Versions
Popular versions of this dance presently existing in Samar can be classified as the Kuratsa Menor (the usual favorite) and the many versions of the daring Kuratsa Mayor. New genres of Kuratsa evolved as a result of necessity, like-as the name implies- Kuratsa kanan Kadam-an (mass Kuratsa) and a very funny Kuratsa nga Pinayungan (Kuratsa under umbrellas) appropriate for rainy days.
Though highly popular in Eastern Visayas, the kuratsa is also 'native' to almost all Visayan Islands. Popular of these non-Eastern Visayan Kuratsa are the Kuratsa Boholana, Capiceña, Hamtic, Pulupandan and Tibiao. Cebu's version is called Alap (when performed by a groom and bride) or Alusalos/Galagala when performed as a festival dance. Another Cebuano dance that features the kuratsa is the very popular La Berde. The first figure if the La Berde is a Kuratsa and so with the accompanying music.
Kuratsa versions in the Bikol region were mentioned by Francisca Reyes Aquino but none have, heretofore, been published in her volumes of folk dance books. Kuratsa could have been introduced by Samareños to their Bikolano relatives. Nevertheless, it was insufficient in influence to supplant the highly favored pantomina or salampati. Small 'streaks' of the kuratsa could be observed in Albay's Sinakiki (also called Sinisiki in Prieto-Diaz, Sorsogon) and Inkoy-inkoy.
In a very rare instance, a Kuratsa version was found in Ilocos Norte. The Kuratsa Paoay though, is performed quiet differently from the Visayan versions. In fact, the dance is finished by the Ilocano Ariquenquen dance. The Ariquenquen is the traditional "last figure" of Ilocano dances especially the jota.