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VALSE DE MARIKINA: Philippine Folk Dance from Marikina City

Valse or balse in Tagalog was a popular dance in Marikina, Rizal during the Spanish times. Valse means ‘waltz.’ This dance was performed after the “lutrina” (a religious processesion) and the music that accompanied the dancers was played by the “musikong bungbong” (musicians using instruments made of bamboo).

Traditionally, the lutrina is usually held when people of a certain community suffer from a long dry season or pestilence of any kind. The participants carry lighted candles and they pray along the way with a statue of their patron saint or a crucifix bringing up the rear of the procession. After the procession, the participants gather at the house or yard of the “hermana” (sponsor) and bags of foods (biscuits, rice cakes, fruits, candies) are distributed to them. During the refreshments or after it, there is dancing and singing by the people gathered there.

Originally the female dancers wear “balintawak” style dress with a “tapis,” soft “pañuelo,” and “corcho” while the male dancers wear “barong tagalog,” white pants, and “chinelas.” In the version here, the ladies wear tailed mestiza dress with stiff pañuelo, and heeled shoes; and the men, in a formal all-white attire popular during the American era.

[Performed by the Bayanihan National Philippine Folk Dance Company last 3 February 2019 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) of Cultural Center of the Philippines during the Pasinaya 2019]