Pabirik

(Bicol)
This is an occupational dance from Camarines Norte. It depicts in pantomime the different stages of panning gold. Literally, pabirik means to turn. The name of this dance is derived from the pabirik movement of the container used in panning gold. Camarines Norte has always been famous for its gold mines as far back as the Spanish regime when the main occupation of the people of this region was panning gold. Men, women, and children are engaged in this occupation. They are seen in the river, where the water is not so deep, with their shallow basin or pan made of wood or zinc.
COSTUME. The girls are dressed in patadyong and blouses or kimonas. A piece of cloth or a large handkerchief is used as cover for the head. Usually, a small bag is tied at the right side of the waist where the nuggets are kept. The boys wear colored trousers and shirts or any costume for working. They may or not wear a hat. They are barefooted.
Each dancer is provided with a shallow basin or pan and two pieces of big, flat stones used for pounding and crushing the big particles or rock containing gold.

Equipments: Pan and Flat Stones
MUSIC is divided into two parts: A and B. The music used is the popular Bicol folk song,
Ano Daw. The second part was written by Mr. T. Lamug.
COUNT one, two, three to a measure.
FORMATION. Partners stand about six feet apart from each other, facing front. (For small
children, the distance may be four feet). The Girl stands at right side. The pan is carried
at right side of waist. The two stones are placed in it.

INTRODUCTION
Music Introduction.
Dancers sit in a semi-squat position facing audience, ready for work. Put down pan in front and
take the two pieces of stone. Place one stone at right side just in front of right foot and the
other near it, ready for use.....................................................................................................2M

-I-
Music A. Play two times.
(a) Dancers go through the motions of taking particles of rock and placing it on the
big stone (2M). Take the other stone with the Right hand (2M)...............................4M
(b) Pound on the first and third beats of every measure. Pound hard on order to crush
imaginary particles of rock........................................................................................12M
(c) Put down stone and repeat (a) and (b)......................................................................16M

-II-
Music B. Play once.
Put down stone held by Right hand and hold the other one with Left hand.
(a) Dancers go through the motions of taking with Right hand a handful
of imaginary crushed rock and putting it on top of stone held by Left
hand..............................................................................................................2M
(b) Pick up the other stone with Right hand and go through the motion of
rubbing two stones together as if trying to pulverize rock..........................2M
(c) Put down stone held by Right hand, repeat (a) and (b)...............................4M
(d) Repeat all (a-c)..............................................................................................8M

-III-
Music B. Play once.
Put down the two stones.
(a) Go through the motion of taking with two hands a big handful of
pulverized rock (1M), put in pan (1M).................................................2M
(b) Repeat (a) three more times................................................................6M
(c) Take pan with both hands and rotate it either clockwise or
counterclockwise as if separating earth, sand, and other impurities of
gold. It is like winnowing rice...............................................................8M

-IV-
Music A. Play two times.
Hold pan with Left hand only.
(a) Go through the motion of picking up nuggets with Right hand
(counts 1,2,3)......................................................................................1M
(b) Hold it up at right side and look at it (counts 1,2,3) and at left side
(counts 1,2,3). Pause (counts 1,2,3)........................................................3M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b), three more times. Stand pick up stones, and put
them in pan on the last measure...........................................................12M
(d) Repeat all (a-c) in standing position..................................................16M

-V-
Music B. Play once.
Partners face each other.
(a) Pick up an imaginary nugget (counts 1,2,3), show it to partner as
as if saying “I really found gold!” (counts 1,2,3), put it in bag
(counts 1,2,3)....................................................................................4M
(b) Repeat (a), three more times.....................................................12M

-VI-
Music B. Play once.
Face audience and join inside hands, outside hands holding pans
which are placed at the waists.
Sixteen waltz steps, forward Right and backward Left alternately.
Swing joined hands forward-upward and downward-backward
alternately.................................................................................16M

-VII-
Music A. Play two times.
(a) Partners release hands and face each other about four feet
apart. Eight sway balance steps with a point, Right and Left
alternately. Place pan on head and hold pan with Right hand, Left hand on
waist when doing sway balance right, reversing position of hands when
going to left...............................................................................................16M
(b) Repeat all, facing front.........................................................................16M

-VIII-
Music B. Play two times.
Partners face each other. Hold pan with two hands front at waist level.
(a) Starting with Right foot, take three steps forward to meet at center
(counts 1,2,3), point Left in front (counts 1,2,3)....................................2M
(b) Starting with Left foot, repeat (a) moving backward........................2M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b) seven more times................................................28M

SALUDO
Music Finale.
Three-step turn right in place and bow to partner or audience. Hold pan
With two hands in front at waist level.....................................................2M