Philippine Traditional Dances – Fundamentals, Terms, and Steps

Flashcards cover fundamental feet and arm positions, common dance terms, and major dance steps in 2/4 and 3/4 time signatures for Philippine folk dance.

What is the First Position of the feet in Philippine folk dance?

Heels together, toes turned outward forming a V-shape.

Describe the Second Position of the feet.

One foot moves sideward so the feet are parallel and about 12 inches apart.

In the Third Position of the feet, how are the feet placed?

Heel of one foot touches the arch of the other, both feet turned outward.

How is the Fourth Position of the feet executed?

One foot placed forward about 12 inches, the rear foot stays in place.

Explain the Fifth Position of the feet.

Heel of the front foot touches the toe of the rear foot, both toes turned outward.

What do dancers do in the First Position of the arms?

Raise both arms in front of the chest in a rounded shape with fingertips about 1 inch apart.

How are the arms held in Second Position?

Both arms opened sideward at shoulder level, slightly curved.

Describe the Third Position of the arms.

One arm raised overhead, the other remains in Second Position sideward.

What is the Fourth Position of the arms?

The overhead arm stays lifted; the side arm moves to a rounded position in front of the chest.

Explain the Fifth Position of the arms.

Both arms raised overhead in a softly curved circle.

Define the dance term Abracete.

Girl at the right holds her partner’s right arm with her left hand; free hands down.

What does Arms in Lateral Position mean?

Both arms held to the same side (right or left) at shoulder, chest, or waist level.

Explain Arms in Reverse “T” position.

Arms horizontal, elbows bent 90°, forearms up beside head, palms forward or inward.

What movement is called Bilao?

Alternately turn palms up and down at waist level with elbows close to the waist.

Define the term Brush in folk dance.

With weight on one foot, strike the floor with the ball or heel of the free foot then lift it.

Who are the Cabeceras in square formation?

The head couples occupying the width of the hall.

What is meant by Clockwise movement?

Moving like a clock’s hands; right shoulder toward center, motion to dancer’s left.

Define Counterclockwise.

Opposite of clockwise; left shoulder toward center, motion to dancer’s right.

What are Crossed Arms in partner work?

Partners join left-to-left and right-to-right hands, crossing either right over left or left over right.

Explain the Cut step.

Quickly displace one foot with the other, shifting body weight to the displacing foot.

Describe Do-Si-Do (Dos-a-Dos).

Opposite dancers pass right (or left) shoulders, move around back-to-back, and return to place without turning.

What is meant by Arms in “T” position?

Arms horizontal sideward, elbows bent 90°, palms forward or inward.

Define the term Draw.

Pull one foot along the floor close to the supporting foot; weight may or may not transfer.

What is a Free Foot?

The foot that bears no body weight.

Explain Free Hand.

A hand that is not placed anywhere or performing any action.

How is Hand on Waist executed?

Place hands at waistline, knuckles in, fingers pointing backward.

What does Hapay mean?

To flourish or offer a handkerchief, hat, or glass as an invitation.

Describe Hayon-Hayon.

Place one forearm in front of the waist and the other behind the waist.

What is a Hop in folk dance?

Spring from one foot and land on the same foot.

Define Inside Foot.

The foot nearest one’s partner when standing side by side.

What is Jaleo?

Partners turn once around (clockwise or counter-clockwise) close together, hands near waists.

Explain Kumintang.

Rotate the hand at the wrist in clockwise or counter-clockwise motion.

What is a Leap?

Spring from one foot and land on the other foot in any direction.

Define Masiwak.

Turn the hand halfway clockwise, then raise and lower the wrist once or twice.

What is Outside Foot?

The foot farthest from one’s partner when standing side by side.

Explain Place (as a step).

Put the foot at a desired spot without transferring weight; sole flat on floor.

Describe the Point movement.

Touch the floor lightly with the toes of one foot, weight on the other foot.

What is Saludo?

Respectful bow to partner, audience, opposite dancers, or neighbors.

Define Sarok.

Cross one foot in front, bend forward slightly, and cross hands downward (right over left).

What is meant by Set in folk dance?

A formation (e.g., quadrille) composed of two or more pairs of dancers.

Explain the Stamp.

Forcefully bring a foot down on the floor, making a loud sound.

What occurs in Star with the Right Hand?

Four or more dancers join right hands in the center and circle clockwise.

Define Star with the Left Hand.

Dancers join left hands in the center and circle counter-clockwise.

What is the basic instruction for the Step action?

Lift and place one foot to a new spot with complete weight transfer.

Describe the Bleking Step (2/4).

Place heel forward (ct 1), step close in first position (ct 2).

Explain Brincos Con Puntillas.

Jump crossing one foot in front, hop and circle free foot, step behind, then spring and point front.

What adds to Brincos Con Vueltas compared to Brincos Con Puntillas?

Quarter-turn right or left on each hop; two hops complete a full turn.

State the pattern of the Change Step (Two-step).

Step forward (ct 1), close other foot (ct and), step forward again (ct 2).

How is the Close Step done?

Step forward on one foot (ct 1), close other foot beside it transferring weight (ct 2).

Describe Changing Step (Palit-Palit).

Small jump landing with one foot in front, jump again reversing feet; two per measure.

What is the Chasing Step?

Step forward on one foot then quickly close the other foot; done twice per measure.

Define Contra-Gansa.

Leap sideward on one foot, cross the other in front, quickly step supporting foot in place.

What happens in a Cross Change Step?

Step across in front, close supporting foot, step forward again across.

Explain Four-Step Turn in Place.

Take four small steps turning right or left to complete a pivot in one measure.

How is the Galop Step executed?

Step forward then cut the supporting foot with the other, taking weight; two galops per measure.

State the Habanera Step pattern (2/4).

Step forward, close, step in place (cts 1, 2, and).

Detail the Heel and Toe Change Step.

Place heel forward, touch toe rear, then one change step forward.

What is the Korriti Step?

Cross one foot in front, then take four tiny sideward steps while trunk bends opposite side.

Describe the Mincing Step.

With heels slightly raised, take many tiny sideward steps with the leading foot flat or raised.

Give the counts for Plain Polka.

Step, close, step, pause (cts 1, and, 2, and).

Explain the Rocking Step.

Fall forward on one foot, raising the other; then rock backward transferring weight.

What happens in a Step Hop (2/4)?

Step forward then hop on the same foot while raising the free foot.

Define Step Point.

Step forward, then point the other foot forward without weight.

Describe Step Swing.

Step to the side, swing the free foot across in front while keeping it lightly pointed.

Explain Touch Step.

Point one foot forward, then step it close transferring weight.

What are the actions in a Bacui Step (3/4)?

Point across with slight bend and crossed hands (cts 1-2), step to second with arm raise (ct 3); repeat pattern sideward.

Describe Engaño with a Close.

Side step, cross in front (cts 1-3); side step again then close feet (cts 1-3).

How does Engaño with a Waltz differ?

Side-cross (cts 1-3), then take a waltz step side-close-step (cts 1-3).

What is the Espunti movement?

Slide heel sideward while pivoting, pointing the opposite foot; repeat pivoting on heel and ball for three counts.

Outline the Kuradang step pattern.

Change step obliquely forward, cross in front, change step obliquely backward, point front.

Explain the Mazurka Step.

Slide, cut, then hop beating the free foot against the ankle (cts 1-2-3).

What is performed in a Sangig Step?

Side step, close, then circle free foot inward in the air (cts 1-2-3).

Summarize the Mudansa pattern.

Step obliquely, brush heel, step on heel, close; repeat with directional changes ending with waltz back and turn.

Describe Paso Español sequence.

Waltz balance forward and back, then step-brush-swing-hop on each foot.

What are the movements in Sagamantica?

Step forward and close twice, step backward and close, then raise and place heel forward.

Explain Step-Hop in 3/4 timing.

Two counts to step, third count to hop on same foot raising the other.

How is Step-Swing in 3/4 time executed?

Step sideward on count 1, swing the free foot across on counts 2-3.

Describe the Brush Step Turn.

Quarter-turn with side step, brush forward then slide back close transferring weight; repeated to complete turn.

Give the basic Waltz Step counts.

Step, close, step (cts 1-2-3) in any direction.

What is Sway Balance with a Point?

Step obliquely forward-cross (1-2-3), then step back and point front (1-2-3) with arm kumintang.

How does Sway Balance with a Hop differ?

Second measure ends with raising free foot and hopping on supporting foot instead of pointing.

Explain Sway Balance with a Close.

Second measure closes supporting and free feet together instead of point or hop.

What occurs in Sway Balance with a Waltz?

Second measure uses a side waltz (step-close-step) to finish balance.

Define the Waltz Balance.

Step forward, close raising heels, lower heels transferring weight (cts 1-2-3).

Describe the Three-Step Turn.

Side step, turn half, side step, turn half to face front; then close and pause.

What is a Cross Waltz?

Step across front lifting rear foot, close in rear, step forward (cts 1-2-3).

Explain the Waltz Turn variations.

Complete turn may be done in 1 waltz step (fast), 2 steps (moderate), or 4 steps (slow).

Which direction is Star with the Right Hand performed?

Clockwise rotation around the joined right hands.