PHILIPPINE FOLKDANCE

What is Dancing

Dance is an expression of an intensified sense of life, arising from an inner perception that stimulates both mind and body. It is man’s natural and primitive means of expression. The truest expression of a people is in its dances and its music. “The body never lies”.

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Dance has been a part of the life of every tribe, society or celebrates through dance. Dance is not only an individual or group experience but also considered as a cultural mirror who wherein the spirit, character and artistry of its time are reflected.

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• A dance as simple emotional expression when developed into a design with its planned organization of a pattern of movement in rhythm, in space and or ground, with its set of steps, gestures and dynamics becomes a specific dance. And when stylized in a common design becomes a dance form. These dance forms which take centuries to develop, reflect the customs of the society in which they have evolved.
• According to William Cobbett, Dancing is at once rational and healthful. It is the natural amusement of young people and such it has been from the days of Moses. Our only quarrel with this statement is the reference to ‘young people’, since the recreation of dancing provides pleasure and enjoyment, with relaxation and an improved social life, to people of all ages and all backgrounds. It is an ideal path to health through gentle exercise in these days of tension, stress and sedentary work and pleasures. Those who forsake the television screen to go dancing reap great mental and physical rewards.

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Dancing is based on natural walking steps forward and backwards. If

this can be achieved with balance, control and small steps, the actual

figures will feel and look natural and rhythmic. So it is best to study

and work on the recommended exercises before working on the

figures.

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Dance

It is defined as an inner impulse of man to rhythm or music

expressing his feeling of joy, moods, sentiments or any human

experience.

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Dance Education

This refers to an educational process whereby the central process is

the learning and studying the dance as the medium to understand

one’s self society and culture.

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Dance Form�

Classical Dance

Dance with standardized rules and restriction. It can be religious

related dances or court and royal entertainment form.

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Classical Ballet

A dance of supreme standards learned from an academe. This

originated from Italy from the word Bal-lo meaning to dance

flourished in the royal court of France.

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Modern Dance

A deviation from the principles of classical ballet developed by

Isadora Duncan. She believed in the principles of naturalness and

The expression of the human body and soul.

Contemporary Dance

This is a combination of ballet and modern dance whereby it

uses the varied medium of other dance forms like folks,

ethnic, jazz or tribal dance.

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Popular Dance

This is highly recognized as a dance form in television and

other dance centers like discotheque houses and social

gatherings.

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Folk Dance

The term implies the traditional flavors and characteristics of

the people, their feeling and sentiments. It is also referred

sometimes as traditional dance.

Ethnic/Tribal Dance

A dance particularly found in a group of people living

together in locality with a common belief and customs.

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Ballroom Dance

A popular term for dance performed on ballroom areas or for

purposes of recreation and entertainment.

Example:

Latin American dance

(cha-cha, mambo, rumba, jive, samba and paso doble)

Standard dance

(tango, waltz, foxtrot and quick step)

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�CLASSIFICATION OF DANCE

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1. National Dances- are traditional dances throughout the Philippines with common basic movement or pattern but with slight variation.

Ex: Cariñosa Pandango Balitaw

Kuratsa Rigodon Surtido

2. Local or Regional Dances- are dance found in certain localities or regions only.

Ex: Esperanza (Nakua, Camarines Sur)

Alcampor (Leyte)

Maglalatik (San Pablo, Laguna)

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3. Occupational Dances- are dances that depict actions characterizing occupation industries and phases of human labor.

Ex: Pabirik-depicts the difference stages of gold panning

Monanguete- tuba gatherer

Rice Festival- has the largest number of dances

Magtatanim, Paggapas, Paggiik, Pahangin, Pababayo,

Pagtatahip

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4. Religious or Ceremonial Dances- are performed in connection with religious vows, practices and ceremonies. A religious dance maybe performed to drive away evil spirits and for having recovered from sickness, favors granted and vows fulfilled.

Ex: Sinurog Obando Dugso

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5. Courtship Dance- are dances that depict making or\

are dances with love themes.

Ex: Hele Hele bago Quiere Rogelia

Lulay Maramion

6. Wedding Dances- are performed by newlyweds, by

friends and relatives of the bride and groom or by the

father of the bride and mother of the groom.

Ex: Pandang-Pandang Soryano Pantomina

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7. Festival Dances- performed in connection with celebration a feast, a barrio, fiesta, good harvest and good future.

Ex: Kuratsa La Jota Putong

8. War Dances- are intended to show imaginary combat or duel with the use fighting implements like bolo or spear.

Ex: Sagayan Maglalatik Inabaknon

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9. Comic Dances- are dances with funny and humorous movements mainly intended for entertainment.

Ex: makonggo- movements of monkey

Kinoton- imitates the movements of person bitten by ants

10. Game Dances- are dances that have some play elements and are for recreational purposes.

Ex: Pabo Lubi-lubi Sinenalan Gayong-gayong

11. Social Dances- are dances danced during social gathering.

Ex: Rigodon Lanceros 

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