Introduction to the Philippine Folk Dance/ Common Dance Terms in Folkdance

"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). This is a Visayan term.

Hop

- a spring from one - foot landing on the same foot in place or in any direction. The other foot may be raised in any direction (in front, in rear, sideward or across).

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.

Clockwise

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

"Kumintang"

- moving the hand from the wrist either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This is an Ilocano term.

"Jaleo"

- partners turn once around clockwise (with R elbows almost touching) or counterclockwise (with L elbows almost touching) using walking or any kind of dance step. The hands near each other are on waists. This is a Tagalog term but of Spanish origin.

Hands on waist

- place hands at the waistline.

Jump

- spring on one foot or both feet, landing on both in any direction.

Outside foot

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

Inside foot

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

Free foot

- the foot not bearing the weight of the body.

Supporting foot

- the foot that bears the weight of the body.

Outside hand

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

Inside hand

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

Free hand

- the hand not placed anywhere or not doing anything.

Counterclockwise

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

Step

- to advance or recede by raising or moving one foot to another resting place. There is a complete transfer of weight from one to another.

Stamp

- to bring down the foot forcibly and noisily on the floor (like doing a heavy step) with or without transfer of weight.

Cut

- to displace quickly one foot with the other, thus completely taking off the weight of the body from the displaced foot.

Slide

- to glide foot smoothly along the floor. The movement may be finished with or without transfer of weight.

"Hayon-hayon"

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

Place

- to put foot in a certain or desired position without putting weight on it. The sole of the foot rest on the floor.

"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.

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.

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.

"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 all Philippine dances.

Objectives of Philippine Folk Dance

To commit to the ideals of cultural development as a vital factor in nation-building.To enhance the cultural values demonstrated in various folk dances aesthetically, morally, and physically. To actively participate in folk dancing for its intellectual, moral, and aesthetic values. To disseminate Philippine traditional dances in its pure and authentic form. To appreciate folk dances as a cultural legacy and to show to other nations the identity of the Filipinos as a people.

Do-si-do- 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.

FOLK DANCE

is a form of dance developed by a group of people that reflects the traditional life of the people of a certain country or region.