TIKLOS : Philippine Folk Dance

Tiklos (also called “pintakasi”) is the Waray equivalent to the “Bayanihan”. Groups of people work for somebody without hoping for anything in return. They work odd jobs like clearing forests, digging the earth for wells, moving a nipa hut to a new location, or even building a house! In all these for free. Of course, grateful benefactors would offer drinks and food; but it is not always expected. The peasants cooperate for the social and economic progress of their community.

The Tiklos is a native peasant dance of Leyte. Very early in the morning, the leader of the tiklos beats the Tambora, a kind of drum made from a hollow trunk of a tree with a carabao hide head. Next comes sounds of the subing (bamboo flutes) and the guimbal-a small snare drum with a head of a parchment made from the skin of a wildcat.

The peasants come out with grass hooks, bowls, and other garden tools and farm implements. Led by the band, they march together to work in the fields. During breaks, the peasants enjoy themselves with tuba (a native wine), and the rest dance the tiklos accompanied by the subing (plawta), guimbal, and Tambora drums or when available, the “sista” played by the band. The Tiklos music is also played to call them back to work.

SOURCE: Philippine Folk Dances V4, by FR Aquino DAGAW: Eastern Visayan Culture, by Saiaopinoi Programs of Philippine Folksong and Dances Manila, 1937.