La Jota Manileña Philippine Folk dance is a version of the Spanish jota which originated in Manila. Bamboo castanets are made use of in this dance. La Jota Manileña is a dance named after the capital city of the Philippines, Manila, where an adaptation of Castilian Jota afloats with the clacking of bamboo castanets played by the dancers themselves. The costume and the graceful movements of the performers. noticeably inspired by Spanish Culture. Philippine Folk Dance Classification (Dance Type): Maria Clara Dance. Origin: Luzon and Visayas | Description: named after the chief female character of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere; Spanish influenced "Filipinized" by the use of bamboo castanets and abanico . Example: La Jota Manila. Note: There are five types of folk dances in the Philippines. Namely: Maria Clara Dance, Cordillera Dance, Muslim Dance, Rural Dance, and Tribal Dance. dances illustrate the fiesta spirit and love of life; best known type of Filipino dance. On this video you will see la jota manileña dance steps and costume. What is the history of the la jota manilena?

The jota is a genre of music and the associated dance known throughout Spain, most likely ... and fandango. Other examples of Philippine jotas are Jota Manileña from Manila, Jota Caviteña from Cavite and Jota Moncadeña from Tarlac. The Jota became very popular in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The Filipinos imitated the Spanish men and women who would dance the Spanish Jota at weddings and other festivals, and therefore ended up with their own Jota that combines Philippine dance steps with Spanish dance steps. In the Philippine version of the Spanish dance, they play the bandurria, guitar, bass, other lute style instruments, and unstrung bamboo castanets. In the dance, the women wave their Philippine shawls around while the men keep up the rhythm on the bamboo castanets. The music tends to switch between fast and slow tempos. The Philippines even has its own regional variations, just like Spain. The Jota Paragua is one example, coming from Palawan’s old capital, Cuyo Islands. This dance contains many typically Spanish elements including the footwork, the shape of the dancers' arms and the frilly dress. Other regional variations in the Philippines include the Jota Caviteña from Cavite and the Jota Manileña from Manila.

This video was from the Catholic Mass Media Hall of Fame Awardee for Best Cultural Program and NPDC’s longest cultural program – Concert at the Park, celebration of the International Dance Day! Performing on the virtual stage of Concert at the Park are the La Manila Dance Ambassadors, one of our country’s best cultural group, Jr. Jaydeeone and Team Shante, the pride of Pateros.
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