PHYSICAL

EDUCATION. Ballroom dancing

- originated in England
during the late 18th and
LESSON 1: HISTORY AND early 19th century.
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION - is particularly popular
OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES among the upper
classes who participated
in social events at dance
balls.
Physical Education is defined as
- has sustained its
an integral part of an
popularity through
educational program designed
ballroom clubs opened
to promote the optimum
for the enjoyment of the
development of an individual
public.
physically, mentally,
emotionally, socially and Anyone can enjoy ballroom
spiritually through total body dancing since there are no
movement in the performance restrictions to gender and age.
of properly selected physical Women can best express
activities. themselves through ballroom
dancing. Likewise, men can also
Philippine folk dances have
enjoy the social benefits of
increased in popularity and
ballroom dancing.
obtained world culture when
some Philippine dance troupes
perform in foreign nations.
Introduction to Philippine
Folk dances promote national Folk Dances
goodwill through describing the
habits, customs and beliefs of Folk dances are traditionally a
the people all over the world. dance of a country which
evolved naturally and
Social dances give opportunities spontaneously in connection
to develop the individual's with the everyday activities and
ability to communicate, mingle experiences of the people.
and socialize with other people.
Social dances also prepare the These are traditional dances
person to basic dance steps, handed down from generation to
positions, movements and generation that describe the
rhythms. traditions.
Values Derived from describe their daily activities like
Studying Philippine Folk the Sinulog, a dual dance where
Dances two men use bolos.

Philippine folk dances mirror the For centuries, dancing and

culture of Filipino ancestors. singing have been the principal
Studying Philippine folk dances pastime of the people. The early
is likewise, studying the Filipino Filipinos considered dancing as a
heritage. religious activity. bThey
performed dances in
Significance of Philippine thanksgiving for a fruitful
Folk Dance in various ways: harvest, a victorious battle and
prosperous voyage or recovery
1. Strengthen patriotism
from sickness.
and nationalism.
2. Appreciate the aesthetic During the Spanish period,
value of Philippine folk dancing played an important
dances. part in the social activities of the
3. Preserve the Filipino filipinos.
heritage through folk
dancing. - Kumintang, a pantomimed
4. Promote the Filipino song and dance, was the oldest
culture through folk recorded activity among the
dancing. Christianized filipinos.
5. Gain healthy posture
through graceful and - The Spaniards introduced
rhythmic coordination. different dances such as
6. Provide a healthy form Fandangos, Lanceros Rigodon,
of relaxation and Carinosa and Curacha.
recreation.
Nowadays, folk dancing is
increasing in popularity.

Brief History of the  There are numerous

Philippine Folk Dances fascinating Philippine
dances which have
When the Philippines was already been
discovered by Ferdinand documented and
Magellan in 1521, it was performed not only in
inhabited by different racial schools but also by
groups: the Indonesians, Malays various dance groups,
and Pygmies. both by amateurs and
professionals.
- The offspring of the Pygmies
were the Negritos whose dances
The University of the Philippines' These dances have been
Folk Song and Dances paved the categorized into non-Christian or
way for the birth of Philippine their ethnic dances and
dances and dance troupes well Christian dances.
organized by Mrs. Tolentino.
 The ethnic dances are
described as the highest
form of art of the Filipino
Furthermore, the Bayanihan, dances because of their
Filipinescas, Filipiniana, and innate, unique and
others like the Barangay, beautiful movements.
Ramon Obusan Folkloric  The Christian dances
Dance troupes have performed mostly adopted the
outside the country, and their Spanish and other
success obtained admiration European influences,
and appreciation of Filipino and mixed the native
culture by the foreigners. Filipino culture. These
Christian dances include
Jotas, Pandanggo, and
Classification of Philippine Habaneras.
Folk Dances

Folk dancing is a very

Francisca Reyes Aquino
wholesome form of recreation
identified the Philippine Folk
that we can enjoy. Significantly,
Dances based on general and
part of the rich Filipino culture
special classification.
and arts is folk dance.

Francisca Reyes Aquino

(Philippine's national artist and
Mother of Philippine Folk
Dances)

 started the collection of

dances and songs as
early as 1924.
 She authored six (6)
volumes of books in
different Philippine Folk
Dances and many other
unpublished books.
 9. Festival Dances - dances
fitting for special
occasions or any social
gathering.
10. War Dances - dances
showing imaginary
combat or duel.

Characteristics of Philippine
Folk Dances

Philippine Folk Dances are

described in terms of the
following:
Description a. Dancers stand apart.
b. Partners stay apart at 6'
1. National Dances -
away.
present throughout the
c. There is little, if any,
island with little or no
bodily contact.
modification.
d. Most dances are in long
2. Local Dances - present
formation.
in certain localities only.
e. Most of the dances are
3. Occupational - dances
done by pairs or
depicting action of
couples.
certain occupation,
f. Hand movements play
industry or human labor.
an important part.
4. Religious or Ceremonial
g. Most dances begin and
- dances being
end with "saludo".
performed in connection
h. Dance from the lowlands
with religious vows and
have more foreign
ceremonies.
elements than those
5. Comic Dances -
found in the uplands.
depicting funny
i. War dances are found
movements for
among non-Christian
entertainment.
tribes.
6. Game Dances - having
play elements (dance Do's in Folk Dancing
mixers).
7. Wedding Dances - Folk Dancing will require the
dances being performed following tips:
during wedding feasts.
8. Courtship Dances - 1) Dance in a natural,
dances depicting love- simple and direct
making. manner.
 2) Dance with ease and
smoothness.
3) Use the proper - Fundamental Positions of
costumes for dance. the Feet in Folk Dancing
4) Follow directions and
Five Fundamental Feet Positions:
dance instructions as
closely as possible. First Position: Both heels are
5) Dance with feeling and together while toes are apart at
expression. an angle of about 45° or more.

Second Position: Both feet

apart sideward about a pace
LESSON 2: FUNDAMENTAL
distance. Heels are parallel to
DANCE POSITIONS, TERMS
each other.
AND CONDITIONS
Third Position: The right heel
- Fundamental Positions of
of one foot is close to the instep
Arms in Folk Dancing
of the left foot.
Five Arm Positions:
Fourth Position: The right foot
First Position: Arms are raised is forward about a pace distance
forward forming a circle in front with toes out.
of the chest with fingertips of
Fifth Position: The right foot is
both hands about an inch apart.
placed in front of the left foot
Second Position: The arms are while the right heel is close to
placed sideways a little below the toes of the left foot.
shoulder level with palms facing
up.
Common Dance Terms Used
Third Position: The right arm is
in Folk Dancing
raised above the head forming
half a circle (amplified 1. "Abrasete" - Girl at the
positions), while the left arm right side, hold R arm of
remains in the second position. partner with her L. hand,
free hands down at the
Fourth Position: The right arm
sides.
is still raised and remains in an
2. Arms in Lateral Position -
amplified position, while the left
both arms at one side,
arm is placed in front of the
either right or left; at
chest, as in the first position.
shoulder, chest, or waist
Fifth Position: Both arms are level.
raised forming a circle over the 3. Arms in Reverse "T" -
head in an amplified position. arms are side horizontal,
 elbows bent at the right standing side by side
angles, forearms parallel join their left hands
to head, palms forward together and the right
or facing inward, fists hands together; either
loosely closed. right over left or left
4. "Bilao" - to turn palms of over right hands.
hands up and down 11. Cut - to displace quickly
alternately, hands at one foot with the other
waist level in front, foot.
elbows close to waist. 12. Do-si-do (Dos-a-dos) -
5. Brush - weight on one partners advance
foot, hit the floor with forward, pass each
the ball or heel of the other's right (or left)
other foot and lift that side, step across to the
foot from the floor to right (or left), move
any direction. backward without
6. "Cabeceras" - the turning around, pass
couples occupying the each other left (or right)
width of the hall when side to proper places.
dancers are in square 13. Free Foot - the foot not
formation (head couple). bearing the weight of
7. Clockwise - like the the body.
motion of the hands of 14. Free Hand - the hand not
the clock, the right placed anywhere, or not
shoulder is toward the doing anything.
center of an imaginary 15. Hayon-hayon - to place
circle. When facing one forearm in front and
center, movement is the other at the back of
toward the left. the waist.
8. Counter Clockwise - the 16. Hop - a spring from one
reverse direction of foot landing on the
clockwise, left shoulder same foot in place or in
toward center. any direction.
Movements are toward 17. Inside Foot - the foot
the right when facing nearer the partner when
the center of the circle. partners stand side by
9. "Costados" - the couples side.
occupying the length of 18. "Jaleo" - partners turn
the hall when dancers around clockwise (with
are in square formation right elbows almost
(side pairs). touching) or counter
10. Crossed Arms - partners clockwise (with left
facing each other or elbows touching) using
 walking or any kind of 28. "Saludo" - partners with
dance step. the feet together bow to
19. Jump - a spring on one each other, to the
foot or both feet landing audience, opposite
on both feet in any dancers, or the
direction. neighbors.
20. "Kumintang" - moving 29. “Sarok" - crossing the
the hand from the wrist right (left) foot in front
either in clockwise or of the left (or right),
counter clockwise bend the body slightly
direction forward and cross the
21. Leap - a spring on one hand down in front with
foot. Landing on the the right (or left) hand
other foot in any over the left (or right)
direction. hand.
22. Outside Foot - the foot 30. Set - a dance formation
away from one's partner like a square or a unit
standing side by side. formation composed of
23. Outside Hand - the hand two or more pairs.
away from one's partner 31. Slide - to glide your foot
stands side by side. smoothly along the floor.
24. Place - a foot in a certain 32. Stamp - to bring the foot
position without putting forcibly and noisily on
weight on it; the sole of the floor.
the foot rests on the 33. Step - to advance or
floor. recede by moving one
25. Pivot - to turn with the foot to another resting
ball, heel or whole foot, place with a complete
on affixed places or transfer of the weight
points. from one foot to the
26. Point - to touch the floor other foot.
lightly with the toes of 34. Supporting Foot - the
one foot, weight of the foot that bears the
body on the other foot. weight of the body.
27. "Salok" - swinging the 35. Tap - to tap slightly with
arm downward upward the ball or toe of the
passing in front of the free foot keeping the
body as if scooping; the weight of the body on
trunk is bent forward the other foot. There is
following the movement no transfer of weight.
of the arm doing the 36. Whirl - to make fast
"Salok". turns by executing small
 steps in place, to right, d. Teach the step with the
or to left. arm movement most
appropriate to the steps.

Key to System Counting

Counting is the most

practical way to describe a
rhythmic pattern. The note is
the unit in musical rhythm
showing the duration in which a
tone or movement (in case of
dancing) is taken.

Rest is a character used to

indicate silence or pause (in the
case of dancing) for a certain
time.

Suggestions for Teaching Dance

Steps

a. Explain and
demonstrate steps one
at a time.
b. Explain the terms and
symbols used.
c. Teach the step by
counts, and then
execute the steps with
music.