PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCE TERMS AND STEPS 

These dance terms and steps are used all through-out the Philippine folk dances. By
familiarizing yourself with these will surely help you interpret the dance literature faster
and more accurate. 

Common Dance Terms

1. Abrasete – girls at the right side, holds R arm of partner with her L had,
freehands down at the sides. This term is of Spanish origin and is used in
Rigodon and in other dances.
2. 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.
3. Arms in Reverse “T” – arms are side horizontal, elbows bent at right angles,
forearms parallel to head, palms forward or facing inward, fists loosely closed.
4. Bilao – to turn palms of hands up and down alternately, hands at waist level in
front, elbows close to waist.
5. 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.
6. Cabeceras – when dancers are in square formation, the couples occupying the
width of the hall are called “cabeceras” or head couples. This of Spanish origin.
7. Clockwise – like the motion of the hands of a clock. R shoulder is towards the
center of an imaginary circle. When facing center, the movement is
towards the left.
8. Counterclockwise – the reverse direction of clockwise. L shoulder is towards
the center of an imaginary circle. When facing center, the movement is towards
the right.
9. 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.
10. Crossed Arms – partners are facing each other or standing side by side, girl at
the right of boy. They join their L hands together and their R hands together;
either R over L or L over R hands.
11. Cross-over – two couples (the vis-à-vis) are opposite each other. Each couple
proceeds in a straight line to the opposite place. The girls pass by their L
shoulders between the boys. Boys bow to each other when they meet at the
middle or about one-third of the way, then proceed to the opposite place. Upon
reaching the opposite place, partners turn about, girls stand at partners’ right
side.
12. Cut – to displace quickly one foot with the other, thus completely taking off the
weight of the body from the displaced foot.
13. Do-si-do (dos-a-dos) – 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 rigt) side to proper places. this is
of foreign origin and is used in many Philippine dances.
 14. 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.
15. Free Foot – the foot not bearing the weight of the body.
16. Free Hand – the hand not placed anywhere or not doing anything.
17. Hands on Waist – place hands at the waist line (at the smallest part of the
trunk), knuckles in, fingers pointing in rear.
18. Hapay – to flourish or offer a handkerchief, hat or glass of wine to somebody
as a sign of invitation.
19. Hayon-hayon – to place one forearm in front and the other at the back of
the waist. This a Visayan term.
20. 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).
21. Inside Foot – the foot nearest one’s partner, when partners stand side by
side.
22. Inside Hand – the hand nearest one’s partner, when partners stand side by
side.
23. 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.
Jump – spring on one foot or both feet, landing on both in any direction.
24. Kumintang – moving the hand from the wrist either in a clockwise or
counterclockwise direction. This is an Ilocano term.
25. Leap – a spring on one foot, landing on the other foot in any direction
(forward, sideward, backward, or oblique).
26. Masiwak – to turn the hand from the wrist half-way clockwise then raise and
lower wrist once or twice. This is an Ibanag term.
27. Outside Foot – the foot away from one’s partner, when partners stand side
by side.
28. Outside Hand – the hand away from one’s partner, when partners stand
side by side.
29. Panadyak – to stamp in front or at the side with R (L) foot and tap with same
foot close to the L (R) foot, weight of the body on L (R) foot. This is a Tagalog
term.
30. Place – to put foot in a certain or desired position without putting weight on
it. The sole of the foot rests on the floor.
Pivot – to turn with the ball, heel, or whole foot, on a fixed place or point.
31. Patay – to bend the head downward and to support the forehead with R (L)
forearm or with the crook of the R (L) elbow while the L (R) hand supports
lightly the palm of the R (L) hand. This is usually done with the L (R) foot
pointing in rear and knees slightly bent. This is an Ilocano term and the
movement is commonly found in Ilocano dances.
32. Point – touch the floor lightly with the toes of one foot, weight of the body
on the other foot.
33. Salok – to swing the arm downward-upward passing in front of the body as
I scooping, the trunk is bent forward following the movement of the arm
doing the “salok”. This is a Tagalog term.
34. 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.
35. Sarok (or Saroc) – 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.
Set – a dance formation like a square or a unit formation composed of two
or more pairs.
36. Slide – to glide foot smoothly along the floor. The movement may be
finished with or without transfer of weigh
37. Stamp – to bring down the foot forcibly and noisily on the floor (like doing a
heavy step) with or without transfer of weight.
38. Star with Right Hand – four or more people join R hands at center and
circle around clockwise using walking or any kind of dance step.
39. Star with Left Hand – same as “star with right hand”, but joining L hands
and turning counterclockwise.
40. Step – to advance or recede by raising or moving one foot to another resting
place. There is a complete transfer of weight from one foot to another.
41. Supporting Foot – the foot that bears the weight of the body.
42. Tap – to tap slightly with the ball of the free foot, flexing the ankle joint
keeping weight of the body on the other foot. There is not change or transfer
of weight.
43. Whirl – to make fast turns by executing small steps in place to right or left.
44. Galop- music 2/4 or 6/8 time. Count count 1, ah, 2, ah to a measure. Step R (L)
foot sideward (ct. 1), cut R (L) foot with the L (R) thus, displacing it and at the
same time taking the weight of the body on the L(R) foot (ct. ah). There are 2
galop steps in one measure. This is executed in any direction with one foot
leading.
45. Jumping Jack- music 2/4 time. Count 1, 2 to a measure. Full-knees bend with
knees apart, cross hands down in front (ct. 1), jump to standing position, with feet
apart sideward, toes pointing upward and fling arm obliquely upward, palms
facing front (ct. 2