Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company - Itik Itik

The Itik-Itik Festival is held every last Sunday of February in Brgy. Kalawaan.

Men, women and children take part in the activities

and merrymaking which features

the "itik" or native duck. The celebration includes street dancing, duck cooking

contest, outrigger boat race and fluvial procession.

However, the significant event

is not only limited to these colorful activities, sumptuous food, revelry and fun,

but it also draws people closer to God and to one another.

It is a rich showcase

of Filipino culture and tradition usually celebrated on the Feast of

the barangay’s beloved patroness, St. Martha.

In Itik-itik (from the Tagalog word for "duck"), the dance steps

 imitate the movements of ducks among rice paddies and

 swamplands, such as wading, flying, and short, choppy steps. ◌

Itik-itik's current form originated in the Philippine towns ofCarrascal, 

Cantilan, Lanuza, and Carmen, all in Surigao del Sur. Other versions of

the dance do exist, although the Itik-itik Surigaonon remains

 the most pipular.

These alternate versions are found in Visayas,

 Samar,

 Sibonga, Cebu, and Tibiao

Dancing in one baptismal party, Kanang grew so spirited that when ducks from nearby

 pond caught her eye, she imitated their movements. The spectators found her dance

 so interesting that they themselves imitated her. 

Despite the popularity of the Itik-itik Surigaonon, there are also other versions of the

 dance found mainly in Visayas. 

One version from Samar is danced to the same music.

Two other versions came from Sibonga, Cebu, and Tibiao, Antique. 

The fiesta is part and bundle of filipino culture.

through good times and bad times, the fiesta must go on..