PHILIPPINE FOLKDANCES and SOCIAL - The word dance come from the

DANCES German word damson , which

(P.E3) means “to stretch” or “to drag”
- Dance closely follows the development of
- Dance may be the oldest among the
human race. Since the earliest times of our
all the arts.
existence, far before the creation of first
modern civilizations, dance served as an
irreplaceable way of expressing human
- It developed as a natural expression
thought and emotion.
of united feeling and action.
- Actual dance forms appear to have been in
place in India around 6000 B.C. In studying - It is an art of precise expression of
the First Dynasty of Egypt, (around 3000 one’s emotion through graceful
B.C.), archaeologists have found relief's movement, performed with musical
showing a kind of dance or body language, accompaniment.
and as culture in Egypt advanced, paintings
were made showing musicians and dancers.
- Dance is considered the mirror of
the society because it responds to
Since dancing itself cannot leave clearly historical and religious events as
identifiable archaeological artifacts that can well as social and political
be found today, scientist looked for statements.
secondary clues, written word, stone
carvings, paintings and similar artifacts.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The oldest proof of existence of dancing

comes from the 9000 year old cave
- Learning, thought, creativity, and
paintings that were found in India, which
intelligence don’t just come from
depicts various scenes of hunting,
the brain alone, but from the entire
childbirth, religious rites, burials and most
body.
importantly, communal drinking and
- Movement combinations increase
dancing.
memory, order, and sequencing
skills.
- Creating dances also increases self-
Without a doubt, dancing remains one of
esteem which is so very important
the most expressive forms of
to learning. We already witness the
communications that we know.
need for children to move
throughout the day.
PREHISTORIC PERIOD occupational dances. Playful and gay
dances can be called as comic
dances.
Dance closely follows the development of
human race. Since the earliest times of our
existence, far before the creation of first War Dance - intended to incite the fighting
modern civilizations, dance served as an of the warriors, commonly performed to
irreplaceable way of expressing human the quick tempo of a drum.
thought and emotion.
Festival Dance - great and exciting
occasions for the primitive people
Since the dawn of human civilization, dance Courtship/Wedding Dance - performed
was incorporated as an important part of with intricate hand and body movements
our culture and religion. Its ability to
simulate or describe events or myths,
enchant the audience and dancers with The development of the folk dance in the
ecstasy, belief, happiness, and trance was Philippines is a very big step to enriching its
quickly implemented into many religious culture not only because Filipinos can be
ceremonies, rituals and celebrations of proud of it and also because it is their
ancient civilizations. culture. Here are the developments:

Dances in the Philippines can be categorized 1. Folk dances are performed at different
in many ways. They can be classified countries.
according to their nature. Geographical
2. Folk dances are danced by other people
location can be one. For instance, dance
all over the world.
that is local to a particular place, one that
has no other form variations of this dance- 3. It tells us that Filipino culture is rich.
can be classified as local or regional dance.

The History of the Filipino Folk Dance

- There are also dances that depict
Philippine Folk Dance
love and marriage. These are known
to be marriage and courtship - has a long and diverse history
dances. - originality from pre-colonize era to
- Dances that depict rituals as part of the Spanish occupation (1500s-
celebration of life, thanksgiving, 1800s)
good harvest, and death are called
ritual dances.
- Dances that display the living and its
occupation can be classified as
- tell stories about historical - Dancers typically mean allowing and
happenings, ways of living, cultural colourful costumes decorated with
influences and jewels, swords and shields.
religion customs.

Philippine Culture is the one that separates

Northern Luzon (Ilocos Region-North, us from the rest of the world, our colorful
Tagalog Region-South) and lively culture that make us distinctly
Filipino. This includes traditions, languages,
- Most of the folk dance here are
arts, etc., which are found in museums,
mixtures of indigenous and Spanish
churches and galleries, found within the
elements and are usually performed
heart of key cities.
during special occasion such as,
weddings, and fiestas.
Most provinces have their own identifying
Southern Tagalog –Manila folk dances too wherein they showcase the
elegance and beauty of the way they do
- The major Government canters have
things, the way they dress, the way they see
been located here so most of the
things as shown in different paintings, as we
dances in the region reflect Spanish
have been influenced by various events as
and European influences.
that happened in our history.

Visayan Dances
- Sakuting came from the Abra
- Visayas- central part of the Philippine province in the northern part of the
archipelago. island of Luzon. The Ilocos Region
officially includes Ilocos Norte, Ilocos
- Mostly tell stories of people’s lives and
Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.
frequently grow inspiration from animal
- Its original use was for combat
movements.
training. During the playful folk
dance, two teams, one representing
each side, circle and clash bamboo
Muslim and Moro Dances
sticks in a gentle imitation of martial
- Mindanao Region-Southern part of the arts sparring. Its dance form is the
Philippine is a Muslim region never comedia.
conquered by Spaniards. - Introduced by Spanish missionaries
as religious ritual, the sakuting
- Islam was introduced during the 12th
dance portrays this struggle
century and Muslims are also known as
between the lowland Christians and
“moros”
the non-Christian mountain people.
The Five Fundament position of the ARMS
and FEET

COMMON DANCE TERMS

1. Arms in lateral position- both arms are at
one side, either sideward right or left, This
may be done at shoulder, chest or waist
level.
2. Brush- weight on one foot, hit the floor
with the ball or heel of the other foot (the
free foot) after which that foot is lifted from
the floor to any direction.
3. Clockwise- like the motion of the hands
of the clock. R shoulder is toward the center
of an imaginary circle.
4. Counter clockwise- the reverse direction
of clockwise. L shoulder is toward the
center of an imaginary circle.
5. Mazurka - Glide R (L) foot in second (ct.
1), cut R (L) sideward with the L (R) foot (ct.
2), hop on the L (R) foot and beat R (L) in
rear or in front the R (L) foot close to the
ankle of the L (R) foot (ct. 3). This step may
be executed forward or going around also.
(¾ mazurka time. Counts 1, 2, 3)
6. Do-si-do- the vis-à-vis (opposites) both
advance forward, pass each other’s right (or
left) side, step across to the right (or left),
move backward without turning around
pass each other’s left (or right) side to
proper places. This is of foreign origin and is 16. “Kumintang”- moving the hand from
used in many Philippine dances. the wrist either in a clockwise or counter
clockwise direction. This is an Ilocano term.
7. MINCING STEP - Starting position: R (L)
foot in fifth position in front, heels slightly 17. Outside foot- the foot away from the
raised or with the leading foot flat on the one’s partner, when partners stand side by
floor. Execute tiny steps sideward right (left) side.
as many times as necessary. In ¾ time take
18. Outside hand- the hand away from
one step for every count. In 2/4 time it
one’s partner, when partners stand side by
maybe 2 steps for every count.
side.
8. Papuri - Step R foot in second position
19. Place- to put foot in a certain or desired
(cts. 1, 2), step the L sideward right across
position without putting weight on it. The
the R in front (ct. 3). Point R foot sideward
sole of the foot rest on the floor.
left across the L in front (cts. 1, 2, 3) (2 M.).
¾ time. Counts 1, 2, 3. 20. Pivot- to turn with the ball, heel, or
whole foot, on a fixed place or point.
9. Hands on waist- place hands at the
waistline.
10. “Hayon-hayon”- to place one forearm in LAPAY BANTIGUE
front and the other at the back of the waist.
This is a Visayan term.
11. Waltz balance - count 1, 2, 3 to a
measure. Step R foot forward (ct. 1), close L
to R in third rear position and raise both
heels (ct. 2), lower heels with the weight of
the body on the R foot (ct.3)
12. Waltz – step R sideward (ct.1) then
close L to R (ct.2) and step R in place (ct.3).
13. Masiwak – Is an Ibanag dance term that
refers to the turning the hand from the
wrist halfway clockwise then raise and
lower your wrist once or twice.
14. Redoba – Slide R diagonally forward
(ct.1), cut R with L (ct.2) and cut L with R
(ct.3).
15. Hapay- Is to flourish or offer a
handkerchief, hat or glass of wine to
somebody as a sign of invitation.