WRITTEN TASK FOR UNIT 3/ LIBRARY/ RESEARCH DAY ON October 7, 2023.

This will be
submitted in pdf format in the class GC on October 14, 2023. Label the file with Group #.

Topic: Zamboanga Hermosa Festival Dance

Section: Morgan
Group #: 2
Members:
Wee, Nheil Francis R. Wee, Jasslene Sydelle S.
Evangelista, Jared Sardido, Joanna Marie D.
Quilantang, Jessie J. Jr. Santos, Biance Nicole
Abdulgani, Brian Ghan Marquez, Christian Marq R.
Torres, Blake Rusel, Ronald

Task:
Assign a member or two to answer the questions inside the box with proper citations of the
discussion. Have a list of references at the end. You may watch videos of the Hermosa Festival
Street Dance Competition on Youtube to help you answer the questions.

1. What are the traditional dances found in Zamboanga City? Discuss briefly its history and
development, purpose/ significance to the Zamboangueño culture.

(Member/s assigned: Sardido, Joanna Marie D.)

Asia's Latin City, Zamboanga has always been a melting pot of cultures all mixed in harmony under one
city. These cultures are what help cultivate the existence of the different traditional dances in this city.

● Chavacano de Zamboanga - The word Chavacano is only as old as the Chavacano language itself.
The word Chavacano is not a Spanish word, but a Creole word derived from the Spanish word
"Chabacano," which means "tasteless" or "vulgar." The Chavacano language is a mixture of Spanish
and the native languages of the Philippines. The dance is a way to identify the diversity of its
people and is continuously being passed down from one generation to another, allowing us to
glimpse how our ancestors proclaimed love and courage long ago (Hurley & Camins, 2018)

The Chavacano de Zamboanga dance is significant to the culture of the city as it depicts the city's
history and diversity. The dance is a way to identify the diversity of its people and is continuously
being passed down from one generation to another, allowing us to glimpse how our ancestors
proclaimed love and courage long ago. The dance is also a way to showcase the beauty of the
city's boulevards and seaports, which are known for their beautiful sunsets.

● Tumahik - is a traditional pre-wedding dance of the Yakan. As a suitor, the man must prove his
courageousness and that he is willing to protect his bride at all costs in front of the bride’s family
(Love and Courage Expressed through Zamboanga Dances, n.d.).
● Regodon - Also known as Rigodon de Honor, this is a traditional Filipino, specifically a dance from
Zamboanga that was introduced by the Spanish. It’s usually performed at formal events such as
inaugural balls and is considered an “honor dance” from the Spanish colonial period. The dance
involves pairs of dancers arranged in a square, moving in and out at arm's length while following a
“crossover” routine (Ki, 2020).
● Paso Doble - a lively and dramatic Spanish dance that mimics the movements of a bullfight. The
term “Paso Doble” means “double step” in Spanish, referring to the marching nature of the steps.
It’s often performed at ballroom dancing events and competitions. The dance involves one dancer
taking the role of the matador and the other taking the role of the bull or the matador’s partner
(MasterClass, 2021).
● Pangalay - The Pangalay dance is a traditional “fingernail” dance of the Tausug people of the Sulu
Archipelago, which is also performed in Zamboanga City. It is performed during weddings, social
gatherings, and other festive events. The dance is characterized by intricate hand and arm
movements along with shimmering costumes and the beat of the kulintangan and gabbang. In
Zamboanga City, the Pangalay dance is considered a celebratory dance and is performed during
weddings or festivals1. It’s a beautiful expression of the rich cultural heritage of the
Zamboangueño people (Mervz, 2013).
2. What are the characteristics of the festival dance performed during the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival?
Give a brief but concise description of the characteristics of the dance form.

(Member/s assigned: Wee, Jasslene)

The festival dance performed during the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is known for its vibrant and lively
characteristics, which reflect the festive spirit and cultural heritage of Zamboanga City. Here are the key
characteristics of this dance form:

1. Colorful Costumes: Dancers wear elaborate and colorful traditional costumes that often incorporate
bright and eye-catching fabrics, beads, and accessories. These costumes are a visual representation of the
city's cultural diversity and history.

2. Energetic and Lively Movements. The dance is characterized by energetic and lively movements.
Dancers use dynamic footwork, graceful gestures, and expressive body language to convey joy and
celebration.

3. Incorporation of Props: Many festival dances during the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival may incorporate
props such as fans, scarves, or handcrafted instruments like tambourines, adding visual and auditory
appeal to the performance.

4. Traditional Music and Rhythms: The music accompanying the dance is often traditional, featuring
indigenous instruments and rhythmic beats that are specific to the region. This music sets the tone and
pace for the dance.

5. Narrative Elements: Some festival dances may incorporate storytelling elements that relate to the city's
history, legends, or cultural themes. These narratives help convey the significance of the festival and its
cultural context.

6. Community Participation: Festival dances are typically performed by groups of dancers, often
representing different communities or cultural groups within Zamboanga City. The collective participation
highlights the unity and diversity of the local population.

7. Audience Engagement: The festival dance is interactive and engages the audience. Spectators are often
encouraged to join in the festivities, whether through clapping, dancing, or cheering.

8. Cultural Symbolism: The dance form often includes symbolic gestures and movements that represent
cultural and historical elements of Zamboanga City, such as references to its maritime heritage, indigenous
traditions, or the influence of different cultures that have shaped the region.
3. What kind of dance steps are used for the Festival Dance (street dance) in Zamboanga City? Cite and
describe briefly the steps.

(Member/s assigned: Wee, Nheil & Quilantang, Jessie)

● Latin Dances - are a number of dance genres that share Latin America as their birthplace and are
always characterized by fervent rhythms and performances. Latin American dances are a subset of
ballroom and club dances that gained popularity in Europe in the nineteenth century and spread
throughout the continent. They owe their enormous popularity to the strangely mingled American
cultures, which include European and regional folk dances. Each of them is performed by a man
and a woman in a pair. All Latin American dances have a strong sense of rhythm and emotion, and
some are especially sensual (DanceUs.org, n.d.).
● Samba - Early in the 1940s, the Brazilian ballroom dance known as samba gained popularity in
western Europe and the US. It is a syncopated dance that is characterized by simple forward and
backward steps as well as tilting and rocking of the body. Ballroom dancing involves couples
moving around the floor or in place, though partners may occasionally separate to perform
different steps. The dance primarily evolved from the maxixe, which was popular from roughly
1870 to 1914 (Augustyn, 2023).
● Ethnic - Any dance style that can be linked to an ethnic culture and is seen as expressing the
movement aesthetics of that culture (Ethnic Dance Chicago (EDC), n.d.).

4. What cultures influenced the Festival Street Dance Competition in Zamboanga City? Cite examples
and give a brief explanation of its influence.

(Member/s assigned: Evangelista)

The Festival Street Dance Competition in Zamboanga City is primarily influenced by a mix of local cultures
and traditions. Some key influences include:
1. Hispanic Influence: The Hispanic influence is evident in the costumes and performances during
the festival. This is a nod to the city’s history as a former Spanish colony. The dance steps, music,
and even the festival’s name, “Hermosa Festival”, which means “beautiful” in Spanish, all reflect
this influence (Misil & Wee, 2019).
2. Local Indigenous Cultures: The festival also showcases local indigenous cultures, such as the
Tausug community’s Pangalay dance. This traditional dance features graceful body postures and
hand and finger movements.
3. Influence of Patron Saint: The festival is celebrated in honor of Zamboanga City’s patroness,
Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar. The reverence for the patron saint is reflected in the
performances during the street dance competition.
4. Muslim Culture : A significant portion of Zamboanga's population is Muslim, and their cultural
influence can be seen in the traditional dances, music, and attire of some street dance
performances.
5. Chinese and Tausug Influence: The Chinese community and the Tausug people, who have settled
in Zamboanga, have also left their mark on the city's culture. Some performances may include
elements inspired by their traditions.
5. What is the cultural significance of the Festival Dance Competition in Zamboanga City?

Give a short description, purpose/ significance and identify its dance steps.

(Member/s assigned: Marquez)

The festival dance competition at Zamboanga City's renowned Hermosa Festival is a highly anticipated
event, carrying immense cultural significance in the region. Some key aspects include its deep historical
and religious ties to Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar), the representation of
diverse cultural heritage through traditional costumes, and its role in promoting tourism and bolstering the
local economy. The dance competition’s choreography fuses Spanish-inspired steps with elements of Latin,
Samba, and ethnic dance influences, reflecting the city's vibrant cultural blend (Zamboanga Hermosa
Festival | Official Website of the City Government of Zamboanga, n.d.).
 References

Augustyn, A. (2023, February 15). Samba | Definition, Styles, & Facts. Britannica.

Retrieved October 14, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/art/samba-dance

DanceUs.org. (n.d.). Latin Dances List: 15 Popular Styles, Names & History. Latin

Dances. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from https://www.danceus.org/latin-dance/

Ethnic Dance Chicago (EDC). (n.d.). What Is Ethnic Dance? Ethnic Dance Chicago.

Retrieved October 14, 2023, from

https://www.ethnicdance.net/about_dance/left-b11_ethnic_dance.html

Hurley, V., & Camins, B. S. (2018). Chavacano de Zamboanga: Early History (1635 -

1718). Zamboanga. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from

https://www.zamboanga.com/html/history_Chavacano_de_Zamboanga.htm

Ki. (2020, March 3). Rigodon Meaning: What Is A Rigodon Dance? (Answers).

Philnews.ph. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from

https://philnews.ph/2020/03/03/rigodon-meaning-what-is-a-rigodon-dance-an

swers/

MasterClass. (2021, August 24). Paso Doble Dance: A Brief History of Paso Doble -

2023. MasterClass. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/paso-doble-dance-explained

Mervz. (2013, August 16). THINGS TO DO IN JOLO, SULU: Witnessing the

"Pangalay", a Traditional Tausug Dance. Pinoy Adventurista. Retrieved October

14, 2023, from

https://www.pinoyadventurista.com/2013/08/pangalay-tausug-dance-jolo-sulu.

html

Misil, E., & Wee, M. C. (2019). THE EVOLUTION OF STREET DANCE IN THE

ZAMBOANGA HERMOSA FESTIVAL. Philippine E-Journals. Retrieved October

14, 2023, from https://ejournals.ph/article.php?id=15214

n., d. (2019). Love and Courage Expressed through Zamboanga Dances. 7641 Islands

of the Philippines. Retrieved October 14, 2023, from

https://www.7641islands.ph/explore/love-and-courage-expressed-through-zamb

oanga-dances/
Zamboanga Hermosa Festival | Official Website of the City Government of

Zamboanga. (n.d.). City Government of Zamboanga. Retrieved October 14, 2023,

from https://zamboangacity.gov.ph/zamboanga-hermosa-festival/