Classifications of Dances Found in The Philippines (Dance of The Countryside)
Classifications of Dances Found in The Philippines (Dance of The Countryside)
Dances that are best known, and closest to the Filipino heart are
those from the rural Christian lowlands: a country blessed with so
much beauty. To the Filipinos, these dances illustrate the fiesta
spirit and demonstrate a love of life. They express a joy in work,
a love for music, and pleasure in the simplicities of life. Typical
attire in the Rural Suite include the colorful balintawak and
patadyong skirts for the women, and camisa de chino and colored
trousers for the men.
Pandanggo Sa Ilaw
Kuratsa
This dance was very popular throughout the country during the
Spanish regime. It was one of the liveliest and best liked dances.
Different regions have their own version of this dance, being
found in the Ilocos and Bicol regions. The one performed today is
the Visayan version from Leyte. This dance commands a sense
of improvisation which mimics a young playful couple’s attempt
to get each other’s attention. It is performed in a moderate waltz
style.
Maglalatik
The first two parts of the dance, the Palipasan and the
Baligtaran show the heated encounter between the two groups.
The last two parts, the Paseo and the Sayaw Escaramusa show
the reconciliation between the two groups. According to the
legend the Moros came out victorious, thus getting the coveted
latik. The Christians, not contented with the result of the war,
sent an envoy to the Moros to offer peace and to baptize them.
The older people claim that the ‘Tinikling Ha Bayo’ from which
the tinikling dance evolved is more difficult to perform. It was
originally danced between ‘bayuhan’, two wooden pestles used to
pound the husks off the rice grain.
Bulaklakan
Sayaw Sa Obando
Tiklos
For centuries tiklos has been a very important factor in the social
life of the peasants of Leyte. Tiklos refers to a group of peasants
who agree to work for each other one day each week to clear
the forest, prepare the soil for planting, or do any odd job on the
farm, including the building of a house. At noontime the people
gather to eat their lunch together and to rest. During this rest
period Tiklos music is played with a flute accompanied with a
guitar and the guimbal or the tambora (kinds of drum). The
peasants then dance the Tiklos.
Abaruray
The girl who is offering the wine picks out a young man from
among the guests and offers him a drink. This is her way of
hinting at her desire to dance with him. The young man has to
accept it or he commits a breach of ettiquette and the girl is
offended. His acceptance of the drink signifies that he will dance
with the girl.
While they dance, the girl balances the glass of wine on her head
from which the young man drinks. Her dancing ability is shown in
her ability to keep the glass on her head and in not spilling a drop
of the wine. The audience sings and claps their hands in time with
the music.