Forgotten Folk Dance
Of The Philippines
The Journey
San Francisco State University Dance Professor, and our program's "Dance Artist", Ray Tadio, has launched a search for some of the forgotten folk dances of the Philippines. His work has uncovered three dances from the province of Zambales, including one dance of the Aeta people. These dances tell the stories of the various peoples who call this part of the Philippines, home.
Forgotten Folk Dance Of The Philippines
The Story
Forgotten Folk Dances: the Philippines follows Professor Tadio’s journey as he researches, restores and revives three lost folk dances: Rigodon di Honor di San Narciso, Talipe and Baile en Honor a Maria. These dances are part of the history of San Narciso and Zambales, yet they are not part of the canon of Philippine folk dance. That canon is determined by the Philippine Folk Dance Society (the Society).
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The folk dances of this area have been strongly influenced by the three centuries of Spanish rule of the islands. Two of the lost dances reflect this heritage:Rigodon di Honor di San Narciso and Baile en Honor a Maria. The third dance, Talipe, is a memetic dance of the Aeta people.
Although folk dancing is a popular activity in Zambales, only one San Narciso dance has been recognized (i.e., published) by the Society and none of the Aeta dances have been published. Professor Tadio is seeking to restore these dances and bring them back to the attention of the public and ultimately, to the attention of the Philippine Dance Society.
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Through his work in researching the dances, reconstructing them, and having them performed, the dances will be given new life. And more importantly, the stories told by these dances will continue to be told.
Why It Matters
Folk dance has played a tremendous role in Philippine life. Nonetheless, the canon of Philippine folk dance is not complete. Professor Ray Tadio is one who is seeking to give forgotten folk dances, and the stories they tell, their due.
