• Dancing was considered a religious activity among the early Filipinos. Dances were performed by the priests and priestesses in thanksgiving for a plentiful harvest, a victorious battle, a prosperous voyage or recovery from sickness.

• During the Spanish regime, dancing played an important part in the social activity of the people. Among the Christianized Filipino groups, the Kumintang was the oldest Dance and song. It was a pantomimed song and dance. The Pampango is another dance characterized by the movements of the Lion and clapping of the hands. These dance were set aside with the coming of the Spaniards, but were later revived as new dances.

•Dances such as the Fandango,Lanceros, Rigodon, Carinosa and Curacha were introduced by the Spaniards. The Folk Dances of today were adaptations of the old native dances.

Some of the Folk Dances

with Spanish Influence are:

•Estudiantina

•Mazurka Boholana

•Mazurka Mindorena

•Polka sa Nayon

Estudiantina- This is lively dance which originated from Unisan, Quezon province (formerly Tayabas).During the olden days, this dance was a favorite in social gatherings and was usually by young men and women who were students of private school and colleges in Manila.

The boys were called Estudiantes by the barrio folks and the girls,Estudiantas.

Mazurka Boholana- This traditional ballroom dance was popular in Bohol and in other provinces during the Spanish time. This was originally performed with couples Scattered informally about the room with no definite sequence of steps and directions followed.

Mazurka Mindorena- This beautiful festival dance from Mindoro was the premiere dance of the high society of Mindoro during the Spanish period.Don Antonio Luna, considered one Of the best dancers of his time, was responsible for preserving and popularizing this dance in the Province of Mindoro.

Polka sa Nayon- This ballroom polka was popular in the province of Batangas during town fiestas and in big social affairs.