LULAY
Laguna
Lulay is both song and dance. It is a national dance performed in different versions. The
song has also many versions. The courtship dance, Lulay, described below is from San Pablo,
Laguna. Lulay comes from the word, Lolay, which is a nickname for Eulogia. The Beauty of this
dance depends mostly on the singing and pantomimic movements and expressions of dancers,
especially the soloists (Pair No. 1). Boy and Girl sing the verses of the song alternately.
COSTUME: Girls are dresses in Balintawak style costume and Boys, in Barong Tagalog and
white or black trousers.
MUSIC is divided in 2 parts: A and B.
COUNT: one, two, three or one, two, and, three to a measure or one, two, three, four, five, six
to two measures.
FORMATION: Partners face each other about eight feet apart. When facing audience, Girls are
at the right side of partners, Five or six pairs may compose a set, Pair No. 1 as leader.
MUSIC INTRODUCTION (10 COUNTS PATAMA )
Execute a three step turn right in place and bow to partner. (Girls hold skirts,
Boys place hands on waists) ……………………………………………………………………………………… 2M
Music A (All sing first verse.)
Execute sixteen step-swings sideward, R and L, alternately. Girls hold skirts,
Boys place hands on waists ………………………………………………………………………………………... 16M
II
Music A (No singing)
All face audience.
(a) Starting with inside foot (L foot girl and R foot boy) take seven steps
sideward going to partners place (cts. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 1), pause (cts. 2),
stamp twice with inside foot (R foot girl and L foot boy) (cts. and 3).
Pause (cts. 1, 2, 3). Girls pass in front partner. Arms are down at sides
when going to partner’s place and reverse “T” position with kumintang
inward when stamping ………………………………………………………………………………….. 4M
(b) Repeat (a) going to proper places ……………………………………………………………………. 4M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b) ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 8M
III
Music A (All sing second verse)
Partners face each other.
(a) Girls take eight waltz steps sideward, R and L alternately, hands holding
skirts. Boys take eight small waltz steps forward, starting with R foot,
to finish in front of respective, hands on waists …………………………………………… 8M
(b) Girls repeat movement in (a). Boys kneel on R and half-stand on L. Raise
arms toward partner, palms up as if imploring ………………………………………….... 8M
IV
Music B (All sing third verse)
(a) Girls take eight waltz steps forward going around partners clockwise.
Arms in Lateral Position moving sideward right and left alternately.
Boys remain in kneeling position and clap hands sideward right and left
alternately on cts. 2, 3, of every measure. They look at partners as they
go around them …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8M
(b) Girls turn right about and repeat (a) moving counterclockwise around
boys. Boys continue clapping hands as in (a). Stand on the last measure
and go behind partners…………………………………………………………………………………... 8M
V
Music B (No Singing)
(a) Starting with R foot, partners take eight waltz steps forward to boy’s
place. Boys follow closely behind their partners, clapping hands on cts. 2, 3
of every measure, sideward right and left alternately. Girls look back at
partners over their R and L shoulders alternately, hands holding
skirts ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8M
(b) Girls turn right about and take eight waltz steps forward to proper
places. Hands as in (a). Boys turn right about and take eight waltz
balance steps sideward, R and L alternately. Hands on
waists ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8M
VI.
Music A (Pair one sings)
Pair 1 separates from the group and steps forward nearer audience.
All other hold each other’s hands and execute step-swings sideward, R and L
alternately. Boys do the same on opposite side ………………………………………………… 16M
Pair 1 sings the following verses, boy and girl singing alternately. They do
in pantomime the meaning of the words of the song. Girls holds handkerchief
while singing.
Boy 1 sings fourth verse telling her to pity and give him happiness forever………………… 16M
Girl 1 sings fifth verse telling him that women must not believe the sweet
Boy 1 sings sixth verse. He kneels on his R and implores girl to have
compassion on him ……………………………………………………………………………………………………... 16M
Girls sings seventh verse telling him that all the hardships that men tell women
are just words to make women believe and assent to their wishes. Boy stands
and looks at girl while she sings…………………………………………………………………………………….. 16M
VII
Music B (Pair 1 sings eight verse)
Boy 1 and girl 1 sing alternately as indicated in the eighth verse. Pairs 2, 3, 4 and
5 execute sixteen waltz steps, forward R and backward L alternately……………………………. 16M
At the end of the song, girl 1 and boy 1 go back to proper places.
VIII
Music B (All sing eighth verse)
All join hands and form a semi-circle facing audience.
Execute sixteen step wings, sideward R and L alternately as they sing the song.
Boys and girls sing alternately as indicated in the song. Finish with a bow to the
audience ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16M
