The top 7 traditional Filipino dances (Philippine and foreign origin)

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The Filipinos are not only known for their long-embraced values, but also for their talents in different fields be it in music, arts, dance, or sports. 

The likes of Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, Regine Velasquez, Hidilyn Diaz, Efren Reyes, Robert Jaworski, and Paeng Nepomucenu are proof of Filipinos' world-class talent. 

Their talent has taken them to different countries around the world participating in prestigious international dance competitions for which they have made names for themselves. 

Filipinos also love to dance. Dancing has always been a part of their social life. Their talent in dance is shown in any social celebration like feasts, school activities, dance competitions, and any social celebrations. 

Today, some Filipino dances are of foreign origin. They came from the countries of Mexico and Spain. These foreign dances had been introduced to the Filipinos by Spaniards and Mexicans. Filipinos adapted and embraced these dances. 

To suit the dancing style of the Filipinos, some of these foreign dances have undergone choreography modification by Filipino dancers. 

Below are some of the top traditional Filipino dances: 

1. Tinikling 

2. Zumba 

3. Chacha 

4. Jive

5. Boogie 

6. Kuratsa/curacha 

7. Sinulog dance 

Tinikling 

This dance is originally a Filipino dance. Though there have been claims that this dance also originated and performed in other Asian countries. 

Tinikling choreography is mimicked after the movements of the " Crane " bird in the Philippines that try to avoid traps set up by bird hunters. 

Tinikling is a popular dance in school activities especially during national event celebrations like Buwan ng Wika (National Language Month), Christmas parties, feasts (fiestas), Christmas and New parties, and other social celebrations. 

This dance is quite difficult to perform particularly for those who are not used to dancing. Eyes and body coordination are important in the performance of this particular dance. One wrong step would mean injury to the performers. 

A performer's foot may get entangled or caught by bamboo poles used in the performance of this dance. 

How is it performed? 

Tinikling dance is performed by clashing the two bamboo poles. The dancers must make sure their feet never get caught by the bamboo poles.

In some performances, there are four performers clashing the bamboo poles. It is only performed by experts in Tinikling dance. 

How did the dance get its name? 

Tinikling is a Filipino word that means" Tikling or a Crane bird," the Philippines' long-legged, land-dwelling bird that usually gets caught in bird traps. The way this bird avoids traps is what the choreography is patterned after. 

Today, Tinikling is still a popular dance among students and young dancers. Performing and gaining mastery of this dance takes long, hard practice. 

Zumba 

It's one of the most popular dances in the Philippines. It's the favorite dance for everyone like office workers, students, young, and adults, male and female. 

Now that the country's situation is improving, expect Zumba dancers to occupy the Philippine roads, basketball courts, and public parks during Sundays, Saturdays, and on weekdays after work. 

In the Philippines, this dance is performed in wide spaces like public parks, roads, and basketball courts. It is performed by large groups of dancers with a lead dancer at the front. Zumba is usually performed on Sunday morning and late afternoon and on weekdays after work. 

Chacha

This is the all-time favorite of the Filipino oldies, particularly in the countryside. It's performed during community celebrations like a feast (fiesta) or community dance (baile), wedding ceremony, wedding anniversary, and in other social celebrations. 

In the community dance (baile), chacha is not only danced by oldies but by the younger generation as well. 

Its choreography is not that hard to perform. Chacha dancers would just do the body and hand swaying and turning. The steps are repeated until the end of the music. 

Unfortunately, today, chacha is not that popular in the Philippines. Zumba dance has overshadowed its popularity. The beauty of Zumba is it's performed on ordinary days and even without celebration. 

Jive 

This is another popular dance in the Philippines. But unlike Zumba and Chacha, jive is usually performed in intra and inter-school competitions or in any dance contests. 

Because of its intricate, fast-paced choreography, only the young usually perform this dance in the Philippines. 

Boogie 

Wow, this is another favorite dance by the oldies in the Philippines. It's performed during community celebrations like feasts (fiesta) and community dance (baile).

Its choreography is similar to the chacha. Filipino oldies are good at this particular dance. 

Kuratsa/curacha 

This is one of the popular dances of the grandparents or for the Filipino oldies. Curacha/ kuratsa is a favorite dance among the people of Visayas. 

Oldies usually performed this dance in feasts (fiestas), baile (community dance), and in other social celebrations. 

Sinulog dance 

This particular dance is purely Filipino. It's a religious-cultural dance performed during the Sinulog celebration. Its choreography is two steps forward and one step backward. 

During the Sinulog Grand Parade celebration, Sinulog dancers hold candles while the lead dancers will hold the image of the miraculous child, Senior Sto. Nino while dancing. 

The Sinulog dance was originally conceptualized and performed by an old woman in Cebu City, Philippines. Her unique Sinulog dance choreography attracted many choreographers in the Philippines in the 80s. 

For over three (3) decades, the Sinulog dance has been used by Sinulog dancers and choreographers in the Philippines during the Sinulog celebrations.

Today, the Sinulog dance is not performed in the Sinulog celebration but also in other religious-cultural celebrations in the country. 

Other dancers from different Philippine provinces have adapted and used the Sinulog dance in their respective localities. 

The aforementioned dances are just some of the popular traditional Filipino dances. Sadly, some traditional Filipino dances have lost their appeal to the young generation of Filipinos. 

Filipinos' talent in dancing is at par with other countries. Young Filipino dance groups have won prestigious awards not just in the Philippines but also all over the world. Their talent in dancing is limitless be it in traditional or modern dance. 

Hopefully, the Philippine government would take steps to preserve these dances as they represent and associate the identity of the Filipinos. 

Image courtesy of Constantine Agustine/flickr 

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