Philippine and Foreign Dances In the Philippine Secondary Schools
By: Bienvenido Constantino

It’s been a rainy season in the Philippines, thus, outdoor sports and team sports such as Baseball and Volleyball are impossible in Philippine secondary schools PE programs at the moment. Most of the Public Schools do not have covered gyms, so most of them are not enjoying the outdoor sports, especially those who are from remote areas. The Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) has designed activities other than team or outdoor sports. Philippine and foreign folk dances replaced team and outdoor sports during rainy seasons (June-September). Dance lessons can be done inside the classrooms.

Philippine folk dances were getting popular due to the secondary school program alternative. It is DepEd’s aim to promote Philippine Folk Dances among high school students. In fact, these dances were used as a mass demonstration during foundation anniversaries of schools all over the country. Introducing dances among high schools is a great idea. Most of the students had forgotten their identity as Filipinos because of being involved in alternative foreign dances that do not really show authenticity of one’s identity. However, foreign dances were also introduced in Philippine Secondary schools for aesthetic purposes. The students learned to appreciate other cultures because of this.

Philippine folkdances are highly influenced by the Spaniards as many know (Except Highlands and Muslim areas of Cordillera and Mindanao). The steps, music, as well as the costumes are reflective of the Spanish identity. After more than 300 years of Spanish occupation in the Philippines, it is very easy to see the manifestations of Europeans in the Filipino culture.

The country is composed of more than 7,000 islands, and each province in every region shows a different culture, which practices different dances. Philippine folkdances can be classified into six different types. They are:

• Occupational dances
• Courtship dances
• War dances
• Social dances
• Festival dances
• Derivative or Imitative dances from animals

Batê: Bate is a festival dance from Parañaque and Rizal, Philippines. The word means “Beat”. The beating movement is done with the use of the flag. The dance is performed during the procession on Easter Sunday. Binatbatan: (video) Occupational dance from Ilocos Norte. The dance shows the usual occupation of the people of Paoay, such as harvesting cotton. Binatbatan is derived from the word “Batbat” which means, stick. Innalisan: A festival dance from Nangalisan, Laoag Ilocos Norte. The word Innalisan is derived from “Innalis,” which means to transfer from one place to another, one of the characteristics of the Ilocanos. Jota Bicolana: A social dance from the Bicol region. Spanish influence is evident in this dance. It depicts the gay and lively life of the Filipinos. Jota Cabangan: (video) Courtship dance performed by the bride and the groom at a “Sinadag,” a feast on the eve of the wedding day. Polka Antigo: The word Antigo means “antique” or old. This is an old Philippine ballroom dance with polka as its basic steps. It is a social dances performed during olden times in the country.

Dances have been a part of every nation’s culture to depict its identity. It is fun to promote fitness through dances.

The editor of this article is willing to send the complete steps of each dance stated, and the music scores for the Piano intended for each dance for FREE (maximum of 2). The request will be sent through e-mail. The requester should be a foreign PE teacher/instructor and a regular reader of pelinks4u. The dance steps and scores are not intended for collections, but for applications. Send the following information to receive your free Philippine Folkdance copy.

Name:
School Affiliation:
Position:
Address of the school:
Personal E-mail (where your copy will be sent):

Send your request by contacting the editor through e-mail

Bien Constantino, Jr.
Bien_wayne@yahoo.com

resources: Philippine Dances, Philippine Dance, dance photo gallery, Culture of the Philippines

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