PHYSICAL EDUC ATION –

PHILIPPINE FOLK
DANCES

Altaire Sayson Perales

Student
 The Itik-Itik

“Itik” means “duck” in the Philippines. The Itik Folk Dance of the Philippines mimics the flying and
waddling of a duck. According to Camperspoint, the dance originated in the province of Surigao del
Norte. It involves six different foot sequences as well as arm movements.

The best description of the Itik-Itik is that the steps mimic the way a duck walks, as well as the way it
splashes water on its back to attract a mate. According to popular tradition, the dance was created by a
lady named Kanang who choreographed the steps while dancing at a baptismal party. The other guests
copied her movements, and everyone liked the dance so much that it has been passed along ever since.

ITIK-ITIK STEPS USED:

No. 1. STEP, BALL-CLOSE, BALL-CLOSE. Counts
1,2,and 3.
Step L(R) forward (ct. 1), raise heel of
L(R) foot and slide R(L) close to L(R) in fifth or
third position in rear (ct. 2), small step forward
on ball of L(R)foot (ct. and) and slide R(L) close
to L(R) in third position in rear (ct. 3).This step is
done with one foot leading going forward.
No. 2 HEEL, CLOSE-BALL, CLOSE. Counts 1, 2,and
3.
Step L(R) heel forward (ct. 1), slide R(L)
close L(R) in fifth or third position in rear (ct. 2),
small step forward with ball of L(R) foot (ct.
and), slide R(L) close to L(R) in fifth or third
position in rear (ct. 3). This is done with one
foot leading, going forward.
Note: The numbering of the steps in the
Fundamental Steps and Music is followed. Itik-
Itik step No. 3 is not used in this dance.
No. 4. STEP, SLIDE-CLOSE, SLIDE-CLOSE. Counts
1,2, 3.
Small step R(L) forward (ct. 1), twist
trunk slightly to right (left) side, bring L(R) foot
in fourth in front and slide backward with ball of
same foot and simultaneously with a spring
slide R(L) forward to close with L(R) in first
position (ct. 2), repeat ct. 2 (ct.3).
The L(R) foot bears no weight on cts. 2, 3. This
step is done with alternate foot, going to any
direction.
No. 5. CROSS-STEP, SLIDE-CLOSE, SLIDE-CLOSE.
Counts 1, 2, 3.
Same as No. 4 except that the step on
ct. 1 is done across the other foot in front.
No. 6. CROSS-STEP, SLIDE-CLOSE, CROSS-STEP,
SLIDE-CLOSE, CROSS-STEP. Counts 1, and, 2, and
3.
Step R (L) across L (R) in front (ct. 1),
slide with ball of L (R) foot close to heel of R (L)
foot (ct. and), short slide or small step with R (L)
foot sideward left (right) across L (R) in front (ct.
2), repeat ct. and, (ct. and), short slide or small
step with R (L) foot sideward left (right) across L
(R) in front (ct. 3).
 The Tinikling

The Tinikling is considered by many to be the Philippines' national dance. The dance's movements
imitate the movement of the tikling bird as it walks around through tall grass and between tree
branches. People perform the dance using bamboo poles. The dance is composed of three basic steps
which include singles, doubles and hops. It looks similar to playing jump rope, except that the dancers
perform the steps around and between the bamboo poles, and the dance becomes faster until someone
makes a mistake and the next set of dancers takes a turn.

Singles Tinikling Dance 3. Step on the left foot.

At the start of this dance, the poles are placed
on the left sides of two dancers. They have the
left foot lead.
Do these steps outside the bamboo poles:
1. Hop on your right foot.
2. Hop another time on the right foot.
Perform these steps between both poles:
4. Step on the right foot.
Do these steps outside the poles:
5. Hop on the left foot outside the poles.
6. Hop again on the left foot outside both poles.
Return to between the poles for these steps:
7. Step on your right foot.
8. Step on your left foot.
 Hop between the poles for these steps:
3. Hop on both feet.
4. Do another hop using both feet.

Doubles Tinikling Dance Straddle the poles as you jump outside them for
For the foot work for these Tinikling steps, both these steps:
dancers should start to the right side by the 5. Hop on both feet.
bamboo poles. 6. Again, hop on both feet.

Do these steps outside the bamboo poles: Go between the poles again to finish the dance:
1. Hop on both feet. 7. Hop on both feet.
2. Hop another hop on both feet. 8. Do another hop on both feet.
Binasuan
The Binasuan is performed by dancers as they carry full wine glasses in both hands and on top of their
heads. Wine 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. If you'd like to try the
Binasuan though, these steps will get you started. Consider practicing with empty, plastic cups until you
get the hang of the movements.

1. Step in a flowing motion onto the center of your performance area. As you step, balance the
wine glass carefully on your head. Also, keep your hands turned up to balance both wine glasses.
2. Sway your hips to the right while lifting the wine glasses high above your head.
3. Sway your hips to the left while lifting the wine glasses high above your head.
4. Twirl in place quickly while balancing the wine glasses for thirty seconds, concluding the twirl
with your face to the audience.
5. Step forward with your right foot and bring your right arm forward in a flowing motion.
6. Step forward with your left foot and bring your left arm forward in a flowing motion.
7. Rotate your arms over your shoulder in small, circular motions as you step from left to right in
small, quick motions for 30 seconds.
8. Twirl and rotate your arms below shoulder height.

The Sayaw sa Bangko

The Sayaw sa Bangko is performed on top of a narrow bench. Dancers need good balance as they go
through a series of movements that include some impressive acrobatics. This dance traces its roots back
to the areas of Pangapisan, Lingayen and Pangasinan.

The Pandanggo sa Ilaw

The Pandanggo sa Ilaw is similar to a Spanish Fandango, but the Pandanggo is performed while balancing
three oil lamps - one on the head, and one in each hand. It's a lively dance that originated on Lubang
Island. The music is in 3/4 time and is usually accompanied by castanets.

The Magkasuyo
The Magkasuyo is a variation of the balse - the one-two-three graceful triple meter that Filipino
traditional dance borrowed from the Spanish waltz. It is a formal series of close-step-close movements
with a couple facing each other in a courtship configuration. Balse incorporates German and Spanish
influence, but the Magkasuyo is the specific invention of Quezon province, a large farming and fishing
region southeast of Manila with a rich tradition of outside influences, including Spanish, Malay, and
Muslim. A popular song Magkasuyo Buong Gabi (Lovers for the Night) expands on the romantic nature of
the dance.

The Maglalatik
The Maglalatik is a mock war dance that depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highly-prized food. The
dance is broken into four parts: two devoted to the battle and two devoted to reconciling. The men of
the dance wear coconut shells as part of their costumes, and they slap them in rhythm with the music.
The Maglalatik is danced in the religious procession during the fiesta of Biñan as an offering to San Isidro
de Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.

The Kuratsa
The Kuratsa is described as a dance of courtship and is often performed at weddings and other social
occasions. The dance has three parts. The couple first performs a waltz. In the second part, the music
sets a faster pace as the man pursues the woman around the dance floor in a chase. To finish, the music
becomes even faster as the man wins over the woman with his mating dance.

The Kappa Malong-Malong

The Kappa Malong-Malong is a Muslim-influenced dance. The malong is a tubular garment, and the
dance essentially shows the many ways it can be worn. There are men's and women's versions of the
dance since they wear malongs in different ways.

The Cariñosa

The Cariñosa is a dance made for flirting! Dancers make a number of flirtatious movements as they hide
behind fans or handkerchiefs and peek out at one another. The essence of the dance is the courtship
between two sweethearts.