Basic Arm/Hand Positions:

Amplified – your arms are more open in the 1st and 5th positions.

Lateral – your both arms are raised at one side parallel to each other.

Hayon-hayon – your one arm is bent in front at the waist level and the other is
bent at waist level.

“T” Position – your both arms are raised at sides and bent at elbows so that the
upper arms are at your shoulder.

Kumintang – your arms are in “T” position with semi-opened palm and index
finger pointing upward. Turn wrists in circular motion.

Sarok (Salok) – your right arm is making a big circular motion in front while the
left arm is resting. Do it alternately.
Basic Arm/Hand Positions:

Kewet (Kalawit) – your arms are in “T” position with hands closed and thumbs in
“up” position. Turn wrists in circular motion

Reverse “T”– your two arms are raised at sides and bent at elbows so that the
forearms are parallel to the head, palms facing inward.

What are Philippine dances?

The Philippines has various collections of dances. People dance for self-
expression, traditions, events, reflection, and enjoyment. From Philippine
dances, we can reflect the rich Philippine cultural heritage. Philippine dances
show distinctive elements and essentials of Filipinos and the dances also show
the story of our past.
What is folk dance?
Folk traditions are handed down from generation to generation exhibited in
societal events. One of which is folk dance that illustrates the different forms of
cultural expressions that uniquely belongs to a region.
Folk dances display cultural values, artistic features, and social function of
the region where they came from.
Folk dances in the Philippines vary from the people who live in the province,
town, or region. They dance to express what is happening around them, to
perform in festivals, specific occasions, etc.

THE TEN POPULAR FOLK DANCES are:

Folk Dance Origin Description

Itik – Itik Surigao del Norte The dancer moves like a duck wading and
swimming
Binasuan Pangasinan A glass filled with liquid is placed on the
head of the performer.
 Folk Dance Origin Description
Singkil Mindanao The dancer shows the epic of Darangan
using bells.
Tinikling Leyte A pair of dancers are hopping between
bamboo poles struck on the ground like a
tikling in time with the music.
Maglalatik Laguna Dancers pretend to battle for the latik or
coconut meat.
Pandanggo sa Ilaw Mindoro Dancers put three oil lamps on the head
while dancing.
Carinosa Bicol A woman dancer shows affection by using
handkerchief and a fan to hide her
feelings from the dancing suitors.
Sayaw sa Bangko Batangas Dancers perform dance moves on a
bench.
Kuratsa Bohol, Leyte, Samar Dancers get each other’s attention.
La Jota Manilena Manila Dancers dance while making sounds from
the bamboo castanets.