Philippine Folk Dance

4. Introduction
La Berde is a dance from the
mountain settlement of Bacayan,
Cebu City.
The dance combines two dances –
the Kuratsa and Valse hence its
name La Berde which refers to a
non-stop succession.

5. In a series of quick steps and quick
changes, the dance celebrates what
is lush and full of life.
The dance is performed by an
interesting cast of two girls and a
boy, instead of the usual pair of
dancers

6. Etymology
La Berde (literally, green) which
may refer to the lush greenery of
Bacayan, the dance’s place of origin.
La Berde also refers to a “non-stop
succession” much like vehicles
when the green traffic light is on.

7. Dance Properties
Dance Culture – Inland Christian
Place of Origin – Bacayan, Cebu City
Ethnolinguistic Group – Cebuano
Classification - Festival

9. Music –
Provided by the
rondalla (string
ensemble)
Time Signature –
3/4

10. Props – paypay
or abanico
(folding fan)
 The original dance
had no use of any
prop but the fan
was added as
suggested by Mr.
Ramon A. Obusan
to the dancers of
Ms. Franceta
Pacana of USC

11. Mood – jovial
Stance – erect
Performers – one boy and two
girls/all girls in the modified
version

12. Costume
Girl:
Baro’t Saya Ensemble
1930s consisting of a
camisa with bell or
stiff butterfly sleeves,
saya with moderate
train and stiff panuelo
Leather shoes/sandals

13. Boy:
Barong
Tagalog/camisa
chino
Panyu worn as a
neckerchief
Dark colored pants
Dark leather shoes

14. Basic Steps
Kuratsa walk with arms swinging
naturally at the sides
Parallel tortillier
Native waltz
Step swing

15. Choreographed Sequence
Figure 1 - Kuratsa
4M – walking forward (B pass
between the girls)
4M – walking backward (G exchange
places moving backward)
8M – Repeat
 End with boy’s back facing audience/girls
facing audience

16. Figure 2 – Valse
4M – Girls execute parallel tortillier;
arms in lateral position (B
executing waltz, clapping hands)
2M – Step swing R and L (B and G)
2M – Waltz turn R
End with everyone facing audience

17.  Continued:
4M – Repeat parallel tortillier (B
executing waltz)
2M – step swing L and R
2M – waltz turn L

18. Figure 3
8M – Waltz moving CW; arms in
lateral position
8M – Waltz moving CCW

19. Figure 4
B between two G; hold the G
2M – Waltz R and L
2M – step swing R and L
12M – Repeat

20. Figure 5
4M – Waltz R and L alternately,
moving out of the circle
4M – Double waltz turn R
8M – Repeat moving in

21. End
B holding G
2M – 4 steps forward
2M – G cross turn under joined
hands
Curtsy

22. Source
Cebuano Folk Dances
by
Gloria Violanda-Cabahug
Sayaw Sugbo
(Cebuano Dance Compilation)
By Ceasar F. Nimor