PANDANGGO OASIWAS

Pandanggo or Pandanggo sa ilaw literally means the 'Fandango with the Light' in English language. And yes from the name itself, this dance is that dance that involved the manipulation of the lights. This dance is from the Lubang Island, Mindoro. The term 'pandanggo' which means 'fandanggo' in the Spanish language is actually dance that is characterized by marking time with the use of clack of castanets, the snapping of the fingers and the stomping of the feet in the triple-time rhythm. The person that performs this graceful dance is often called as the 'pandanggera'. The 'pandanggera' then dances holding three oil lamps which are called as the 'tinghoy'.

There is another version of this dance, and the dance resembles the steps that are performed by the dancers of the 'pandanggo'. This other version of the dance is called the 'Oasiwas' and this dance has its origins in Lingayen in Pangasinan. This town in the province is known for its fishing industry and their version of the 'pandanggo' is related to the fishing industry. Right after their good catch, the fishermen in this town will usually celebrate by drinking wine and by dancing, and by swinging and circling with the lighted lamps on the hands of the dancers. The swinging and the circling moves of the dancers gave the name 'Oasiwas' which in the local dialect is known as 'swinging'.

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