Do Our Folk Dances Still Thrive? Personal Experience and Interest of Students Towards Philippine Traditional Dances as Basis on Strengthening the Love for Culture and the Arts

Abstract

Folk Dances are significant part of our culture and tradition as Filipino. According to studies and observations, students’ interest towards our traditional dances is evidently decreasing, and further investigation must be conducted, and solutions to be provided to further increase students’ love for culture and the arts. This correlational study aims to determine the relationship between the level of personal experience and level of interest of students taking Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) and Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPeA) at City College of Angeles towards Philippine traditional dances. Frequency and percentage were used to determine the number of students who answered the online survey questionnaire, while Pearson r was used to determine the relationship between personal experience and interest. The study findings shown that most of the respondents has only an average experience in Philippine traditional dances. It was also found out that most of the respondents are interested in learning folk dance in respect to dance steps, music, costume and dance history. Lastly, it was found out that the level of personal experience and level of interest of students to Philippine traditional dances are significantly related to each other. Based on the findings of the study, proposed dance programs/activities were designed which can be part of the projects of the Institute of Education, Arts and Sciences, to intensify students’ appreciation to the culture and arts of the Philippines steered by one of the core values of the college – Patrimony. Limitation of this study is, it only focuses on BPEd and BPeA students. Additional respondents from other programs which are not part of this study is highly recommended.