Group 4
Amarellento,Ishi Eunice Dublas,Peter Paul Diez,Olive Andrei
Beniga,Althea Erica Ann Galam,Jade Pontanos,Lady Adelyn
Celestial,Lea Jean Lariosa,Fate Trisha Ayne Dignadice,Joshua
The Maglalatik (also known as Manlalatik or Magbabao) is an
indigenous dance from the Philippines. Coconut shell halves are
secured onto the dancers' hands and on vests upon which are hung
four or six more coconut shell halves. The dancers perform the
dance by hitting one coconut shell with the other; sometimes the
ones on the hands, the ones on the body, or the shells worn by
another performer, all in time to a fast drumbeat.
Like many native Filipino dances, it is intended to impress the viewer
with the great skill of the dancer, and in some "Filipino Martial Arts"
(FMA) circles, it has been noted that the Maglalatik "consists of a
trapping and boxing method hidden in a dance."
A. Where does the
dance come from?
(Trace the place or province of origin)
Maglalatik, also referred to as “Manlalatik or Magbabao” is a South
East Asian form of dance. This “indigenous” dance style is said to
have originated from the Philippines, and is performed mainly by
men. This dance style literally when translated means “latik maker”
i.e. latik is a local coconut product.
Originally performed in Binan, 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. It has a four-part performance such as the palipasan and the baligtaran showing the
intense battle, the paseo and the escaramusa- the reconciliation. Moro dancers wear read
trousers while the Christian dancers show up in blue. All dancers are male; with harnesses of
coconut shells attached on their chests, backs, thighs and hips.
B. Is it a national or
ethnic dance?
If ethnic:
From what tribe or group of indigenous people
does it come from?
What is the nature of the dance? Is it ritual, life
cycle or Occupational?
The indigenous Maglalatik dance of
Philippines mimics the battle between the
Christian and the Muslim Moro tribesmen.
Maglalatik is also called as Magbabao where
‘bao’ means ‘a coconut shell’. It is an all–male
dance with coconut shells used as props. The
Maglalatik embodies the element of a battle,
reconciliation and a prize as well. It is usually
performed during religious processions at the
town fiesta of Binan.
1. From what tribe or group of indigenous
people does it come from?
● It originated in the town of Binan in the Laguna
province of the Filipino Islands and is also performed
as homage to the town saint, San Isidro de Labrador.
Maglalatik is an original native dance of the Philippines
in which the coconut halves are attached to the torso
of the dancer. A calm and elegant display of harmless
weaponry, Maglalatik is a four part war dance, which
the Moro had won technically.
2. What is the nature of the dance? Is it
ritual, life cycle or Occupational?
● The nature of the maglalatik dance is Life cycle. This
dance was created to represent a fight between the Moros
and Christian Community and this dance is also performed
to pay tribute to the town’s patron saint, San Isidro
Labrador. Over latik, a product obtained after the coconut
milk has been boiled. Furthermore, this dance is supposed
to be performed during festive occasions such as feasts
and religious processions.
C. What is the motif or
theme of the dance?
Describe briefly the background of the dance
you chose.
● Maglalatik is also called as Magbabao where ‘bao’
means ‘a coconut shell’. It is an all–male dance with
coconut shells used as props. The Maglalatik embodies
the element of a battle, reconciliation and a prize as well. It
is usually performed during religious processions at the
town fiesta of Binan. It is also a mark of obeisance to the
patron saint of the town, San Isidro de Labrador. A calm
and elegant display of harmless weaponry, Maglalatik is a
four part war dance, which the Moro had won technically.
Let us discuss Maglalatik dance in detail.
