Artistic and lively; these are several of the things that you can use to tag the Philippine dances that characterize its culture. And for sure you will not be disappointed, since the country’s dances are all creative and colorful. An example is the Philippine dance called the ‘Maglalatik’ that is sure to catch the fancy of those looking for a traditional dance that goes down to the basics, and of course a dance that is colorful and festive. This dance is also called as ‘Magbabao’ which can mean ‘the one using the ‘bao’ and the ‘bao’ is the coconut shell. Throughout the dance, the viewers of the dance can expect that most of the dance moves that will be performed by the dancers will focus on the use of these ‘baos’ or the coconut shells and some of the noises or the music that will be used by the dance will be generated by these coconut shells.

This dance actually tells a story- and it depicts the fight between the Moros and the Christians over the ‘latik’. The ‘latik’ is the excess that is left after the coconut milk has been boiled and cooked. This dance is composed of a four-part performance and the first two performance of the dance is called as the ‘Palipasan’ and the ‘Baligtaran’.

In these first two performances, the dance will show the opposing squads in an intense battle. The final two parts of the dance are the ‘Sayaw Escaramusa’ and the ‘Paseo’. These two dances basically show the reconciliation between the two groups and the dance steps of the dancers will show and suggest that the opposing groups are now in good terms. The two groups in this dance is the group of the Moros and the other group is the group of the Christians. All performers that partake in this traditional dance are male and they all attach and use the coconut shells. These shells are attached on many points of the body of the dancers- in the chests, the backs, the thighs and the hips. The dancers will also hold their triangular formed coconut shells in their hands and they used these shells to tap the coconut shells that are fitted on their bodies and they use these to generate the music that will accompany them when they are dancing. The Moros in this dance will wear the red trousers and the Christian group will wear the blue trousers. This dance will involve some simple movements and simple repetitions.

The following will be a listing of the steps that are generally performed in the dance.

. First step will require dancers to make 6 to 8 counts of jogging in place

. Then four steps forward while pounding the chests.

. Four basic clap cycles while the dancers are in place

. Another four fundamental clap cycles in sequence for the performers to get to two rows

. Another 8 quick clap cycles to the ripple effect

. Another 8 quick clap cycles that will allow the dancer to circle around the partner, and next up is the Circle Up.

. The dancers will make 8 counts+1 -4 count for the first clap

. Dancers will clap after the one 8 count and this should be done 8 times, then the finishing clap

. Dancers will make 8 high-low clap cycles in order to move into position.

. Another 8 cycles of 6 hit clapping

. The dancer will then make 16 counts for the tricks with another round of clapping in the background

. Dancer will make 4 basic to get to the two sides

. Dancer will make 8 speedy clap cycles for the fight

. Dancer will make 4 quick clap cycles in order to get to the end

. And right after the last clap, the dancers then make their pose.

According to historians, this Philippine dance originated in Laguna and usually performed during the town fiesta of Biñan. The dance is frequently executed in a religious procession as the procession heads down the street. This dance called ‘Maglalatik‘ is performed as an offering to their patron saint- San Isidro de Labrador.

Countries of the world have their own cultures made more colorful, beautiful and vibrant because of folk dances that are a reflection of who they are and what they are. In the East, the Chinese have their embolismic dragon dance; the Japanese have the familial dance Bon Odori. In the West, the Americans have their Square Dance. The Scottish people have their world-famous dances (Highland and Country Dance, Jig and Reel). On the contrary, the Philippines will not be apart from others! The “Pearl of the Orient” boasts of a variety of Philippine folk dances.

The Filipinos pay tributes and owe itself to cultural heritage. One way of showing such love and respect for the country gave birth to the development of Philippine ethnic folk dances. And there are a number of these; namely Subli, Itik-itik, Binasuan, Tinikling, Maglalatik, Cariñosa and many others.

Binasuan is Pangasinan native dance. This dance literally means “dancing with glasses.” The steps are executed with glasses filled with rice wine balanced on the head and the hands of the dancers. Danced to show balance and to reflect rural gaiety, Binasuan is performed usually in wedding ceremonies and occasions in the barangay.

Subli owes its meaning to native words “subsub” meaning to fall with the head and “bali” or broken. This meaning is reflected in the dance steps. The dancers move feebly and tortuously as if without vigor. This dance, however, traces its roots to Batangas where it was originally played as a ritual dance which evolved into a symbol of religious tradition performed during town fiestas.

Itik-Itik is one of the Philippine folk dances which have an interesting origin. According to stories, a Filipina maiden-dancer of Surigao del Norte was asked to perform a native dance in one special occasion. She began to invent new steps and mimic the courtship movements of a local species of duck identified as “itik.” The viewers begin to mimic her and that is how the dance came to be.

Tinikling is another Philippine folk dance that is inspired by an endemic bird called “tikling.” The steps of this dance are an imitation of the movements of a “tikling” bird that hops and escapes the traps set by hunters. Moving with grace and poise, the dancers hop in-between two bamboo poles that are seized to pound rhythmically adjacent to each other. This dance is a specialty of Leyte.

Maglalatik is danced to mimic the early battle against Christians and Moros to win coconut meat or “latik” during the time of Spanish colonization. This is also performed to pay homage to the town saint of Biñan, Laguna – San Isidro Labrador. This dance is divided into four parts: baligtaran, palipasan, paseo and escaramusa. This is performed by all-male dancers who wear blue pants to represent the Christians and red pant for the Moros. All dancers, however, have coconut shells mounted on their body parts.

Pandanggo sa ilaw. The word ‘pandanggo’ is taken from the Spanish word ‘fandango’. The dance is characterized by the lively steps performed in conjunction with the clapping while the dancers are following the ¾ beat. Again, this dance calls for graceful balancing acts so that the lights held by the hand will not fall. This dance is originally from Oriental, Mindoro.

These aforementioned Philippine folk dances are ethnic in nature and origin. On the other hand, there are several Philippine folk dances that were influenced by some Western countries as some of these had colonized Philippines in the past. One such country is Spain. Some of the so-called “influenced” Philippine folk dances are the following: Pandango sa Ilaw, Cariñosa, Balitao and Rigodon.

To conclude, these folk dances whether ethnic in origin or not reflect the lively culture that the Filipinos have. These dances may be varied but through these cultural forms, the Filipinos are united and proud by way of having Philippine folk dances that are absolutely one of the best in the world.