Philippine Airways

The world's nations have their own culture more colorful, beautiful and vibrant because of folk dances that reflect who they are and what they are. In the East, the Chinese have their symbolical dragon dance, the Japanese have the ancestral dance Bon Odori. In the West, the Americans have their Square Dance. The Scottish people have their famous dances (Highland and Country Dance, Jig and Reel). On the other hand, the Philippines will not be left behind! The "Pearl of the Orient" boasts a variety of folk dances of the Philippines.



Binasuan is a dance originating in Pangasinan. This dance literally means "dance with glasses." The measurements are made with glass filled with rice wine balanced on the head and hands of the dancers. Danced to show balance and to reflect rural gaiety, is usually carried Binasuan wedding ceremonies and occasions in the barangay.

Sublian owes its meaning to native words "subsub" meaning to fall with the head and "Bali" or broken. This meaning is reflected in the dance steps. The dancers move feebly and crooked, as if lifeless. This dance, however, traces its roots to Batangas where it was played with a dance ritual that has evolved into a symbol of religious tradition performed during the Christmas City.

Itika-Itika is one of the folk dances of the Philippines who have interesting origins. According to stories, a Filipina maiden-dancer of Surigao del Norte has been invited to perform a native dance in a special occasion. She began to improvise new steps and imitate the movements of a court of local species of duck known as "Itika." The spectators began to imitate and thus the dance was born.

Tinikling is another Philippine folk dance that is inspired by an endemic bird called "tikling." The steps of this dance are an imitation of the movements of a "tikling" bird that hops and escapes the traps set by hunters. Moving with ease and grace, the dancers jump between two bamboo poles that are held to beat rhythmically against each other. This dance is a specialty of Leyte.

Maglalatik is danced to imitate the battle against Christians and Moros beginning to win the coconut or "Tika" during the time of Spanish colonization. They are also made to pay tribute to the holy city of Binan, Laguna - San Isidro Labrador. This dance is divided into four parts: baligtaran, palipasan, paseo and escaramusa. This is done by all men and dancers who wear blue pants to represent Christians and red trousers for the Moros. All dancers, however, have coconut mounted on their body parts.

These folk dances above the Philippines are ethnic and origin. On the other hand, there are several folk dances of the Philippines who have been influenced by some Western countries as some of them had colonized the Philippines in the past. A country like Spain. Some of these so-called "influence" of Philippine folk dances are: SA Pandango Ilaw, Caria±osa, and Balitao Rigodon.

To conclude, these folk dances of whether ethnic origin or not reflect the vibrant culture that the Filipinos have. These dances may be diverse, but through these cultural forms, the Filipinos are unified and proud to have by the Philippine folk dances that are truly one of the best in the world.