Pandanggo

Pandanggo is a Philippine folk dance which has become popular among the rural folks and found in many places in the Philippines. There are many versions of this dance, and even in one locality, dancers have many ways of performing it. It has gay and sprightly figures. It may be danced at any social gathering and is usually accompanied by clapping. The pandanggo described here was found in the province of Leyte. In some places, the musicians did not stop playing until four to five couples have danced, one after the other. When one couple tires, another takes its place until there are no more who want to dance. The musicians play faster and faster after each repetition until the dancers are exhausted. Two of the most popular version of Pandanggo as a performing art are the Pandanggo sa Ilaw from Mindoro, and Oasioas. Pandanggo is still danced by many people but mostly in religious rituals and processions such as the Pandangguhan sa Pasig, during the procession of St. Martha, and the Sayaw sa Obando. The dance evolved from Fandango, a Spanish folk dance, which arrived in the Philippines during the Hispanic period. This dance, together with the Jota, became popular among the illustrados and later adapted among the local communities. Each locality will have their own version of the dance. In the early 18th century, any dance that is considered jovial and lively were called Pandanggo. While Fandango in Spain was superceded by its modern version, the Flamenco, it has evolved into a popular folk dance, and as a ritual dance in many religious processions in the Philippines.