moncadeña
2.
3.
4.
Jota Gumaqueña
Jota Cabangan
Jota Cagayana
5.
Jota de Manila
6.
Jota de Paragua
7.
Jota Bicolana







A quadrille dance commonly performed in formal gatherings in a
quadrille formation.
A quadrille dance from Tayabas,
Quezon performed by old folks during
the early days.
A quadrille form of dance of the
Americans, the “Virginia Reel” inspired
the Cagayanos to develop a Filipino
version called Birginia.
A quadrille dance from Sta. Rosa,
Laguna.
A quadrille dance from Tarlac.
A version of lanceros from Pangasinan.
A dance from Silay, Negros Occidental
which was not in quadrille formation but
in linear formation.
A festive dance from Moncada, Tarlac
which was originally danced during a f
funeral procession in the early times.
A jota version from Gumaca, Quezon.
A courtship dance form Zambales.
A lovely dance which is an adaptation
from the Spanish Jota performed by the
early Spanish settlers in the Cagayan
valley.
Manila’s version of the famous Jota with
its typical Spanish stampas, cobradas
and clicking of bamboo castanets
bearing Hispanic culture.
A version of the Jota, which bears
Spanish stampas and cobradas from
Paragua, the old name of Palawan.
A jota version from Bicol Region
performed during social gatherings.
•Fandanggo
8.
Jota Rizal

9.
Jotabal

1.
Pandanggo Rinconada

2.
Pandanggo sa Ilaw 
3.
1.
Pandanggo sa

Sambalilo
Pandanggo Ivatan 
Pandang 
Pandang
Valse Vieja

2.
Valse Ybanag

3.
Balse Marikina

4.
Cariñosa

5.
Sayaw Sta. Isabel

1.
Habanera

Narcisena
Habanera Botolena 
4.
5.
•
•
Balse
Habanera
2.
3.
Habanera De
Soltera

4.
Habasinan

A jota version from Batangas popular
during the time of Dr. Jose Rizal.
A festival dance originated in Camohaguin, Gumaca, Quezon which
derived from the words jota and balse
A festival dance from the province of
Bicol depicting the happy and
contented life of the people.
A dance from Mindoro using tinghoy or
oil lamps placed on the top of the head
and one on each hand.
A pandanggo dance from Camiling,
Tarlac.
A wedding dance from Batanes.
Is an exciting and extraordinary wedding
dance from Antique.
A festival dance from Pangasinan
meaning old waltz.
A dance from Camalaniugan,
Cagayan meaning waltz of the Ybanag
people.
A dance performed after the Lutrina, a
religious procession.
The famous national dance of the
Philippines depicting the character of
Filipina maiden’s modesty and humility.
A dance performed during thanksgiving feasts after a good harvest, during
balaihan, weddings, or religious
occasions.
A Habanera named after San Narciso
town in Zambales.
A dance which was supposedly
performed in the earlier days in honor of
a departing priest. Later on it became a
dance performed during social
gatherings in Botolan, Zambales.
A dance performed by betrothed
couple during one of the ceremonies
before the wedding.
From the word “haba” in habanera and
“sinan” form Pangasinan is a courtship
dance.
•
•
Mazurka
Polka
1.
Mazurka de Cuyo
2.
3.
Mazurka de Jagna 
Mazurka Mindoreña 
4.
Mazurka Boholana 
5.
Mazurka Val

1.
Polkabal

2.
Polka Tagala

3.
Maliket-A-Polka

4.
Sileleddaang

5.
6.
Polka sa Nayon
Polka Sala



A social dance from Cuyo Island, and
early Spanish settlement in Palawan.
A mazurka named after Jagna town.
A premiere dance of the elite in
Mindoro, and Don Antonio Luna, who
considered best dancer of his time
popularized it.
A traditional dance from Bohol which
was originally performed by couples
informally gathered in the ballroom with
no definite sequence steps.
A combination of the two dances,
mazurka and valse, which features the
skill of coordination of movement of
both dancers as the boy carries the girl
on his feet while dancing.
A dance which acquired its name from
two well-known steps polka and valse,
corrupted into one word as polkabal, by
the people of Atimonan, Quezon.
A dance from Bataan, where one of the
figures, the ladies pick their volu- minous
skirts forward and backward to show-off
their beautiful lace petticoats.
A dance from Pangasinan which means
happy polka.
A dance which means laden with
sorrow in Ilocos Norte.
A polka dance version from Batangas.
A polka dance version from Mindoro.
Dances of the Muslim Groups
 Down in the southern part of the country are the muslim groups. The ethnic groups
are the Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Yakan, Samal, Java Mapun, and Badjao.
 The dances performed by these groups describe the everyday living of the
people.
 Common to their dances are the use of fingers to express feelings and
emotions.
 Some believe that Muslim dances are influenced by Malays and Indonesians due to
their geographical setting.
Example of Muslim Dances
Group
• Maranao
•
Maguindanao
•
Badjao
•
Yakan
•
Tausug
1.
Title of Dance
Singkil

2.
Kakulangan

3.
Pig-apir

4.
Sagayan

5.
Karatong

6.
Kappa Malong
Malong

7.
Kapiil sa Munsala

Asik

Dance Description
A Marano dance derived from the
sounds of the bell anklets worn by
the Princess as she leaps in & out
of the criss-crossed bamboo poles.
Maranao women walk nobly with
their distinctive movements particularly their graceful sway.
A fan dance of Maranao maidens
showcasing their simplicity and
character.
A warrior dance that depicts the
hero – warrior prince Bantugan’s
preparation for the war, the actual
combat and the victory
A dance in memory of Bantugan’s
fighting evil spirits whom he can
hear but can’t see.
Also called Sambi sa Malong, this
Maranao dance shows the many
ways of donning the malong, a
tabular circle of cloth used as skirt,
shawl or mantle.
A handkerchief dance from Lanao
commonly performed by girls.
A doll dance for girls.
Tauti

A dance of fishing scenario.
A pre-nuptial dance of the Yakan
tribe of Basilan. performed by the
bride.
A dance depicting the
movements of fish at it wades in
the water.
A dance imitating the graceful
movement of the swift vinta as well
as of the birds and fish of the
Tausug world.
A Tausug female dance using
extended fingernails.
A dance from Jolo, Sulu with an
influence of Chinese movements
meaning “my pomelo tree”.
1.
Paunjalay

2.
Pindulas

3.
Pangalay ha
Patong

4.
Janggay

5.
Sua – ku - Sua

•
Samal
Maglanka
•
•
A Samal dance class of girls and
women. This dance depicts the
training of Samal girls and women
on the languid and flexible movements of the arms which signifies
good breeding.
Dances of the Lesser Known Groups/Ethnic Dances
 Also known as the lesser-known-groups are ethnic groups living in the different
locations in the country that are untouched and never been influ- enced by the
Westerners.
 These tribal groups are the Bukidnons, Bagobo, Manobo, Tiboli or Tagabili,
 Tagbanua, Mansaka, Mandaya, B’laan, Tagakaolo and Tiruray.
 These tribal groups believe in “shamans” or spirits which are primarily re flected in most of their dances.
Example of Ethnic Dances
Group
•
•
•
•
Bukidnons
Manobo
Bagobo
T’boli
Title of Dance
Dance Description
1.
Dugso

2.
Hinaklaran

1.
2.
3.
Binabua-bua

and Pangaliyag
Binanog

kinugsik kugsik

1.
Todak

2.
Baliti

1.
Kadal Tajo

2.
Kadal Iwas

A dance by women commonly
wearing a bell anklets done during
thanksgiving for driving away bad
spirits.
A festival and ritual dance of three
Kaamulan datus, with chanting and
dancing around an altar,
Fertility dance and courtship dance
among the Manobos.
Version of a hawk dance.
A dance imitating the movements of
the squirrel.
A Bagobo dance on the rice planting
and harvesting cycle.
A Bagobo dance representing the
quivering of the leaveas of the baliti
tree.
A mimic dance of the beautiful birds
performed by young T’boli girls.
A dance imitating the movements of
the monkey.
•
Tagbanua
•
Mansaka
Pagdiwata

A ceremonial rite performed during
bilug (full moon) for the purpose of
healing the sick, imploring or in thanks
giving for a good and bountiful harvest.
1.
Gapakaungod

2.
Inamo sa Sayaw 
A wedding dance among the Mansaka
people.
A monkey dance for two.
•
Mandaya
Kinabua

A dance imitating the movements of a
hawk.
•
Talaandig
Pig-Agawan

Young women of the Taalandig tribe try
to outdo each other in attracting an
eligible man with the use of colorful
scarves.
•
Higaonon
Binaylan - banog 
•
Subanon
Sohten
A typical dance of the Higaonons
depicting a mother hen and her chicks
being attacked by a ferocious hawk,
three hunters save the hen from the
clutches of the “Banog” or hawk.
 An all male dance that dramatizes
the strength and stoic character of the
Subanon male. The Subanon warrior calls
the attention of the diwatas with the sound
of the leaves.
Dances of the Countryside
Dances that typically characterize the nature and kind of work of the people.
Commonly performed by ordinary groups of people depicting daily activities.
Dances were light and more informal.
Some Examples of countryside Dances and their Descriptions:







Binasuan – a dance which requires a skill in balancing glasses of wine on the top of
the head and one on each hand.
Bulaklakan – a dance using arches festooned with flowers.
Karatong – bamboo noisemakers played by Cuyunen men to accompany gaily
dressed ladies in a boisterous street parade.
Maglalatik – a playful dance of young men beating coconut shells, reflective of a mock battle over the “latik” or coconut residue.
Pandango sa Ilaw – a dance which requires a skill in balancing glasses of Tinghoy
lamps, one on top of the head and one on each hand.
Oasiwas – a dance using lighted glasses wrapped in scarves and swayed like
beacons for the homecoming of the fisherman.















Pasikat sa Baso – a Pangasinan dance that requires skill in balancing glasses of wine
on the head and hands while on top of a bench.
Salakot – a wide brimmed hat used to protect Filipinos from the heat and rain.
Subli – a dance from the province of Batangas that reveals the reverence given by
the performers to a wooden cross.
Tinikling – derived from the long-legged Philippine bird called “tikling” trapped from
the bamboo poles.
Bati – a dance performed during Easter Sunday.
Gayong-gayong – a game dance.
Binislakan – which means sticks, is a Pangasinan dance that bears the Chinese
influence.
Pabirik – depicts the stages of gold panning.
Kalapati – depicts the movements of doves.
Inalisan – a lively festival dance from Nangalisan, Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Innalis means
to transfer from one place to another.
Pantomina – very popular wedding dance in the Bicol regions.
Sinalampati – dance from Tanjay, Negros Oriental which depicts the ac- tions of
mother doves fondling, caressing, and feeding their young.
Katsutsa – very interesting courtship dance from San Pablo, Laguna.
Sayaw Ed Tapew na Bangko – dance which means “Dance of a Bench”. A lively
and skillful dance from the barrio of Pangapisan, Lingayen, Pangasinan.
Biniganbigat – courtship dance from Bangued, Abra portraying a story of a boy
who is very much in love with a girl.