What Are Steps in Philippine Folk Dances?

There are plenty of steps in Philippine folk dances. Steeped in tradition, with a long history linked to festivals and celebrations, Philippine folk dances have many similarities to other traditional dance styles, ranging from ballet to the waltz. The loose, flirtatious style of Philippine folk dancing, however, is uniquely cultural and gives the steps their authenticity in the Philippine tradition.

While there are multiple styles of Philippine folk dances, and any number of combinations from simple to complex, the steps below are some of the most basic and most well-known. Anyone studying Philippine folk dancing, whether as a dancer or a historian, will quickly become familiar with these particular steps.

Maria Claira Suite

• Named after a famous Philippine folk heroine, the Maria Claira Suite can be broken down into various more specific steps, including the Aray and the Alcamfor.
• The Maria Claira is a conglomeration of classic Philippine style and the influence of Spanish dance, which came into the Islands with the spread of Western influence early in Philippine history.
• The dance historically includes castanets, scented handkerchiefs, a flirtatious back-story, and a traditional long-sleeved embroidered shirt, tunic, or dress for the main female dancer.
• Some features of the Maria Claira are borrowed from, and resemble, the waltz; others are closer to a tango or even a ballet.

Mountain Suite

• The Mountain Suite is comprised of various dance techniques and steps that have a rich cultural background in native tradition.
• Dances in this suite, often tribal in origin, are very ceremonial and are historically performed during specific events, which they're designed to emulate and celebrate.
• The Ballangbang, for example, is performed by a specific Philippine people who use it to celebrate victories in war.
• During the dance, females execute steps and movements in unison to imitate the motions of the water buffalo.
• Other dances within the Mountain Suite are done to entertain guests at feasts, or to relieve natural calamities.

 Southern Islands Suite

• Performed in the southern outlying islands of the Philippines, this suite of dances is made up of serene, ceremonial movements and demonstrates a grace that is said to be inspired by the surrounding ocean waters.
• Colorful historical garb highlights these dances, which imitate nature with steps that are meant to emulate things like fights among animals in the wild.

Barrio Fiesta Suite

• A rural suite of dances performed largely by Philippine farmers, the Barrio Fiesta steps are loose, lively, and often impromptu, traditionally performed to unwind after a hard day's work in the fields.
• Some dances are highlighted with unique challenges such as the balancing of glasses of water on the dancers' heads.

Lumad Suite

• Pagan roots give the Lumad Suite an exotic origin that is found nowhere else.
• This unique suite of steps features reenactments of nature performed by indigenous people untouched by the outside world; the dances are truly unique and full of symbolism.

Now you know many different steps in Philippine folk dances and you can identify the various dances the next time you hear a Philippine folk song.