TIKLOS

Tiklos (also called “pintakasi”) is the

Waray equivalent to the “bayanihan”.
Groups of people work for somebody
without hoping for anything in return.
They work odd jobs like clearing forests,
digging the earth for wells, moving a
nipa hut to a new location or even
building a house! In all these for free.
Of course grateful benefactors
would offer drinks and food; but
it is not always expected. The
peasants cooperate for the
social and economic progress of
their community.
The Tiklos is a native peasant dance of
Leyte. Very early in the morning, the
leader of the tiklos beats the tambora, a
kind of drum made from a hollow trunk of a
tree with a carabao hide head. Next comes
sounds of the subing (bamboo flutes) and
the guimbal-a small snare drum with a head
of a parchment made from the skin of a
wildcat.
The peasants come out with grass hooks,
bolos and other garden tools and farm
implements. Led by the band, they march
together to work in the fields. During
breaks the peasants enjoy themselves
with tuba (a native wine) and the rest
dance the tiklos accompanied by the
subing (plawta), guimbal and tambora
drums or when available, the “sista”
played by the band. The Tiklos music is
 COSTUME: Dancers are dressed in working costume
 MUSIC: Divided into two parts: A and B
 COUNT: one, two or one, ah, two, ah or one, and, two to a
measure
 FORMATION: Partners stand opposite each other about
six feet apart. When facing audience, girl stands at
partner’s right side. One to any number of pairs may take
part in the dance.
 I
▪ MUSIC A
Partners face front. Throughout this figure, Girl holds her skirt, boy places hands
on waist.
(a) Starting with Right foot, take two heel and toe change steps forward…….
…………………………………………………………………………….….. 4 M
(b) Execute change step sideward, right and left ….......……………………………2 M
(c) Starting with right foot, take four steps backward to proper places……….2 M
(d) Repeat all (a-c) …...........…………………………………………………………………8 M
 II
▪ MUSIC B
Partners face front. The same hand position as in Figure I.
(a) Cut left backward (ct. 1), cut right forward (ct. 2). Repeat all (cts. 1, 2)..2 M
(b) Take three gallop steps sideward right (cts. 1, ah, 2, ah, 1, ah) step right
foot sideward (ct. 2) ………………………………………………………………….2 M
(c) Repeat (a), starting with right cut backward ………………………………….2 M
(d) Repeat (b), going sideward left ……………………………………………………2 M
(e) Repeat all (a-d) ………………………………………………………………………8 M
 III
▪ MUSIC A
Partners face each other. Throughout this figure clap hands in
front of chest in this manner: clap three times (cts. 1, and, 2), clap
twice (cts. 1, 2). Do this for sixteen measures.
(a) Execute change step sideward, starting with right foot (cts. 1.
and, 2) hop on right and raise left knee in front swinging left foot
obliquely right backward across right knee in front (ct. 1), hop on
right and swing left foot obliquely left forward (ct. 2) ………….2 M
 III
(b) Repeat (a) starting with the left foot ……………………………2 M
(c) Execute a three-step turn right in place (cts. 1, and,2 ). Point
left in front (ct. 1), point the same foot close to right (ct. 2) …..2 M
(d) Repeat (c), starting with left foot and turning left ……………2 M
(e) Repeat all (a-d) ………………………………………………………….8
M
 IV
▪ MUSIC B
Partners face each other. The same position of hands as in figure I
(a) Take two touch steps in front (right, left) ………………………2 M
(b) Jump to cross right in front of left (ct. 1), jump to cross left in front of
right (ct.2), jump to cross right in front of left (ct.1), jump to close right
to left (ct. 2) ………………………………… 2 M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b), starting with left foot ………………………4 M
(d) repeat all (a-c) ………………………………………………………… 8 M