Basic Dance Terms in Philippine Folk Dances

General Terms

• Clockwise refers to moving any part of the body like the motion of a clock.
• Counter-clockwise refers to the reverse direction of the motion of a clock.
• Set refers to a dance formation like a square or a unit formation composed of two or more pairs.

Hand and Arm Movements

• Arms in Lateral Position: place both arms at one side, either sideward right or left, at shoulder, chest, or waist level.
• Arms in Reverse T Position: place arms on side horizontal position, elbows bent at right angles, forearms parallel to head, palms forward or facing inward, fists loosely closed.
• Crossed Arms: partners face each other or stand side by side, girl at the right of the boy, joining hands together right over left or left over right.
• Hands on Waist: place hands at the waistline, knuckles in, fingers pointing in the rear.
• Hayon-Hayon: place one forearm in front and the other at the back of the waist.
• Hapay: pretend to offer a handkerchief, hat, or glass of wine to somebody as a sign of invitation.
• Kumintang: move the hand from the wrist either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction (Ilocano term).
• Masiwak: turn the hands from the halfway clockwise, then raise and lower once or twice (Ibanag term).
• Outside Hand: place hand away from the partner when partners stand side by side.
• Salok: swing the arms downward-upward passing in front of the body as if scooping.
• Inside Foot: the foot nearest one's partner when partners stand side by side.
• Inside Hand: the hand nearest one's partner when partners stand side by side.
• 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 (Tagalog term).

Foot Movements

• Jump: spring on one foot or both feet, landing on both in any direction.
• Leap: a spring from one foot landing on the other foot in any direction (forward, sideward, backward, or oblique).
• Outside Foot: the foot away from one's partner when partners stand side by side.
• Panadyak: 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 in L (R) foot (Tagalog term).
• Place: put foot in a certain or desired position without putting weight on it, sole of the foot rests on the floor.
• Pivot: turn with the ball, heel, or whole foot on a fixed place or point.
• Whirl: make fast turns by executing small steps in place to right or left.

Couple and Group Terms

• Abrasete: girl at the right side, holds R arm of partner with her L hand, free hand down at the side (Spanish origin).
• Cabaseras or Head Couples: couples occupying the width of the hall when dancers are in square formation.
• Costados or Side Couples: couples occupying the length of the hall when dancers are in square formation.
• Cross-over: two couples stand opposite each other, proceeding in a straight line to the opposite place.
• Star with the Right Hand: four or more people join R hands at the center and circle around clockwise using walking or any kind of dance step.
• Star with the Left Hand: same as star with the right hand, but joining L hands and turning counterclockwise.