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The definition of 'Philippine dance' is certainly mind-boggling. Pervasive influences from the West and from our Oriental neighbors have long redefined 'Filipino dance'. Many of our dance cultures are impure to a certain degree due to these influences. For example, the Silong sa Ganding, La Jota Paloana and Lanceros de Cuyo and the Sakuting are all impure Philippine dances because these dances are influences of the Hindu, Spanish, American and Chinese, respectively. With this premise alone, Philippine dance could be hard to define as we first have to establish a definition of what is Filipino.

The Philippines have been a melting pot of sorts in this part of the globe; or more specifically, a 'melting pot of "both" (Western and Oriental) cultures'. There is an undeniable fusion of the cultures brought about by foreigners to the country with the existing culture early "Filipinos" originally had. This has resulted in such a unique blend of cultures in the country that determining the end of native culture and the beginning of foreign cultures is so hard to trace. The Philippines has indeed become a West-tempered East. Philippine dance cultures were among the most affected by Western cultures. Filipinos nowadays, fortunately, appreciate both worlds. Whether the dance is cha-cha, ballroom, folk or ballet, surely the Filipinos can always dance to the beat.