Jota Camarines

Meaning: Jota version of Camarines Norte

Dance Culture: Lowland Christian
Place of Origin: Daet, Camarines Norte
Ethno Linguistic Group: Bicolano
Classification: Social Dance

Background / Context:

During the Spanish regime, the Jota dances were among the most
popular dances in the Philippines. These gay and lively dances are adaptations
from Spanish Jotas as performed by the early Spanish settlers in the Philippines
which eventually captured Filipinos interpreting their own way.
The dance described below is from Daet, Camarines Norte. This is
usually performed by the rich people or sometimes referred to as the Elite.

Dance Properties:

Costume:
Female: Maria Clara style or any old style costume
Male: Barong Tagalog and Black trousers.

Music: ¾ composed of two parts: A and B.

Count: One, two, three to a measure.
Formation: Partners stand opposite each other about six feet apart. The girl
at Boy’s right when facing audience. One to any number of pairs may
participate in this dance.

INTRODUCTION

Music Introduction
Partners face each other.
(a) Point R foot forward (ct.1), close R foot to L (ct.2), step L in place (ct.3). Girl
holds skirt, Boy’s hands on waist.....................................................................1 M
(b) Repeat (a) five times.......................................................................................5 M
(c) Step R foot sideward right (ct.1, 2), point L across R in rear (ct.3). bow to partner
(cts.1,2,3)........................................................................................................2 M

I
Music A
Partners face each other. Partners perform their movements simultaneously.
Girl:
(a) Face right. Take two waltz steps sideward R and L, arms in lateral position....2 M
 (b) Repeat (a) three more times making quarter turn right to finish facing
partner...........................................................................................................6 M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b) starting L moving counter clockwise..................................8 M

Boy:
(a) Step right foot across L in front (ct.1, 2), step L close to R (ct.3), hands on waist.
Quarter turn right to face partner, point R foot forward, arms in fourth position,
L arm high (cts.1,2,2)......................................................................................2 M
(b) Repeat (a) three more times moving clockwise around the girl to finish in proper
place..............................................................................................................6 M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b) starting L moving counter clockwise..................................8 M

II
Music B
Partners face each other.
(a) Take three sway balance steps with a raise (R,L,R), arms open from first to
second positions to fourth position, R and L arm alternately..........................6 M
(b) Starting with L foot, three steps forward to partner’s place, passing L to L
shoulder, arms in fourth position, R arm high (cts.1,2,3). Turn right about and
point R foot forward, reverse arm position (cts.1,2,3).....................................2 M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b) to finish to proper places................................................... 8 M

III
Music A
Partners face each other.
(a) Girl turns right about. Take four cross-waltz steps forward with Girl leading, Boy
following behind. Arms in hayon-hayon position............................................4 M
(b) Girl turns right about to face partner. Do-sido. Take two cross-waltz steps
backward passing by L shoulders (2M). Salok arms R and L alternately...........4 M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b). This time, Boy leading with Girl following behind..............8 M

IV
Music B
Partners face each other. Join hands with partner in second position.
(a) Two cross waltz steps sideward Rand L..........................................................2 M
(b) Two waltz steps forward-clockwise to change places, swing arms inward-
upward to downward-sideward......................................................................2 M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b). Finish in proper places......................................................4 M
(d) Release hold. Take one mazurka step to the right (1M). Three-step turn right in
place (1M). Girl holds skirt, Boy’s hands on waist............................................2 M
(e) Repeat (d) three more times (L,R,L)...............................................................6 M

V
Music B
 Partners hold in closed ballroom dance position.
(a) Execute six redoba steps R and L alternately turning clockwise......................6 M
(b) Release hold. Take three-steps turn outward to proper places (1M). Pause (1M).
Girl holds skirt, Boy’s hands on waist..............................................................2 M
(c) Join inside hands and repeat (a) facing audience. Free hands in second
position..........................................................................................................6 M
(d) Repeat (b)......................................................................................................2 M

VI
Music A
(a) Repeat figure I..............................................................................................16 M

VII
Music B
(a) Repeat figure II.............................................................................................16 M

VIII
Music A
(a) Repeat figure III............................................................................................16 M

XI
Music B
(a) Repeat figure IV............................................................................................16 M

X
Music B
(a) Repeat figure V.............................................................................................16 M

EXTRODUCTION
Music Introduction
(a) Repeat Introduction.......................................................................................8 M