Francisca Reyes-Aquino began collecting Philippine folk dances in the 1920s while studying at the University of the Philippines. She traveled to remote villages to document traditional dances before Western culture could modify them. She published her first collection of Philippine folk dances and games in 1927. The dances reflected the diversity of Philippine culture and were classified into five major groups - Cordillera dances from mountain tribes, Spanish-influenced dances, Muslim dances, tribal dances of ethnic minorities, and rural dances. Each dance type expressed aspects of associated traditions, rituals, and ways of life through music, movement, and costumes unique to different regions of the Philippines.

1. Philippine
Folk
Dance
P H Y S I C A L E D U C A T I O N

2. VS

3. TRIVIA !
As early as 1921 to 1923, Francisca began her
search for folk dances
to use in classes while a Student Assistant in
Physical Education.
She traveled to remote barrios (rural communities)
in Central and Northern Luzon. In 1924, she became an
Assistant Instructor. She quickly saw that, with further
impact of Western culture, many dances would be
lost or extensively modified.

4. TRIVIA !
• She continued gathering folk dances, songs, and games
for her master's thesis at the University of the
Philippines in 1926.
• She revised her work in 1927, and published it as
Philippine Folk Dances and Games.
In this and later collections, the great diversity of
dance type, tempo, and music reflected a many-faceted
Filipino character.

5. WHAT IS DANCE?
- a form of expression of
oneself through
rhythmic movement

6. So, what is FOLK DANCE
- the oldest form of dance and the
earliest form of communication
- the traditional dance of a given
country which evolved naturally
and spontaneously with
everyday activities
e.g. occupations, customs, festivals,
rituals

7. So, what is FOLK DANCE
• It is handed down from
generation to generation
• It has more or less a fixed
movement in their pattern, but
may differ in various areas or
provinces

8. 5 Major Classifications of
Philippine Folk Dances
1. Cordillera Dances
2. Spanish Influenced Dances
3. Muslim Dances
4. Tribal Dances
5. Rural Dances

9. Cordillera Dances
• Bontoc, Ifugao,
Benguet, Apayo, &
Kalinga tribes
• a people whose way of
life existed long before
any Spaniard or other
foreigners stepped foot
on the Philippines
• Gongs, ganza
 Dances reflects
rituals which
celebrate their daily
lives - a good
harvest, health,
peace, war, and other
symbols of living

10. Cordillera Dances
Bontoc – “Pattong”
Kalinga – “Banga”

11. Bontoc – “Pattong”

12. Spanish Influenced Dances
 Dances reflects
Christianity, and
European art and culture
 Philippine aristocrats
created Filipino
adaptations of European
dances
 jotas, fandanggos,
mazurkas, waltzes
 danced by young
socialites to the stringed
music of the rondalla

13. “Habanera”
Spanish Influenced Dances
“Jota”

14. “Habanera”

15. Muslim Dances
 Influenced by Malay,
Javanese & Middle Eastern
Traders (Islam)
 mysticism, royalty, and beauty
 Uses intricate hand & arm
movement
 the fingers express feelings &
emotions
 Uses shimmering costumes

16. Muslim Dances
Maranao – “Singkil”
Tausug – “Pangalay”

17. Tausug – “Pangalay”

18. • intricate craftsmanship in
metal, clothing, and
jewelry
• reflects rituals & animals,
belief in “spirits” &
shamans, nature – “anito”
• animal sounds, human
singing, indigenous
materials
Tribal Dances
 Also known as Ethnic
dances; Ethnic
minorities found in
different parts of the
Philippines (T’boli,
Bilaan, Manobo, Bagobo,
etc.)

19. T’boli – “Madal
Tahaw”
Tribal Dances
Manobo –
“Bangkakaw”

20. Manobo – “Bangkakaw”

21. COSTUMES
IN
PHILIPPINE
FOLK DANCE

22. Typical Spanish Elite
Female:
MARIA CLARA
Male:
Barong Tagalog &
Black Pants

23. Rural (Tagalog)
Female:
BALINTAWAK with soft
panuelo & tapis
Male:
Camisa de Chino &
trousers of different
colors

24. Rural (Visayan)
Female:
Kimona & Patadyong with
soft kerchief
Male:
Barong or Camisa de
Chino and trousers of any
color

25. Male:
- G-string, short jacket &
shoulder band,
feathered head dresses
- “bahag”
Females:
- Hinabi na tela (hablon)
- Accessories (beads)
Cordillera/Tribal

26. • “Sigpit” or
“Sablay”
• patadyong
• Malong
• pants
Muslim

27. “Chambra” – blouse
“Siesgo” – A-line
skirt
Rural (Ilocano)

28. REFERENCES
• 2010. Catacutan, Allen. Fundamentals in Philippine
Folk Dance + Filipino Cultural Communities. 5
October 2010.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/38738236/Fundamenta
ls-in-Philippine-Folk-Dance-Filipino-Cultural-
Communities
• 2008. Philippine Folk Dance Society, Cultural Center
of the Philippines. A Classic Collection of Philippine
Folk Dances Series III, 28th National Folk Dance