RURAL SUITE
Vibrant, Lively, Joyous
Dances representing a way of life in the Christianized lowlands throughout the Philippines. These dances are usually the most well-known and loved of all traditional Philippine dances. They exemplify a love of life and work, utilizing bright and colorful costumes. PAMANA is renowned for its Rural repertoire bringing audiences to their feet at numerous performances.
Combining several dances of skill into one lively, jaw dropping performance, PAMANA is sure to amaze its audience with its signature suite. Below are some of many dances in this suite that PAMANA perform.
Scroll down, to know more about the musical instruments for this suite!
Tinikling
Description: The movements are based on the long-legged tikling bird while it avoids bamboo traps set up by farmers in rice fields. Performers dance through these bamboos that open and close to an accelerating rhythm. This is one of PAMANA’s signature dances, stylizing a few modern elements with traditional movements.
Dance variations includes: 1, 2 or 3 couples alongside their clickers, with or without an animation. Note: An animation is a short tutorial session to allow for your guests to step into the bamboo with the guidance of our dancers. Click HERE for video portfolio of this dance.
Karatong
Description: Its name derived after the bamboo instrument worn and played by the male performers. The karatong is struck to a fast rhythm, in the hopes of attracting good luck and driving away evil spirits. The women dance with bunga mangga, an artistic representations of mango trees. It is a festive dance celebrating a bountiful harvest.
Dance variation(s) includes: 3, 4 or 6 couples.
Click HERE for video portfolio of this dance.
Pandanggo sa Ilaw
Description: Translated as the "dance of lights", it is a waltz-style, playful folk dance showcasing unique fusion of local and western indigenous dance forms. The term oasiwas refers to "swinging" which is normally another folk dance; however, PAMANA incorporates some of its elements into one enjoyable performance.
Dance variation(s) includes: 2, 3 or 4 couples (3 couples recommended). Note: for best experience, low lighting enhances the candle light during the performance.
Click HERE for video portfolio of this dance.
Bulaklakan
Description: Its name partially derived after the word "flower" or bulaklak, in a shape of an arc creating a series of floral garlands. This attractive and lovely dance is performed by young women who gracefully and gently sway their floral garlands typically to give honor to the Virgin Mary during Easter.
Dance variation(s) includes: 4 to 6 female dancers.
Click HERE for video portfolio of this dance.
Sayaw sa Banko
Description: Its name translated as "dance on a bench", it is originally performed with couples dancing on top of their banko (translated as "bench"). As the dance evolves, however, more and more benches are added, until the stack of benches resembles a tower. PAMANA stylizes this folkloric dance into modern entertainment that sure to keep your on your toes in excitement.
Dance variation(s) includes: 2-3 couples and bench holders; Note: Please refrain using flash photography as this dance is dangerous. *Height requirement: Number of benches stacked from floor to lowest lighting fixture or hanging objects goes as follows: 3 benches (minimum 15 feet), 5 benches (minimum 20 feet), 7 benches (minimum 31+ feet, only available on stage theater); Click HERE for video portfolio of this dance.
Bilaskogay
Description: A lively dance in which dancers imitate the playful jumping movements of shrimp. This is a relatively new folk dance that has come from the various fishing villages that dot the Philippine mainland.
Dance variation(s) includes: 3-4 couples.
Video portfolio of this dance coming soon.
Binasuan
Description: Originating from the province of Pangasinan, Binasuan is often danced at weddings and celebrations. This is a dance of skill, in which performers balance glasses on their heads and hands while performing various tricks. Note: This dance may or may not include the use of the benches.
Dance variation(s) includes: 2-4 female dancers, alongside 1-4 male dancers. Video portfolio of this dance coming soon.
Itik Itik
Description: Itik Itik is a joyful, playful dance in which female dancers imitate the spirited movements of baby ducks. Legend has it that the dance originated in the province of Surigao del Norte, during a birthday party when one of the guests started to imitate a duck among the rice paddies.
Dance variation(s) includes: 4-6 female dancers.
Video portfolio of this dance coming soon.
THE SOUNDS OF THE DANCE SUITE
RURAL SUITE - Rondalla
RONDALLA in this suite:
With the arrival of the Spanish came the introduction of various string instruments to the sound of traditional Filipino music; giving birth to the Filipino rondalla!
Some of the main instruments include the bandurria, the octavina, the laud and the guitar. Together, they form the distinct melody and sound of the Maria Clara and Rural suites.
Contrary to the Maria Clara style of music, the music in Rural is meant to convey the upbeat and playfulness of the dances to add to the feeling that you are at a fiesta.
Often, the music is used to emphasize the stunts and acrobatics of a particular dance, such as the increase in tempo throughout Tinikling, which results in the bamboos closing faster and faster as the dance progresses.
This interplay between music and dance creates dynamic stages that will surely eave the audience in awe.
