FAMOUS PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES

LUZON:
ABARURAY
"Abaruray" is a contraction of the words "Aba" and "Ruray". "Aba!" is an exclamation
which is equivalent to "Hey!", "Hi!", or "Hail!" in English. "Ruray" is a nickname for Aurora.
This dance is known in the Philippines be several names, such as "Hapayan", "Tagayan",
"Pandango sa Baso", and "Abaroray".
CARIOSA
Cariosa (IPA: [kariosa]) is a flirtatious Philippine group dance in the Maria Clara suite
of Philippine folk dances where the fan or handkerchief plays an instrumental roll as it places
the couple in a hard-to-get romance scenario.
KALAPATI
The dance Kalapati originated from from Cabugao, Ilocos Sur province.
It symbolizes peace and is represented by imitating the movements of a graceful dove.
MAGLALATIK
Maglalatik- This a mock war dance between the Muslims and the Christians that
originated from Binan, Laguna, Philippines.
The dance is about a fight for the latik or coconut meat during the Spanish era.
PALU-PALO
Palu-palo, is a war dance that shows how the community joins forces as one to defend
themselves. It is a dance showing how the Ivatans defended themselves against the Christian
intruders and how they learned to accept Christianity and live a virtuous life.
VISAYAS:
KURATSA
This is a dance that originated from Bohol, Visayas but it is also popular at Ilokano
festivals.
TINIKLING
Tinikling is a Filipino folk dance. The dance originated in Leyte as an imitation of the
legendarily fast and graceful movements of the tikling birds as they dodged bamboo traps set by
rice farmers.
PANDANGGO SA ILAW
Pandanggo sa ilaw originated from Lubang Island, Mindoro
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.
DASIDAS
From Lingayen, Pangasinan
BINDIAN
It also fall under mountain & Igorot d

MINDANAO:
DUGSO
The dance must have originated from Bukidnon, northeastern Mindanao since they are
performed as an entertainment for the deities in fiestas organized for them.
ITIK-ITIK
The dance originated from Surigao del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines.
According to the story, a young woman named Kanang (short for Cayetana) was the best
dancer in that province.
SAGAYAN
SAGAYAN is a Philippine war dance performed by both the Maguindanao and Maranao
depicting in dramatic fashion the steps their hero, Prince Bantugan, took upon wearing his
armaments, the war he fought in and his subsequent victory afterwards.
SINGKIL
Singkil (or Sayao sa Kasingkil) is a famous Philippine dance of the Maguindanao people,
but was popularized by the nearby Maranao peoples of Lake Lanao and later the Bayanihan
Philippine National Folk Dance Company.
KARASAGUYON
The dance is classified under Tribal dance. it originated from Lake Sebu, South
Cotabato. Karasaguyon of the Tboli portrays a polygamous male in the process of picking his
next wife from among four sisters vying for his attention.
HISTORY OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES
Philippine folk dance has a long and diverse history. Each region in the Philippines
features its own folk dances, originating from the precolonial era to the time of the Spanish
occupation from the 1500s until the late 1800s. Most of these Filipino folk dances tell stories
about historical happenings, ways of life, cultural influences and religious customs.
CLASSIFICATION OF DANCES IN THE PHILIPPINES
1. NATIONAL DANCES found throughout the islands. (e.g. Rigodon, Carinosa, Jota

2. LOCAL DANCES found in specific locality. (e.g. Tinikling-Leyte; SubliBatangas)