Singkil
Singkíl (or Sayaw sa Kasingkil) is a folk dance of the Maranao people of Lake Lanao depicting one of the episodes in the epic poem "Darangen", which was popularised by the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company. Description. "Singkil" originated from the Maranao people who inhabit the shores of Lake Lanao. It is a re-telling of an episode from the Maranao epic legend "Darangen" involving the rescue of Princess Gandingan (abducted by "diwata") by the legendary Prince Bantugan. It is a popular dance performed during celebrations and other festive entertainment. Originally only women, particularly royalty, danced the "Singkil , which serves as either a conscious or unconscious advertisement to potential suitors. The dance takes its name from the heavy rings worn on the ankles of the Muslim princess. A kulintang" and "agung" ensemble always accompanies the dance. The female lead dancer plays the role of Princess Gandingan of the "Darangen" epic, wearing the heavy rings around her ankles to keep time while she dances. In an episode of the Maranao epic, the princess is caught in the middle of the forest during an earthquake caused by the "diwatas" (or the guardian spirits) of the Kingdom of Bumbaran. The "diwatas  abducted the princess and entrapped her into a forest to teach the philandering Prince Bantugan a lesson. The falling trees during the earthquake (which the princess gracefully avoids) are represented by the bamboo poles arranged in a criss-crossed fashion and clacked together in a unique, syncopated rhythm. During the performance, the female lead dancer graciously steps in and out of the bamboo poles as she manipulates two elaborately designed fans called apir". Another female dancer represents the loyal slave of the princess who accompanies her throughout the ordeal. After a while, a male dancer, representing the legendary Prince Bantugan  of the "Darangen" epic, performs his dance round and through the bamboo poles clacked together bearing a shield and a sword. The entrance of the male dancer symbolizes the arrival of Prince Bantugan who is determined to rescue the princess from the "diwatas". Other dancers skillfully manipulate the "apir" fans, which represent the winds which prove to be auspicious. The dance steps require agile movement so that the dancer's feet won't be crushed by the moving bamboos. Meanwhile, the clacking bamboo poles represent the forces which the two characters had to overcome. The dance ends with the princess  going home with the prince. Adaptations. Bayanihan. When the Bayanihan Dance Company began performing the "Singkíl", the traditional dance was adapted to convey Western aesthetics. The Bayanihan portrayal, branded as the "Princess Dance" or the "Royal Maranao Fan Dance", became so popular that it is often mistaken for the authentic version of the dance. A notable variation from the original is its inclusion of male dancers, as pole clappers and in the role of the Prince, Rajah Bantugan. Additional sets of criss-crossing bamboo poles were also added. Further adaptation divided the dance into four movements: Other versions. PCN (Pilipino  Cultural Night) festivities held by foreign-based student groups and other theatrical dance companies have modernised interpretations of the dance, resulting in unorthodox portrayals of the "Singkíl" by even the most esteemed of Philippine folk dance choreographers. The Philippine Barangay Folkdance Troupe portrays the prince dancing scarves rather than with a sword and a shield. Some dance companies have even fused the "Singkíl" with ballet, or make use of multiple layers of overlapping bamboos. In film. The "Singkíl" was performed in the 2001 American independent film "The Debut". The movie was directed by Filipino American filmmaker Gene Cajayon and starred  Dante Basco. The film captured the essence of Filipino traditions and the blending of these with modern American culture.