Philippine Folk Dance Basic Terms

ABRASETE

Girl on the right side, holds R arm of partner with her L hand, free hands down at the sides. 

ARMS IN LATERAL POSITION

both arms are at one side, either sideward right or left. This may be done at shoulder, chest or waist level.

ARMS IN REVERSE “T” POSITION

arms are side horizontal elbows bent at right angles forearms parallel to head, palms forward or facing inward, fists loosely closed.

ARMS IN “T” POSITION

requires both arms to be positioned at the sides and bent at the elbows so that the upper arms are held level with the shoulders

BILAO

to turn palms of hands up and down alternately, hands at waist level in front, elbow close to waist.

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.

CLOCKWISE

Like the motion of the hands of the clock. R shoulder is toward the center of an imaginary circle.

COUNTERCLOCKWISE

The reverse direction of clockwise. L shoulder is toward the center of an imaginary circle.

CROSSED ARMS

partners are facing each other or standing side by side, girl at the right of boy. They join L hands together and their R hands together; either R over L or L over R.

FREE FOOT

the foot not bearing the weight of the body.

FREE HAND

the hand not placed anywhere or not doing anything.

HANDS ON WAIST

place hands at the waistline

HAPAY

to flourish or offer a handkerchief, hat or glass of wine to somebody as a sign of invitation.

HAYON-HAYON

to place one forearm in front and the other at the back of the waist. This is a Visayan term.

INSIDE FOOT

the foot nearest one’s partner, when partner stand side by side.

INSIDE HAND

the hand nearest one’s partner, when partner stand side by side.

MASIWAK

to turn the hand from the wrist half-way clockwise then raise and lower wrist or twice.

OUTSIDE FOOT

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

OUTSIDE HANDS

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

PLACE

to put foot 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.

POINT

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

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”.

SALUDO

partners bow to each other, to the audience, opposite dancers, or to the neighbors with feet together.

SAROK

cross the R (or L) foot in front of the L (or R), bend the body slightly forward and cross the hands (forearms) down in front with the R (or L) hand (forearm) over the L (or R).

SUPPORTING FOOT

the foot that bears the weight of the body.

R

right foot, arm or hand

L

left foot, arm, or hand

X

Boy Dancer

O

Girl Dancer

Ct.

Count

M

measure

2x

Two times