Polka sa Nayon

This ballroom polka was popular in the province of Batangas in the Spanish time. It was usually danced during town fiestas and in big social affairs. The dance has an average difficulty, with different variations of the polka step being used all throughout, with a lively tune to go by it.

Note: Information throughout this page was taken from
Francisca Reyes-Aquino’s ‘Philippine Folk Dances’ Vol. 3
Difficulty: Average
Polka sa Nayon Dance

Formation

When performed for demonstration, dancers may be grouped into sets of four pairs in square formation, each couple occupying a corner, or a side of an imaginary square or they may be arranged in longways formation. When performed as a ballroom dance, partners may face in any direction and are scattered about the room.

Dance can be learned alone or with a partner

Music & Count

Count is 'one and two and' to a measure. ‘Polka sa Nayon’ has set music to be used for the dance.

Note: the number of measures are signified in the written tutorial for each figure.

Costume

Women: Maria Clara or Balintawak style
Men: Barong tagalog and black/white trousers

Time Stamps

Full Performance: 0:04 - 2:53
Important Moves: 2:53 - 3:54
Figures: 3:54 - END

Note: Video is performed with different costume for teaching purposes. As much as possible, please view the video first before referring to the written tutorial for a clearer understanding of how to perform each movement.

Written Tutorial

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Introduction

0:00-0:13 on Spotify

  1. Partners face audience, inside hands joined, free hand of Girl holding skirt, that of Boy is placed on his waist.

  2. Tap right foot on every count of the measure. (8 measures)

  3. Partners hold in closed ballroom dance position to get ready for figure 1.

THE “OUT & IN”

Figure 1

Extended arms
towards audience

0:13-0:47 on Spotify

  1. Starting with Left [Right for women] foot, take 4 polka steps around clockwise finishing in original position. (4 measures)

  2. Point L [R] foot sideward and close back to R [L] foot (count 2).

  3. Take one polka step sideward L [R]. (2 measures)

  4. Repeat (b-c), starting with R [L] foot. (2 measures)

  5. Repeat all (a-c), 3 more times. (24 measures)

Closed Ballroom Position
Closed Ballroom Position
(A) Polka Step
(A) Polka Step
(B) Point Sideward
(B) Point Sideward
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Figure 1

Extended arms
towards audience

0:13-0:47 on Spotify

  1. Starting with Left [Right for women] foot, take 4 polka steps around clockwise finishing in original position. (4 measures)

  2. Point L [R] foot sideward and close back to R [L] foot (count 2).

  3. Take one polka step sideward L [R]. (2 measures)

  4. Repeat (b-c), starting with R [L] foot. (2 measures)

  5. Repeat all (a-c), 3 more times. (24 measures)

THE “HEEL TOE”

Figure 2

Face audience. Partners
release hold. Stand side by
side, girl at right, inside hands
joined. Free hand of girl holds
skirt, that of boy is
placed on waist.

0:47-1:23 on Spotify

  1. Starting with outside foot, take 2 heel and toe polka steps forward. (4 measures)

  2. One polka step outward (1 measure) and one polka step inward (1 measure). (2 measures)

  3. Drop inside hands. Starting with outside foot, take two polka steps to turn about outward in place. Finish facing in opposite direction. (2 measures)

      Join inside hands, free hands as above.

  4. Repeat (a-c), starting with inside foot. Reverse direction in (b) and (c). (8 measures)

  5. Repeat all (a-d). (16 measures)

Inside Hands Joined
Inside Hands Joined
(A) Heel and Toe
(A) Heel and Toe
(A) Polka Step
(A) Polka Step
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Figure 2

Face audience. Partners
release hold. Stand side by
side, girl at right, inside hands
joined. Free hand of girl holds
skirt, that of boy is
placed on waist.

0:47-1:23 on Spotify

  1. Starting with outside foot, take 2 heel and toe polka steps forward. (4 measures)

  2. One polka step outward (1 measure) and one polka step inward (1 measure). (2 measures)

  3. Drop inside hands. Starting with outside foot, take two polka steps to turn about outward in place. Finish facing in opposite direction. (2 measures)

      Join inside hands, free hands as above.

  4. Repeat (a-c), starting with inside foot. Reverse direction in (b) and (c). (8 measures)

  5. Repeat all (a-d). (16 measures)

THE “GALLOPS”

Figure 3

Partners hold in closed
ballroom dance position,
extended arms
toward audience.

1:23-1:58 on Spotify

  1. Starting with L[R] foot, take 4 polka steps clockwise as in figure 1 (A). (4 measures)

  2. Take 3 gallop steps sideward L [R] toward front (3 counts), pause (1 count). Do not put weight on the closing foot on the 3rd gallop step. (2 measures)

  3. Repeat (b), starting with other foot, going in opposite direction. (2 measures)

  4. Repeat all (a-c), 3 more times. (24 measures)

Closed Ballroom Position
Closed Ballroom Position
(A) Polka Step
(A) Polka Step
(B) Point Sideward
(B) Point Sideward
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Figure 3

Partners hold in closed
ballroom dance position,
extended arms
toward audience.

1:23-1:58 on Spotify

  1. Starting with L[R] foot, take 4 polka steps clockwise as in figure 1 (A). (4 measures)

  2. Take 3 gallop steps sideward L [R] toward front (3 counts), pause (1 count). Do not put weight on the closing foot on the 3rd gallop step. (2 measures)

  3. Repeat (b), starting with other foot, going in opposite direction. (2 measures)

  4. Repeat all (a-c), 3 more times. (24 measures)

THE “ELBOW TOUCH”

Figure 4

Partners hold in closed
ballroom dance position,
extended arms
toward audience.

1:23-1:58 on Spotify

  1. Partners take 1 polka step R sideward and 1 polka step L sideward. (2 measures)

  2. Point R in front (count 1), raise same foot across L foot in front, just above the ankle (count 2). Point R foot in front (count 1), step R close to L foot (count 2). (2 measures)

  3. Repeat (a) and (b), starting with L foot. (4 measures)

  4. Drop Inside hands. Face each other and place both hands on own waist. With R elbows near each other (jaleo position), take 8 polka steps forward, turning clockwise twice (4 polka steps for each turn). Finish in proper places. (8 measures)

  5. Repeat all (a-d). (16 measures)

Inside Hands Joined
Inside Hands Joined
(B) Entire Step Sequence
(B) Entire Step Sequence
(D) Jaleo Position
(D) Jaleo Position
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Figure 4

Partners hold in closed
ballroom dance position,
extended arms
toward audience.

1:23-1:58 on Spotify

  1. Partners take 1 polka step R sideward and 1 polka step L sideward. (2 measures)

  2. Point R in front (count 1), raise same foot across L foot in front, just above the ankle (count 2). Point R foot in front (count 1), step R close to L foot (count 2). (2 measures)

  3. Repeat (a) and (b), starting with L foot. (4 measures)

  4. Drop Inside hands. Face each other and place both hands on own waist. With R elbows near each other (jaleo position), take 8 polka steps forward, turning clockwise twice (4 polka steps for each turn). Finish in proper places. (8 measures)

  5. Repeat all (a-d). (16 measures)

Saludo

Partners face audience. Join
inside hands, free hands as in
figure 2.

2:33-2:49 on Spotify

  1. Starting with R foot, take 4 polka steps forward. (4 measures)

  2. Girl whirls counterclockwise under arch of arms as many times as possible. (3 measures)

  3. Drop inside hands. Face and bow to each other or to audience; Girl holds skirt and Boy places hands on his waist. (1 measure)

    Note: If desired, the whole dance may be repeated in sets of four pairs in square formation, all facing center of set. The saludo is performed with all facing front only when ending dance.
Inside Hands Joined
Inside Hands Joined
(B) Arched Arms
(B) Arched Arms
(C) Saludo
(C) Saludo
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