REPERTOIRE

	“TRIBONG PINOY” Cordillera/Tribal   The dances of the people from Cordillera are reflections of adapting to their environment - the cool air, rugged and uneven terrain and as expressions of their beliefs and rituals.    4 Chieftains/Community   Kiling or Wood Pecker. During the month of September they appear in the planting season.   Idaw. A small brown bird believed to be an  omen by Kalinga warriors who watch its movement for some predictions about an impending battle.   Ragragsakan. The Kalinga borrowed a word from the Ilocano-ragragsakan, which means to make merry and this the Kalinga has plenty of.  Kalingan women skillfully balance baskets filled with items for a feast,  It is also a chance to display their colorful handwoven emblem:  blankets of each tribe.   Makatod. The Mandayao inhabit the Mindanao east coast along the upper Agusan River. The dance focuses on a young Prince who is borne high by  courtiers and given a place of honor by his people. The male dancers mimic the wing movements of the eagle.   Karasaguyon. A dance of entertainment, four maidens preening and moving as colorful birds in anticipation that they be chosen by a man who may have as many as four wives to help in household and field chores.   Blit B’laan. A courtship dance of the Bilaan of Davao del Sur imitating forest birds during the mating season.  Two richly-plumed male birds eye three female birds.  The females scurry to safety, burying their heads under their wings

	MARIA CLARA SUITE   The coming of the Spaniards in the 16th century marked the conversion of the Filipinos principally those in the Luzon and the Visayan regions, to the Catholic faith and the introduction of western lifestyle, hence, bringing about a magnitude of influence in the Filipino way of life.                         Estudiantina. A very lively and gay dance.  During the old days, this dance was a favorite in social gatherings and was peformed by the estudiantinas, women who were students of private schools and colleges in Manila.  They are seen holding a book in one hand throughout the dance.   Polkabal. A dance influenced by two district European styles: polka and valse.   Collar-Alay. An ancient tradition of welcoming guests.     Sampaguita.  A lovely Lipeña courted by two handsome Lipeño who tries to win her heart.   Panderetas. This dance named after the jingle-less tambourine/fan carried by the females, originates from Tanza, Iloilo.  In some regions the song is usually followed by some dances, and “Las Panderetas” is one of those dances.

	GLIMPSE OF MINDANAO   When the spaniards came to the Philippines they encountered pockets of the Muslim religion in Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan.  They tried to occupy and replace Islam with Christianity, but in vain for the Muslim resisted.  However, they had beautiful songs and dances, which were eaily liked and adopted by the people.             Kappa Malong-malong. Is a tabular cloth wrap around the body.  Maranaw women go through the different ways of manipulating the malong.   Silat. The muslims of Mindanao are experts in the use of the bladed weapons.  The most popular and widely used is the “kris”.  The “Silat” is a combat art and is accompanied by music when performed for exhibition.   Kinakulangan. The Maranao women show-off beautifully beaded umbrellas as they gracefully walk the “Kini-kini” to a wedding.   Mangalay. A Badjao-Samal variant featuring  graceful hand and arm movements.   Pangalay. A popular wedding dance in Basilan by the Yakans where dancers perform with music from the Kulintagan, gabbang, and agong ensemble during the wedding feast.   Lumba. A Maguindanao dance featuring the different buntings and decors used during Kalilang Festival.

	RURAL SUITE   The Filipinos are by nature lovers of arts.  They have developed songs, music and dances, peculiarly their own but with a blending of three centuries of Spanish domination and half a century in American, Asian, and European influences.  These are the dances of our countryside inspired by the rice fields, lakeshores, the birds and animals.  They depict  the various moods of  the people particularly the simplicity of the life in the rural areas.             Subli. From the town of Bauan,Batangas comes this ancient dance, originally performed in veneration of the holy cross of Alitagtag, referred to in the vernacular as Mahal na Poong Santa Cruz.  The word subli is derived from two Tagalog words subsub (stooped) and bali (broken).  Hence the men are stooped throughout the dance and appear to be lame and crooked, while the women dance with hats.       Harana/Pandanggo Oasioas. After a good catch, fishermen of Lingayen  would celebrate by drinking wine and by dancing, swinging and circling a lighted lamp.  Hence, the name “Oasioas” which in the Pangasinan dialect means “swinging.”  This unique and colorful dance calls for skill in balancing an oil lamp on the head while circling in each hand a lighted lamp wrapped in a porous cloth or fishnet.    Kalatong. This dance is named after the three-foot bamboo implement suspended around the neck or waist.  It is beaten in fast rhythm to bring good luck and to drive away evil spirits.    Lipeño Hymn. Our very own local song.