TOP 10 POPULAR FOLK DANCE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Cariñosa (meaning the loving or affectionate) is a Philippine dance of colonial-era origin from the Maria Clara suite of Philippine folk dances, where the fan or handkerchief plays an instrumental role as it places the couple in romance scenario. Photo Source: myphilippines – WordPress.com CARIÑOSA ORIGIN: The dance originated in Panay Island in the Visayan Islands and was introduced by the Spaniards during their colonization of the Philippines. It is related to some of the Spanish dances like the bolero and the Mexican dance Jarabe Tapatio or the Mexican Hat Dance. CARIÑOSA COSTUME: The Cariñosa was danced with María Clara gown and Barong Tagalog for it is a María Clara Spanish dance when it was introduced. In addition, Filipino wore the patadyong kimona and camisa de chino to reveal nationalism. (a native dress of the Tagalog regions), camisa (a white sleeve) or patadyong kimona (a dress of the Visayan people) and for boys, a barong Tagalog, and colored...

Sayaw sa Bangko (“dance on a bench”) is a folk dance from the Pangasinan province of the Philippines. Performers dance on top of a bench that is normally six inches wide. Dancers show skill in staying up the bench as they exchange places by moving Their way around or the girl thrown in the air while the boy moves to the other end. They do not Compete but rather complement each other so that no one falls. It is usually performed During town fiestas. Photo Source: Canal Midi SAYAW SA BANGKO ORIGIN: Bench Tapew ed dance (dance on top of a bench), is a dance Which originates from Pangasinan and researched by Jovita Sison. It is performed by a couple on a narrow bench, inching and hopping from one end to another. SAYAW SA BANGKO COSTUME: Men wear Camisa Chino with handkerchief tied around his neck and rolled-up trousers while women wear patadyong and they are barefoot.

Maglalatik, a folk dance in Luzon, is not just any other traditional dance in the Philippines that mimics the movements of animals. This dance in the Philippines has a meaning. It is a mock war dance that depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highly prized food. The Filipino folk dance is broken into four parts: two devoted to the battle and two devoted to reconciling. The dancing men wear coconut shells as part of their costumes, and they hit them in rhythm with the music. Maglalatik is danced in the religious procession during the fiesta of Biñan, Laguna as an offering to San Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. Photo Source: Paponei’s MAGLALATIK ORIGIN: It originated in the town of Binan in the Laguna province of the Filipino Islands and is also performed as homage to the town saint, San Isidro de Labrador. Maglalatik is an original native dance of the Philippines in which the coconut halves are attached to the torso of the dancer. MAGLAL...

Itik-itik is a mimetic folk dance in The Philippines. In Itik-itik (from the Tagalog word for "duck"), the dance steps imitate the movements of ducks among rice paddies and swamplands, such as wading, flying, and short, choppy steps. Photo Source: Flickr ITIK ITIK ORIGIN: It originated in the province of Surigao in Mindanao. Originating from a dance called Sibay and performed to the tune of Dejado, the story was told that an expert young dancer named Cayetana at a barrio of Cantilan during a baptismal party had become so carried away with the rhythm that she began to improvise short, choppy steps similar to ducks and then splash water on their backs. ITIK ITIK COSTUME: The attire worn generally includes barong tagalog (embroidered formal shirt considered the national dress of Philippines) or the camisa de chino (a collarless Chinese shirt with short sleeves worn under the barong tagalog), and white trousers. Men also sp...

Pandanggo or Pandanggo sa ilaw literally means the ‘Fandango with the Light’ in English language. And yes, from the name itself, this dance is that dance that involved the manipulation of the lights. This dance is from the Lubang Island, Mindoro. The term ‘pandanggo’ which means ‘fandanggo’ in the Spanish language is actually dance that is characterized by marking time with the use of clack of castanets, the snapping of the fingers and the stomping of the feet in the triple-time rhythm. The person that performs this graceful dance is often called as the ‘pandanggera’. The ‘pandanggera’ then dances holding three oil lamps which are called as the ‘tinghoy’. Photo Source: PhilNews.ph PANDANGGO SA ILAW ORIGIN: Pandanggo sa Ilaw, which originated from Lubang Island, Mindoro, involves the dancers performing while balancing lights. PANDANGGO SA ILAW COSTUME: Men wear barong tagalong or polo while women wear kimona dresses.

The lead dancer, in the role of Putri Gandingan (the Darangen name for Sita), graciously manipulates either fans, scarves, or her hands while she steps in and out of closing bamboo poles. The poles are arranged in either a parallel, rectangular, or criss-cross fashion. The singkil dance is one of the most popular Philippine folk dances. Photo Source: Wikipedia SINGKIL ORIGIN: Singkil is a Mindanao folk dance that originated from the Maranao people and is based on the story in the Darangen, the pre-Islamic Maranao interpretation of the ancient Hindu Indian epic, the Ramayana. This tribal dance in the Philippines means “to entangle the feet with disturbing objects such as vines or anything in your path”. SINGKIL COSTUME: It is made of silk and brass, decorated with tassels and dangling beads. She is wearing colorful Arab pointed shoes. The lead dancer uses fans as accessories – made from bamboo and decor...

After a good catch, fishermen of Lingayen would celebrate by drinking wine and by dancing, swinging, and circling a lighted lamp. Hence, the name "Oasiwas" which in the Pangasinan dialect means "swinging." This unique and colorful dance calls for skill in balancing an oil lamp on the head while circling in each hand a lighted lamp wrapped in a porous cloth or fishnet. The waltz-style music is similar to that of Pandanggo sa Ilaw. Photo Source: Traditional Dances – WorldPress.com PANDANGGO OASIWAS ORIGIN: Pandango Oasiwas is a Spanish Fandango dance with its origins coming from the fishing town of Lingayen in Pangasinan. PANDANGGO OASIWAS COSTUME: Men wear polo and pants while women wear mestiza dresses.

Kappa Malong-Malong is a cultural dance in the Philippines influenced by Muslims. The malong is a tubular garment, and the folk dance essentially shows the many ways it can be worn. This traditional dance in the Philippines is not only for women though, but there is also a men’s version of the dance since they wear malongs in different ways. Photo Source: www.danceanddance.com KAPPA MALONG-MALONG ORIGIN: Kappa Malong-malong, also called Sambi sa Malong, is a dance that originates from the Maranao tribes of Mindanao in the Philippines. The malong is traditionally used as a garment by numerous other tribes in the Southern Philippines and the smaller Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines. KAPPA MALONG-MALONG COSTUME: This is performed with women wearing malong and shawl, mantle, or head piece, whereas men wear sash or waist band, shorts or bahag and head gear or turban traditionally worn in the fields.

Kuratsa is the dance of courtship from the Visayas region of the Philippines. At weddings and fiestas, the Kuratsa serves as the traditional money dance where guests take turns pinning money on the bride and groom's attire. This symbolizes friends' and families' wishes for good luck and prosperity in the couple's future. Kuratsa is the dance of courtship from the Visayas region of the Philippines. At weddings and fiestas, the Kuratsa serves as the traditional money dance where guests take turns pinning money on the bride and groom's attire. This symbolizes friends' and families' wishes for good luck and prosperity in the couple's future. Photo Source: Traditional Dances – WorldPress.com KURATSA ORIGIN: The Kuratsa is believed to be a Mexican import (supposedly from La Cucaracha dance typical to Monterrey region of Mexico) - the Kuratsa is however, very different in the manner of exec...