Philippine Folk dance: Kuratsa

(Version on the video is the popular Kuratsa Binisaya from Tacloban Leyte' found on the book Philippine Folk Dances V.1 by Francisa Reyes-Aquino but the music used is the Kuratsa Bago (from Bago City, Negros Occidental, notation foun in the "Visayan Folk Dances V1" by Libertad Fajardo)
The Kuratsa is highly favored by the Visayan people especially the Waray people of the Eastern Visayan region in the Philippines. Strictly speaking, only one couple dance it at a time. Believed to be a Mexican import (supposedly from La Cucaracha dance typical to Monterrey region of Mexico)- the Kuratsa is however, very different in the manner of execution than the Mexican counterpart. Even the "basic" Kuratsa music is not based on Mexican or even Spanish melodies.

Philippine dance researchers, however, point either to the "Kigal" and the "Bikal" as the 'ascendant' of the Kuratsa. The Kigal (spelled "Quigal" in early Spanish writings on Samar culture and lifeways) is a sort battle-of-sexes couple dance that imitate mating birds. The Kigal is in fact called by another name: Binanug or Kiglun (Kigalun?) that's according to a 17th century Samarnon dictionary by Jesuit missionary to Samar, Fr. Alcazar. It is interesting that Banug uis the Waray word for the hawk.

The Bikal is rather believed to be the fore runner of the Waray Balitaw because of the strict emphasis on "joust" of impromptu songs interspersed with dancing. The bikal is survived by the Ismaylingay and many versions of this art is preserved by aging "magsiriday" in Samar and to a lesser extent Leyte.

The Kigal dance step called 'sabay' is in fact very similar to the Kuratsa dance step called 'dagit' or when more daring the 'sagparak'. Dagit means swoop while sagparak is descriptive of a heated 'bulang' (cockfight). The block and chase portion of the Kuratsa (called 'palanat') is never seen in the Mexican social dance La Cucaracha but is very common among Samar 'amenudo' (or couple dances) like the Ismaylingay, Amoracion, Alimukon, Kuradang and Pantomina.

Popular versions of this dance exist in Samar can be classified as the Kuratsa Menor (the usual favorite) and the many versions of the daring Kuratsa Mayor. New genres of Kuratsa evolved as a result of necessity, like-as the name implies- Kuratsa kanan Kadam-an and a very funny Kuratsa nga Pinayungan appropriate for rainy days.

KURATSA
(Tacloban, Leyte)

Introduction.
Partners join inside hands, free hands down at the sides. Starting with the R foot, take three steps forward (cts 1,2,3). Put feet together and bow to partner or audience (ct 1).....[2M]
Dancers separate about six feet apart. The last two counts of the music are not played until the partners are in their proper places.




Watch out for my upcoming videos of the following dances:
Tinikling
Itik-itik
Kuratsa Samarnon
Lugkat
Lukay
An Marol
Surtido Samareño
Ismayling (Amoracion/Amoral)
An Lubi
An Lab-asero
Costurera
Maramyon (Leyte version)
Paspe
Ginabato
Pantomina de Samar
Salampati
Ti Yadut
Lavezares
Jota han Kalipay
La Jota Samareña
Kuradang
An Ulitawo
Bagol
Kadang
Ingkoy-ingkoy (Samar version)
Pastores (Samar version)
Estudiantina (Capul version)
Mazurka Capuleña
Panderetas (Tanza, Ilo-ilo version)
Engañosa (Pandangyado Mayor)
Pandangyado Cariñosa (Samar)
Pandagyado Buraweño
Pag-aring (Basey, Samar)
Jota Paloana (La Jota Navarra)
Paso Doble (Parañaque version)
Polka Tagala
Culebra (Bulacan)
Jota Cabangan
Jota Rizal
Jota Ibanag
Chotis Dingreña (Ilocano)
Sangkayao
Pangkilad
Flaggey Libon (T'boli)
Madal Tahu
Karal Kafi (Bilaan)
Ati-ati sa Bukid (Cuyo, Palawan)
Bendayan (Tchunggas)
Kadal Onuk (T'boli Bird Dance)
Karatong (excerpt)
Inday na Kunday (Southern Leyte)
Likod-likod
Gapus-gapusay
Man-manok
Sohten (Subanen)
Khinlesung
Pangalitawo
Madrileña
Takiling
Minandagit
Inahaw
Dugso
Siring
Sarungkay
Balisangkad
Tugatak
Dagit-dagit
Jota Moncadeña
Surtido Boronganon
Tachok
Chalijok
Ballangbang
Karasaguyon
Polka Lapis
Apoc
Pangalay
Paunjalay
Silong sa Ganding
Kandalamat sa Gandingan
Ipat (Demo)
Maong a Lalong
Palu-palo
Pawakan (Sabong)
Pinanyuwan
Buhay sa Bukid
Pakkong
Buling-buling Pandacan
Tacon y Punta Danza
Telipe