2015-12-12 Sat

Bureau of Posts issued the first Philippine Republic stamps celebrating Filipino culture. A set of four stamps were issued featuring folk dances of Philippines.

Itik-Itik dance is originated in Mindanao, imitates the movements of ducks. The tinkling is a pre-Spanish dance that involves two people beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the ground which originated in islands in the central Philippines.

Pandanggo sa ilaw (Dance of the Oil Lamps) originated from Lubang Island which is characterised by balancing three oil lamps on the head of the dancer. The Singkíl dance originated from the Maranao people. The name of the dance itself means "to entangle the feet” with disturbing objects. It is a popular dance performed during celebrations and other festive entertainment.

The stamps issued to commemorate the classic folk dances of Philippines come in different denominations from 5 peso to 20 peso. Each stamp bears an image of each dance style along with its name and have a beautiful landscape in the background.