LESSON 4

With each passing year, customs and beliefs of groups of people get built little by little, slowly with time forming into traditions. Folk dances represent one of the strongest ways these (sometimes truly ancient) traditions of countries and regions can be showcased to the public. Even though many traditional dances bear the name of an ethnic dance, not all of them remained folk dances, but all of them try to emphasize the cultural roots of the particular dance. Some of them morphed over time into religious dances, and as such, they are not primarily used to showcase tradition but to enhance religious ceremonies and beliefs. Such dances are often called religious or ritual dances. 

A. Ethnic / Folk Dance Defined 

A folk dance is a dance developed by people that reflect the life of the people of a certain country or region. Not all ethnic dances are folk dances. For example, ritual dances or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances. Ritual dances are usually called "Religious dances" because of their purpose. The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used when it is required to emphasize the cultural roots of the dance. In this sense, nearly all folk dances are ethnic ones.

B. Philippine Folk Dance 

The history of Philippine folk dancing incorporates influences from immigrants and conquerors while at the same time maintaining distinctly Filipino roots. Philippine folk dancing is a true reflection of daily life in past centuries while enchanting modern audiences at the same time.

Folk Dance Title: Lapay Bantigue Meaning: Seagulls of Bantigue Island, 

Masbate Dance Culture: Coastal Christians 

Place of Origin: Bantigue Island, Masbate Ethnolinguistic 

Group: Masbateno

 Classification: Comic, Mimetic (fowl )

Background / Context: 

Like many small islands, Bantigue of Masbate rely on the sea to supply fish to great parts of the Bicol region. Each dawn, Bantigue village awaits the arrival of boats with their catch. Gathered on the beach with the people are thousands of lapay or seagulls, flying overhead or moving around the sand and seashore. To while away their time, people turn their attention to the lapay, shooing them or imitating their flight, swoops, dives and glides. This playful frolicking started the first steps of an unrehearsed dance. Music was brought in later to lend order and form. It did not take long before couples competed in show-offs lapay antics, the very core of what lapay is today. 

Costume: 

Female Top (Baro) and Skirt (Saya) Overskirt (Tapis)

 Male - Top (Camisa de Chino) - Pants 

(Colored peasant pants, rolled up just below the knee)

Footwear – Barefoot