Francisca Reyes-Aquino (Bocaue, March 9, 1899 - November 21, 1983) was a pioneer researcher in the field of Philippine folk dance and folk music and is called the "mother of Philippine folk dance". In recognition of her research, she received a Ramon Magsaysay Award (in 1962), and was nominated as a national artist of the Philippines in the dance category by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1973. biography
Francisca Reyes was born in Lolomboy in the municipality of Bocaue, Bulacan, and was the oldest of three children of Felipe Reyes and Juliana Santos Reyes from Manila. After graduating from the Manila High School, she studied at the University of the Philippines. In 1924 she obtained her Bachelor of Science diploma and in 1928 she graduated from a Master of Arts degree. The subject of her graduation research from her master's program was folk dance in the Philippines. Afterwards, she studied physical education at Boston University, where she graduated in 1931. Her study of folk dance was the beginning of a career in which she conducted more than forty years of research into Philippine folklore. She wrote more than ten books on this subject.
After the Second World War, Reyes-Aquino founded the Filipiana Dance Troupe. In 1949, the establishment of the Philippine Folk Dance Society, with the goal of dancing and developing the knowledge about Filipino folklore, was followed.
Reyes-Aquino married twice. Her first marriage was with Ramon Tolentino. After her death in 1939, she married Serafin Aquino in 1947. She had a daughter from her first marriage. Reyes-Aquino passed away on November 21, 1983 and was honored with a state funeral at Libingan ng mga Bayani (the cemetery of Philippine heroes). Awards Sources
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