By: Christine Angelly A. Bañares

SUBLI

the oldest form of the dance and the earliest form of communication

the traditional dance of a given country which evolved naturally and spontaneously with everyday activitiese.g. occupations, customs, festivals, rituals

What is FOLK DANCE?

it is handed down from generation to generation

it has more or less a fixed movement in their pattern but may differ in various areas or provinces

What is FOLK DANCE?

Cordillera Dances

Tagalog Folk Dances

Banga – Kalinga Tribe

Bendian – Benguet Tribe

Salisid – Kalinga Tribe

Manmanok – Bago

Tribe

Maria Clara Dances

Tagalog Folk Dances

Aray – Ermita, Manila

Balse – Marikina, Rizal

Estudiantina - Manila

Habanera – Botolan,

Zambales

Rural Dances

Tagalog Folk Dances

Binasuan – Bayambang, Pangasinan

Maglalatik – Biñan, Laguna

Sakuting - Abra

Sayaw Sa Bangko –

Pangapisan, Lingayen,

Pangasinan

The term subli owes its meaning to two tagalog words "subsub" meaning to fall with the head and "bali" which means broken. Hence, the dancers appear to be lame and crooked throughout the dance.

What is SUBLI?

It is a folkdance in the Philippines which is considered to be a favorite of the people of the barrios of the municipality of Bauan, Batangas.

It is a ceremonial worship dance performed in homage to the Holy Cross referred to in the vernacular as Mahal Na Poong Santa Cruz.

What is SUBLI?

Subli originated some three hundred years ago in the barrio of Dingin, Alitagtag, Batangas. According to a research made by Dr. Elena Mirano, the word "subli" came from the old Tagalog word "sobli" meaning "salisi" or "exchange of place". Subli is the dance portion of a devotion performed in honor of the Mahal ng Poong Santa Cruz.

History

It is a religious ritual composed of both songs and dances.

The music has no melody, only drum beats for the dances and chants.

It consists of a long sequence of prayers in verse, songs, and dances, performed in fixed sequences.

It could go on for several hours as participants perform different sets of dances and chants.

Traditional Subli

Subli

The music has a rhythmic melody to dance with.

One performance is equivalent to 2 – 3 minutes.

Performed during competitions or dance presentations.

The stances, gestures, and movements of the male dancers are freewheeling and dramatic, consisting of leaping, striking the ground with wooden bamboo clappers held in both hands known as kalaste, and other movements suggesting the martial arts.

The female dancers circle on half-toe, performing the talik, small refined gestures with wrists and fingers, their fingers grazing their small-brimmed hats and alampay, a triangular scarf worn loosely over the shoulder, that are the essential parts of their costume.

Subli