COMMON DANCE TERMS IN THE PH FOLK DANCE

• Abracete – Girl at the right side, holds Right arm of partner with her Left hand, free hands down at the sides. This terms is of Spanish and is used in Rigodon and in other dances
• 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
• Bilao – To turn hands up and down alternately, hands at waist level in front, elbows 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
• 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
• Clockwise – Like the motion of the hands of the clock. Right shoulder is toward the center of an imaginary circle. When facing center, the movement is toward the left
• Counterclockwise – The reverse direction of clockwise. Left 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 of Spanish origin
• Crossed arms – Partners are facing each other or standing side by side, girl at the right of boy. They join their Left hands together and their Right hands together either Right over Left or Left over Right hands.
• Cross- Over – Two couples (the vis-à-vis) are opposite each other. Each couple proceeds in a straight line to the opposite place. The girl pass by their Left shoulders between the boy. Boys bow to each other when they meet at the middle or at about one-third of the way, then proceed to the opposite place. Upon reaching the opposite place, partner’s turnabout, girls stand at partners’ right side.
• Cut – To displace quickly one foot with the other, thus completely taking off the weight of the body from the displaced foot
• Do-Si-Do(“Dos-a-Dos”) – The vis-à-vis (opposite) 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
• Draw – To pull one foot along the floor close to the other which has the weight of the body. The weight may or may not be transferred.
• Free Foot – The foot no bearing the weight of the body.
• Free Hand – The hand not place anywhere or not doing anything
• Hand on Waist – Place hands at the waist line (at the smallest part of the trunk), knuckles in, fingers pointing in rear.
• 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.
• Hop – A spring from one foot landing on the same foot in place or any direction (in front, in rear, sideward or across).
• Inside Foot - The foot nearest one’s partner, when partners stand side by side.