DANCE TERMS COMMON TO FOLK DANCES • Inside Hand – the hand near one’s partner when they stand

e hand near one’s partner when they stand side

• Bow or Saludo - Partners bow each other to opposite dancers or
to the audience. This term is of Spanish origin.
• 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, sideward, or backward.
by side.
• Jaleo – partners turn once around clockwise (with the Right
elbows almost touching counter clockwise) using walking or any
kind of dance step.The hands near each other are on waist.
• Jump – spring from one or two feet and land on both feet.

• Clockwise – like the motion on the handle of the clock moving to
the left, when facing the center of an imaginary circle. Right
shoulder is toward when moving forward.
• Counter Clockwise - the reverse direction of clockwise, the hands
of the clock moving to the right, when facing center of an imaginary
circle when moving forward.
• Cut - quick change of weight from one foot to the other displacing
the supporting foot.
• DO-SI-DO or DOS-A-DOS – two people walk toward each other,
pass by the right shoulder step sideward to the right and return to
position walking backward, passing left shoulder.
• Draw – the free foot is drawn toward the foot, which supports the
body weight, by pressing the toes against the floor as the close is
made.With or without transfer of weight
• Free Foot – the foot not supporting the weight of the body.
• Free Hand – the hand not doing anything.
• Hop – spring on the supporting foot, and land on the same foot.
• Inside Foot – the foot near one’s partner when they stand side by
side.
• Kewet – closed fist with the thumb firmly sticking out and moved
from the wrist or elbow.
• Leap – spring on the supporting foot and land on the other foot.
• Kumintang – moving the hand from the wrist clockwise or counter
clockwise directin. This is an Ilocano term
• Masiwak – to turn the hand fron wrist half –way clockwise then
raise and lower wrist once or twice.This is an Ibanag term.
• Outside Foot – the foot away from one’ s partner when they
stand side by side.
• Outside Hand – the hand away from one’s partner when they
stand side by side.
• Opposite – the person standing in opposite position across the
set.
• Partner – girl to right of boy to left of girl.
• Panadyak – to stamp in front at the side with Right (left) foot and
tap with the same foot close to the left (right) foot, weight of the
body on left (right)foot.This is a tagalog term.
• Place- to put in a certain or desired position without putting
weight on it. The sole of the foot rest on the floor.
• Pivot – to turn with the ball, heel or whole foot on a fixed place or
point.
• Salok – to swing the arm downward –upward passing in front of
the body as if scooping, the trunk is bent forward following the
movement of the arm doing the salok.This is a tagalog term
• Saludo – partners bow to each other, to the audience, opposite
dancers or to the neighbors with feet together. This term is of
Spanish origin and is used in almost Philippine dances.
• Sarok – cross the right (left) foot in front of the left (right), bend
the body slightly forward and cross the hands (forearms) down in
front with the right (left)hand over the left (right ). This is a Visayan
term.
• Set – a dance formation like a square or a unit formation
composed of two or more pairs.
• Slide – to glide foot smoothly along the floor. The movement may
be finished with or without transfer of weight.
• Stamp – to bring down the foot forcibly and noisily on the floor
with or without transfer of weight (like doing a heavy step).
• Star with the Right or Left Hand – four or more people join Right
(left) hands at the center and circle around clockwise using walking
or any kind of dance steps.
• Step – to advance or recede by raising or moving one foot to
another resting place. There is a complete transfer of weight from
one foot to another.
Philippine Folk Dance
This is intended to increase the awareness and appreciation of the
uniqueness of every dance.
BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF FOLK DANCE
The Philippine archipelago is composed of 7,107 islands. Because of
this, a Filipino subculture has evolved in each specific region of the
country. Yet, while Filipino folk dances are primarily influenced by
religion and subculture in specific areas of the Philippines, there are
similarities in how these dances originated and developed
throughout history.
CLASSIFICATION OF DANCES
1. NATIONAL DANCES – are traditional dances throughout the
Philippines with common basic movement or pattern but with slight
variation. Examples: Carinosa, Pandango, Balitaw, Kuratsa, Rigodon
& Surtido
2. LOCAL OR REGIONAL DANCES- are dances found in certain
localities or regions only. Examples: Esperanza (Nakua, Camarines
Sur) Alcampor (Leyte) Maglalatik (San Pablo, Laguna)
3. OCCUPATIONAL DANCES- are dances that depict actions
characterizing occupation industries and phases of human labor.
Examples:
Pabirik – depicts the differences stages of gold panning
Monanguete – tuba gatherer
Rice Festival – has the largest number of dances
Magtatanim, Pagaspas, Paggik, Pahangin, Pababayo, Pagtatahip
 4. RELIGIOUS OR CEREMONIAL DANCES- are performed in
connection with religious vows, practices and ceremonies. A
religious dance maybe performed to drive away evil spirits and for
having recovered from sickness, favors granted and vows fulfilled.
Examples: Sinurog, Obando, Dugso
5. COURTSHIP DANCE- are dances that depict making/or are dances
with love themes. Examples: Hele- Hele bago Quire Rogelia, Lulay,
Maramion
6. WEDDING DANCES- are performed by newlyweds, by friends and
relatives of the bride and groom or by the father of the bride and
mother of the groom. Examples: Pandang-pandang Soryano
Pantomina
7. FESTIVAL DANCES- performed in connection with celebration, a
feast, a barrio fiesta, good harvest and good future. Examples:
Kuratsa, La Jota, Putong
8. WAR DANCES- are intended to show imaginary combat or duel
with the use fighting implements like bolo or spear. Examples:
Sagayan, Maglalatik, Inabaknon
9. COMIC DANCES –are dances with funny and humorous
movements mainly intended for entertainment. Examples:
makonggo – movements of monkey. Kinoton – imitates the
movements of person bitten by ants
10. GAME DANCES – are dances that have some play elements and
are for recreational purposes. Examples: Pabo, Lubi-lubi, Sinenalan,
Gayong-gayong
11. SOCIAL DANCES –are dances danced during social gathering.
Examples: Rigodon, Lanceros
FIVE FUNDAMENTAL POSITION OF THE ARMS AND FEET ARMS
POSITIONS:
First Position – raise arms to a circle in front of the chest.
Second Position – open up arms sideward, raised below shoulder
level with a graceful curve.
Third Position – raise one arm overhead while other arm remains in
2nd position.
Fourth Position – raise one arm in front of chest in a half circle,
while one arm remains overhead.
Fifth Position – raise both arms overhead in a graceful curve.
FEET POSITIONS:
First Position – bring heels close to touch; toes apart.
Second Position – bring feet apart sideward.
Third Position – bring the heel of one foot to touch the instep of the
other foot.
Fourth Position bring one foot in front of the other foot to walk
strike.
Fifth Position – bring the heel of one foot touch the toe of the other