Republic of the Philippines

President Ramon Magsaysay State University

(Formerly Ramon Magsaysay Technological University)
Iba, Zambales, Philippines
Tel/Fax No.: (047) 811-1683
College/Department Department of Physical Education
Course Code PEN 2
Course Title PHILIPPINE FOLKDANCE
Place of the Course in GEN ED.
the Program
Semester & Academic SECOND SEMESTER, AY 2020 – 2021
Year

INTRODUCTION

Philippines is known for its rich culture and traditions. Evident to its colorful
celebrations that can be seen is its costumes, music, and dances. Dances that depict
Philippines’ tradition, custom, way of life and living can be seen in the traditional dances
and folk dances. Philippine folk dances are as rich as the history itself- which are rarely
seen at the present generation. This module walks through the different dances in the
Philippines, focuses on the five suites namely: Spanish Influence Dances, Dances from the
Mountain Province, Muslim Dances, Tribal Dances and Dances from the Rural Areas. The
module also provides the history, costumes and the evolution of each dance. It applies
practical skills in understanding the rudiments of folk dancing from the raw material of
published and unpublished dances. Analysis of dance instructions and technical
interpretations from the written materials are underscored. Emphasis is given to valuing
the context of dance as basis for interpreting dance movements with underpinnings of
preserving the legacy of the Filipino heritage.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

 Gain understanding about fundamental and basic steps in Folkdance

 Acquire basic knowledge about the importance of fundamental position in folkdance
 Perform the basic steps in folkdance

CHAPTER I
 FUNDAMENTAL DANCE POSITIONS AND
COMMON DANCE STEP IN FOLKDANCE

DISCUSSION:

Lesson I. FUNDAMENTAL DANCE POSITIONS AND STEPS

ARMS POSITIONS FEET POSTIONS

First Position

Arms - raise arms to a circle in

front of the chest.

Feet – bring heels close to

touch; toes apart.

Second Position

Arms - open up arms sideward,

raised below shoulder level
with a graceful curve.

Feet - bring feet apart

sideward.

Third Position

Arms - raise one arm overhead

while other arm remains in
2nd position.

Feet - bring the heel of one foot

to touch the instep of the other
foot.
 Fourth Position

Arms - raise one arm in front of

chest in a half circle, while one
arm remains overhead.

Feet - bring one foot in front of

the other foot to walk strike.

Fifth Position

Arms - raise both arms

overhead in a graceful curve.

Feet - bring the heel of one foot

to touch the toe of the other.

Lesson II. DANCE TERMS COMMON TO FOLK DANCES

1. Arms in Lateral Position - Both arms are at one side, either right or left; at shoulder,
chest, or waist level.
2. Brush - Weight on one foot, swing the free foot in an arch, so that the
ball or heel strikes the floor at the lowest point of the arch.
This may be done forward, backward or sideward.
3. Cabeceras - When dancers are in square formation, the couples occupying
the width of the hall is called “cabeceras” or head couples.
(Spanish origin)
4. Clockwise - Like the motion of the hands of a clock moving to the left,
when facing center of an imaginary circle. R shoulder is
toward the center when moving forward.
5. Counter Clockwise - The reverse direction of clockwise, the hands of the clock
moving to the right, when facing center. L shoulder is toward
the center of an imaginary circle when moving forward.
6. Costados - The couple occupying the length of the hall when dancers are
in square formation (side pairs).
7. Crossed Arms - Partners facing each other or standing side by side join their
L hands together and the R hands together, either R over L or L
over R hands.
8. Cut - Quick change of weight from one foot to the other is
displacing the supporting foot. May be forward, backward or
sideward.
9. Do-si-do (Dos-a-dos) - Two people walk toward each other, pass by the R shoulder
step sideward to the right, and return to position walking
backward, passing L shoulder.
10. Free Foot - The foot not supporting the weight of the body.
11. Free Hand - The hand not doing anything.
12. Hayon-Hayon - This is a Visayan term meaning to place one forearm in front
and the other behind the waist.
13. Hop - Spring on one foot and land on the same foot or in any
direction.
14. Inside Foot - The foot near one’s partner when they stand side by side.
15. Jaleo - Partners stand with R (L) elbows almost touching. Using
walking or any kind of dance steps they turn once
around, clockwise (counter clockwise). This is a Tagalog
term of Spanish origin.
16. Jump - Spring from one or two feet and land on both feet in any
direction.
17. Kumintang - Moving the hand from the wrist either clockwise or in a
counter clockwise direction. This is an Ilocano term.
18. Leap - A spring on the supporting foot and land on the other foot in
any direction.
19. Outside Foot - The foot away from one’s partner when they stand side by
side.
20. Outside Hand - The hand away from one’s partner when they stand side by
side.
21. Place - To put foot in a certain position without putting weight on it;
the sole of the foot rests on the floor.
22. Pivot - Turning on ball, heel of one or both feet on a fixed place.
23. Point - Touch the floor lightly with the toes of one foot, weight of the
body on the other foot.
24. Salok - To scoop or swing the arm downward, upward in front of the
body; the trunk following the movement of the scooping arm.
Free hand in 5th position or holding skirt. This is a Tagalog
term.
25. Saludo - Partners with feet together bow to each other or to the
audience, opposite dancer, or a neighbors. (Spanish origin)
26. Sarok - Cross the R (L) foot in front of the L (R) foot, bend the body
slightly forward and cross the hands down in front R (L) over L
(R). This is a Visayan term.
27. Set - A unit formation composed of two or more couples.
28. Slide - To glide one foot forcibly on the floor with or without
transfer of weight.
29. Stamp - To bring down one foot forcibly on the floor with or without
transfer of weight.
30. Step - With the weight on one foot, shift the weight into the other
foot.
31. Supporting Foot - The foot carrying the weight of the body.
32. Tap - Toe or ball of free foot is placed momentarily on floor and
lifted again immediately.
33. Whirl - To turn fast by executing small steps in place to right or left.

Lesson III. COMMON DANCE STEPS

Dance Steps/Time Counting Step Pattern No. of

Signature Measures
Polka Series – 2/4
 Plain Polka 1&2& Step, close, step (pause) 1
 Hop Polka Ah, 1 & 2 & Hop-step, close, step (pause) 1
Waltz Series – 3/4
 Native Waltz 123 Step, close, step 1
Step, close and raise heels up,
 Waltz Balance 123 1
down
 Cross Waltz 123 Cross-step, close, step 1
Sway Balance Series
– 3/4
 With a Point 1,2 3 1 2,3 Step, cross-step/ step, point 2
 With a Waltz Step, cross-step/ step, close,
1,2 3 1 2 3 2
step
 With a Hop Step, cross-step/ step, raise,
1,2 3 1 2 3 2
hop
 With a Brush 1,2 3 1 2,3 Step, cross-step/ step, brush 2
 With a Raise 1,2 3 1 2,3 Step, cross-step/ step, raise 2
 With a Close 1,2 3 1 2,3 Step, cross-step/ step, close 2
 Double Sway 1,2 3 1 2,3 1,2 3 Step, cross-step/ step, point/
4
Balance 123 cross-step, step/ point
Bleking - 2/4 or 12 Heel place , close 1
3/4 1,2 3 Heel place , close 1
Change Step - 2/4 1&2 Step, close, step 1
Cross Change Step –
1&2 Cross-step, close, step 1
2/4
Heel and Toe Heel place, toe-point, step,
12 1&2 2
Change Step close, step
Leap (sideward), cross-step,
Contraganza – 2/4 1&2 1
step
Habanera – 2/4 12& Step, close, step 1
Step, close, step, cross-step,
Kuradang –3/4 1&23 1&23 2
step, close, step, pause
Mazurka – 3/4 123 Slide, cut, hop 1
Redoba – 3/4 123 Slide, cut, cut 1
Engaǹ o Series 3/4
 Step (sideward), cross-step,
 With a Waltz 1,2 3 1 2 3 2
step, close, step
Step (sideward), cross-step,
 With a Close 1,2 3 1 2,3 2
step, close
Step-swing-hop –
123 Step, swing, hop 1
3/4
Step-brush- swing-
123 Step, brush-swing, hop 1
hop
Touch Step – 2/4 or 12 Point, close 1
3/4 1,2 3 Point, close 1
Close Step – 2/4 or 12 Step, close 1
3/4 1,2 3 Step, close 1
Slide Step – 2/4 or 12 Slide, close 1
3/4 1,2 3 Slide, close 1
Cross Step – 2/4 or 12 Step, cross 1
3/4 1,2 3 Step, cross 1
Hop Step – 2/4 or 12 Step, hop 1
3/4 1,2 3 Step, hop 1
Brush Step – 2/4 or 12 Step, brush 1
3/4 1,2 3 Step, brush 1
Swing Step – 2/4 or 12 Step, swing 1
3/4 1,2 3 Step, swing 1
Mincing Steps – 3/4 1&2&3& step, step, step, step 1
Shuffling Steps – 3/4 1&2&3& slide, slide, slide, slide 1
Chasing Steps - 3/4 1&2&3& step, step, step, step 1