Philippine Folk Dance | Luzon

BALSE

A spanish term

Which means “Waltz”

A famous folk dance during the Spanish period in the Philippines particularly in Marikina, Rizal province. Balse is normally performed after a religious procession called Lutrina.

Balse

Traditionally, Latrine is usually held when people of certain community experience long dry season and or pestilence. Participants of Latrine parades with the patron saint while praying and carrying candles. After the procession, participants gather in the yard of Hermana to receive food and refreshments. There is a festive mood during the gathering where people sing, dance, and eat together

IDAW

Idaw

The Idaw is a traditional war dance which originated in the Cordillera region where many different tribes of Bontoc Igorots lived. “Idaw” is a small brown bird which has significant influence in the life of the Igorots during war time. Idaw is also a ritual performed during hunting which is preceded by war.

BINIGANBIGAT

Biniganbigat

Biniganbigat means every morning. This is a story of a boy who is very much in love with a girl. He wants the girl to pity him for his death is drawing nearer and nearer. The words of the song tell that he would die soon if the girl would not accept him.

JOTABAL

Jotabal

Lively festival dance introduce by the Spaniards originated in Camohaguin, Gumaca Quezon. Derived from “jota” means popular dance and” balse” means waltz. The male wears barong tagalog and black trousers and female wears Maria Clara dress.

MAKONGGO

When it is in a happy, playful or angry mood, playing, eating, or resting. Only one man performs this dance.

Makonggo

A comic dance from Santa Maria, Bulacan. Makonggo is dervived from the Tagalog word chonggo or unggo which means monkey. In this dance, the dancer imitates a monkey – its characteristics movements, gestures, grimaces.

PANDANGO SA ILAW

The term ‘Pandanggo’ comes from the Spanish word ‘Fandango’ which is a Spanish Folk Dance.

Pandango

sa

Ilaw

A folk dance which has become popular in the rural areas of the Philippines.

The dance is performed with three oil lamps that a dancer has to balance. One on the head and one on the back of each hand.

It portrays a young man’s courtship to a maiden who caught his interest.

IDUDU

Idudu

This dance depicts a day in thelif- family life in the Itneg or Tinguian tribe. It tells the story of a father plowing the field as the mother cares for her children.

Idudu dance is a Philippine dance which describes the daily lives of the tribe. The caring for the Children is shared by both the mother and father. While the men are clearing the fields, breaking the soil with bamboo and their feet, the women watch the children.

RAGRAGSAKAN

The word “ragragsakan” is an Ilocano word which means merriment

Ragragsakan

An adaptation of a tradition in which Kalinga women gather and prepare for a budong, or peace pact.

The Ragragsakan dance was created through the inspiration of Kalinga maidens balancing labba baskets placed on their heads as they carry the things the people need during merrymaking, which usually takes place during triumphant returns of head-hunters or successful peace pacts between rival tribes.

BANGA

The Banga or pot dance is a contemporary performance of Kalinga of the Mountain Province in the Philippines

Banga

A dance which illustrates the languid grace of a tribe otherwise known as fierce warriors.

It is played by six or more gong players with their respective female partners. The minimum number of pots carried by a dancer is 5 pots of different sizes placed one on top of the other, the smallest pot placed at the topmost. This dance is to entertain visitors during feasts.