Cariñosa (Spanish pronunciation, meaning the loving or affectionate one) is a Philippine dance of Hispanic origin from the Maria Clara suite of Philippine folk dances, where the fan or handkerchief plays an instrumental role as it places the couple in romance scenario.

Originally, Carinosa was danced with Maria Clara dress and Barong Tagalog for it is a Maria Clara Spanish Dance when it is introduced. However as the Filipino people saw and imitated this dance, they wore the patadyong kimona and camisa de chino to reveal their love as a Filipino and other steps was revised to make it more Filipino but the music didn't change at all and reveals a Spanish Influence to the Filipinos. As listed by the book of F.R. Aquino dancers may wear balintawak style (a native dress of the Tagalog regions), camisa (a white sleeve) or patadyong kimona ( a dress of the Visayan of people)and for boys a barong tagalog and colored pants. Because it is a national dance, the dancers may wear any Filipino costumes

The music of Carinosa shows a great Spanish influence to the Filipinos. It is 3/4 in rhythm like some of the Spanish dances. The Philippine Rondalla are playing this music of the dance where it is an ensemble or an orchestra of string instruments in the Philippines similar to the Spanish musicians in Spain that comprises bandurrias, mandolins, guitar, basses, drums, and banjos. Mostly men are playing rondalla instruments but women may also take part.