Philippine Dance Terms in Folk Dance

DANCE TERMSREPORTED BY: GROUP 5

1. Abarsete

Girl at the R side, holds the R arm of partner with her L hand free down at sides.

2. Arms in lateral position

both arms are at one side, either

R or L.

3. Arms in reverse “T” position

Arms are horizontally sideward, elbows at right angles, forearms parallel to head, elbows are at shoulder level, fist slightly closed, facing each other.

4. “Bilao”

bend elbows close to waist, hands in front, fingers point forward, palms down. Turns hands up and down alternately.

5. Brush

to hit the floor with the ball or heel of one foot after which that foot is lifted from the floor in any direction.

6. Cabecceras

dancers are in a square formation; the couples occupying the width of the hall.

7. Cast-off

dancers are in a longway formation, head or lead couple countermarch outward to the end of the line where the last couple was., countermarch inward to proper places.

8. Clockwise

following the directions of the hand of the clock. The R shoulder is toward the center of an imaginary circle.

9. Costados

dancers are in a square formation; the dancers are occupying the length of the hall are called “costados” or side couples.

10. Counterclockwise

the reverse direction of clockwise – L shoulder is toward the center of an imaginary circle.

11. Cross-over

two couples are opposite each other. Each couple proceeds in a straight line to the opposite place. The girls pass their L shoulders between the boys. Boys bow to each other when they meet at the middle or about one third of the way, then proceed to the opposite place. Upon reaching the opposite place, partners turn R about, girls stand at partners’ right side.

12. Curtsy

point the R foot in rear of the L foot; bend knees slightly.

13. Cut

to displace quickly one foot with the other.

14. Do-Si-Do (dos-a-dos)

partners are facing each other. Starting with the R foot, take 3 walking steps forward to partner’s place passing each other by the R shoulders; step the L foot across the R foot in front; without turning around, take three walking steps backward, to proper place. Close L to R.

15. Folded arms

bend arms in front of the chest and put one forearm on top of the other.

16. Free foot

the foot not bearing the weight of the body

17. Free Rand

the hand not placed anywhere or not doing anything.

18. “Hapay”

to flourish or offer a handkerchief or glass of wine to somebody as a sign of invitation.

19. “Hayon-Hayon”

to place forearm in front of the waist and the other at the back of the waist.

20. Inside Hand/Foot

the hand or foot nearest one’s partner when standing side by side.

21. “Jaleo”

R hand on waist, elbows almost touching, partner turn around once clockwise using any kind of dance steps.

22. “Kewet”

with fist slightly closed, thumb sticking out turn the wrist outward.

23. “Kumintang”

moving the hand from the wrist either in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction.

24. Link elbows

or hook elbows – hook elbows with partner or any dancer.

25. Masiwak

turn the hand from the wrist counter-clockwise then raise and lower wrist once or twice. This is an “Ibanag Term”.

26. Outside hand/foot

the hand or foot away from one’s partner when standing side by side.

27. Pandayak

to stamp, in front or at the side with the R foot and tap with the same foot close to the L foot.

28. Place

to put the sole of the whole foot in a desired position without putting the weight on it.

29. Point

to touch the floor lightly with the toes, no weight.

30. Salok

to swing arm downward upward to fifth position passing in front of the body as if scooping. The trunk is bent forward following the movement of the arm doing the “salok”.