sam maravilla

HARDINERA Hardinera (meaning, “lady gardener”) is a simple, but beautiful dance from Ilocos Norte province, northern Philippines. It is supposed to depict or reveal the gardening industry in the province. This dance started to become popular in during the war years in Ilocos Norte. TANDA DE VAL: Philippine Folk Dance from Atimonan, Quezon, Philippines Tanda de Val (literally, “series of waltzes” is lovely folk dance from Atimonan, Quezon Province based on waltz steps. In the olden times, the people perform this dance on merry-makings or gatherings after a bountiful harvest. GARAMBAL: Philippine Folk Dance from Camiling, Tarlac, Philippines A corruption of gran valse, the Spanish for “grand waltz.” This Ilocano dance from Camiling, Tarlac, Central Luzon, Philippines is performed by two women who alternately dances with one man. The women flirt with man with the use of either a native hat or a folding fan. The man makes his choice known at the end of the dance. TAGULTOL: Fishing Fe...

MALAGUEÑA DE CATANAUAN More than just an icon, the “Lady of Malaga” (malagueña) is a representative of Old Spain. Spain's culture and traditions, including songs and dances were brought to the islands by the cleric, government officials, sailor-traders and prominent people, over a span of 300 years. Great effort was exerted to make sure that Spanish was Spanish and Filipino was Filipino. But history proved them wrong. From the time, the “Lady of Malaga” invaded the dance floors of big parties and social gatherings, her execution of cubrados, marchas, paseos, vueltas and zapateados were watched and tried by her Filipino counterpart, the native señoritas with a great degree of success. Very driven, very proficient, the Filipino coped with the issue of perfecting herself to stand at par with her Spanish cousin. The result was a new malagueña that transcended the prototype with additional steps from dances already known. Rendered in duple parts and triple measure, the dance was less...

VALSE DE MARIKINA: Philippine Folk Dance from Marikina City Valse or balse in Tagalog was a popular dance in Marikina, Rizal during the Spanish times. Valse means ‘waltz.’ This dance was performed after the “lutrina” (a religious processesion) and the music that accompanied the dancers was played by the “musikong bungbong” (musicians using instruments made of bamboo). Traditionally, the lutrina is usually held when people of a certain community suffer from a long dry season or pestilence of any kind. The participants carry lighted candles and they pray along the way with a statue of their patron saint or a crucifix bringing up the rear of the procession. After the procession, the participants gather at the house or yard of the “hermana” (sponsor) and bags of foods (biscuits, rice cakes, fruits, candies) are distributed to them. During the refreshments or after it, there is dancing and singing by the people gathered there. Originally the female dancers wear “balintawak” style dress wi...

JOTA CAVITEÑA Jota Caviteña is a dance that shows strong Spanish influence. The "jota" being among the most popular of the Spanish dances which were "Filipinized" by the people in many places across Luzon and the Visayas. This version uses unstrung elongated bamboo clickers instead of the Spanish wooden castañuelas. This jota version is from Cavite, hence the name. Popularized by the Bayanihan National Folk Dance Company, the dance has been passed on from one performing group to another incorporating each performing group's reinterpretation as in the case in this video performance of the dance by the Sindaw Performing Arts Guild based in Pasig City, Metro Manila.

JOTA RIZAL During the Spanish regime, the jota dances were among the most popular dances of in the Philippines. This version from Batangas, was very popular during the time Dr. Jose Rizal.

SAYAW SA CUYO A mazurka from Cuyo, Palawan originally performed to the music provided by the tipanu band playing the Cuyonon folk songs “Konsomisyon” and “Taringting.” Originally researched by Mrs. Violeta B. Jutare and Mrs. Fe Tria Fernandez as “Cuyo Mazurka.” The version here, is the all-female one researched by Ramon Obusan, which was also sourced from Mrs. Jutare through then Cuyo, Palawan Mayor Antonio Ponce de Leon. Performed by the Indak Bambino Folkloric Group of Batangas City Taken at the Cultural Center of the Philippines | February 4, 2018