Philippine Dance Terms in Folk Dance

DANCE TERMS REPORTED 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 “costados” ” or side couples.

10. Counterclockwise

the

reverse direction of clockwise –  clockwise  – LL 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 counterclockwise direction.

24. Link elbows

or hook elbows –  elbows – hook 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 “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  “ salok ”. ”.