PATHFIT 4: Philippine Folk Dance

• PATHFIT 4 focuses on physical activities towards health and fitness, specifically dance.

Folk Dance

• Folk dances are traditional dances evolving naturally from a country's everyday activities and experiences.
• Folk dancing is considered the "heartbeat" of a people.
• These dances are traditional social expressions of a group's ideals, feelings, and thoughts expressed through body movement.
• Dancing can be seen as expressing people's feelings.

Types of Folk Dances

• National folk dances are widely recognized and performed across a country, often representing its cultural identity.
  • National dances are not limited to a region, and are performed during national occasions and celebrations.
• Regional folk dances are specific to a particular ethnic group, province, or region.
  • Regional dances reflect the unique customs, beliefs, and way of life of people in a specific area.

Objectives of Teaching Philippine Folk Dance

• To instill love for the country through dance.
• To foster appreciation for Philippine music and folk dances.
• To enjoy dancing as a fun, healthy activity.
• To improve posture and movement skills through dance.
• To preserve Filipino folk dances and music.
• To showcase how Philippine dances reflect cultural growth.

Dos and Don'ts in Folk Dancing

• Dos: Dance naturally, simply, and directly, move with ease and smoothness, wear the proper costume, follow instructions closely, and dance with feeling & expression.
• Don'ts: Avoid exaggerating steps, dainty or ballet-like movements, making entrances/exits too long, using elaborate/complicated steps, and calling a dance "folk" unless it stems from traditional dances.

Classification of Philippine Folk Dance

• General and Specific

General Classification

• Geographical extent of origin:
  • National dances are found with little or no modification throughout the islands.
  • Local dances are found only in certain localities.
• National Dance example: Cariñosa
• Local Dance example: Tinikling- Leyte
• Nature:
  • Occupational dances depict actions of specific occupations, industries, or human labor, such as planting, harvesting, pounding, winnowing: Pabirik, Manguete
  • Religious/Ceremonial dances are performed in connection with religious vows and ceremonies.
    • As an example, Sta. Clarang, also known as the Obando Fertility Dance, is performed by couples as a prayer ritual for conceiving a child, in Obando, Bulacan.
  • Comic dances include funny movements for entertainment.
    • As an example, Kinoton imitates a person bitten by ants and is found in the Ilocos region.
  • Game dances involve play elements.
    • Lubi-lubi is inspired by coconut-related activities like gathering, peeling, and processing.
  • Wedding dances occur during wedding feasts.
    • An example, Pasahan, is a traditional wedding dance from Bulacan .
  • Courtship dances are about lovemaking.
    • Daling-daling is a courtship dance of the Tausug people from Sulu, Mindanao.
  • Festival dances are suitable for special occasions or social gatherings.
    • Habanera is a Spanish-influenced dance for festivals, weddings and social gatherings.
  • War dances show imaginary combat or duel.
    • Sagaya is a warrior dance of the Maguindanao and Maranao people in Mindanao.
• Movements:
  • Active: Energetic and fast-paced movement.
  • Moderate: Steady and medium-paced movement.
  • Slow: Controlled and slow-paced movement.
  • Slow and Fast: alternating between slow and fast actions.
• Formations:
  • Square or Quadrille: A dance in a square formation.
  • Long: A dance in parallel lines.
  • Set: Consisting of two or more pairs as a unit, partners facing each other or standing side by side.

Special Classification

• Dance with Songs: Movements interpret the lyrics or melody of an accompanied song.
• Old Ballroom Dances: European-influenced social dances at formal gatherings, characterized by structured movements and partner work.
• Dances with Implements: Incorporate objects like sticks, fans, or handkerchiefs.
• Dances of Combined Rhythm: Incorporate different rhythmic patterns and tempo changes to tell a story through movement.

Fundamental Dance Positions in Folk Dance

• Feet
  • 1st Position: Heels close together, toes apart at approximately 45 degrees.
  • 2nd Position: Feet are astride sideward about a pace or 1 foot apart.
  • 3rd Position: Heel of one foot is close to the instep of the other foot.
  • 4th Position: One foot is in front of the other foot, a pace distance apart.
  • 5th Position: Heel of the front foot is close to the big toe of the rear foot.
• Arms
  • 1st Position: Both arms are raised forward in a circle, about an inch apart from the fingertips, in front of chest.
  • 2nd Position: Both arms are raised sideward with a graceful curve at shoulder level.
  • 3rd Position: One arm raised sideward like 2nd position, the other arm raised upward.
  • 4th Position: One arm is raised in front like 1st position, while the other arm is raised overhead.
  • 5th Position: Both arms are raised overhead.

Basic Natural Movements

Locomotor Movements

• Walking means moving at a moderate pace on feet, lifting one foot only after the other has touched the floor or ground, with leg swings from the hips and natural arm swings.
• Running means rapid steps where one foot is off ground.
• Jumping means springing and taking off with one foot and landing on both feet.
• Hopping means springing on one foot and landing on the same foot
• Skipping means hopping but bouncing with alternative steps and hops.
• Leaping means springing on one foot and landing on the other foot.
• Galloping means continuous forward or sideward with one foot leading.
• Sliding means gliding along the floor with either foot.

Non- Locomotor Movements

• Flexion: Bending or shortening of a body part at a joint.
  • Examples include half or full-knees bend, as well as trunk, arms, head (forward and sideward) and elbow bend.
• Percussive: Striking and hitting, pushing and pulling.
  • Examples include arm strikes with a closed or open fist and hitting with one or both hands; includes pushing or pulling with one arm.
• Extension: Turning, twisting, or circling.
  • As examples, Head twist or Trunk
• Vibratory: Shaking and beating.
  • As examples, shaking arms or hands rhythmically, shaking hips and shoulders, vibrating the entire body.
• Arm Shoulder Circling: Includes right arm, left arm or both arms circling forward.
• Suspended: Movement followed by a series of slow or prolonged movements until peak is reached.
  • Both arms circle swing or stop movement with arms diagonally forward upward after three or four counts counter clockwise and stop movement with arms diagonally forward upward.
• Pendular: Swinging/swaying arms forward, backward, or sideward
  • Arms swinging sideward as an example.
• Sustained: Slow, smooth flowing movement with balance throughout the series,.
  • Continuously swing arms from side to side, move them laterally in a rhythmic pattern, or circle them.

Traditional Folk Dances Steps in 2/4 Time