CHART SHOWING STEPS CORRESPONDING COUNTS AND MUSIC, AND STEP PATTERNS USED IN PHILIPPINE DANCES

Music
Step Counts / M per step Step Pattern
Used
3 Cross-point, step; cross, step; cross, step, step;
Bacui 4M
4 close
2 or 3
Bleking 1, 2, or 3 cts. heel-place, close
4 4
Change step (two-step, catch step or paso 2
1M Step, close, step
doble) 4
2 or 3
Chasing or Close step 1 ct. Step, close
4 4
4 Brush, raise, brush, raise; step, step, step (turn in
Chotis 2M
4 place)
2
Contraganza 1M Leap, cross-step, step or Leap, cross-step, pause
4
2
Cross Change step 1M Cross-step, close, step
4
2 or 6
Cut step 1ct. Cut
4 8
3
Engaño with a close 2M Step, cross; step, close
4
3
Engaño with a waltz 2M Step, cross; step, close, step
4
2 or 6
Galop 1ct. Step, cut
4 8
2
Heel and toe change step 2M Heel-place, toe-point; step, close step
4
3
Mazurka 1M Slide, cut, hop
4
2 or 3 As many M as
Mincing Step, step, step, step, and so on (tiny steps)
4 4 required
3
Redoba 1M Slide, cut, cut
4
2 or 3 As many M as Slide, slide, slide, slide and so on (tiny sliding
Shuffling Step
4 4 required steps)
2 or 3
Slide close 1M Slide, close
4 4
2 or 3
Step-Hop 1M Step, hop
4 4
2 or 3
Step-Point 1M Step, point
4 4
2 or 3
Step-Swing 1M Step, swing
4 4
3
Sway balance with a point 2M Step, cross, step; point
4
3
Sway balance with a brush 2M Step, cross, step; brush
4
3
Sway balance with a close 2M Step, cross, step; close
4
2
Touch step 1M Point, close
4
3
Double Sway Balance 4M Step, cross; step, point; cross-step, step; point
4
3
Pivot turn with a point 4 or 8 M Point and turn, point-close; and so on
4
3
Waltz (native) 1M Step, close, step
4
3
Waltz balance 1M step, close and raise heels, down
4
Benefits of Dancing Common Dance Terms
Regular participation in dancing provides fitness benefits and
lifetime wellness.  Arms in lateral position – both arms are at one
Dance is a recreational activity which is a form of pastime side, either right or left, at shoulder, chest, or waist
entertainment. level.
 People engage in dancing prevent lifetime diseases
 Arms in “T” position – both arms at sides and
because of the health benefits it provides.
 It makes people active that helps in the protection bent at the elbows so that the upper arms at
against overweight and obesity. shoulder level.
 If a person is active, there would be a lower incidence of  Arms in Reversed “T” position – arms are side
disease. The wide range of benefits that dance offers horizontal, elbows bent at right angles, forearms
makes it a fun and exciting recreation. parallel to head, palms forward or facing inward,
fists loosely closed.
 Dance first began as a ritual  Bilao – to turn palm of hands up and down
 Some to show praise to god, others to mourn or express alternately hands at waist level in front, elbows
grief for a loved one.
 Dance was also a form of ecstasy and entertainment
close to waist.
 Celebration  Brush – weight one foot, hit the floor with the heel
of the other foot, lift from the floor to any direction.
Getting Started with Dancing  Costados – when dancers are in square formation,
 There are lots of different reasons to enjoy dancing the couples occupying the length of the hall are
because it can be performed in many places such as called “costados” or side pairs. This is of Spanish
dance schools, social gatherings, community, and even origin.
at home. A person can dance on his/her own, with a  Hands on waist – place hands at the waist line,
partner, or in a group. knuckles in, fingers pointing in rear.
 Dancing is a popular fitness activity that keeps body fit  Hapay – to flourish or offer a handkerchief, hat or
and active. The many benefits it offer opens an avenue
to discover one’s talent. Since dancing is both
glass of wine to somebody as a sign of invitation
competitively and socially, it can be a great option for  Hayon-Hayon – to place one forearm in front and
recreation and even sporting choice which can be the other at the back of the waist. This is a Visayan
partaken by anyone of any age. term.
 It is also essential to understand the nature of the dance  Kumintang – moving the hand from the wrist either
because there are many things to be considered such as clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. This is an
the gear, warm-up routines, and training procedures. To Ilocano term.
get started in dancing, simply choose the style you like to  Point – touch the floor lightly with the toes of one
try and, most importantly, the one you enjoy most. foot, weight of the body on the other foot.
 Saludo – partners with feet together bow to each
Before engaging in dance, ask the following questions to yourself:
1. Will you dance to improve your fitness? other, to audience, opposite dancers, or to the
2. Will you dance to improve your flexibility and neighbors. This term is of Spanish origin and is
coordination? used in almost all Philippine dances.
3. Will you prefer to dance with a fast or a slow music?  Salok – to swing the arm downward-upward
4. Will you dance with a partner, group, or on your own? passing in front of the body as if scooping, the trunk
5. Will you consider joining in dancing competitions or just is bent forward the movement of the arm doing the
dance and do it for fun? “salok.” This is a Tagalog term.
 Set – a dance formation like a square or a unit
Reasons to Participate in Dancing formation composed of two or more pairs.
1. It makes a person energetic because of the movements
 Slide – to glide foot smoothly along the floor. The
it brings to the performer. Dancing improves body’s
stamina and regular participation will greatly develop movement may be finished with or without transfer
strength of the muscles and flexibility of the body. of weight.
2. Beginner dancers may find it difficult especially if the  Stamp – to bring down the foot forcibly and noisily
dance requires challenging steps and to retain the on the floor (like doing a heavy step) with or without
routine. transfer of weight.
3. Mastery of the basic steps makes the performer learn  Step – to advance or recede by raising or moving
more dance tricks which improves the mental health and one foot to another resting place. There is a
confidence. The body will feel lighter that brings complete transfer of weight from one foot to
happiness and a healthy atmosphere.
another.
Francisca Reyes-Aquino
 Is the great “Mother of Philippine Folk Dances”
 “Mother, Dean and Champion of Philippine Folk Dances”
 She studied and analyzed step-procedures of dance
literature of various folk dances and went to document
dances in the farthest places of our country.
 Give quality effort of the folk dances with Asian Influence:
Pangalay, Sakuting, and Tiklos.