Folk Dances

Folk dance a form of dance developed by a group of people that reflects the
traditional life of the people of a certain country or region.
Philippine folk dances speak so much about the heartbeat of our people for they tell
about our customs, ideas, beliefs, superstitions, and events of daily living in a
certain community. Just by looking at the costumes, props, and implements of a
certain group or tribe would tell you of the origin of the dance. The kind of music
being used readily also tells about the influences brought by trade and settlement of
our neighboring countries such as China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma, Cambodia,
Thailand and Japan to name a few. Truly evident is the effect of acculturation in the
What’s New What is It Folk dance a form of dance developed by a group of people
that reflects the traditional life of the people of a certain country or region. 5
country as manifested by the kinds of costumes, props, music, and dance steps that
are used and integrated into some of our regional and national folk dances.
BINISLAKAN (Lingayen)
Dance Researcher Francisca Reyes Aquino
Dance Culture Christian Lowland Classification Social Dance
Ethno-linguistic Group Pangasinense
Country of Influence China
Meaning With the use of sticks Place of Origin Pangasinan
Background:
Lingayen in Pangasinan means having to look backward and upward. It was derived
from “Li-King-Tung”, a Chinese word given to the name Lingayen, the capital of
Pangasinan, by the Chinese settlers of this place a long time ago. The barrio folks who
lived at Almazin, a small place between barrio Pangasinan (Pulong) and Maniboc
danced this to commemorate the stay of Limahong, a Chinese pirate who built his
kingdom here.
SUA-KU-SUA
Dance Researcher Ramon A. Obusan
Ethnolinguistic Group Tausug
Dance Culture Lowland Muslim (Coastal) Classification Courtship Dance
Country of Influence China, Malaysia and Indonesia
Meaning My Pomelo Tree Place of Origin Jolo, Sulu
Background/Context:
The Tausug of Sulu, Southern Philippines, though known as fearsome warriors are also
better known as sturdy seafarers and hardy farmers. Extensive orchards are planted with
coconuts and pomelos and fields with staples like rice and root crops.
PANGALAY
Dance Researcher Francisca Reyes Aquino
Meaning Finger nail Place of Origin Sulu
Ethnolinguistic Group Tausug
Dance Culture Lowland Muslim (Coastal) Classification Social Dance
Country of Influence Thailand, Malaysia, Burma, Cambodia and Indonesia
Background/Context:
Pangalay (also known as Daling-Daling or Mengalai in Sabah) is the traditional
“fingernail” dance of the Tausūg people of the Sulu Archipelago and Sabah. This dance is the
most distinctively Asian of all the Southern Philippine dances because dancers must have
dexterity and flexibility of the shoulders, elbows, and wrists – movements that strongly
resemble those of “kontaw silat,” a martial art common in the Malay Archipelago. The
Pangalay is performed mainly during weddings or other festive events. The male equivalent of
the Pangalay is the Pangasik and features more martial movements, while a pangalay that
features both a male and female dancer is called Pangiluk.
SAKUTING
Dance Researcher Francisca Reyes Aquino
Classification Recreational Dance and Social Dance
Country of Influence China
Place of Origin Abra and Ilocos Norte
Meaning Refers to rhythmic sticks
Background/Context:
This is a dance of the ethnic people living in the western side of the Cordilleras way
back before the coming of the Americans to our country. “Sakuting“ is an ethnic term
which refer to the rhythmic sticks producing the accompaniment for the dance
Regional and National
Dances with Asian
Influence
 Hand Movements and Gestures
Hand movements and gestures play a very important role in the whole composition
of a performance to give life and meaning to the whole dance. Just a simple movement
of the hand or even a simple body gesture or facial expression shown by the dancer
would mean a lot in expressing the thoughts, joy or sorrow of the performer.
1 st Position- Encircle both arms in front of chest with the finger tips about an inch
apart.
2 nd Position- Both arms raised sideward with a graceful curve.
3 rd Position- One arm raised sideward, the other arm overhead.
4 th Position- One arm in a half circle in front, other arm raised overhead.
5 th Position- Both hands raised overhead.
 Basic Steps in Folk Dancing
In this part, you will familiarize the basic steps and arm movements of the dances:
Binislakan, Sakuting, Sua – Ku – Sua, and Pangalay. The following terms below are
commonly used when performing the folkdances mentioned above:
Padyak: to stamp or tap with one foot and the weight of the body is on the other
foot. Saludo: it means to bow.
Arms in lateral position: both arms are in one side at the shoulder level, either right
or left.
Set: a dance formation of two or more couples.
Bend: to move the body or part of the body around the wide axis
Leap: to spring one foot and land on the other foot.
 The table below contains the Dance Steps used and other relevant information when
performing folkdances. Familiarize yourself with the table below.

Dance Step Music Used Number of counts or Step Pattern

Skip 2/4 or 6/8 1 count Step and hop

Bleking 2/4 or ¾ 1, 2, or 3 counts Heel – place, close

Gallop 2/4 or 6/8 1 count Step and cut

Mincing 2/4 or ¾ As many as required Step, step, step and so on

Parallel Tortillier 2/4, 3/4, or 4/4 As many as required Pivot and turn heels, pivot
and turn toes
Pivot turn 2/4 2 meters or 4 meters Step, ball and turn, step,
ball and turn and so on
Touch step 2/4 or ¾ 1, 2, or 3 counts Touch, close

Change step 2/4 or ¾ 1 meter Step, close, step

Waltz step 2/4 or ¾ 2 meters Step (R foot); step (L foot)

Waltz turn 2/4 or ¾ 2 meters Execute 2 waltz steps to make

Stamping 2/4 or ¾ 1 meter stamp (R) (L) and close to