Makati's Bailes de los Arcos

Makati gets into the June picture because it celebrates its two fiestas on June 29, feast of Apostles Peter and Paul, and June 30 feast of the Nuestra Senora dela Rosa. These have been the patronal triumvirate of Makati since its foundation by the Jesuits in the 1600s.

On the first day the dance is to a Tagalog ballad in honor of Sta. Peter and Paul; on the second day its to a Tagalog madrigal in honor of the Virgin of the Rose. a Marian image from Acapulco that was brought in 1718 to the Saints Peter and Paul Church by Jesuit Fr. Juan Delgado.

The Panatang Sayaw or the Bailes de los Arcos (Dance of the Arches) is an old and charming tradition in Barangay Poblacion. Makati that has been practiced since the 19th century. It is a ritual of praise and thanksgiving to the Sts. Peter and Paul and the Virgen dela Rosa.

Nine young maidens sing and dance the two-hour Tagalog ballad in front of the carrozas bearing the images of their patronal triumvirate.

The Dicho is the opening prayer consisting of simultaneous chants. The Trono is the singing of the
prayer with musical accompaniment from a brass band.

When the Bailes de los Arcos are wearing blue they are dancing and Praying for the Saint Peter and Paul and when they arc wearing pink they are dancing and praying for Nuestra Señora dela Rosa. The los Arcos, the Kapitana, wears the opposite color. For example when the Bailes de los Arcos (mananayaw) are wearing blue she is wearing pink and vice versa.
lead dancer of the Bailes de


Moreover, the awit has two parts. The first is a song and dance of praise for the Virgen dela Rosa. The dancers hold pink and blue arcos or boughs. The second awit is a song and dance for Sts. Peter and Paul. This time the dancers use rhythmic castanets clicking to the beat.