One of the national dances we should be proud of is the Cariñosa. This is a courtship dance known through out the philippines with its flirtatious movements. The word “carinosa” means affectionate, amiable, or lovable. Ther are many versions of this dance, but hide and seek movements using a fan and a handkerchief are the most common.
Cariñosa (meaning the loving or affectionate one) is a Philippine dance of Hispanic origin from the Maria Clara suite of Philippine folk dances, where the fan or handkerchief plays an instrumental role as it places the couple in romance scenario.
The dance was originated in the Panay Islands on the Visayan Islands and it was introduced by the Spaniards during their colonization of the Philippines. It is related to some of the Spanish dances like the bolero and the Mexican dance Jarabe Tapatio or the Mexican Hat Dance.
Costumes
Originally Carinosa was danced with Maria Clara dress and Barong Tagalog for it is a Maria Clara Spanish Dance when it is introduced. However as the Filipino people saw and imitated this dance, they wore the patadyong kimona and camisa de chino to reveal their love as a Filipino and other steps was revised to make it more Filipino but the music did not change at all and reveals a Spanish Influence to the Filipinos. As listed by the book of F.R. Aquino dancers may wear balintawak style (a native dress of the Tagalog regions), camisa (a white sleeve) or patadyong kimona ( a dress of the Visayan of people)and for boys a barong Tagalog and colored pants. Because it is a national dance, the dancers may wear any Filipino costumes.Music
The music of Carinosa shows a great Spanish influence to the Filipinos. It is 3/4 in rhythm like some of the Spanish dances. The Philippine Rondalla are playing this music of the dance where it is an ensemble or an orchestra of string instruments in the Philippines similar to the Spanish musicians in Spain that comprises bandurrias, mandolins, guitar, basses, drums, and banjos. Mostly men are playing rondalla instruments but women may also take part.How to dance Cariñosa
What are the basic steps of the carinosa?- 1. three steps and point
time signature: 3
4
count : 1,2,3 to a measure.
movement : with the R (L) foot; take three steps sideward right, ct.1 (count 1,2,3)
point L (R) foot in fourth position in front (ct.1,2,3) - 2. Touch step.
Time signature: 3
4
Count : 1,2,3 – 2m.
Movement : point R (L) foot in fourth position in front (ct. 1,2,3) - 3.Waltz step
movement : touch R (L) toes forward (cts. 1,2)
close R (L) ct.3 - 4 .Manipulation of fan.
