Lulay

Lulay is both song and dance. It is a national dance performed in different versions. The
song has also many versions.
The courtship dance, Lulay, described below is from San Pablo, Laguna. Lulay comes
from the word, Lolay, which is a nickname for Eulogia. The Beauty of this dance depends mostly
on the singing and pantomimic movements and expressions of dancers, especially the soloists
(Pair No. 1). Boy and Girl sing the verses of the song alternately.

COSTUME: Girls are dresses in Balintawak style costume and Boys, in Barong
Tagalog and white or black trousers.

MUSIC is divided in 2 parts: A and B.

COUNT: one, two, three orone, two, and, three to a measure or one, two, three,
four, five, six to two measures.

FORMATION: Partners face each other about eight feet apart. When facing
audience, Girls are at the right side of partners, Five or six pairs may compose a set,
Pair No. 1 as leader.

Music Introduction (10 COUNTS PATAMA )

Execute a three step turn right in place and bow to partner. (Girls hold skirts, Boys place
hands on waists) .. 2M

I
Music A (All sing first verse.)
Execute sixteen step-swings sideward, R and L, alternately. Girls hold skirts, Boys place
hands on waists . 16M

II
Music A (No singing)
All face audience.
(a) Starting with inside foot (L foot girl and R foot boy) take seven steps sideward going
to partners place (cts. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1), pause (cts. 2), stamp twice with inside foot (R foot girl
and L foot boy) (cts. and 3). Pause (cts. 1, 2, 3). Girls pass in front partner. Arms are down at
sides when going to partners place and reverse T position with kumintang inward when
stamping ... 4M
(b) Repeat (a) going to proper places . 4M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b) .. 8M
 III
Music A (All sing second verse)
Partners face each other.
(a) Girls take eight waltz steps sideward, R and L alternately, hands holding skirts. Boys
take eight small waltz steps forward, starting with R foot, to finish in front of respective, hands
on waists 8M
(b) Girls repeat movement in (a). Boys kneel on R and half-stand on L. Raise arms toward
partner, palms up as if imploring .. 8M

IV
Music B (All sing third verse)
(a) Girls take eight waltz steps forward going around partners clockwise. Arms in Lateral
Position moving sideward right and left alternately. Boys remain in kneeling position and clap
hands sideward right and left alternately on cts. 2, 3, of every measure. They look at partners as
they go around them . 8M
(b) Girls turn right about and repeat (a) moving counterclockwise around boys. Boys
continue clapping hands as in (a). Stand on the last measure and go behind partners. 8M

V
Music B (No Singing)
(a) Starting with R foot, partners take eight waltz steps forward to boys place. Boys
follow closely behind their partners, clapping hands on cts. 2, 3 of every measure, sideward
right and left alternately. Girls look back at partners over their R and L shoulders alternately,
hands holding skirts 8M
(b) Girls turn right about and take eight waltz steps forward to proper places. Hands as
in (a). Boys turn right about and take eight waltz balance steps sideward, R and L alternately.
Hands on waists 8M

VI
Music A (Pair one sings)
Pair 1 separates from the group and steps forward nearer audience.
All other hold each others hands and execute step-swings sideward, R and L alternately.
Boys do the same on opposite side . 16M
Pair 1 sings the following verses, boy and girl singing alternately. They do in pantomime
the meaning of the words of the song. Girls holds handkerchief while singing.
Boy 1 sings fourth verse telling her to pity and give him happiness forever.. 16M
Girl 1 sings fifth verse telling him that women must not believe the sweet words of the
men readily for they may bring untold happiness later on.
 Boy 1 sings sixth verse. He kneels on his R and implores girl to have compassion on him
. 16M
Girls sings seventh verse telling him that all the hardships that men tell women are just
words to make women believe and assent to their wishes. Boy stands and looks at girl while she
sings. 16M

VII
Music B (Pair 1 sings eight verse)
Boy 1 and girl 1 sing alternately as indicated in the eighth verse. Pairs 2, 3, 4 and 5
execute sixteen waltz steps, forward R and backward L alternately. 16M
At the end of the song, girl 1 and boy 1 go back to proper places.

VIII
Music B (All sing eighth verse)
All join hands and form a semi-circle facing audience.
Execute sixteen step wings, sideward R and L alternately as they sing the song. Boys and
girls sing alternately as indicated in the song. Finish with a bow to the audience.. 16M