Folk Dance Music of the Philippines

The Folk Dance Music of the Philippines is a compilation of traditional Filipino folk dances and music.

Introduction

The Philippines is an archipelago consisting of 7,641 islands with a total land area of 300,000 square kilometers. The Philippine archipelago is located in Southeast Asia, between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam. The Philippines has a tropical marine climate and is characterized by high humidity and heavy rainfall. There are two distinct seasons in the country: the wet season and the dry season.

The wet season begins in May and ends in October, while the dry season starts in November and lasts until April. May is considered to be the hottest month, while January is usually the coolest.

The Philippines is a melting pot of various cultures with diverse music traditions. The country’s folk music includes a wide variety of vocal and instrumental music genres. These music genres are often categorized by their geographic origin or by their ethnic or language group.

One of the most popular folk dance music genres in the Philippines is kulintang music. Kulintang music originated from the island of Mindanao in southern Philippines. It is a form of percussive instrumental music that uses a set of small brass gongs called kulintang . The kulintang instrument ensemble usually consists of five to nine graduated brass gongs and one horizontal drum called agung .

Another popular folk dance music genre in the Philippines is Tinikling . Tinikling is a folk dance that originated from Leyte Island in central Philippines. The dance involves two people hitting bamboo poles together while dancing around them. This creates a percussive rhythm that accompanies the dancers as they move around the poles.

The Philippine Kung-Fu , also known as Arnis or Eskrima , is a martial art that originated from the island of Filiipino . It is a weapon-based martial art that uses sticks, knives, and swords as weapons. Filipino Kung-Fu incorporates elements from both Chinese Kung-Fu and Indonesian Silat .

What is folk dance?

Folk dance is a type of dancing that is usually done to traditional music. Folk dances vary greatly between cultures, but they usually have certain things in common. They are often done to music that is rhythmic and simple, and they often tell a story or express the feelings of the people who created them. Folk dances are often performed for special occasions, such as weddings or festivals.

What is the difference between folk dance and other dances?

There are several types of dances, each with their own purpose and origins. Folk dances are often created for ceremonial or social purposes, and they’re usually specific to a certain culture or region. Many folk dances have been adapted over time and are now performed by people all over the world.

Other types of dances include traditional dances, which are usually passed down from generation to generation within a community, and contemporary or modern dances, which are usually choreographed by professional dancers and performed by trained dancers.

The different types of folk dances in the Philippines

There are many different types of folk dances in the Philippines, each with its own unique history, steps, and music. The most popular folk dances are those from the regions of the Cordillera, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The Cordillera region is home to several different types of folk dances, such as the tinikling and cariñosa. The tinikling is a traditional Filipino dance that originated in the province of Leyte. It is known for its use of two bamboo poles which are tapped together to create a rhythmic beat. The dance steps imitate the movements of a tikling bird, which is a small bird that lives in the vine forests of Leyte. The cariñosa is another popular folk dance from the Cordillera region. It is a courtship dance that involves couples dancing around a central image of the Virgin Mary.

The Visayas region is also home to several different types of folk dances, such as the singkil and dinagyang. The singkil is a traditional dance from the island of Mindanao that tells the story of princesses who are being chased by an evil king. The dance steps imitate the movement of bamboo through the air, and it is often accompanied by live music played on bamboo instruments. The dinagyang is a popular festival dance from the island of Iloilo. It is performed during the Dinagyang Festival, which celebrates the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines. The dance involves dancers moving in a fast and forceful manner while they wave their flags or hands in the air.

The Mindanao region also has several different types of folk dances, such as kali-kali and maglalatik. The kali-kali is a war dance that was traditionally performed before going into battle. It originated in Mindanao but has since spread to other parts of the Philippines. The maglalatik is a cultural dance that celebrates harvest time. It originated in the province of Bukidnon and features four dancers wearing coconut shells on their hands and feet as they hit them together to create a rhythmic beat.

The Cordillera Region

The Cordillera Region of the Philippines is home to many different ethnic groups, each with their own unique folk dances and music. The music of the Cordillera Region is characterized by its use of traditional instruments, such as the kulintang (a type of gong), as well as its various vocal styles.

One of the most popular folk dances in the Cordillera Region is the tinikling, which is often performed to the music of the kulintang. The tinikling is a dance that involves two people tapping bamboo poles on the ground in time with the music. Another popular folk dance from the Cordillera Region is the singkil, which is performed by a group of people holding hands and dancing in a circle. The singkil is often accompanied by music from the kulintang, as well as by drums and gongs.

The Visayas

The music of the Visayas region of the Philippines is as varied as its geographical extent. The region comprises several large and small islands, and as a result, the music of the Visayas is marked by considerable diversity.

Visayan folk music is characterized by its use of indigenous musical instruments, such as the kulintang (a set of gongs), the agung (a set of spherical brass bells), and the biyula (a type of nose flute). The music often makes use of pentatonic scales, and is highly melodic.

Among the most popular Visayan folk dances are the tinikling (a dance performed while stepping between bamboo poles), the SIGARET dance (performed while holding lighted cigarettes in one’s mouth), and the sayaw sa bangko (a dance performed on top of a narrow bench).

The music of the Visayas has been greatly influenced by Spanish colonial rule, resulting in a number of Hispanic influences in both instrumentation and melody.

Mindanao

Mindanao is the southernmost island in the Philippines and is home to a diverse range of peoples and cultures. The music of Mindanao is just as varied, with a wide range of influences from across Asia and beyond.

Folk dance music from Mindanao often has a distinctive Malay flavor, with influences from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. There are also strong Spanish and American influences in many of the region’s folk dances.

One of the most popular folk dances in Mindanao is the singkil, which is performed to the accompaniment of a bamboo instrument called the kulintang. The singkil is a complex dance that tells a story, usually about Hindu heroes or princesses. It is often performed at weddings and other special occasions.

Another popular Mindanaoan folk dance is the pandanggo sa ilaw, which means “dance with light.” This dance is performed by pairs of dancers who hold candles or oil lamps while they perform graceful movements to traditional Philippine music.

The tinikling is another iconic Philippine folk dance that originated in Mindanao. It involves two people tapping bamboo poles together in time to music, while trying not to get their feet caught between the poles! The tinikling is now performed all over the Philippines and has even become popular abroad.

The music of folk dances in the Philippines

The music of folk dances in the Philippines is as varied as the dances themselves. There are different types of music for different types of dances, and each region has its own unique style.

The most popular type of folk dance music is the rondalla, which is typically used for ballroom dancing. Rondalla music is characterized by its use of guitars, basses, and other stringed instruments. It is often fast-paced and lively, making it perfect for couples to dance to.

Another popular type of folk dance music is the kundiman, which is slower and more romantic in nature. Kundiman music often features flutes and other wind instruments, and its lyrics typically focus on love and longing. Ballroom dancers often use kundiman music for slow dances such as the waltz.

For faster-paced dances such as the jota or the tinikling, dancers usually use livelier types of music such as fiesta tunes or popular songs. The tempo of these songs can range from moderate to fast, depending on the dance being performed.

No matter what type of folk dance music you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it in the Philippines!

Conclusion

The folk dances of the Philippines are reflective of the country’s rich cultural heritage. Philippine folk dances depict the various aspects of Filipino life, such as religion, traditions, and history. They are often performed during special occasions, such as weddings and festivals.

These dances are a valuable part of the Filipino culture and should be preserved so that future generations can enjoy them.