Bilao dance is inspired by the movements associated with using a bilao, a traditional round and shallow basket tray made of bamboo splits. This native Filipino dance involves bending the elbows close to the waist, with hands in front, fingers pointing forward, and palms down. Dancers then turn their hands up and down alternately and vary the speed of execution as they perform.
The Bilao Festival, which features the Bilao dance, was first introduced as part of the Araw ng Parokya celebration on August 31, 2002. The festival and the dance both pay homage to the traditional use of the bilao in Filipino culture, as it is commonly used for winnowing rice or carrying food.
The bilao is a traditional, round, woven tray made from bamboo sticks, primarily used by Filipinos to separate raw rice from its husks, a process many Filipino women are skilled at. Aside from its functional purpose in rice preparation, the bilao also serves as a versatile tool for presenting and serving food.
In contemporary times, the bilao continues to be utilized by many locals for these purposes. The cultural significance and traditional usage of the bilao are beautifully showcased in a native Filipino dance that is often performed, as seen in the image you mentioned. This Bilao dance captures the essence of Filipino heritage and pays tribute to the enduring relevance of the bilao in daily life.
