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Cariñosa (Spanish pronunciation: [kaɾiˈɲosa], meaning the loving or affectionate one) is a Philippine dance of colonial era origin from the Maria Clara suite of Philippine folk dances, where the fan or handkerchief plays an instrumental role as it places the couple in romance scenario.


The dance originated in Panay Island in the Visayan Islands and was introduced by the Spaniards during their colonization of the Philippines. It is related to some of the Spanish dances like the bolero and the Mexican dance Jarabe Tapatio or the Mexican Hat Dance. -pat

Bicolano CariñosaEdit



Originally, the Cariñosa was danced with Maria Clara dress and Barong Tagalog for it is a Maria Clara Spanish Dance when it was introduced. In addition, Filipino wore the patadyong kimona and camisa de chino to reveal nationalism. (a native dress of the Tagalog regions), camisa (a white sleeve) or patadyong kimona (a dress of the Visayan of people) and for boys, a barong Tagalog and colored pants. Because it is the national dance, the dancers may wear any Filipino costumes.