La Estudiantina is a Spanish-inspired dance of the Philippines. ...

Young women who studied (at home

La Estudiantina Filipino Dance

La Estudiantina is a Spanish-inspired dance of the Philippines. The country was under the rule of Spain
for more than three hundred years, during which time local culture was markedly influenced.

Young women who studied (at home with tutors for instance) used to be called estudiantina (male
students were called estudiante), and this dance was originally performed by women carrying a book or
a fan, items associated with female students. There are many regional versions of this dance. The one in
the video below is from Samar. There is also another popular version from Quezon province.

Philippine dances derived from Spanish influences, such as the La Estudiantina, are classified as
Sayawing Maria Clara (Maria Clara Dances). Maria Clara is the main female character in the Spanish-era
novel Noli Me Tangere, written by Filipino national hero Jose Rizal.

Maria Clara also refers to a women’s style of clothing popular during Spanish times, which is worn as
traditional Filipino costume even today. Filipina performers of dances like the La Estudiantina wear
Maria Clara-style dresses.

1. PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE

2. Folk dance - is a form of dance developed by a group of people that reflects the traditional life of the
people of a certain country or region. - is a recreational or ceremonial dance performed usually by
members of the community to which the dance is traditional.

3. History Folk Dance in the Philippines It is impossible to know when exactly dancing became a part of
life in the Philippines. Philippine folk dancing is a true reflection of daily life in past centuries. Traditional
dances were designed to thank the gods for natural and agricultural events, such as rain and harvests.

4. Folk Dance History in the Philippines More recent dances done in the Philippines derive from
historical events such as the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century and the conflicts with the
Moors. Several dances, especially those influenced by Spanish dance forms, re- enact the courtship of a
man and a woman in all its many aspects from the sublime to the ridiculous.

5. Folk Dance History in the Philippines Dancing was considered a religious activity among the early
Filipinos. Among the Christianized Filipino groups, the Kumintang was the oldest Dance and song. It was
a pantomimed song and dance. The Pampango is another dance characterized by the movements of the
Lion and clapping of the hands.

6. Folk Dances Introduced by the Spaniards • Fandango • Lanceros • Rigodon • Carinosa • Curacha
7. Folk Dances with Spanish Influence •Estudiantina •Mazurka Boholana •Mazurka Mindorena •Polka sa
Nayon

8. Estudiantina This is a lively dance which originated from Unisan, Quezon province (formerly
Tayabas).During the olden days, this dance was a favorite in social gatherings and was usually by young
men and women who were students of private school and colleges in Manila. The boys were called
Estudiantes by the barrio folks and the girls, Estudiantinas. Usually performed with the accompaniment
of a flute and guitar.

9. Costume: Girl-Maria Clara Boy- Barong Tagalog

10. Lanceros De Tayabas A dance honoring the town of Tayabas Quezon. Its name takes from chivalrous
knights and lanciers of King Arthur’s fame.

11. Costume: Girl- Baro’t Saya Boy- Barong Tagalog

12. Properties: Scarf(Baksa)-soft bandana with floral design Skirt(saya) Overskirt (sobre falla)- plain
checkered of striped wrapped around the waist and gathered on the left side reaching below the knee.

13. Polka sa Nayon Popular in the province of Batangas during the Spanish time. Usually danced during
fiestas and in big social affairs.

14. Costume: Girl-Maria Clara or Balintawak Boy-Barong Tagalog

15. Dance Steps Plain Polka- with a step pattern of step, close, step, pause. Heel and toe polka – heel
place. Toe point, step close, step pause. (2M)

16. Cariñoza Philippine national dance. It is a Spanish word which means affectionate or lovable.
Costume: Girl-Balintawak or Patadyong and Camisa. Boy- Barong Tagalog and any kind of trousers.
Properties: Girl-fan Boy- handkerchief

17. Dance Terms Bow- also called Saludo. It is a sign of respect or courtesy. Clockwise- motion in the
direction of the hands of the clock Counterclockwise- motion in a reverse direction of the hands of the
clock.

18. Arms in Lateral Position- Both arms on one side of the body either left or right side.This can be done
at shoulder , chest or waist level. Arms in Reverse T Position- Both arms sideward, elbow bent at right
angle forearms parallel to head, palms facing inward. Kumintang- Ilocano dance term done by turning
the hand from the wrist either clockwise or counterclockwise.

19. Dance Steps Three Steps and point- done in a two measures (2M). With a step pattern step(1),
ste(2), step(3), point (1,2,3) Waltz- with a step pattern of step (1), close (2), step (3). Close step- with
step pattern of step (1, 2) close (3). Touch Point- with a step pattern of Point (1,2), close-step (3).
20. Dance Figures ---Saludo--- 1. Three Steps and Point 2. Pointing 3. Back to Back 4. Hide ans Seek with
Fan 5. Kneeling and Fanning 6. Hide and Seek with Handkerchief 7. Flirting with Handkerchief 8. Flirting -
-Saludo---

21. Subli -well known ceremonial worship dance in honor of Mahal na Poong Sta. Cruz. Originate some
300 years ago in the Barrio of Dingin, Alitagtag, Batangas. -derived from the Tagalog words “subsub”
(stooped or in a crouching position and “bali” (broken).

22. It is performed by the ladies with their hats together with the graceful movements of their arms and
hands, while the male dancer performed in a stooping position trying to attract the women by stomping
the ground and clicking castanets.

23. This dance performed for nine days as novena with the accompaniment of kalatong or tugtugan, a
dried hollow wood shaped from the trunk of a jack-fruit tree and covered by dried skin of forest lizard
called bayawak.

24. Jotabal -lively festival dance introduce by the Spaniards originated in Camohaguin, Gumaca Quezon.
Derived from “jota” means popular dance and” balse” means waltz.

25. Jota Gumaqueña -very popular dance among the well- heeled families of Gumaca, Tayabas (now
Quezon). A well-known local musician at the time, Señor Herminigildo Omana, introduced this dance. It
became popular with the young people and was handed down between generations.

26. Tinikling - A folkdance of Visayas with a pair of dancers hopping between two bamboo poles held
just above the ground and struck together in time to music. Originated from Leyte Province, this dance is
in fact a mimic movement of “tikling birds” hopping over trees, grass stems or over bamboo traps set by
farmers. Dancers perform this dance with remarkable grace and speed jumping between bamboo poles.

27. Maglalatik - Originally performed in Binan, Laguna as a mock-war dance that demonstrates a fight
between the Moros and the Christians over the prized latik or coconut meat during the Spanish rule, this
dance is also shown to pay tribute to the town’s patron saint, San Isidro Labrador.

28. It has a four-part performance such as the palipasan and the baligtaran showing the intense battle,
the paseo and the escaramusa- the reconciliation. Moro dancers wear read trousers while the Christian
dancers show up in blue. All dancers are male; with harnesses of coconut shells attached on their chests,
backs, thighs and hips.

29. Pandanggo sa Ilaw - The word pandanggo comes from the Spanish dance “fandango”characterized
with lively steps and clapping while following a varying ¾ beat. Pandanggo requires excellent balancing
skill to maintain the stability of three tinghoy, or oil lamps, placed on head and at the back of each hand.
This famous dance of grace and balance originated from Lubang Island, Mindoro.

30. Binasuan - Originated in Pangasinan Province “meaning with the use of drinking glasses”, this vibrant
dance basically shows off balancing skill of the performers. Glasses filled with rice wine are placed on
the head and on each hand carefully maneuvered with graceful movements. This dance is common in
weddings, fiestas and special occasions.

31. Itik-itik -is a mimetic folk dance in The Philippines. It originated in the province of Surigao in
Mindanao. In Itik-itik (from the Tagalog word for "duck"), the dance steps imitate the movements of
ducks among rice paddies and swamplands, such as wading, flying, and short, choppy steps.

32. According to history of this dance, a young woman named Kanang (short for Cayetana) happened to
be the best performer in the province of Surigao del Norte. At one baptismal reception, she was asked
to dance the Sibay, and began improvising her steps in the middle of her performance imitating the
movements of an “itik”, a duck, as it walks with choppy steps and splashes water on its back while
attracting its mate. Because of its unusual steps and fascinating interpretation, the audience began
imitating her.

33. Pantomina (Spanish for Pantomime) -The dance was also called Salampati during the Spanish
occupation. It means"Dance of the Doves", this dance is the highlight of Sorsogon’s Kasanggayahan
Festival every third week of October. It is a courtship dance originated from imitating the courtship and
lovemaking of doves that then showed during the dance where men attempt to please the women.