List of Philippine Folk Dances

Even before the Spanish colonized the Philippines, the country already boast a rich culture in dance and music. Philippine folk dances vary from traditional such as the tinikling to Spanish-influenced dances such as the jota and balse.


The following are some of the well known Philippine folk dances from all over the archipelago.






Areuana 
A Filipino folk dance originated in the Visayas. Different versions of the dance exist such as the one from Ilo-ilo and the other from Negros Occidental.

DOWNLOAD: AREUANA (PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE)

Balamban
A Philippine folk dance usually danced during wedding celebrations. It is called the dance of the flying fish and has its origin from Santiago, Isabela.

DOWNLOAD: BALAMBAN (PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE)


Balse
A Philippine folk dance popular in Marikina and the province of Rizal during the Spanish period. It is derived from the Spanish word "valse" which means waltz. Balse is usually performed after a religious procession called Lutrina with the music played by a musical instrument called "musikong bumbong", which is a bamboo orchestra.

DOWNLOAD: BALSE (PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE)

Chotis

The Chotis (or "Shotis") was one of the ballroom dances learned by the Filipinos from the early European settlers. This dance, from Camarines Sur, has been adapted by the Bicolano people and is characterized by a brush-step-hop movement.

Cachucha or Katsutsa
A Philippine folk dance adapted from the Spanish dance of the same name.

DOWNLOAD: CACHUCHA/KATSUTSA (PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE)

Cariñosa
This is a courtship dance that portrays acts of flirtation between a man and a woman. The dancers perform steps resembling hide-and-seek movements. The woman holds a handkerchief or sometimes a fan.

DOWNLOAD: CARINOSA (PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE)

Escopiton Malandog

According to legend, two boys named Esco and Piton introduced this dance during the inauguration of the founding of San Jose de Buenavista. Eventually the dance was called Escopiton. This beautiful dance originated from Malandog, a barrio of Hamtic in Antique.

Estudiantina

A very lively and gay dance. During the old days, this dance was a favoritein social gatherings and was performed by the estudiantinas, women who were students of  private schools and colleges in Manila. They are seen holding a book in one hand through out the dance.

Gayong-gayong 
A Philippine folk dance originated from Aklan and Capiz. Gayong-gayong is a fun and interesting dance performed mostly in rural gatherings. The word Gayong is a pet name for name Leodegario. According to a story, Gayong and Masiong (pet name for Dalmacio) once attended a feast commemorating the death of a townsman. While eating, Masiong choked on a piece of adobo so he called, "Gayong! Gayong!" to ask for help to dislodge a bone from the adobo meal from his throat. In this dance, Masiong's liking for feasts and the consequence of his voracity are held up to playful ridicule.

DOWNLOAD: GAYONG-GAYONG (PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE)

Habanera

A wedding party dance which originated in the town of Botolan in the Zambales Province. Typical sequences include the procession of the bride and groom's parents, lineup of the bridesmaids and groomsmen upstage, and a solo featuring the wedding couple.

DOWNLOAD: HABANERA DE SOLTERA (PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE)

Imunan

A courtship dance of Ilokano origin. A beauty enters for an afternoon promenade with her suitors. At the end of the dance, the lovable and charming lady cannot select from any of her suitors.

Kuradang
A lively festival dance performed during fiestas, wedding, baptismal parties and other occasions that call for a celebration. The Kuradang could have been derived from the archaic Waray word kurandang or kudangdang which literally means "overdressed". The term is probably descriptive to showy dancers of the olden days.

DOWNLOAD: KURADANG (PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE)

La Jota

The jota encompasses a variety of Spanish-influenced dances accompanied by the use of bamboo castanets, held loosely and unstrung. There are many forms of jota in the Philippines whose names are derived from their regions of origin. A common progression in the jota is a quick & lively verse, followed by a slow bridge, and ending with a verse in the same lively tempo as in the beginning.

Jota Batangueña

A variation of Jota from Batangas.

DOWNLOAD: JOTA BATANGUEÑA (PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE)

Jota Española

Highlighted by castanets, abanicos, and tambourines.

Jota Gumaqueña

Once very popular among the well-heeled families of Gumaca, Tayabas (now Quezon). A well-known local musician at the time, Señor Herminigildo Omana, introduced this dance. It became popular with the young people and was handed down between generations.

Jota Manileña (Manila)

It originated in the capital city around the 19th century.

Jota Moncadeña (Moncada, Tarlac)

A combination of Spanish and Ilocano dance steps and music.

Jota Pangasinana (Pangasinan province)

Demonstrates the flair of stomping feet culminating with the cry of "Olé!"

DOWNLOAD: JOTA PANGASINANA (PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE)

Jota de Paragua (Cuyo, Palawan)

Displays a Castillan influence with Zapateados(footwork), Lobrados (arms), and Sevillana style of dress. The ladies wave their mantón, or decorative shawl, while the gentlemen keep brisk pace with bamboo castanets.

Jovencita

A dance typical of a woman's debut or even her wedding. The accompanying love ballad was written by Maestro Nitoy Gonzales when he was courting Jovita Friese, who then choreographed the graceful and beautiful habanera dance that accompanies it. Jovencita means "young lady" in Spanish. 

Lanceros de Negros

During the Spanish time, this dance was one of the popular quadrille dances in the Philippines. It is similar to the stately Rigodon de Honor and is danced in important social affairs to formally open a big ball. One version from Silay, Negros Occidental, is performed in a lengthwise formation.

Mazurka Boholana

This dance is a traditional ballroom dance popular in Bohol and in other provinces during the Spanish times.

Pamansak
Pamansak is another version of the Pangalay found among the Tausog people (Jolo, Sulu). It is a courtship dance that features the skill and agility of the female dancer as she balances atop two bamboo poles held on the shoulders of two males.

DOWNLOAD: PAMANSAK (PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE)

Panderetas

This dance, named after the jingle-less tambourines carried by the females,originates from Tanza, Iloilo. From December 16 to January 6, a group of people in the Visayan regions go from house to house to sing Christmas called "Daigon." In some regions the song is usually followed by some dances, and "Las Panderetas" is one of those dances.

Pandanggo Rinconada
This dance originated from Nabua, Camarines Sur. It is called Pandanggo Rinconada because it is a favorite dance of the people of the Rinconada district. It is dance by old and young people during Christmas season. Young boys and girls usually perform this durng veladas (programs).

DOWNLOAD: PANDANGGO RINCONADA (PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE)

Paso Doble

Meaning "two-step," the name is actually a misnomer, as it is an ordinary walking or marching step called the "one-step." The term refers to the stirring marching music played as background music at bullfights and fiestas throughout Spain.

Polkabal

A dance influenced by two distinct European styles: polka and valse.

Putritos

A festival dance from Atimonan, Tayabas (now Quezon province), featuring a couple's flirtatious and playful interaction. It is danced in alternating slow and fast waltz tempos and culminates in a vivid twirling sequence by the girl.

Rigodon de Honor

This elegant dance was brought to the Philippines by the Filipinos who returned from their travels abroad during the Spanish era. This dance takes its name from its opening performances at formal affairs such as the President's Inaugural Ball. Members of government, including the President and First Lady, diplomatic corps, and other state officials usually participate in the Rigodon. Traditionally, a ballroom waltz dance would follow the Rigodon.

Sabalan Lulay

The dance "Lulay," like the kuratsa, jota, pandango, and polka, is performed in many parts of the Philippines. This dance originated from Malamig barrio of the town Gloria, Oriental Mindoro. It is part of a wedding ritual which has four phases: sabalan, pamalaye, sabog and dapit. The dance begins with the gentleman dancing around his partner as she eventually gives in to dancing with him.

Saguin-Saguin

From the Bicol region comes this courtship dance which tells the story of a lumberyard owner, who threw a dance for his workers. A girl who was related to one of the workers was offered to the owner as a dance partner. He took to her very kindly, and eventually serenaded her.

Timawa

Meaning "forsaken lover," Timawa is a courtship dance, usually performed by women, and is originated in Lamot, a barrio in Capiz. The story recounts of a man and a woman, both timawas, who met at a social gathering and became acquainted with each other.In the course of their conversation, they discovered that they both had the same misfortune; therefore, turning to each other for sympathy and comfort.