Philippine Ethnic Dances:  "Ancient in origin but contemporaneous, these dances occur in amazing diversity as it is performed by a variety of ethnic groups throughout the Philippines (comprising of 7,000 islands located on Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam).  The islands, being touched by some 60 ethnological groups; in a mixture of different cultures blending of foreign influences with native elements as they range from Hindu, Arabic, Malayan, Spanish, Chinese, to contemporary Western & many others is woven into the cultural fabric that is inherently Filipino. The forms and functions of the Philippine ethnic dances are many, some are part of a tribal rite or sacrifice; others are in native feasts & festivals to conciliate the spirits, seek deliverance from pestilence or mark births and deaths; & still others have a lighter burden to carry: flirtation or courtship, or to lighten the tasks of planting or harvesting.  Many of these dances have changed through time, but much of what it was are still alive in all color and rhythm, in many modes & observances.  Either in its pristine or translated forms, ethnic dance still forms part of the ritual, social and theatrical fabric of Filipinos today."

Andaluz:  Also known as Pasadeo Iloilo:  Named after its province of origin.  A sophisticated courtship and flirtation dance during the Spanish era.   Gentlemen compete among each other to win the heart of the dalaga, or young lady, by exemplifying chivalry, grace and confidence.

Binasuan:  Originated from Bayambang, Pangasinan, Philippines, this is a colorful and spectacular dance seen at weddings, birthdays, and fiestas.  Performers display their good balance and graceful movements; showing their skills as they maneuver and execute with glasses half-filled with rice wine on their palms of their hands or head, continuous fast turns, sitting, and rolling on the floor without dropping the glasses and/or spilling the wine.

Bulaklakan:  During the month of May it is the custom in many parts of the Philippines to celebrate the “Santa Cruz de Mayo,” a procession, usually followed by a social gathering in the house of the “Hermana Mayor.”  The celebration takes the form of folk dances held in front of a provisional altar.  As “Bulaklakan” is a lovely and attractive dance, it is indeed the appropriate folk dance for this occasion.  Though this folk dance is quite simple in steps, the dancers displays a colorful and eye-catching performance for everyone.

Very, very Carinosa

Cariñosa:  The National dance of the Philippines.  It is a flirtatious dance meaning affectionate, lovable, amiable.  With a fan and a handkerchief, the dancers go through hide-and-seek movements and other flirting acts expressing tender feelings for one another.

	Chotis:  A popular ballroom dance during the Spanish regime, most often, executing native “Chotis”  steps.
	Itik-Itik:  Popular among the Visayan settlers, this dance has many variations from which the dancers make their selection and combinations.  Originated from a dance called Sibay, as it is performed to the tune of Dejado.  Itik-Itik from the work Itik, meaning duck, derives its name as its dance steps are similar to the movements of ducks as they walk with short and choppy steps.

	Kapiil Sa Munsala:  Originating from Maranaw, Lanaom, Philippines, dancers showoff the various ways of maneuvering throughout the dance with multicolored handkerchiefs.
	Kilingkiñgan:  Kilingkiñgan is a small bird that lives in caves producing as it flies swiftly a queer sound resembling that of bamboo castanets struck together.  This dance is accompanied by a sinco-sinco, a five-stringed guitar usually performed during social gatherings among the country people of Cagayan, Philippines.

	Kunday-Kunday:  A native Tagalog dance demonstrating some artistic & graceful “kunday” hand movements.
	La Jota Moncadeña:  The “La Jota” dances were popularly performed during the Spanish regime in social gatherings by the Spanish “señoritas” and “caballeros”.  Originating from the people of Moncada, Tarlac, Philippines, this particular dance combines Spanish and Ilocano dance steps and music; using the castanets.

	Lubi-lubi:  Introduced as a social mixer, this ballroom-folk dance with many variations is popular in the Bicol regions of the Philippines.   Maglalatik:
	Pagtatanim:  In the Philippines, among many, Pagtatanim (rice planting) is considered as a ceremonial affair.  This occupational dance displays the tedious work of bending the body and stooping forward for almost the entire day while planting rice.  To ease the burden of work they sing, play and jest to the accompaniment of a guitar.

	Pandango Sa Ilaw:  One of the famous folkdance of the Philippines portraying grace and skill as dancers balance on their head and both hands, glasses with lighted candles throughout the entire dance.   Pukol  A native folk dance exhibiting somewhat an art of “striking or bumping” one another”.
	Sayaw Ed Tapaw Na Bankgo: Meaning “the dance on top of a bench” .  This dance is from the barrio of Pagpisan, Lingayen, Pangasinan which is a lively native dance that is actually performed on top of a narrow bench which calls for skill and good balance.

Singkil:  a dance of Moro royalty, originated from Lanao del Sur, Mindanao, Philippines. The legend states that the diwatas (nymph fairy) played jokes on a Muslim princess when walking through the woods, causing an earthquake; making the trees tremble and the rocks to roll.  Nothing daunted; she skipped nimbly through the woods, not a tree or rock ever touched her tiny feet.  Dancers wear their solemn faces and maintain a dignified pose as they simultaneously dance & wave their fans & weave expertly through the clashing & crisscrossed bamboos in a slow pace rhythmic clapping of the bamboo poles which soon progresses to a faster tempo, both forming an unforgettable kaleidoscope of color and sound that is fascinating to the beholder.

Subli:  A favorite dance of the people during the town and barrio fiestas of the municipality of Batangas, Philippines which originated some 300 years ago.  It is a ceremonial worship dance performed in homage to the Holy Cross referred to in the vernacular as Mahal Na Poong Santa Cruz.  In every rendition, Subli features the gaiety of everyone seemingly unmindful of the frowning firmament as they sway with the whoosh of straw hats and keep time to the snappy clicking of bamboo castanets.

Tinikling:  Originated in the province of Leyte in the Philippines.  It is a dance imitating the movements of tikling birds as they play and chase each other.  Hence, it is named after the bird, tikling.  It is during the harvest season that this dance is usually performed.  Men & women (representing the birds) must keep up their skill, endurance, and grace by hoping and leaping between the bamboo sticks (representing the hunters) that are clapped in time to the music.