This document provides an overview of traditional Philippine dances, organized into several categories. Cordillera dances from northern Luzon are described, including the Banga, Bendayan, Lumagen/Tachok, Manmanok, Ragsaksakan, Salisid, and Tarektek dances. Muslim dances from Mindanao such as the Pangalay, Singkil, Pangsak, and Kapa Malong Malong are also outlined. Tribal dances including the Malakas at Maganda folklore, Kadal Tahaw, Binaylan, and Dugso are mentioned. Rural dances like Tinikling, Pasigin, Pandanggo sa Ilaw,

1. Philippine Dances
Sayaw Pilipinas
(Filipino Folk Dances)
Cordillera Dances Muslim Dances
Tribal Dances
Rural Folks (Sa Nayon) Spanish Influence

2. Cordillera

3. • Banga
Tribe: Kalinga
• "Banga" literally mean pots. The
Banga or pot dance is
a contemporary performance of
Kalinga of the Mountain Province in
the Philippines. This dance illustrate
the languid grace of a tribe otherwise
known as fierce warriors. Heavy
earthen pots, as many as seven or
eight at a time, are balanced on the
heads of maidens as they trudge to
the beat of the "gangsa" or wind
chimes displaying their stamina and
strength as they go about their daily
task of fetching water and balancing
the banga.

4. • Bendayan
Origin: Benguet Province,
Northern Luzon
• Also popularly called Bendian,
this circle dance of the Benguet
of Mountain Province is restaged,
keeping true to the dance's
context and meaning. Long
known as a dance to celebrate
the arrival of successful
headhunters, the Bendayan has
taken a new face. It is part of
every Benguet festivity with the
circles slowly giving way to other
formations and interpretations.

5. • Lumagen / Tachok
Tribe: Kalinga
Origin: Luzon
• When the Kalinga gather to
celebrate a happy occasion like
the birth of a first-born baby
boy, a wedding, or a budong
(peace pact), the Kalinga
Festival Dance (Tachok) is
performed. This is danced by
the Kalinga maiden. The dance
imitates birds flying in the air.
Music is provided by gangsa,
or gongs, which are usually in
a group of six or more.

6. • Manmanok
Tribe: Bago
• Three Bago Tribe
roosters compete
against each other for
the attention of Lady
Lien. They use blankets
depicting colorful
plumes to attract her.

7. • Ragsaksakan
Tribe: Kalinga
• This dance portrays the
walk of the industrious
Kalingga women, carrying
water pots on their heads
and wearing the colorful
hand-woven "blankets of
life" around their necks.
Their walk imitates the
climb up the Rice Terraces
in the Mountain Provinces
of the Philippines.

8. • Salisid
Tribe: Kalinga
• The Salidsid is the Kalinga courtship
dance, performed by a male and
female (and thus is sometimes called
the "cayoo" dance). The dance starts
when each of the dancers are given a
piece of cloth called ayob or allap.
Usually the most important people in
the village are the second to dance
after the host has signified that the
occasion is formally open. The
background and meaning in this
dance is evident. The male simulates
a rooster trying to attract the
attention of a hen while the female
imitates the movements of a hen
being circled by a rooster.

9. • Tarektek
Tribe: Benguet
• Two tareketek woodpeckers
vie for the attention of
three females. One Male
woodpecker rhythmically
bang on a brass gong to
represent a good voice,
while the other swish about
a colorful blanket
representing beautiful
plumage.

10. • Uyaoy / Uyauy
Tribe: Ifugao
• The Ifugao people are said to be the
"children of the earth." The term
Ifugao is derived from the word
ipugao which literally means "coming
from the earth." The Spaniards,
however, changed it to Ifugaw, a
term presently used in referring not
only to these people but also to their
province. This Ifugao wedding festival
dance is accompanied by gongs and
is performed by the affluent to attain
the second level of the wealthy class.
Wealthy people (Kadangyan) who
have performed this dance are
entitled to the use of gongs at their
death

11. Muslim Mindanao
• They are known for their mysticism, royalty, and beauty
which are evident in their music and dances.
Accompanied by the agong and kulintang, Filipino
Muslim dance is marked by intricate hand and arm
movement along with shimmering costumes.
• Aside from the colorful contributions of its regional
tribes, Mindanao is home to the largest cultural
minority in the Philippines - the Muslims. Brought by
Javanese and Middle Eastern traders, Islam is the
religion of approximately 20 percent of the Philippine
population.

12. • Pangalay
Tribe: Badjao
Origin: Zamboanga del Sur
• A pangalay native to the
Badjao, sometimes known as
the "Sea Gypsies." Pangalay is
a dance that emphasizes the
agility of the upper body. The
rhythmic bounce of the
shoulder with simultaneous
alternating waving of arms are
the basic movement of this
dance. The pangalay is
commonly performed at
weddings and other social
gatherings.

13. • Singkil
Tribe:Maranao
Origin: Lanao, Mindanao
• Sinkil dance takes its name from the bells worn on the
ankles of the Muslim princess. Perhaps one of the oldest
of truly Filipino dances, the Singkil recounts the epic
legend of the "Darangan" of the Maranao people of
Mindanao. This epic, written sometime in the 14th
century, tells the fateful story of Princess Gandingan,
who was caught in the middle of a forest during an
earthquake caused by the diwatas, or fairies or nymph
of the forest.
• The rhythmic clapping of criss-crossed bamboo poles
represent the trees that were falling, which she
gracefully avoids. Her slave loyally accompanies her
throughout her ordeal. Finally, she is saved by the
prince. Dancers wearing solemn faces and maintaining a
dignified pose being dancing at a slow pace which soon
progresses to a faster tempo skillfully manipulate apir, or
fans which represent the winds that prove to be
auspicious. The dancers weave expertly through criss-
crossed bamboos.
• When performed by ladies of the royalty of Lanao, the
dancer is usually accompanied by a waiting lady, who
holds a beautifully decorated umbrella over the Princess'
head wherever she goes. Royal princesses to this day in
the Sulu Archipelago are required to learn this most
difficult and noble dance.

14. • Pangsak
Tribe: Yakan
Origin: Basilan
• The Yakan are a Muslim ethnic
group in the highlands of
Mindanao. They wear elaborately
woven costumes tightly on their
bodies. Their dances involve
complicated hand and foot
movements. In this dance, a man
unties a wrap from his wife-to-
be's waist to wrap around her
body and dance with. Both of
their faces are dotted with white
paint, to hide their identity from
evil spirits.

15. • Pangalay ha Pattong
Tribe: Badjao
• A royal couple balance
perilously on top of
bamboo poles imitating
the movements of the
picturesque southern
boat (the vinta) with
colorful sails gliding
across the Sulu Sea.

16. • Kapa Malong Malong
• Also called Sambi sa Malong, this Maranao
dance shows the
many ways of wearing a malong, a simple
tubular yet highly
functional piece of cloth. The traditional
women’s version shows this cloth of
countless colorful designs; used mostly as a
skirt, woven in many different ways,
depending on the purpose of the wearer.
Other ways the women wear malong is as a
shawl, a mantle, or a head-piece.
During more recent dance documentation, a
men’s version was derived. This version
shows in masculine rendition, how men don
the malong—displaying its use as a sash or
waist-band, shorts or bahag, and a head-gear
that can be either functional while working
in the fields, or decorative as a turban.

17. • Sagayan
Tribe: Maguindanao
Origin: Cotabato
• Performed by very fierce warriors carrying a shield
elaborately painted with curlicues, rounds, twirls
and mirrors which are attached with shell
noisemakers. In their other hand, they carry a
double-bladed sword (kampilan) of metal or wood.
Sagayan dancers are dressed in three tiered skirts,
brightly colored topper and headgear embellished
with all the imaginable colors of twine trimmings
formed into flowers, balls, sunbursts etc. Long,
yellow playful tassels almost hiding the face
surround the headgear.
• The dance involves leaping, turning, jumping,
kicking and the rolling movements of a warrior
ready to defend his master in battle. Kamanyang
fumes inhaled by the sagayan moves him to
perform in a magic-like trance. On most occasions,
this dance is performed before any celebration or
gathering to drive away evil spirits (tunong) and to
welcome good fortunes or omen.

18. Tribal Dances
(mga katutubong sayaw)
• Mindanao, the Philippines' southernmost island, is the country's
cultural melting pot. It houses influences from Spain, China,
Indonesia, and the Middle East. Although Mindanao carries a strong
flavor from other lands, there are people who have lived there
before it became a breeding ground of foreign trade. Tribes such as
the T'boli, Bilaan, Manobo, Bagobo, and other groups inhabit the
vast regions of Mindanao.
• Like their Northern Luzon counterparts, these groups honor pagan
gods for the fruits and trials of daily life. What distinguishes them
from other tribes in the Philippines is their intricate craftsmanship
in metal, clothing, and jewelry. These tribes pride themselves in
their concept of beauty and are known for creating colorful sets of
jewelry and clothing out of dyed pineapple and banana fibers with
are showcased in their traditional dances.

19. • Malakas at Maganda
(a national folklore)
• Cradled amidst thick rain
forest, shrouded with the
mists of legend and ancient
traditions, one folklore has it
that a weary bird perched on a
large bamboo heard strange
noises inside. It pecked the
bamboo, split open and from
inside came the first man and
woman, Malakas the strong,
Maganda the beautiful, the
parents of all peoples of the
island.

20. • Kadal Tahaw
Tribe: T'boli
Origin: Lake Sebu,
South Cotabato
• A bird dance performed
by the T'boli during
planting and harvesting
which simulates the
flights and hops of the
tahaw bird.

21. • Binaylan
Tribe: Higaonon
Origin: Agusan
• The Bagobo tribe from the central
uplands of Mindanao originated this
dance which imitates the movement
of a hen, her banog, or baby chicks,
and a hawk. The hawk is sacred, and
it is believed that the hawk has the
power over the well-being of the
tribe. The hawk tries to capture one
of the chicks and is killed by the
hunters.
• Bagobo Rice Cycle
• This Bagobo tribal dance protrays
the cycle of planting and harvesting
of rice.

22. • Dugso
Tribe: Talaindig
Origin: Bukidnon
• A dance of thanksgiving.

23. Doon Po Sa Nayon
• Laughter and gaeity
commonly used to describe
the Filipino people takes
root in the Philippine
country-side. Life in the
Barrio is simple, but
Filipinos always manage to
find time to celebrate life's
gifts.
• The annual fiestas to
celebrate the patron saints
of the barrios symbolize the
mixture of pagan and
Catholic belief. Fiestas not
only honor the patron saint,
but give homage to the
barrio's namesake for a
good harvest, health, and
perserverance. These fiestas
are marked with
celebrations of holy mass,
music, dance and song.

24. • Tinikling
• This 'Visayan' dance was found
in Leyte where this dance
originated. Dancers imitate the
tikling bird’s legendary grace
and speed as they skillfully
play, chase each other, run
over tree branches, or dodge
bamboo traps set by rice
farmers. Hence it is named
after the bird, tikling. this
version of the dance is done
between a pair of bamboo
poles.

25. • Pasigin
Origin: Pasig
• A dance interpreting toil
in the life of the
fishermen in the river
called Pasig.
Manifesting the native
means of catching the
fish.

26. • Pandanggo sa ilaw
Origin: Lubang Island, Mindoro (Visayas)
• This popular dance of grace and balance
comes from Lubang Island, Mindoro in the
Visayas region. The term pandanggo comes
from the Spanish word fandango, which is a
dance characterized by lively steps and
clapping that varies in rhythm in 3/4 time.
This particular pandanggo involves the
presence of three tinggoy, or oil lamps,
balanced on the head and the back of each
hand.
• After a good catch, fishermen of Lingayen
would celebrate by drinking wine and by
dancing, swinging and circling a lighted lamp.
Hence, the name "Oasiwas" which in the
Pangasinan dialect means "swinging." This
unique and colorful dance calls for skill in
balancing an oil lamp on the head while
circling in each hand a lighted lamp wrapped
in a porous cloth or fishnet. The waltz-style
music is similar to that of Pandanggo sa Ilaw.

27. • Maglalatik
• During the Spanish regime, the
present barrios of Loma and
Zapote of Biñan, Laguna, were
separated. With coconut shells
as implements the people of
these two barrios danced the
Maglalatik, or Magbabao, a
war dance depicting a fight
between the Moros and the
Christians over the latik
(residue left after the coconut
milk has been boiled).

28. • Itik-Itik
• At one baptismal party in the Surigao
del Norte province, a young lady
named Kanang (the nickname for
Cayetana), considered the best
dancer and singer of her time, was
asked to dance the Sibay. She
became so enthusiastic and spirited
during the performance that she
began to improvise movements and
steps similar to the movements of
itik, the duck, as it walks with short,
choppy steps and splashes water on
its back while calling to its mate. The
people liked the dance so much that
they all imitated her. There are six
separate foot sequences in the series
of Itik-Itik steps.

29. • Binasuan
Origin: Bayambang,
Pangasinan
• This colorful and lively
dance from Bayambang in
the Pangasinan province
shows off the balancing
skills of the dancers. The
glasses that the dancers
gracefully, yet carefully,
maneuver are half-filled
with rice wine gracefully
who whirl and roll on the
floor.

30. • Sakuting
Origin: Abra
• A dance of the Ilokano Christians and
non-Christians from the province of
Abra, Sakuting was originally
performed by boys only. It portrays a
mock fight using sticks to train for
combat. The stacatto-inflected music
suggests a strong Chinese influence.
The dance is customarily performed
during Christmas at the town plaza,
or from the house-to-house. The
spectators give the dancers
aguinaldos, or gifts of money or
refreshments especially prepared for
Christmas.

31. Influido de Espana
• Nearly 400 years of Spanish rule left an unremovable
mark on the Philippines. Spain brought with them all
aspects of their culture to the Islands. This includes the
Catholic faith, clothing, and dance. The barong tagalog
and the terno are Philippine interpretations of Spanish
dress made to fit the humid climate of the Philippines.
Aside from creating their own versions of European
fashion, Philippine aristocrats created Filipino
adaptations of European dance as well. These include
jotas, fandanggos, mazurkas and waltzes that were
danced by young socialites to the stringed music of the
rondalla.

32. • Jota Cagayana
Origin: Cagayan Valley
• The Jota brought by the Spaniards
from Southern Spain found its
way into many places in the
islands. One such jota is named
after the valley it adapted.
Though Filipinized in many ways
that one, Jota Cagayana still
displays the fire and fury of its
European origin.
• Until the turn of the century the
Ibanag of Cagayan Valley perform
this fast tempo dance which
ncludes familiar European steps,
the mazurka, polka, gallop and
waltz.

33. • Abaruray
• Abaruray is a
contraction of the
words Aba and Ruray.
Aba is an exclamation
which is equivalent to
“Hey!” or “Hi!” in
English. Ruray is a
nickname for Aurora.

34. • Paseo de Iloilo
• This is one of the most
sophisticated courtship and
flirtation dances of the Spanish
era. The gentlemen compete
among each other to win the
heart of the dalaga, or young
lady, by exemplifying chivalry,
grace, and confidence. One of the
most sophisticated courtship and
flirtation dances of the Spanish
era. The gentlemen compete
among each other to win the
heart of the dalaga, or young
lady, by exemplifying chivalry,
grace, and confidence

35. • Jota Manileña
Origin: Manila
• A dance that originated in
the capital city around the
19th century. Like the other
Jotas in Philippine folk
dances, this is an adaptation
of the Castillian Jota, but
the castanets are made of
bamboo and are only held,
not fastened, to the fingers.
It is recognizably Iberian in
flavor.