Dance terms in Philippine Folk Dance

Dance Terms Used in performing Folk Dance, Philippines.

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.