Traditional Filipino Costumes in Folk Dance: Tinikling, Singkil and More

If you've been to a Pilipino Cultural Night or a fiesta, you've seen traditional Filipino costume at its most dramatic: on stage, in motion. Each folk dance has its own look.

Tinikling

The national dance imitates the tikling bird stepping between bamboo poles. Women typically wear the balintawak or patadyong with a kimona top, and men wear the barong Tagalog or a camisa de chino with rolled trousers, often barefoot.

Singkil

A royal Maranao dance from Lanao, Singkil follows a princess stepping gracefully between clapping bamboo poles while holding fans. Costumes feature the malong and rich Maranao colors, jewelry and headdresses.

Maglalatik

From Laguna, this dance began as a mock battle. Male dancers wear coconut shell halves strapped to their chest, back, hips and thighs, and strike them in rhythm.

Pandanggo sa Ilaw

Dancers balance oil lamps on their heads and hands. The costume is usually a patadyong or balintawak with a bright top.

Cordillera dances

Dances from the mountain provinces feature woven tapis and bahag, beadwork and headdresses, and are tied to rituals and community celebrations.

Respect on stage

Many of these dances come from specific communities. Good dance groups research their source and credit the people they come from.

Wear the story

Folk dance is one of our favorite themes. Shop UGAT. UGAT means roots. Know yours.