Jaisa S. Notario, LPT, MAEd
Philippine
Folk Dance

Philippine Folkdance
● The present emphasis on the preservation and revival of our culture makes it imperative for us to
study our folk dances as an essential part of our Filipino soul and identity of the Filipino character.

Objectives of the
Philippines Folk Dances
● To foster patriotism and nationalism through the study of our
dances.
● To arouse better appreciation of the Philippine music and folk
dances.
● To provide, through dancing, a healthful form of relaxation
and recreation.
● To develop a graceful and rhythmic coordination of body
movements that will improve posture.
● To preserve the posterity, folk dance and music indigenous
to the different regions of the Philippines.
● To demonstrate the growth of Filipino culture through the
evolution of the Philippine dances.

Definitions of Folk Dances
● Folk dances are traditional dances of a country which were
evolved naturally and spontaneously in connection with
everyday activities and experiences of the people who
developed them.
● Folk dance is the heartbeat of the people.
● Folk dances are traditional social expressions of the ideals,
mores, feelings, and thoughts of a people or group of people
through body movement.
● Dancing is the outburst of people's feeling.

Factors Affecting
Folk Dances
Geographical
Economic condition
Climate condition
Customs and traditions

Classification of
Philippines Folk Dance

A. Geographical extend of origin
● National Dances: found throughout the island with little or no
modification.
Examples:
Rigodon
Jota
Cariñosa
Balitaw

A. Geographical extend of origin
● Local Dances: found in certain localities.
Examples:
Tinikling - Leyte
Maglalatik - Binyang
Esperansa - Nabua
Subli - Batangas
Biniganbigat - Abra

B. Nature
● Occupational: depicting action of certain occupation, Industry
or manual labor.
Examples:
Panting Harvesting
Pounding Winnowing
Pabirik Mananguete

B. Nature
● Religious or Ceremonial: performed in connection with
religious vows and ceremonies.
Examples:
Dugsu
Sua-sua
Santa Clarang pinong-pino
Putung

B. Nature
● Comic dances: depicting funny movements for entertainment.
Examples:
kimbo-kimbo Makongo
Kinoton

B. Nature
● Wedding dances: performed during wedding feast
Examples:
Panasahan

B. Nature
● Game dances: with play elements (dance mixers)
Examples:
Lubi-lubi
Pabo

B. Nature
● Courtship dances: depicting lovemaking
Examples:
He le-hele bago quiere
Maramion
Daling-daling
Tadek

B. Nature
● Festival dances: suitable for special occasion or any social
gatherings
Examples:
Pandango
Habanera
Surtido
Jota

B. Nature
● War dances: showing imaginary combat or duel.
Examples:
Palo-palo
Sagayan

C. Movements
● Active – with fast energetic movement
Example:
Tinikling
Maglalatik
Sakuting
Polkabal

C. Movements
● Moderate
Example:
Carinosa
Tagala
Habanera
Purpuri

C. Movements
● Slow
Example:
Pasakat
Amoroso
Tiliday
Kundiman

C. Movements
● Slow and Fast
Example:
Putritos
Ba-ingles
Habanera
Alcomflor

C. Formation
Square or Qadrille
● Long Formation
● Set