Dancing has long been an important part of Filipino culture and social activities. Originally, dances were performed for religious ceremonies celebrating events like harvests or battles. During Spanish colonial rule, new dances like the Fandango and Rigodon were introduced, while traditional dances like the Kumintang and Pampango adapted but continued. Over time, dances with Spanish influences like the Estudiantina, Mazurka Boholana, and Polka sa Nayon emerged and remained popular parts of Filipino folk culture and special events.

2. • Dancing was considered a religious
activity among the early Filipinos.
Dances were performed by the
priests and priestesses in
thanksgiving for a plentiful harvest, a
victorious battle, a prosperous
voyage or recovery from sickness.

3. • During the Spanish regime, dancing
played an important part in the social
activity of the people. Among the
Christianized Filipino groups, the
Kumintang was the oldest Dance and
song. It was a pantomimed song and
dance. The Pampango is another dance
characterized by the movements of the
Lion and clapping of the hands. These
dance were set aside with the coming of
the Spaniards, but were later revived as
new dances.

4. •Dances such as the
Fandango,Lanceros, Rigodon,
Carinosa and Curacha were
introduced by the Spaniards.
The Folk Dances of today were
adaptations of the old native
dances.

5. Some of the Folk Dances
with Spanish Influence are:
•Estudiantina
•Mazurka Bo ho lana
•Mazurka Mindo rena
•Po lka sa Nayo n

6. Estudiantina-This is lively dance
which originated from Unisan,
Quezon province (formerly
Tayabas).During the olden days, this
dance was a favorite in social
gatherings and was usually by young
men and women who were students
of private school and colleges in
Manila.

7. The boys were called Estudiantes by
the barrio folks and the
girls,Estudiantas.

9. Mazurka Boholana- This traditional
ballroom dance was popular in Bohol
and in other provinces during the
Spanish time.
This was originally performed with
couples Scattered informally about
the room with no definite sequence
of steps and directions followed.

11. Mazurka Mindorena- This beautiful
festival dance from Mindoro was
the premiere dance of the high
society of Mindoro during the
Spanish period.
Don Antonio Luna, considered one
Of the best dancers of his time, was
responsible for preserving and
popularizing this dance in the
Province of Mindoro.

13. Polka sa Nayon- This ballroom
polka
was popular in the province of
Batangas during town fiestas
and in big social affairs.