| (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 |