Philippine Folk Dances and Festivals

Vocabulary flashcards covering Philippine folk dances, famous festivals, basic positions of arms and feet, and common dance terminology.

Cariñosa

A Philippine folk dance from Panay Island meaning 'loving one' or 'affectionate one', considered the national dance under the Marcos Sr. regime and celebrating the ideal Filipina woman like Maria Clara.

Tinikling

A folk dance from Leyte involving at least two people tapping and sliding bamboo poles on the ground while dancers step over and between them, imitating tikling birds dodging farmers' traps.

Itik-Itik

A mimetic folk dance from Surigao with steps copying the movements of ducks in rice paddies and swampland, such as wading, flying, and short, choppy steps.

Kuratsa

A courtship dance from Leyte and Samar often performed at weddings and social occasions, where dancers creatively imitate the courtship movements of a rooster and a hen.

Sayaw sa Bangko

A purely Filipino ancestral dance from Pangasinan dating back to before Spanish colonization, where performers dance with balance on top of a bench that is normally six inches wide.

Pandanggo sa Ilaw

A folk dance from Lubang Island, Mindoro, performed while balancing three oil lamps—one on each hand and one on top of the head.

Pandanggo Oasiwas

A dance from Pangasinan performed by fishermen to celebrate a good catch, in which lamps are placed in cloths or nets and swung around as dancers circle and sway.

Maglalatik

Also known as Magbabao, a dance from Biñan, Laguna involving only male dancers, where coconut shells ('bao') serve as the main prop and instrument.

Binasuan

A folk dance from Bayambang, Pangasinan performed during weddings and festivals to express gratitude to the gods, executed while balancing glasses filled with rice wine on the hands and head.

Singkil

A Mindanao dance traditionally performed by single women to attract suitors, stepping in and out between rhythmically clapped bamboo poles, often enhanced with fans and scarves.

Pantomina

A wedding dance from Bicol performed by newlyweds to express unwavering love to their family, where visitors throw coins or place money on a plate on the ground.

Surtido

A folk dance from Cebu meaning 'assortment', featuring a creative mix of dance routines influenced by Spain, Mexico, France, and indigenous cultures.

Ati-Atihan Festival

A festival in Kalibo, Aklan held on the 3rd Sunday of January honoring the Infant Jesus; 'Ati-Atihan' means 'making like Atis', or pretending to be like aboriginal natives.

Sinulog Festival

A month-long festival in Cebu City held on the 3rd Sunday of January; 'Sinulog' means 'graceful dance' and represents the 'sulog' (current) of a Cebu river.

Dinagyang Festival

A festival in Iloilo City held on the 4th Sunday of January celebrating the Santo Niño and the peace pact between Datus and locals; named after a Hiligaynon word meaning 'merrymaking'.

Panagbenga Festival

A festival held in Baguio, Benguet (Feb. 1 - Mar. 3) celebrating the city's recovery from the 1990 Luzon earthquakes; 'Panagbenga' is a Kankanaey term meaning 'A Season of Blossoming'.

Kaamulan Festival

A festival in Malaybalay, Mindanao celebrating seven ethnic tribal groups (Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon, Umayamnon); derived from Binukid 'amul' meaning 'to gather'.

Moriones Festival

An annual Lenten festival on the island of Marinduque held during Holy Week, featuring participants in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Imperial Roman soldiers.

Pahiyas Festival

A festival on May 15 in Lucban, Quezon honoring San Isidro Labrador, patron saint of farmers, featuring parades and houses decorated with fruits, vegetables, and colorful Kiplings.

Kiplings

Traditional Filipino leaf-shaped wafers made with glutinous rice, used to decorate houses and floats during the Pahiyas Festival.

Pintados Festival

A festival held on June 29 in Tacloban City showcasing native pre-Spanish inhabitants and brave warriors, celebrated with music, dance, and the colors green and blue.

Kadayawan Festival

A festival of thankfulness held in the 3rd week of August in Davao City, derived from the Dabawon word 'madayaw' meaning 'good, valuable, and superior'.

Higantes Festival

A festival on November 22-23 in Angono, Rizal based on folklore about giant papier-mâché figures created by locals to protest the Spanish inquisition.

MassKara Festival

A festival on the 4th Sunday of October in Bacolod City featuring smiling masks, coined by Ely Santiago from 'mass' (multitude) and Spanish 'cara' (face).

Folk Dance

A popular dance considered part of the tradition or custom of a particular people, evolving naturally and spontaneously in connection with everyday activities and experiences.

National Dances

Philippine folk dances performed all over the country, such as Lapay Bantigue, Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Itik-Itik, Singkil, and Takiling.

Regional / Local Dances

Philippine folk dances that are particular to one specific locale or area.

Indigenous Dances

Dance styles created in a region representing the culture of the inhabitants, excluding ritualistic or religious dances.

Active Movement

A classification of movement in folk dance characterized by fast movements.

Moderate Movement

A classification of movement in folk dance characterized by a moderate pace.

Slow with Fast Movement

A classification of movement in folk dance characterized by a combination of slow and fast movements.

Slow Movement

A classification of movement in folk dance characterized by slow movements.

1st Position (Arms and Feet)

Feet: heels close together, toes apart at about 45 degrees. Arms: both arms raised in a circle in front of chest with fingertips about an inch apart.

2nd Position (Arms and Feet)

Feet: feet apart sideward about a pace distance. Arms: both arms raised sideward with a graceful curve at shoulder level.

3rd Position (Arms and Feet)

Feet: heel of one foot close to in-step of other foot. Arms: one arm raised in front as in 2nd position, other arm raised upward.

4th Position (Arms and Feet)

Feet: one foot in front of other foot at a pace distance. Arms: one arm raised in front as in 1st position, other arm raised overhead.

5th Position (Arms and Feet)

Feet: heel of front foot close to big toe of rear foot. Arms: both arms raised overhead.

Abrasete

A dance term where the girl at the right side holds the right arm of her partner with her left hand while her free hand remains down at the side.

Jaleo

A dance movement where the right hand is placed on the waist with elbows almost touching, and partners turn clockwise using any dance step.

Arms in lateral position

A dance position where both arms are at one side (either right or left) at shoulder, chest, or waist level.

Bilao

A dance term where elbows are bent close to the waist with hands in front, fingers pointing forward, and palms down, turning hands up and down alternately.

Folded arms

A dance position where arms are bent in front of the chest, placing one forearm on top of the other.

Hayon-hayon

A dance position where one forearm is placed in front of the waist and the other forearm is placed at the back.

Kewet

A dance movement where the wrist is turned outward with a slightly closed fist and thumbs sticking out.

Kumintang

An Ilocano term for moving the hand from the wrist in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Masiwak

An Ibanag term for turning the hand from the wrist half-way clockwise, then raising and lowering the wrist once or twice.

Arms in 'Reverse T' position

A position where arms are side horizontal with elbows bent at right angles, forearms parallel to the head, palms facing forward or inward, and fists loosely closed.

Salok

A dance term meaning to swing the arm downward-upward in front of the body as if scooping, with the trunk bent following the arm movement.

Sarok

A dance term where weight is on the left foot, the right foot points across the left in front, the body bends slightly toward the pointing foot, and the right arm crosses over the left arm.

Brush

To hit the floor with the ball or heel of one foot and lift that foot from the floor in any direction.

Cut

To displace quickly one foot with the other foot.

Hop

A spring from one foot landing on the same foot in place or in any direction.

Jump

A spring on one foot or both feet landing on both feet in any direction.

Leap

A spring from one foot landing on the other foot in any direction.

Pivot

To turn with the ball, heel, or whole foot on a fixed place or position.

Place

To put the foot in a certain position without putting weight on it, with the sole resting flat on the floor.

Point

To touch the floor lightly with the toes of one foot while keeping the weight of the body on the other foot.

Slide

To glide the foot smoothly along the floor, finished with or without a transfer of weight.

Stamp

To bring down the foot forcibly and noisily on the floor like doing heavy steps.

Step

To advance by raising and moving one foot to another resting place, involving a complete transfer of weight.

Tap

Flexing the ankle joint while keeping the weight of the body on the other foot, with no change or transfer of weight.

Saludo

A formal bow executed with feet together, where partners bow to each other, to the audience, and to the opposite dancer.