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The repertoire of the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe is traditionally divided into five main suites that highlight the cultural diversity of the Filipinos:

Cordillera
These dances are based on the culture and traditions of the mountain tribes of the Cordillera region in the island Luzon. Known collectively as Igorots, they are the builders of one of the Forgotten Wonders of the World, the Banaue Rice Terraces. Their dances are performed to appease their gods, to ward off bad spirits, to ensure bountiful harvests and peace, and to celebrate successful battles in war.
Spanish
These dances depict the cultural influences of the Spanish conquistadores on the Filipino people. These dances merge the Spanish jota, the flamenco, and period costumes of the 18th and 19th centuries with the Filipino culture in the form of bamboo castanets, bamboo canes and the "abanico," or Asian fan.
Morolandia
These dances are portrayed by the Muslim Filipinos that reside in the southern island of Mindanao and in the Sulu Archipelago. The dances are known for their Arabian and Indo-Malaysian influences.
Tribal
These dances are those performed by the various indigenous tribes and cultural minorities that reside throughout the Philippine archipelago.
Rural
These dances express the joy in life and music of the Philippine countryside in the predominantly Christian lowlands.

KARILAGAN -- 2005

Karilagan (Filipino: /ka - ri - la - gan/) is the Filipino word for splendour. Karilagan is a celebration of Philippine music, dance and fashion, showcasing the Filipino community's acclaimed models and designers.

REGIONAL VARIATION
  • Pagdiwata -- A ritual dance, performed while healing persons usually possessed by evil spirits.
  • Dugso -- A dance from the province of Bukidnon. It is a dance of thanksgiving performed after a bountiful harvest, the birth of a male child or a victory in war.
  • Ilocana a Nasudi -- This dance comes from the Italian folk song, "Marianini". It depicts the modest and retiring traits of Ilocana women.
  • Subli -- A dance originating from Bauan, Batangas. This dance is performed as devotion to the Holy Cross icon, the Mahal na Poong Santa Krus.
  • Tobong Kalatong -- A dance with bamboo clappers or kalaste from the province of Pangasinan which is a ceremonial dance to frighten evil spirits away.
  • Pandango sa Ilaw - Wasiwas -- A dance of lights from Mindoro. The dancers gracefully and skillfully balances 3 lighted oil lamps on their head and both hands.
 
REGIONAL and RURAL FASHION COLLECTION
    Modern clothes depicting the different influences of the rural and different regions of the Philippines.
 
RURAL
  • Lapay Bantigue -- A mimetic dance from Bantigue, a coastal province of Masbate, that refers to lapay or sea gulls which is bountiful in Bantigue.
  • Batisan -- A dance depicting the maidens doing their laundry at the batis or river, while the men flirt with them.
  • Song -- Ano Na Yong Kapalaran.
  • Pastores de Arko -- An adaptation of the popular dance of shepherds carrying the floral arches at Christmas time.
  • Tinikling -- The Philippine national dance that depicts the "tikling" (bird) as it hops to escape the bamboo traps amidst rice stalks. Originates from Visayas, requires skill and agility of its dancers who step and turn between rapidly beaten bamboo poles.
 
THE HIGHLANDERS
  • Pinayegpeg -- An offering dance showing worship of ancestors.
  • Babayas -- A festival dance where men and women dance to the beating of gongs.
 
IGOROT INFLUENCED COLLECTION
    Modern clothes depicting the influence of costumes from the Highlands of Luzon.
 
MINDANAO
  • Janggay -- These refer to the metal fingernails used to enhance the curvature of the fingers. It is said to be of Thai origin.
  • Pangalay ha Pattong -- A dance of the Taosugs where women dance on top of bamboo poles with janggay.
  • Malong -- A dance showing the artful use of the sarong.
  • Tahing Baila -- A dance depicting the movement of the eel.
  • Singkil -- Performers step skillfully and gracefully in and out of the clashing bamboo poles. Epic legend has it that a brave warrior-prince was in search of the beautiful princess.
 
MOROLANDIA INFLUENCED COLLECTION
    Modern clothes as influenced by the bright and exciting pageantry of the south.
 
MARIA CLARA
  • Sunduan -- Fair ladies stroll in the plaza as they are flirted by gentlemen.
  • Sampaguita -- A song about the national flower of the Philippines.
  • Cadena de Amor -- A dance by young girls playing with the lovely vine flower called "cadena de amor."
  • Jota Castaneta -- An adaptation of the Spanish Jota using bamboo castanets.
 
BARONG TAGALOG COLLECTION
    This is the Filipino national attire. Material is made of sheer material (pina or jusi). Worn as business attire and in formal occasions. Choice of gifts to visiting dignitaries.
 
MARIA CLARA AND TERNO COLLECTION
    Collection of Spanish influenced clothes from evening gowns. Maria Clara and terno, the national costume of the Philippines.
 
HABANERA
A farewell dance to a priest but has later evolved into a social dance featured at weddings.
 
MODERN DANCE
To add to their mastery of Philippine dance, the dancers of the Fiesta Filipina showcase the influences of Latin movements and rhythms in the Tango, Salsa, Mambo, and the Cha-Cha.
 
ANGKLUNG
by Patty Candido
Angklung are traditionally idiophonic. The instruments are made of naturally resonant material, sounded by various ways like shaking, friction, scraping, or plucking. The bamboo instruments are native to Indonesia and were later adopted by its neighbour, the Philippines. Traditionally, large numbers of them are shaken for ceremonial dances. They can be played by a group of musicians, each of whom has one instrument of different pitch in each hand. The entire group performs a single melody in much the same way as a handbell choir, wherein each performer shaking an angklung at the appropriate time in the melody.

Each angklung consists of two or three bamboo tubes of different lengths tuned in octaves. The tubes are mounted in a frame so that a slot on each tube aligns into a crosspiece that strikes the tube when the instrument is shaken. Angklung Concert
Since its founding in 1938, the angklung has reached new heights in musical performance. It can be played alongside other standard musical instruments and can play many songs from classical to contemporary.