Learn about
OUR DANCE SUTIES
Our suites explore diverse areas, stories and traditions from throughout the Philippines. Click one of the dance suites below to jump to the corresponding section.
BARRIO SUITE
In this suite, Folklorico tells the story of day-to-day life in the Philippine countryside. Those living in rural farmland invented prominent dances such as Tinikling, Pandanggo Sa Ilaw and Binasuan. Dances from our Barrio suite are traditionally performed as part of festivals, celebrations and community gatherings.
barrio dances include
TINIKLING
Dancers hop in between two pieces of moving bamboo, imitating the graceful movement of the tikling bird. Rice farmers try to catch and prevent the tikling from stealing rice grains.
PANDANGGO SA ILAW
Often called "the dance of lights", this dance has many interpretations. In one version, the candles are meant to symbolize the flow of fireflies at dusk. Another describes the lights as lanterns, being moved around to welcome sailors home after a journey at sea. During pandanggo, dancers balance lit candles on their palms, tops of their fingers and heads.
BINASUAN
Traditionally filled with rice wine, dancers are required to skilfully balance half-full glasses on their heads and open palms while moving. During the performance, dancers may spin, turn and roll as the music's pace increases!
SUBLI
Subli, or Sublian, was originally a religious ritual and dance that originates from Batangas honouring the Holy Cross. The name comes from the words “subsub”, meaning to fall with the head, and “bali”, or broken. This is reflected in the men's movements as they are bent over for the beginning of the dance.
BULAKLAKAN
Bulaklakan is a dance of floral garlands, dedicated to the Virgin Mary during the Roman Catholic celebration of their holy week. “Bulaklakan” refers to green orchids and other local flowering plants. The dance is performed widely during the month of early May, when it is custom in many parts of the Philippines to celebrate the "Santa Cruz de Mayo." During that time, there is aa procession, usually followed by a social gathering in the house of the "Hermana Mayor."
OTHER BARRIO DANCES INCLUDE:
- Itik-Itik
- Sakuting
- Pasigan
- Maglalatik
- Pukol
- Salakot
- Binayogan
- Kuratsa
- Sayaw sa Bangko
MARIA CLARA suite
The era of Spanish colonial rule remains entrenched in Filipino history, and has birthed many cultural symbols for the Philippines. Folklorico retells typical social scenes from this time through dance interpretation.
MARIA CLARA DANCES INCLUDE
JOVENCITA
Habanera de Jovencita, or just jovencita, is a dance typical of a woman’s debut. The accompanying love ballad was written by Maestro Nitoy Gonzales when he was courting Jovita Friese, who then choreographed the graceful and beautiful habanera dance that accompanies it. Jovencita means “young lady” in Spanish.
ARAY
Here, men and women dance together gracefully and playfully, with the women playing tambourines to accent their movements. The accompanying music is originally sung in Chabacano-ermitense, a hybrid of Spanish that was only spoken in the Ermita district before the turn of the century.
KUMINGTANG
Kumintang is a courtship dance that emphasizes couples turning with another like how the hand turns in a "kumintang" gesture.
OTHER MARIA CLARA DANCES INCLUDE:
- Baston Y Manton
- Jota Manileña
- Sympatica
- Habanera Botalena
- Polkabol
CORDILLERAS SUITE
The Cordilleran Mountain Range is home to many Indigenous people situated in northern Philippines. Nine main ethnolinguistic groups reside in this region, with Folklorico telling the story of two: the Ifugao and the Kalingan peoples.
CORDILLERAS DANCES INCLUDE
TACHOK
Description to come
BANGA
This dance tells the story of Kalinga women who climb up and down mountains while skillfully balancing pots of water on their heads.
SALIP
Description to come
OTHER CORDILLERAS DANCES INCLUDE:
- Bendian
- Bumayah
- Papayto
MINDANAO SUITE
Mindanao is the southern region of the Philippines, a vibrant and culturally diverse area woven together by generations of faith. Despite a history marked by persecution and struggle, the people of Mindanao uphold a profound sense of belief that guides them into the future.
MINDANAO DANCES INCLUDE
SINGKIL
In our current iteration, we tell the story of Princess Lanaoan, who is taken from her homeland by Emperor Dimasangkay, captivated by her unmatched beauty. Trapped in a bamboo forest, the princess is determined to reclaim her freedom. Just as she attempts to escape, an earthquake awakens and she seeks guidance from a divine ancestor who inspires her to have the courage to break free from the forest.
KAPA MALONG MALONG
This dance depicts the various ways to wear a malong, a versatile tubular cloth worn by men and women.
LINGISSAN
Linggisan is a dance of the Sama and Tausug people that mimics the movements of the sea bird. Its steps portray an eagle in flight and the attack and defense of a predator and prey.
VINTA
Description to come
KINI KINI
In this dance, traditionally women demonstrate graceful movements with scarves while moving in small steps.
OTHER MINDANAO DANCES INCLUDE:
- Katsudoratan
- Igal ha Agung
- Voyage to Mindanao
- Asik
- Kapagapir
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES SUITE
An archipelago of over 7,000 islands has allowed the Philippines to home approximately 110 major Indigenous groups. Smaller Indigenous communities have survived by upholding their customs in an ever-changing social landscape. Folklorico is honoured to interpret their diverse stories through the performing arts.