1249 PHILIPPINES (CALABARZON) - Kumintang

The kumintang is the name given to several distinct styles, techniques and forms in music and dance, probably originating in the areas used by early Spanish chronicles to denote a province centering around what is known as Batangas, on the southwestern part of Luzon. Early 19th-century travelers' accounts often mention the kumintang as a Tagalog "chant national", describing them as dance-songs performed by pairs of men and women, with texts concerning love and courtship. All accounts mention a glass of coconut wine passed from hand to hand by the dancers as they sing. Jean Baptiste Mallat describes it as a pantomimic dance where the man runs around and gestures to a woman, and finally pretends illness to get the woman's full attention. In the 20th century, Francisca Reyes-Aquino dubbed as kumintang the circular hand and wrist movement also known as the kunday. Among present-day afficinados of musical and dance events called awitan and pandangguhan in and around the city of Batangas, kumintang also refers to a guitar-plucking style, considered the most melodious and beautiful of all guitar styles accompanying the old kinanluran style of pandangguhan dance songs.

The men and the women in the postcard, members of the Barangay Folk Dance Troupe, are dressed in what is considered a kind of national clothes, simple yet functional, that have both indigenous Filipino qualities and Spanish influence started to become prominent during the 16th-century. This style of clothing includes the Barong Tagalog for men and the Baro't Saya (literally "Shirt and Long Skirt") for women. The Barong Tagalog is an formal dress, embroidered along the front in a u-shape, very lightweight and worn untucked (similar to a coat shirt), over an undershirt. It was popularised as formal wear by President Ramón Magsaysay, who wore it to most private and state functions, including his own Inauguration. Baro't Saya consists of kimona (inner blouse), baro (an often gauzy outer shirt with fine embroidery and wide sleeves), naguas (starched petticoat), saya (the skirt proper), and tapis (a descendant of the pre-colonial wrap-around skirt, which covers the upper half of the saya). Sometimes are added a pañuelo or piano shawl, starched to achieve a raised look.

About the stamps
The first stamp is part of the series United Nations 60th Anniversary, and International Year of Sports and Physical Education, issued on October 19, 2005 (three stamps with the same face value, 6 PHP):
• UN 60th Anniversary Logo
• Design by Rojohn Daniel Olivar - it's on the postcard
• Design by Sarahbeth Almario 

The second stamp is part of the series Filipino Christmas Carol: Ang Pasko ay Sumapit, designed by Corazon T. Loza and issued on November 18, 2009 (five stamps with the same face value, 7 PHP):
• Children Caroling - it's on the postcard
• Nativity Scene
• The Three Kings
• Angels
• Christmas Decorations

References
What is Kumintang? - Answer.com
Fashion and clothing in the Philippines - Wikipedia

sender: Cherry Ruiz
sent from ??? (??? / Philippines), on 03.03.2014