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INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES
Countries all over the world have their own culture that is made more colorful, beautiful, and vibrant through their folk dances that reflect who they are. In the East, the Chinese have their symbolic Dragon Dance, while the Japanese have the ancestral dance Bon Odori. In the West, the Americans have their Square Dance. The Philippines, known as the “The Pearl of the Orient,” has variety of Filipino folk dances as well – from the authentic rituals of the Cordilleras to the Spanish-influence Maria Clara and the Muslim dances. Filipinos, by nature, love singing, dancing, and feasting which for centuries have been the prominent aspects of Filipino everyday life. Native Filipinos have dances and songs for birth, courtship, marriage, war, planting, and harvesting and even during the pre-Spanish time. The Philippines consists of 7,107 islands, grouped into three archipelago – Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Each of these regions has different languages, history, religion, and traditions given to life I their arts, crafts, and ancestral dances and are made more spectacular with the styles, costumes, dances, and talents distinctive in each region. Each of the dances reflect not only the celebrations but also the experiences, back-breaking tasks, everyday chores and occupation, and social relationships that Filipinos manage in order to survive economic and emotional needs.
CHAPTER 1 – NATURE OF PHILIPINE FOLK DANCES
Definition of Folk Dances Folk Dances – refer to dances that share some or all of the following attributes: Performed in an informal get-together of people, with little or no professional training, to traditional music or based on traditional movements; Originally not designed for public performance on stage, although traditional folk dances were later arranged and set for stage performances; Execution is dominated by an inherited tradition passed on from one generation to another rather than by innovation (although like all folk traditions, there can also be changes over period of time); and Informally learned by new dancers by observing others and/or receiving help from others. The term “folk dance” is sometimes applied to dances of historical importance in European culture and history that typically originated before the 20th^ century. For other cultures, the term “ethnic dance” or ‘traditional dance” is sometimes used, although the latter terms may encompass ceremonial dances. There are a lot of modern dances, such as hip hop, that evolve spontaneously; but the term “folk dance” is generally not applied to them. Rather, the term “street dance” or “vernacular dance” is used.
Classification of Dances in the Philippines
1. Dances in the Cordillera These are dances classified with ceremonial gatherings, courtship, war, festival, and imitation of nature. 2. Dances in the Mindanao These are dances which have a touch of Hindu, Japanese, Chinese, or Arab-Persian culture. 3. Spanish/European/Western-Influenced Dances The Westernization of Filipino culture brought changes in the style of dancing among Filipinos, embracing all new trends and fashions that somehow became classics. These dances are the well-loved Pandanggo, Habanera, Jota, Valse, Mazurka, Paseo, Rigodon, and Lanceros , which are traditionally passed on inevitably. These are dances for the so- called “bourgeoisie” or elite during the Spanish period. 4. Dances in the Countryside There are dances for the farmers and the common people in the rural areas who live in utmost simplicity. These dances are light and more informal, portraying the life endeavors of the lowlanders. Frequently, these dances require skills and character that depict the kind of work they are involved in. it is the lowlanders’ way to ease their burden – through fun and artistic movements. 5. Dances for the Less-Known Group These are dances with mythical bindings imitative of the movements of the birds, monkeys, sea creatures, and other live animals that people find comic and enjoyable. They are also reflective of traditions and mores like courtship practices and forest lives.
Filipino folk dances are classified in the following manner:
- National Dances – these are traditional dances throughout the Philippines with a common basic movement or pattern but with slight variations. Example: Cariñosa, Kuratsa and Balitaw
- Local or Regional Dances – these are dances found only in certain localities or regions. Example: Esperanza, Alcamfor and Rogelia
- Occupational Dance – these are dances that depict actions associated to occupations, industries, and phases of human labor. Example: Pabirik, Managuete and Kin-aras
- Religious or Ceremonial Dances – these are dances that are performed in connection with religious vows, practices, and ceremonies. They are found in dances of the ancestors and in the foreign influences. Example: Dugso, Obando and Sinulog
- Courtship Dance – these are dances depicting love making or has love themes. Example: Helehele Bago Quire, Aringguinding-guinding and Maramion
- Wedding Dances – these are dances performed by newlyweds with their friends and relatives, or by the father of the bride or the mother of the groom. Example: Pantomina, Pandang-pandang and Soryano
- Festival Dances – these dances are prformed in connection with a celebration or a feast like barrio fiesta, good harvest or good fortune. These are found in Kuratsa, Zapateado and La Jota.
- War Dances – these dances are intended to show imaginary combat or duel with the use of fighting equipment like the
were crafted into more harmonic musical instruments capable of bringing out more impressing sound. These dances are found in rituals, flirtation, courtship, game dances, animal dances, and duels or war dances. DANCES OF THE MUSLIM These dances are products of cultural influences from Hindu, Japanese, Chinese, and Arab-Persian civilizations that are oriental, exotic, and stylized. The musical instruments used are agong, kulingtangan, bamboo xylophones, and drums. Basic Movements Skills There are two types of body movements: axial movement and locomotor movement.
- AXIAL MOVEMENTS – movements done by a part or several parts of the body in a stationary place Bend or flex – to move the body or part of the body around a wide axis Circle – to move a body around a point Lift or Raise – to elevate a part of the body or the whole body to a desired level Stretch, Extend, or Straighten – to lengthen a part of the body Swing – to move continuously from one point to the other Turn or rotate to change direction to move around on axis Twist – to move a body around a long axis
- LOCOMOTOR MOVEMENTS – movements that brings the performer from one place to the other Walk – a movement done by shifting weight from one foot to the other without losing contact with the floor
Run – a movement done by transferring weight from one foot to the other with a short period of non-support while the body and feet are off the floor, the tempo is faster than the walk Hop – a spring on one foot and landing on the ball of the same foot Jump – a spring on one foot or both feet and landing on both feet; push off the floor with strong foot and knee extension, the heel coming off first and then the toes. Upon landing, the ball of the foot touches the floor first and then the heel comes down. The knees bend to absorb the shock of landing. Leap – a transfer of weight from one foot to the other foot by pushing off with a spring and landing on the ball of the other foot. The leap is similar to a run except that it is executed with greater distance. The heel comes down after landing and the knees bend to absorb the shock. Gallop – a step on one foot followed by a quick close of the other foot just at the back or side of the leading foot. The rhythm is long on the step forward or sideward direction and short at the close. One foot is always leading. Slide – slide the right foot, slow beat, close the left foot to the right foot, shifting the weight quickly onto the left foot. The rhythm is long on the leading foot and short on the closing foot. Skip – step right foot in fourth in front, hop on right in place. Formation
- Square or quadrille (rigodon, lanceros)
- Long formation or line formation (palay aetana, papuri)
- Set formation (kakawati, rogelia, bakya, bulaklakan)
There is very little, if any, body contact among performers, although holding hands is very common. This reflects the very modest and demure Filipina who in early times, preserves her “purity” by not allowing any man to touch her, even the tips of her fingers. Most Filipino folk dances are done in pairs, hand movements also play a very important role because they distinguish the men from women performers. Women move their hands with grace and poise while men move their hands with masculinity and visible agility and firmness. Many of the dances are done in long formation. This is to show the essence of variety. It also emphasizes the essence of socialization, mobility, and grandiosity of space. The dances are performed by both young and old and by both sexes. These are dances for all people from all walks of life. Benefits of Folk Dance
- Fitness – dancing is one of the most versatile and satisfying activities one can participate in as a form expression, recreation, or exercise to develop fitness.
- Joy and Satisfaction – dancing improves the physical well- being of a person who participate in a dancing activity. One can find satisfaction as he complete the phasing of the dance.
- Grace and Coordination – dancing improves response to rhythmic patterns. Constant participation in a dance will improve one’s neuro-muscular coordination and will help one’s acquisition of grace with precision.
- Self-Expression – dancing develops poise and good posture. One can communicate socially, emotionally, and intellectually through the physical expression with grace and poise.
QUIZ #1:
Instructions: Write in the yellow pad paper the questions and your correct answer. __________________ 1. Refer to dances that share some attributes. __________________ 2. The latter terms used for a ceremonial dances. __________________ 3. Have a peculiar combination of Spanish and Oriental movements. __________________ 4. Considered the mother of Philippine folk dances. __________________ 5. These are dances classified with ceremonial gatherings, courtship, war, festival and imitation of nature. __________________ 6. Dances which have a touch of Hindu, Japanese, Chinese or Arab- Persian culture. __________________ 7. These dances are the well-loved Pandanggo, Habanera, Jota, Valse, Mazurka, Paseo, Rigodon, and Lanceros, which are traditionally passed on inevitably. __________________ 8. These dances are light and more informal, portraying the life endeavors of the lowlanders. __________________ 9. These are dances with mythical bindings imitative of the movements of the birds, monkeys, sea creatures and other live animals that people find comic and enjoyable. __________________ 10. These dances are found in rituals, flirtation, courtship, game dances, animal dances and duels or war dances. Enumerate the 10 classification of Filipino Folk Dances.
