Traditional Dance

Most Filipino folk dances originated from European dances during Spanish rule and every district in Philippines has its own folk dance. Here are four dances which I really like!

1) Pandanggo sa Ilaw

The word pandanggo comes from the Spanish dance "fandango" characterized with lively steps and clapping while following a varying 3/4 beat. The pandanggo requires excellent balancing skill to maintain the stability of three tinggoy,or oil lamps, placed on the dancer's head and at the back of each hand. This famous dance of grace and balance originated from Luband Island, Mindoro.

2) Tinikling

Tinikling is considered the national folkdance with a pair of dancers hopping between two bamboo poles held jusy above the ground and struck together in time to the music. Originated from Leyte Province, this dance is in fact a mimic movement of "tikling birds" hoping over trees, grass stems, or over bamboo traps set by farmers. Dancers performing this dance requires remarkable grace and speed jumping between bamboo poles. This is a very challenging dance but my favourite!

My friends and I after the Tinikling dance!

3) Maglalatik

This is a four part mock-war dance, demonstrating a fight between the Moros and the Christians over the prized latik or coconut meat during the Spanish rule. This dance shows tribute to the town's patron saint San Isidro Labrador and showcases the intense battle, the paseo and the escaramusa. Moro dancers wear red trousers while the Christian dancers wear blue. All dancers are male with harnesses of coconut shells attached on their chests, backs, thighs and hips.

4)La Jota Manilena

As most of you might have guesses, this dance is named after the capital city of the Philippines, Manila. It is an adaptation of Castilian Jota afloat with the clacking of bamboo cstanets playedby the dancers themselves. The costume and graceful movmements of the performers are noticeably inspired by Spanish Culture.