DANCE TERMS

“Abrasete”- Girl at the right side , holds R arm of partner with her L hand , free hands down at
the sides . this terms is of Spanish origin and is used in Rigodon and in other dances.

Arms in Lateral Position - Both arms are at one side , either sideward right of left. This may
be done at shoulder , chest , waist level.

Arms in Reverse “T”- Arms are side horizontal , elbows bent at right angles , forearms parallel
to head, palms forward or facing inward , fists loosely closed.

“Bakya”- wooden clogs.

“Balintawak”- Long dress with stiff butterfly sleeves. The more elaborate version worn with a
colorful tapis With decorations that match those on the sleeves.

“Barong Tagalog”- long sleeved shirt of flimsy material like pina , jusi , pounded abaca or
nylon . variations range from plain to elaborate , sinuksok to lace.

“Baro’t Saya”- Blouse and skirt ensembles that range from simple to elaborate with a scarf or
bandana to match.

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.

Camisa – Top of Baro’t saya or Maria Clara. Also called baro, kandungan , or kimono.

Camisa de Chino – Collarless chinese shirt. Plain, floral , checkered or striped , typical of
farmers and fishermen. The commercial camisa in T-shirt material is found in bright colors.

Camiseta – semi-strech material usually used as T-shirts and similar wear.

Clockwise – Like the motion of the hands of the clock. R shoulder is toward the center of an
imaginary circle. When facing center , the movement is toward the left.

Counterclockwise – The reverse direction of clockwise . L 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 Spanish origin.

Crossed Arms- Partners are facing each other or standing side by side , girl at the right of boy.
They joint their L hands together R hands together ; either R over L or Lover R hands.

Cross- Over – two couples (vis-a vis) are opposite each other. Each couple proceeds in a
straight line to the opposite place. The Girls pass by 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 about ; girls stand at parners’ right
side.
Do-si-do (“Dos-A-Dos”) – The vis-à -vis (opposites) 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.

Free Hand- the hand not placed anywhere or not doing anything.

Grand Chain or Grand Right and Left- Partners join right hands facing each other .Boys all
move counterclockwise and girls clockwise . Each boy in starting passes his partner on her right
and drops her hand , joins let hand with the left of the next girl, who advances to meet him , and
passes her on her left , and drop hands , joins right hand with the next advancing girl , and so on.
The girls do the same giving right and left hands to each succeeding boy. When partners meet for
the first time they continue until they meet for the second time in their proper places. Then all
turn about and reverse direction.

Hands on Waist – Place hands at the waist line (at the smallest part of the trunk ), knuckles in ,
fingers pointing rear.

“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 the place or in any direction . the other
foot may be raised in any direction ( in front , in rear , sideward or across)

Ilocano –Ethno linguistic group living in the Ilocos Provinces.

Inside Foot – the foot nearest one partner , when partners stand side by side.

Inside Hand – The hand nearest one’s partner , when partners stand side by side.

Jump – spring on one foot or both , landing on both in any direction.

Kimona /Kimono – short , ruffled , sleevless blouse.

“Kumintang” – moving the hand from the wrist either in a clockwise or counterclockwise
direction. This is an Ilocano term.

Leap – spring on the supporting foot and land on both feet.

Maria Clara – Akind of Baro’t Saya gown popularized in the late 1800’s inspired the heroine
Maria Clara in Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere.

“Masiwak” – to turn the hand from the wrist halfway clockwise , then raise and lower wrist
once or twice. This is an Ibanag term.

Outside Foot – the foot away from one’s partner , when partners stand side by side.

Outside Hand – the hand away from one’s partner , when partners stand side by side.

Opposite – the person standing across the set.

Partner – Girl to right of boy and boy to left of girl.

Patadyong – A kind of woven material usually of cotton , plaid , multi-colored skirt ,

popularized by Miag-ao weavers of Iloilo.
Place – to put foot in a certain or desired position without putting weight on it. The sole of the
foot rests on the floor.

Pivot – to turn with the ball , heel , or whole foot , on a fixed placed or point.

Point – to touch the floor lightly with the toes of one foot , weight of the body on the other foot.

Polka – Spanish-introduced dance from Germany.

Rigodon – Spanish rigodon , a walk dance usually performed for opening important social
gatherings featuring the who’s who in town.

“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 the feet together. This term is of Spanish origin and is used in almost all Philippine Dances.

Sarong – A short version of the malong usually worn by subanon and other Mindanao men.

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 (like doing a heavy step) with or
without transfer of weight .

Star with Right Hand – Four or more people join R hands at center and circle around
clockwise using walking or any kind of dance steps.

Star with Left Hand – same as “star with R hand “ , but joining L Hands and turning
counterclockwise.

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.

Tap – to rap slightly with the ball or toe of the free foot , flexing the ankle joint keeping weight of
the body on the other foot. There is no change or transfer of weight.

Valse – waltz , earliest Spanish-introduced step.

Whirl – to make fast turns by executing small steps in place to right or left.