Filipino Folk Dance Steps
By Robin Raven Professional Dancer and Actress
Filipino folk dances are diverse and varied with a long cultural history. history. Their history includes the coming of Roman Catholicism through the Spanish, and many of the early folk dances were influenced by these Spaniards. However, However, each dance type retains its own uniue culture and style in addition to the Spanish influences. !f you want to learn l earn to perform some of the dances, whether "ust for fun or to learn more about the rich culture of the #hillipines, try out these moves and steps.
Tinikling $s the best known and most popular dance of the #hillipines, Tinikling is the country%s national dance. dance. To perform Tinikling, two dancers beat, tap, and slide bamboo poles on the ground. The bamboo serves as both a percussion instrument and a part of the dance itself. i tself. Tinikling can be tricky because both primary dancers must move uickly to avoid getting a foot caught by the fast&moving poles.
Click on the images below for printable #'F guides to doing the Tinikling dances. Refer back to the guides any time while learning the dance for a uick refresher.
Singles Tinikling Dance $t the start of this dance, the poles are placed on the left sides of two dancers. They have the left foot lead.
'o these steps outside the bamboo poles( ). Hop on your right foot. *. Hop another time on the right foot. #erform these steps between both poles( +. Step on the left foot. . Step on the right foot. 'o these steps outside the poles( -. Hop on the left foot outside the poles. . Hop again on the left foot outside both poles.
Return to between the poles for these steps( /. Step on your right foot. 0. Step on your left foot.
Doubles Tinikling Dance For the foot work for these Tinikling steps, both dancers should start to the right side by the bamboo poles.
'o these steps outside the bamboo poles( ). Hop on both feet. *. Hop another hop on both feet. Hop between the poles for these steps( +. Hop on both feet. . 'o another hop using both feet. Straddle the poles as you "ump outside them for these steps( -. Hop on both feet.
. $gain, hop on both feet. 1o between the poles again to finish the dance( /. Hop on both feet. 0. 'o another hop on both feet. These are the basics of the Tinikling, though the dance can be embellished with other steps for both singles and doubles, including arm movements.
Binasuan The 2inasuan is performed by dancers as they carry full wine glasses in both hands and on top of their heads. 3ine is traditionally used in the dance, but any dark&colored beverage will do. The dance often involves balancing tricks, so there are no specific moves that are set in stone. !f you%d like to try the 2inasuan though, these steps will get you started. Consider practicing with empty, plastic cups until you get the hang of the movements. ). Step in a flowing motion onto the center of your performance area. $s you step, balance the wine glass carefully on your head. $lso, keep your hands turned up to balance both wine glasses. *. Sway your hips to the right while lifting the wine glasses high above your head. +. Sway your hips to the left while lifting the wine glasses high above your head. . Twirl in place uickly while balancing the wine glasses for thirty seconds, concluding the twirl with your face to the audience. -. Step forward with your right foot and bring your right arm forward in a flowing motion.
. Step forward with your left foot and bring your left arm forward in a flowing motion. /. Rotate your arms over your shoulder in small, circular motions as you step from left to right in small, uick motions for +4 seconds. 0. Twirl and rotate your arms below shoulder height.
Sinulog The Sinulog is a ritual dance that is performed in honor of Santo 5i6o. !t%s now a part of the annual Sinulog festival, and dancers wear brightly colored, traditional costumes for it. 'rum music must accompany this entire dance. ). Stand straight and offer candles 7real or symbolic8 towards a painting or other depiction of Santo 5i6o. *. Recite a prayer to the saint. +. 9sing slow, steady movements, bounce with your torso in a wave&like, circular motion. . Continuing the flowing movements, take two steps forward. -. Take one step backward as you try to keep the steady movements. . Repeat steps and - for as long as the drums are playing. /. Conclude the dance with a prayer.
Seedling
The Seedling dance pays homage to the rich history of farming within the culture. 2efore the start of this dance, take a round basket in your arms. $ wicker or wooden basket best represents the feel of the traditional dance. ). 2end your knees as that represents climbing and descending. *. :eeping your knees bent, step forward with one foot, then with the order. 1o left and right as you do this. +. !n a fluid motion, lift the basket to the left. 'oing the same motion, lift the basket to the right. :eep your steps alternating between stepping to your left and stepping to your right. 3hen you step to your left, coordinate the lifting of the basket to the left. 3hen you step to the right, lift the basket to the right. The fluidity of motion is key to doing the dance correctly. . Repeat step + multiple times & the length will depend on the music. ;ou should appear to be effortlessly carrying the basket. -. :eeping your movement fluid, sit the basket down in front of you. Step to the left and step to the right around it. 5ever stop moving. ;ou may improvise in your dance around the basket. . Take the pretend
Dugso, a Tribal Dance
3hile the ma"ority of the #hilippines% cultural dances are formed by adding the influences of foreign groups to their own traditional dances, there are corners of the country where no foreign influence has yet changed the traditional dances of the region. These areas are in the hills and mountains of the country and dance is used as a form of worship, bringing a special and significant meaning that goes beyond basic folk dance. 'ugso is a stand&out among tribal dances, and it is choreographed in portions to please and entertain the various tribes% gods and deities.
Dinatag $s part of the 'ugso, the 'inatag serves as the introduction to the dance. For the 'inatag, dancers should "oin arms in a T&shaped position and movements should be as fluid as possible. ). 2rush your left foot backwards, then bring your left foot to meet your right foot. *. Step to the left with your left foot, bringing your body sideways. +. 2rush your left foot backwards from your new position, then bring your left foot to meet your right foot. . Step to the left again with your left foot, bringing your body sideways again, so you are now turned around from your original position. -. Step to your right, then tap your left foot to meet your right foot. . Step to your left in a sideways motion.
/. Step to your right again, then tap your left foot to meet your right foot. 0. Step to your left in a sideways motion. =. 2rush your right foot backward, then tap your right foot to meet your left foot. )4.
Step to your right in a sideways motion.
)).
Step your left foot across in front of your right foot.
)*. Tap your right foot to meet your left movement, moving to the right. )+.
Step your left foot behind you, across your right foot.
).
Step to the right sideways.
)-. Step your left foot behind you again, across your right foot. ).
Step to the right sideways.
)/.
Repeat all steps ) to ).
The Itik-Itik Have fun with this dance. The !tik&!tik is sometimes described as humans making the motions of a duck, so feel free to improvise along with these basic steps. ). Step to your left and raise your left arm up in a flowing motion.
*. Step to your right and raise your right arm up in a flowing motion. +. Repeat steps ) and * seven times. . Step forward and bring your hands into your chest, bending your elbows and making sure to point your hands inward. Repeat seven times. -. Step in a circle as you sway your arms to the right, then to the left. . Raise your arm and step hop to the left. /. Raise your arm and step hop to the right. 0. Repeat steps and / five times. =. Sway to the right, then to the left. Repeat si> times. )4.
Repeat all steps three times.
