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Maglalatik Folk Dance

Presented by: Meredith Cas

​All traditional dances tell a story. The indigenous Maglalatik dance of Philippines mimics the battle between the Christian and the Muslim Moro tribesmen. Maglalatik is also called as “Magbabao” where ‘bao’ means ‘a coconut shell’. It is an all–male dance with coconut shells used as props. The Maglalatik embodies the element of a battle, reconciliation and a prize as well. It is usually performed during religious processions at the town fiesta of Binan. It is also a mark of obeisance to the patron saint of the town, San Isidro de Labrador. A calm and elegant display of harmless weaponry, Maglalatik is a four part war dance, which the Moro had won technically.

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​INTRODUCTION

​ Maglalatik, a folk dance in Luzon, is not just any other traditional dance in the Philippines that mimics the movements of animals. This dance in the Philippines has a meaning. It is a mock war dance that depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highly-prized food.

​The Filipino folk dance is broken into four parts: two devoted to the battle and two devoted to reconciling. The dancing men wear coconut shells as part of their costumes, and they hit them in rhythm with the music. Maglalatik is danced in the religious procession during the fiesta of Biñan, Laguna as an offering to San Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.

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​HOW DID IT ORIGINATE?

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​ Philippines were under the Spanish rule from the 15th–18th centuries. During this period, there was a constant battle between the Christian and the Muslim Moro tribes. As the Spanish rule ended, the Filipinos began to perform a mock battle by forming two groups of Christian and the Moros. The intention was to preserve the past. Groups of men performed a war dance with no weapons but used coconut shells as props. This dance form came to be known as Maglalatik dance as the prize for winning the war was Latik. Latik is the residue obtained after boiling the coconut milk. This war dance was performed as a part of a religious procession, moving along the streets. It originated in the town of Binan in the Laguna province of the Filipino Islands and is also performed as homage to the town saint, San Isidro de Labrador.

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​ The first two parts of this dance are the ‘Palipasan’ (to pass) and the ‘Baligtaran’ (back-to-back), show the hea-ted encounter between the two groups. The last two parts consist of the ‘Paseo’ (stroll) and the ‘Sayaw Esca-ramusa’ (the Escaramura dance). Those who represent the Moros wear red trousers and those who represent the Christians wear blue.

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HOW IS IT PERFORMED?

​ Maglalatik is an original native dance of the Philippines in which the coconut halves are attached to the torso of the dancer. Coconut shells are tied to the hands and about 4–6 coconut shells are hung on the vest of the dancers. The dance is performed by hitting the coconut shells by one another and is tied one in the hands and one on the body. It comprises a four part scene. The palipasan and baligtaran part show intense battle whereas the paseo and escaramusa parts show the reconciliation. The dance involves simple movements, its repetition and the sound of fast drum beats.

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​Is there a costume peculiar to this dance?

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​ Maglalatik dance is typically performed by men. The Moros wear red trousers and black undershirts with long sleeves and the Christians, blue trousers and white undershirts with long sleeves. Coconut shells are attached to the dancers: two places on front just below the shoulders, two pieces at the back of shoulders and two at the back of the waist, two pieces above the knees and one piece in each hand. The coconut shells at the shoulders (front and back) and waist are circular while those above the knees and those held by the hands are triangular in form and are attached to the dancers. For grown-up boys the torso may be bare and the trousers rolled up.

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​Are there any gender roles associated with this dance?

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​ Maglalatik dance is usually performed by men. It is an all–male dance mainly for the reason that it involves rituals of warfare, which necessitate fast and tough movements. It is a masculine type of performance where only male dancers participate. However, professional troupes sometimes, include women.

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​Training availability and technique involved in the Maglalatik:

​In terms of technique, this dance is basically divided into four parts namely baligtaran, palipasan, paseo and escaramusa. In the first two parts of this dance i.e. baligtaran and palipasan basically movements showing a performer engaging in a battle is used. Furthermore, in the last two components of this dance i.e. paseo and escaramusa movements showing performers reconciling and making peace is used. In addition, coconut shells are generally used as a musical instrument by the performers while dancing. As for training centres and schools, there are none available around the world since this “indigenous” dance is mainly performed in the Philippines.

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​DANCE STEPS OF MAGLALATIK

​1. 6 8-counts jogging to get to place

2. 4 steps forward while pounding chest

3. 4 basic clap cycles in place

4. 4 basic clap cycles to get to two rows

5. 8 quick clap cycles to do the ripple effect

6. 8 quick clap cycles to circle around partner

7. circle up 2 8-counts + 1 4-count for first clap

clap after 1 8-count 3X Finishing clap

8. 8 high-low clap cycles to move to position

9. 8 cycles of 6 hit clapping

10. 16 counts for tricks with clapping in the background

11. 4 basic to get to two sides

12. 8 quick clap cycles for the battle

13. 4 quick clap cycles to get to end after last clap

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