Ilahas Folk Dance

by Elden Jean Dasmariňas and Jonavelle Shann Baloto

Folk dance is a form of dance developed by a group of people that reflects the traditional life of the people of a certain country or region.

Philippines is famous for its abundance of folk dances from the pre-Spanish era up to the present time. In Dingle, a town in the province of Iloilo, a modern folk dance was developed— the Ilahas Folk dance, a dance imitating the behavior of the ilahas chicken.

The Ilahas Chicken

The town of Dingle is known for the enormous number of chicken called ilahas, the rooster and tabag, the hen. They are commonly found in the mountainous areas.

The word “ilahas” is a Hiligaynon term meaning “wild” and was derived from the word “ma-ila” which means difficult to catch, a distinct characteristic of the wild chicken.

Ilahas can be recognized based on its physical characteristics and behaviors. According to the Dingleanons, the ilahas chicken is smaller than the native chicken but bigger than the Bantam chicken (Fig. 1.). Ilahas has black feet, long spur and tail and has crow-like red eyes.

Fig. 1. From left to right: Native chicken, Ilahas and Bantam Source: feathersite.com; backyardchickens.com

It could fly higher than any other kinds of chicken.  They could only be seen at around 5 A.M and 6 P.M. at their usual spot, at the end of the twig and during these times, the ilahas chicken is observing its surroundings. Also, many residents tried to catch ilahas, but they are too alert and agile that only few could catch it. But there is a special trap made for the ilahas called ”siod” (Fig. 2.). When an ilahas is caught and it would not eat, it will only last for 2-4 days.

Ilahas chicken is inactive during the month of October for molting and is active again as the month of December approaches.

Fig. 2. Siod

The famous way of cooking the Ilahas chicken is adobo and lechon. It is because that, according to the Dingleanons, ilahas chicken smells likes a “rotten” leaves. That is why it is not advisable to cook it as “Sinabawan”.

Due to the popularity of the Ilahas chicken in Dingle, the dance troop in Dingle and one of its baranggay was named after the Ilahas chicken.

With these some characteristics of the Ilahas chicken and its popularity, Mr. Ray Dairo, a teacher and coordinator of Special Program in the Arts of Dingle National Highschool, came up of the Ilahas Folkdance.

The Ilahas Folkdance

Ilahas folkdance is a dance that was created in Dingle and is a fulfillment of the wish of their former Mayor Ruben Solinap to have a dance of their own.

The one who founded this dance was Sir Ray Dairo. According to him this is not a dance of courtship as what people know but rather this is a dance of flirting.

In the dance, the” tabag” or the hen is trying to seduce the”ilahas”. Some of the common movements in the dance are the galloping which portrays the movement of the chicken when it is trying to be catch by others, wiggling which portrays the movement of the tabag that is seducing or trying to flirt with the ilahas, the scratching of the feet which portrays the common movement of the chicken when looking for food and the flying which has the same meaning with the galloping movement.

The folkdance was first performed in 2013 during the grand recital of the students of the Special Program in the Arts held in Dingle Public Plaza.

Adobo nga Ilahas Ingredients ·         4 to 5 pounds chicken thighs ·         1/2 cup white vinegar ·         1/2 cup soy sauce ·         4 cloves garlic, crushed ·         1 teaspoon black peppercorns ·         3 bay leaves Directions 1. Combine the chicken thighs, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, peppercorns and bay leaves in a large pot. 2. Cover and marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for 1 to 3 hours. 3. Bring the chicken to a boil over high heat. 4. Lower the heat, cover and let simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 5. Remove the lid and simmer until the sauce is reduced and thickened and the chicken is tender, about 20 more minutes. (Source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/filipino-chicken-adobo-recipe.html)

 

About the Authors

Jonavelle Shann Baloto is a freshman student in University of the Philippines Visayas.She is taking up the course of Bachelor of Science in Management. She spent her elementary days in Mother Shepherd Academy in Valenzuela and her high school years in Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion. She is residing in Brgy. Guinacas Pototan, Iloilo.

Elden Jean R. Dasmariňas is a freshman student in University of the Philippines Visayas. She is taking up the course of Bachelor of Science in Management. She spent her elementary days in San Matias Elementary School and her high school years in Dingle National High school. She is residing in Brgy. Moroboro, Dingle, Iloilo.