The dance Tinikling is said to be named after the long-legged bird called the tikling in the Philippines. This bird belongs to a number of rail species, but the name typically refers to the slaty-breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus), the buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis), and the barred rail (Gallirallus torquatus).

Dancers imitates the Tikling's movements (hence, tikling-like) as the bird walks over the grass or dodges bamboo traps set by Filipino farmers on vast rice fields.

According to historical accounts, the Tinikling dance originated during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines—particularly on the island of Leyte. Rice farmers on the Visayan Islands usually set up bamboo traps to protect their fields, yet tikling birds dodged their traps. Locals imitated the birds’ movement, and supposedly, that’s how this dramatic traditional folk dance was born.

However, according to legend, the dance originated during the Spanish colonial era when locals were ordered by the King of Spain to work on large plantations. Those who did not follow his orders or worked too slowly were given a punishment: to stand in between two bamboo poles.

These poles were then clapped together in an effort to beat the Filipino natives’ feet. To escape this punishment, the Filipinos would jump when the two poles were about to be clapped. This practice of jumping between the poles eventually transformed from a challenge into an artistic dance.

Peformed by high school students of Holy Cross Academy (Tubigon, Bohol), LUPAE is a school - based cultural troupe which promotes, preserves and instills the love of Philippine Culture through songs and dances.