Polka

Philippine Folk Dance, Polka

Polka
(Tagalog)

This is a very elegant dance from Tayabas (now Quezon). The Polka was one of the popular dances in the Philippines in the old days. Each locally has its own version of doing it.
COSTUME. Girls wear Maria Clara costume and Boys, barong tagalog and black trousers.
MUSIC is divided into three parts: A, B, and C.
COUNT one, and, two, and or one, and, two to a measure.
FORMATION. Dancers are grouped in sets of four pairs. Each pair stands at corner of an imaginary square, facing center. Partners hold in ballroom dance position, arms extended towards center. They are numbered as pairs 1,2,3, and 4 (see diagram below). One or more sets may take part in this dance.

Music A.
(a) Girls start wit Right and Boys, with Left foot. Take one polka step forward toward center (1 Measure)
and one polka step away from center (1 Measure).........................................................2M
(b) Repeat (a)..........................................................................................2M
(c) Partners take four polka steps turning around clockwise in place. Finish facing toward center.......4M
(d) Repeat (a-c). Finish facing outward (away from center). ............................................8M
(e) Repeat all (a-d), starting away from center. Finish with partners facing each other about two feet
apart, Girls inside the square. Release hold ..........................................................16M

-II-
Music B.
Partners face each other.
(a) Take twelve contra-gansa steps sideward, Right and Left alternately. Girls hold skirts, Boys place
hands of waists........................................................................................12M
(b) Girls 3 and 4, Boys 1 and 2 turn right about so that after turning, Boys 1 and 3, and Nos. 2 and 4,
Girls 1 and 3, and Nos. 2 and 4 are facing each other when exchanging places.
Take four galop steps sideward to exchange places, Right arm in fifth position, Left bent forward at
shoulder level when going to left and reverse position of arms when going right.........................2M
(c) Take four galops sideward going back to places. Reverse position of arms............................2M
(d) Repeat all (a-c), this time exchange places with partners in galop steps in (b). Partners are facing
each other when exchanging places .....................................................................16M

-III-
Music C.
Pairs 1 and 3, and 2 and 4 face each other so that there are two sets of two pairs. Dancers of each
set face center of their own square.
Girls 3 and 4, and Boys 1 and 2, clap hands in this manner: clap once(counts 1, and) clap once
(counts 2, and), clap three times (counts 1, and, 2), pause (count and). Do this for sixteen measures.
Girls 1 and 2 and Boys 3 and 4 in the meantime dance the following steps:
(a) Jump in place so that Right foot is places in front and the Left foot in rear.
Open arms to second position......................................................................1M
(b) Jump again and reverse position of feet. Clap hands once (count 1), and bend body slightly
forward and pause (counts and, 2, and)............................................................1M
(c) Pivot turn right. Right arm in fifth position, Left hand on waist.............................2M
(d) Repeat (a-c) three more times, starting and turning Left, Right, Left........................12M
(e) Repeat all (a-d). This time those who clapped hands, dance, and those who danced, clap hands.16M

-IV-
Music A.
Dancers return to original places as in figure I (a). Hold in ballroom dance position. Girls start
with Right and Boys with Left foot.
(a) Take two polka steps forward to center.......................................................2M
(b) Take two polka steps clockwise to turn about so that partners face outward at end of turn....2M
(c) Repeat (a), going away from center...........................................................2M
(d) Repeat (b) finishing facing center...........................................................2M
(e) Repeat all(a-d)..............................................................................8M
(f) Pairs 1 and 3, 2 and 4 face each other. Partners join inside hands, free hands down at sides,
Girl at right side of partner. Starting with outside foot, take two heel and toe polka steps
forward to exchange places, Pairs 1 and 4 passing inside........................................4M
(g) Parners hold in ballroom dancing position. Take four hop polka steps turning clockwise
in place........................................................................................4M
(h) Repeat (f) and (g) going back to proper places..............................................8M

SALUDO
Music Finale.
Partners face audience. Join inside hands, free hands down at sides. Girls turn counterclockwise
under arch of arms and bow to each other or to audience........................................3M

Note: The dance may be repeated as many times as desired, the saludo being done only at the end.