Legal Basis and dance

1987 Philippine Constitution Article XIV, Section 14

Fosters preservation, enrichment, and evolution of national culture.

1987 Philippine Constitution Article XIV, Section 15

Conserves, promotes, and popularizes cultural heritage and artistic creations.

1987 Philippine Constitution Article XIV, Section 17

Recognizes and protects the rights of indigenous cultural communities.

Republic Act 7356 (1992)

Created the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Main mandate of Republic Act 7356

Preservation, development, and promotion of arts and culture, including dance.

Republic Act 10066 (2010)

National Cultural Heritage Act of the Philippines.

Purpose of RA 10066

Protects cultural heritage, including folk and ethnic dances as intangible cultural heritage.

Republic Act 10533 (K–12 Law)

Includes Music, Arts, PE, and Health with dance as performing art and physical activity.

CHED & LGU policies

CHED Memorandum Orders and Local Government Code of 1991 supporting dance education.

UNESCO 2023 (International Legal Basis)

Promotes preservation of traditional dances.

Definition of Dance

One of the oldest and most universal forms of human expression combining movement, rhythm, and expression.

Salient Features of Dance

Universality, Expressiveness, Integration of mind and body, Social and cultural relevance, Physical fitness, Creativity, and Structure yet dynamic.

Element of Dance – Body

The instrument of dance; movements of body parts (shapes, actions, isolation, coordination).

Element of Dance – Space

Where the body moves; includes direction, level, size, and pathways.

Element of Dance – Time

The rhythm, tempo, beat, and duration of movements; how fast or slow they are performed.

Element of Dance – Energy

The quality of movement; can be sharp, smooth, strong, light, sudden, or sustained.

Element of Dance – Relationship

Connections between dancers, objects, and environment (mirroring, unison, contrast, lead and follow).