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Dance terms in Philippine Folk Dance

The Following are the common Dance Terms in Philippine Folk Dance:
• Abracete – Girl at the right side, holds Right arm of partner with her Left hand, free hands
down at the sides. This terms is of Spanish and is used in Rigodon and in other dances.
• Arms in Lateral Position – both arms are at one side, either sideward right or left. This
may be done at shoulder chest or waist level.
• Arms in Reverse “T” position – Arms are side horizontal, elbows bent at right angles,
forearms parallel to head, palms forward or facing inward, fists loosely closed.
• Bilao – To turn hands up and down alternately, hands at waist level in front, elbows close to
waist.
• Brush – Weight on one foot, hit the floor with the ball or heel of the other foot (the free
foot) after which that foot is lifted from the floor to any direction.
• Cabeceras – When dancers are in square formation, the couples occupying the width of the
hall are called “cabeceras” or head couples. This is of Spanish origin.
• Clockwise – Like the motion of the hands of the clock. Right shoulder is toward the center
of an imaginary circle. When facing center, the movement is toward the left.
• Counterclockwise – The reverse direction of clockwise. Left shoulder is toward the center
of an imaginary circle. When facing center, the movement is toward the right.
• Costados – When Dancers are in square formation, the couples occupying the length of the
hall are called “costados” or side pairs. This is of Spanish origin.
• Crossed arms – Partners are facing each other or standing side by side, girl at the right of
boy. They join their Left hands together and their Right hands together either Right over Left
or Left over Right hands.
• Cross- Over – Two couples (the vis-à-vis) are opposite each other. Each couple proceeds in
a straight line to the opposite place. The girl pass by their Left shoulders between the boy.
Boys bow to each other when they meet at the middle or at about one-third of the way, then
proceed to the opposite place. Upon reaching the opposite place, partners turn about, girls
stand at partners’ right side.
• Cut – To displace quickly one foot with the other, thus completely taking off the weight of
the body from the displaced foot.
• Do-Si-Do(“Dos-a-Dos”) – The vis-à-vis (opposite) both advance forward, pass each other’s
right (or left) side, step across to the right (or left), move backward without turning around
pass each other’s left (or right) side to proper places. This is of foreign origin and is used in
many Philippine dances.
• Draw – To pull one foot along the floor close to the other which has the weight of the body
The weight may or may not be transferred.
• Free Foot – The foot no bearing the weight of the body.
• Free Hand – The hand not place anywhere or not doing anything.
• Hand on Waist – Place hands at the waist line (at the smallest part of the trunk), knuckles
in, fingers pointing in rear.
• Hapay – To flourish or offer a handkerchief, hat or glass of wine to somebody as a sign of
invitation.
• Hayon –Hayon – To place one forearm in front and the other at the back of the waist. This
is a Visayan term.
• Hop – A spring from one foot landing on the same foot in place or any direction (in front, in
rear, sideward or across).
• Inside Foot – The foot nearest one’s partner, when partners stand side by side.
• Inside Hand – The hand nearest one’s partner, when partners stand side by side.
• Jaleo – Partners turn once around clockwise (with right elbows almost touching) or counter
clockwise with left elbows almost touching) using walking or any kind of dance step. The
hands near each other are on waists. This is a tagalong term but is of Spanish origin.
• Jump – Spring on one foot or both feet, landing on both in any direction.
• Kumintang – Moving the hand from the wrist either in a clockwise or counterclockwise
direction. This is an Ilocano term.
• Leap – A spring from one foot landing on the other foot in any direction(forward, sideward,
backward or oblique)
• Masiwak – To turn the hand from the wrist half-way clockwise then raise and lower wrist
once or twice. This is an Ibanag term.
• Outside Foot – The foot away one’s partner, when partners stand side by side.
• Outside Hand – The hand away from one’s partner, when partners stand side by side.
• Place – To put the foot in a certain or desired position without putting weight on it. The sole
of the foot rests flat on the floor.
• Point – Touch lightly with the toes of one foot, weight of the body on the other.
• Saludo –partner bow to each other, to the audience, opposite dancers, or to the neighbor.
• Sarok – Cross the Right (or left) foot in front of the Left (or right), bend the body slightly
forward and cross the hands down in front with the Right (Left) hand over the Left(Right).
• Set – A dance formation like a quadrille or a unit composed of two or more pairs.
• Stamp – To bring down the foot forcibly and noisily on the floor (like doing heavy steps).
• Star with the Right Hand – Four or more people advance to the center and join Right
hands and circle around clockwise using walking or change or any other step.
• Star with the left hand – same as “Star with the Right hand” only join Left hands and
counterclockwise.
• Step – To advance or recede by raising and moving one foot to another resting place. There
is a complete transfer of weight from one foot to the other.
• Tap – To tap lightly with the ball or tip of the toe, placing weight of the body on the foot.
There is no change or transfer of weight here.

Dance steps in philippine folk dance

Tinikling:

Basic Steps: The dancers step in and out of bamboo poles that are rhythmically slapped
together. The basic footwork involves a combination of forward, backward, and side-to-
side movements.

Maglalatik:

Male Dancers: The dance involves coconut shell halves worn on the chest, back,
arms, and thighs. The steps include stomping, sliding, and striking the coconut shells
together.

Female Dancers: They perform a graceful and flirtatious dance using bamboo castanets.

Sayaw sa Bangko (Dance on a Bench):

Dancers perform intricate steps on and around a narrow bench. The dance involves
sitting, standing, and hopping on the bench, showcasing balance and agility.

Pandanggo sa Ilaw:

Dancers balance oil lamps on their hands and heads while performing a flirtatious
dance. The steps include the use of fan-like hand movements and intricate footwork.

Subli:
 Dancers perform a ceremonial dance paying homage to the Holy Cross. The dance
involves kneeling, bowing, and intricate footwork while forming various patterns on the
floor.

Itik-Itik:

Inspired by the movements of a duck, the dance includes flapping arm movements,
graceful swaying, and a series of steps imitating the way a duck moves.

Singkil:

Dancers navigate through a series of bamboo poles being clapped together. The
dance involves gracefully stepping over and between the poles while carrying a fan.

Binasuan:

Dancers balance glasses filled with water on their heads and hands. The steps
include graceful turns, spins, and movements while keeping the glasses from falling.

Cariñosa:

This is a courtship dance that involves flirtatious movements. The dancers use
handkerchiefs to enhance their graceful gestures and perform swaying, hopping, and
turning steps.

Kumintang:

A traditional dance that originated from Batangas. It involves a combination of

hand movements, footwork, and symbolic gestures representing a romantic theme.

2/4 time dance steps

Dance Steps Step Pattern Counting

1. Bleking step heel-place, close 1,2
2. Touch step point, close 1,2
3. Close step step, close 1,2
4. Hop step step, hop 1,2
5. Cross step step, cross or cross, step 1,2
6. Change step step, close, step 1 and 2
7. Changing step jump ( one ft. in front and
The other in rear) there are two
Changing steps in a measure 1,2
8. Contraganza step leap, cross-step, step 1 and 2
9. Habanera step step, close, step 1, 2 and
10. Heel and toe
Change step heel-place, toe-point, step, close, step 1, 2/ 1 and 2
11. Shuffling step with both feet flat on floor, take tiny
Slide steps 1 and 2 and

¾ time dance steps

1. Native waltz step, close, step 1, 2, 3

2. Cross waltz cross-step, close, step 1, 2, 3
3. Waltz balance step, close-heels raise, heels down 1, 2, 3
4. Mazurka step slide, cut, hop 1, 2, 3
5. Redoba step slide, cut, cut 1, 2, 3
6. Sway balance w/
A point step, cross-step, step point 12, 3/ 1, 23
7. Sway balance w/
A hop step, cross-step, step, hop 12, 3/ 1, 23
8. Sway balance w/
A waltz step, cross-step, step, close, step 12, 3/ 1, 2, 3
9. Engano w/ a waltz step, cross-step, step, close, step 12, 3/ 1, 2, 3

4/4 time dance steps

1. Schottische step step, close, step hop( raise foot

In front) 1, 2, 3, 4
2. Escotis step step, close, step, hop( raise foot
In rear) 1, 2, 3, 4
3. Chotis step brush, raise, brush, raise/
Step, step, step, close 1, 2, 3, 4/
1, 2, 3, 4