MODULE 16: Rural Type

I.                    Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:

a.       define and discuss Rural dance;

b.      identify the different examples of Rural dance; and

c.       value these dances as part of our culture.

II.                  Overview:

Dance as music has always been part of the life of the people, dancing is also a form of expression and communication. As Filipinos, dances are main component of our culture, being a country which is rich in culture. We also have a rich variety of dances that was created by our ancestors and has flourished over time.

This topic is about rural type dances. It tells about their origin, music, and costumes of each dance. Each dance depicts the life of the people who live in a certain place. This topic will give a clearer understanding about rural dances.

III.                Learning Content:

The best known and closest to the Filipino heart are the dances from the rural Christian lowlands: a country blessed with so much beauty. To the Filipinos, these dances illustrate the fiesta spirit and demonstrate a love of life. They express a joy in work, a love for music, and pleasure in the simplicities of life. Typical attire in the Rural Suite includes the colorful Balintawak and patad/yong skirts for the women, and camisa de chino and colored trousers for the men.

1.       Sinulog Festival (Cebu City)

- is an annual festival held on the third Sunday of Janauary in Cebu City, Philippines. The festive honors the child Jesus also known as Sto. Nino (Holy Child), patron of the city of Cebu. It is a dance ritual that commemorates the Cebuano people’s Islamic and Pagan origin, and their acceptance of Chritianity.

2.       Itik-itik (Surigao del Norte)

- A young lady named Kanang (the nickname for Cayetana), considered the best dancer and singer of her time, was asked to dance the Sibay. She became so enthusiastic and spirited during the performance that she began to improvise movements and steps similar of itik, the duck as it walks with short, choppy steps and splashes water on its back while calling its mate.

3.       Binasuan (Bayambang, Pangasinan)

- It shows of the balancing skills of the dancers. The glasses that the dancers gracefully, yet carefully maneuver are half-filled with rice wine. Binasuan means “with the use of drinking glass” in Pangasinan.

4.       Maglalatik (Binan, Laguna)

- a war dance depicting the fight between the Moros and the Christians over the latik (residue after the coconut milk has been boiled).

5.       Pandanggo sa Ilaw (Lubang Island, Mindoro)

- The term pandanggo comes from the Spanish word fandango, which is dance characterized by lively steps and clapping that varies in rhythm of ¾ time. This particular pandanggo involves the presence of three tinggoy, or oil lamps, balanced on the head and the back of each hand.

6.       Sakuting (Abra)

- A dance of Ilokano Christians and non-Christians from thr province of Abra, Sakuting was originally performed by Cboys only it portrays a mock fight using sticks to train for combat. The staccato-inflected music suggests a strong Chinese influence. The dance is customarily performed during Christmas at the town plaza, or from house-to-house. The spectators give the dancers Aguinaldo, or gifts of money or refreshments especially prepared for Christmas.

7.       Sublian (Batangas)

- this version is from Talumpok, a ritual dance. A favorite dance of the people in nearly all the barrios of the municipality of Bauan, Batangas in the month of May. It is ceremonial worship dance performed in homage of the Holy Cross referred to in the vernacular as Mahal na Poong Santa Cruz. The name subli is derived from two words “subsub” (stooped or in a crouching position) and bali (broken). Thus the men dancers are in trunk-forward-bend position throughout the dance.

8.       Tinikling (Leyte)

- It imitates the tikling bird’s legendary grace and speed as they skillfully play, chase each other, run over tree branches, or dodge bamboo traps set by farmers. Hence, it aids named after the bird tikling. This version of the dance is done between a pair of bamboo poles.