JASMINE F.
DE VERA
22-BSN-05
Reflective Analysis of the Culminating Activity
Philippine folk dance, which features traditional movements, costumes, and themes that
mirror daily life, rituals, and festivities, is a vivid representation of the nation's cultural diversity.
Through rhythmic narrative and communal expression, these dances preserve centuries-old
traditions by incorporating components of indigenous Filipino and other influences. They are
honored in festivals, educational institutions, and other cultural gatherings both inside and
outside of the Philippines since they still hold a special place in Filipino culture. The purpose of
it is to preserve and celebrate cultural heritage by passing down customs and tales from one
generation to the next. It brings people together, strengthens feeling of identity, and promotes
pride and unity in both performers and viewers. The event held at the quadrangle of Univerisad
de Dagupan, last Friday, June 14, 2024.
The event went well, and everyone's efforts were greatly appreciated, but it could have
been improved if more work had gone into the costumes of some participants. And also, to give
the viewers a sense of what and where the folk dance they choose to perform, it would have been
preferable if there had been a brief explanation about their chosen dance before the performance.
Everyone had an excellent performance, but in my opinion, our block's performance stood out
since it was the only one to execute the "Binasuan," which makes it distinctive. Binasuan is a
traditional Filipino folk dance that originated in Pangasinan, a province located in the northern
region of the Philippines. The dance involves dancers balancing three glasses or cups filled with
rice wine in each hand while performing intricate steps and turns. The name “binasuan” comes
from the Pangasinan term “baso,” which means “glass” in English. In terms of “technique”, the
performers in this dance rotate their arms over and under the shoulder in order to keep their
palms facing upwards. In addition, while dancing the performers have to hold wine filled glasses
in both hands. Furthermore, in this dance the performer has to ensure that the wine does not spill
over during a performance. Today, the binasuan dance is a popular performance in cultural
festivals and celebrations throughout the Philippines. The event proved to be a great success, and
many were struck by the ability exhibited by each participant. It is also a useful means of
showcasing the various cultural dances practiced in the Philippines. In my opinion, the
aforementioned event should have been performed in a covered space because it was quite hot at
the time. Additionally, many of the participants were unable to perform well because they were
dancing barefoot, which caused discomfort in their feet.
The event at Universad de Dagupan showcased Philippine folk dances, celebrating the
nation's cultural diversity through traditional movements and costumes that reflect daily life and
rituals. Participants performed with dedication, though some costumes could have been
improved. Notably, the "Binasuan" dance stood out for its uniqueness and origin in Pangasinan,
featuring dancers balancing glasses of rice wine. The event highlighted the importance of
preserving cultural heritage and unity through dance, despite challenges like hot weather and
discomfort from dancing barefoot.
Reference: [Link]
