Philippine Traditional Dance – Comprehensive Study Notes

Philippine Traditional Dance

• The Philippines is rich in folk dances shaped by centuries of cultural fusion.
  • Influences include Indonesians, Malays, Chinese, Indians, Spaniards, and Americans.
  • Lacks a classical dance tradition but thrives in folk expressions.
  • Over 7,100 islands contributed to a wide range of unique dances.

Dance as a Way of Life

• Filipinos have an innate love for music and dance.
• Dances are linked to life events and occasions: birth, courtship, marriage, healing, harvest, thanksgiving, and war victories.
• Dances serve both religious and social functions.
• They act as a universal language promoting unity and connection.

Folk Dance as Cultural Identity

• Studying folk dance preserves cultural background and emotional responses to life.
• As an art form, it expresses the soul of the Filipino.

Francisca Reyes – Aquino (Mother of Philippine Folk Dance)

• Quote (paraphrased):
  • "Dance as an art is one of the durable strands interwoven into our lives—the fabric of the culture. More than any type of dance and greater perhaps than any art field, folk dance has been a substantial factor in Filipino souls’ expression and identity."
  • Attribution: Mother of Philippine Folk Dance and National Artist for Dance (1973).

Phases of the Dance Program

• $1$. Creative Rhythms / Natural Dances
  • Creative rhythms, also known as fundamental or natural dances, result from children exploring and improvising movements as they learn to use their bodies for expression.
• $2$. Folk / Indigenous Dance
  • Folk dance is a traditional art form passed down through generations, reflecting the customs, beliefs, rituals, and occupations of a community.
  • It originates from the people and is especially distinct among ethnic tribes with their own unique dance traditions.
• $3$. Social and Ballroom Dance
  • Social and ballroom dances take place in formal gatherings, usually held in the evening, where participants wear formal attire.
  • These events have a more elegant and structured atmosphere compared to informal recreational dances.
• $4$. Recreational Dance
  • Recreational dance includes mixers, square, round, and couple dances with simple steps like walking, polka, and waltz.
  • These dances are usually performed in informal settings such as parties and reunions.
• $5$. Creative Dance
  • Creative dance is the highest form of dance, resulting from movement exploration and improvisation.
  • It allows the dancer or choreographer to express emotions, dreams, and ideas through a structured composition that follows artistic principles.

1. Creative Rhythms / Natural Dances (Expanded)

• Creative rhythms originate from children exploring and improvising movements to express themselves.
• They lay the foundation for later, more structured dance forms by developing body awareness, timing, and spontaneity.

2. Folk / Indigenous Dance (Expanded)

• Folk dances are traditional arts reflecting community customs, beliefs, rituals, and livelihoods.
• They are transmitted through generations and are especially distinctive among ethnic tribes with unique dance traditions.

3. Social and Ballroom Dance (Expanded)

• These dances occur in formal social settings with etiquette, attire, and choreographed structure.
• They contrast with informal recreational dances in formality and precision.

4. Recreational Dance (Expanded)

• Emphasizes social interaction (mixers, groups) and simple steps suitable for broad participation.
• Often performed at parties and reunions, emphasizing enjoyment and community bonding.

5. Creative Dance (Expanded)

• Elevates movement to artistic expression beyond set forms.
• Dancer or choreographer uses movement exploration to convey emotions, dreams, or ideas within an artistic framework.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

• $RHYTHM$ – The flow of music through time; the aspect of music concerned with accents, durations, and the flow of notes.
• $BEAT$ – The basic unit of time in music; used as a measuring device to regulate the duration of notes and movements.
• $DANCE$ – A form of art consisting of movements set to music or rhythm where movement expresses or responds to the music.
• Movement – A succession of body changes that occur one after another.
• Locomotor – Movement that carries the body from one place to another through space.
• Non-Locomotor – Movement performed on a fixed base or about a stationary position, often around the body’s axis.

FIVE GROUP CLASSIFICATIONS OF PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL DANCES

• $1$. The Dances of the Cordillera
  • Located in the mountain regions of Northern Luzon and the Sierra Madre.
  • Eight major ethnolinguistic tribes: BIKAIIG (Bontoc, Ifugao, Banguet, Apayao, Kalinga, Itneg, Ilonggot, Gaddang).
  • Dances accompanied by gongs (ganza/gangsa) and bamboo nose flutes (tungali/tulali).
  • Examples: Pattong, Bumayag, Bendian, Turayen, Salip, Idudu, Bumbuwak.
• $2$. Dances with Western Influences
  • Westernization brought changes; foreign steps introduced.
  • Examples of steps: Jota, Pandanggo, Valse, Habanera, Mazurka, Polka.
  • Specific examples: Rigodon de Honor, La Jota Moncadena, Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Valse Vieja, Habanera Botolena, Mazurka Val, Polkabal.
• $3$. Dances of the Muslim Groups
  • Southern Philippines hosts Muslim communities (Moros).
  • Ethnolinguistic groups include: Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Samal, Yakan, Jama Mapun, Badjao.
• $4$. Dance of the Lesser-Known Groups
  • Ethnic groups in various locales with limited Western influence.
  • Groups: Bagobo, Bukidnon, Manobo, Mandaya, Mankasa, Subanon, T’boli, Tagakaulo, Tagbanua, Talaingod, Tiruray.
  • Examples: Dugso, Pig-agawan, Lawin-lawin, Kadal Taju, Pagdiwata, Inamo Makatod, Udol, Sohten.
• $5$. Countryside/ Rural Dances
  • Fiesta spirit and love of life; reflect the nature and work of rural communities.
  • Examples: Regatones, Itik-itik, Pandang-pandang, Binasuan, Maglalatik, Tinikling.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES

• I. GEOGRAPHY
  • a. National Dances – Found throughout the islands with little or no modification; basic movement/pattern with light variation.
  • b. Local or Regional Dances – Found in particular localities or regions.
• II. NATURE
  • a. Religious or Ceremonial Dances – Performed in connection with religious vows and ceremonies.
  • b. Courtship Dances – Depict love themes or lovemaking.
  • c. War Dances – Depict imaginary combat or duels with fighting implements.
• III. MOVEMENTS
  • a. Fast or Active – Dances with fast, energetic movement. Examples: $Tinikling$, $Maglalatik$, $Polkabal$, $Sakuting$.
  • b. Moderate – Examples: $Carinosa$, $Tagala$, $Habanera$, $Puriprui$, etc.
  • c. Slow – Examples: $Pasakat$, $Habanera$ Sultera.
• IV. FORMATION
  • a. Long Formation – Two or more parallel lines.
  • b. Set – Two or more pairs as a unit; partners facing each other, or standing side by side.

Closing

• Thank you for listening!