Chabacano de Zamboanga

(Zamboangueño)

A sprightly and lively festival dance, depicting the love for leisurely walks for pleasure by the
early Zamboangueños along the boulevard, at parks or the "pantalon" or port/ The distinct
features are the Spanish-influenced "zapateados" or "zapatear" Striking of dancers shoes, akin to
tap dance) the use of the "paypay" or scented fans by the Girl and the " sombrero" or hot by the
boy.

COSTUME.

Girls wear old style costume, the "maskata" with stiff pañuelo and butterfly sleeves, with a
serpentine skirt. Boys wear a suit with standing collar and black trousers.

MUSIC.

"Chabacano" composed by Mr. Ramon "Bobit" Navarro and a version of Mrs. Norma C. Conti.
Plano notation for dance is by Anson Solls. For dance purposes, the music is composed of seven
parts: Entrance, A,B,C,D,E & Finale.

COUNT.

One, two, three, four to measure or one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight to 2 measures.

FORMATION.

Dancers are arranging in a set of four pairs, Girls at the right side of Boys holding, R arm of
partner in "abrasete" position with her L hand, R hands holding open fan at chest level in front.

X 2 0 X 4 0

X 1 0 X 3 0

STEPS USED:

Close step: In this particular dance, the close step is done in the following manner: Step R (L)
forward (sideward) (ct.1), close L (R) to R (L) (ct.2), step L (R) forward (sideward) (ct.3), close
R (L) (ct.4). There are two Close Step in one measure.
Change steps: In this particular dance, the change step is done in the following manner: Step R
(L) foot in fourth in front (sideward) (ct.1), close L (R) foot in third in near (ct.2), step R (L) foot
in fourth in front (sideward) (ct.3), pause (ct.4). There are one Change steps in one measure.

Stamp-brush ("zapatear"): Stamp R (L) foot forward (ct.1, brush L (R) foot forward (ct.2)
stamp L (R) foot forward (ct.3), brush R (L) foot forward (ct.4). There are two Stamp-brush steps
in one measure.

Slide-close: Slide R (L) foot sideward right (left) (ct.1), close L (R) foot in third in near of R (L)
(ct.2), repeat Slide step sideward right (left) (ct.3), close L (R) in third in near of R (L) (ct.4).
There are two Slide-close steps in one measure.

Cross-turns: Step R (L) foot forward (ct.1), step L (R) across R (L) in front (ct.2) turn right
(left) about on balls of feet (ct.3) repeat turn (ct.4). There are two turns in one measure.

Entrance.

Girls on the right side of boys “abrasete" position. R hands holding open fan at chest level in
front, moving fan in time with the music, Boy's hand on waist.

a.) Starting with R foot, take eight Close steps forward moving to proper places. ....

Music A

a.) Starting with R foot, take two Changes steps sideward right and left (cts. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8).
Girls' hand movement as in Entrance. Boys takes off hats, lowering it diagonally downward right
on cts. 1,2,3,4 and slowly raise hat back to head on cts. 5,6,7,8. ....

b.) Starting with R foot take Three-Steps Turn sideward right (Cts. 1,2,3) finish facing front, L
foot pointing sideward left (ct.4). Girls fans at chest level in front, Boys' hands on waist. ....

c.) Repeat (b) with the opposite foot, turning to the left (cts. 1,2,3). Close R to L foot in third on
ct.4. Hands as in (b). ....

d.) Repeat all (a-c). Girls finish turn facing away fron audience. .....

"Cambià Lugar" (Exchange Places)

e.) Both take 2 Slide-Close steps sideward right (cts. 1,2,3,4) passing each other face to face at
center. Bend trunk slight left, Girls swing open fan downward-sideward-upward right (top of fan
pointing down). Finish in amplified fifth position overhead on count 4, free hands holding skirts
sideward left Boys swing hats from head, doing same movements as Girls, finish with hats on
top of heads on count 4, free hands-on waist. Turn right about on count 4, facing opposite
direction. ......

f.) Repeat (a) with the L foot moving sideward left towards partner's place (cts. 1,2,3,4). Girls
reverse movements of fans, trunk slightly bending sideward right, looking at partners. Finish
movement of fans at chest level in front. Finish at partners place, Girls facing audience, Boys
face away from audience. .....

g.) Slide R foot sideward right to center (ct.1), cross L over R foot in front passing back-to-back
with partner at center (ct.2),slide R foot sideward right finish in proper places (ct.3), cross L over
R foot in front, turning right about in place finish facing partners (ct.4). .....

h.) Cross-turn R twice in place (cts.1,2,3,4). Girls' fans at chest level in front, L hands holding
skirt sideward left. Boys hands on waits. .....

"Zapateados" (Stamps)

i.) Starting with R foot, take 4 Stamp-brush steps forward to be in one line at center, L to l
shoulder with partners. (cts.1,2,3,4,5,6,7). Girls kick R foot in near on ct.8. Boys clap hands over
head on ct. 2 and 4 of every measure. Girls slowly raise open fans from chest, moving
downward-outward-upward to fifth position overhead (to-side out) L hands holding skirts. Look
at partners over left shoulder. ....

j.) Step R foot forward to partner's place (cts.1,2), step L over R in foot in front (cts.3,4). Girls
finish facing front, boys face away from audience. Strike closed fans twice on palms of L hands
at chest level in front of ct.1 and 3. Boys hands on waist. ....

k.) Step R foot sideward right to finish back-to-back with partner at center (cts.1,2), cross L over
R foot in front to turn about and face partner (ct.3), Repeat Cross-turn L over R (ct.4) finish
facing partners. Fans in front of chest, L hands holding skirts. Boys hands on waist. ....

II

"Visita"

Music B. Face partner.

a.) Take 4 walking steps forward finish R-to-R shoulders with partner at center (cts.1,2,3,4). Fans
at chest level in front, L hands holding skirts. Boys hands on waist. ...

b.) Repeat (a) turning around clockwise (cts.1,2,3,4), finish facing opposite pair (cts.1,2,3,4). .....

c.) Repeat (a), Girls moving forward to meet opposite Girls at center of set (cts.1,2,3,4) finish L-
to-L shoulder at center of set. Boys take 4-Steps-Turn R in place finish facing center. Hands as in
(a) above. ....

d.) Girls repeat (a) turning counterclockwise with opposite Girl, finish facing opposite boys
(cts.1,2,3,4). Hands as in (a) above. ....

e.) Repeat (a) forward finish R-to-R with opposite partners. ...

f.) Repeat (b) finish facing center. ....

g.) Take 4 walking steps going back to proper places, pass by L-to-L shoulders with Opposite
Girls. Boys take 4-Steps turning right in place. Finish facing center of set (cts.1,2,3,4). ....

h.) Repeat (b) turning around clockwise with partners (cts.1,2,3,4) finish in proper places, Girls
facing away from audience. ....

i.) Repeat "Cambià Lugar" in Fig.1 (e,h). ....

j.) Repeat " Zapateados" (Stamps) in Fig.1 (i,k). ....

III

"Paseo"

Music C.

a.) Starting with R foot, take 16 walking step forward, Girls in front of boys, forming a diagonal
line, facing line of direction. (See diagram below). Girls one leading the line, Girls fans at chest
level in front, R hands holding skirt sideward left. Boys hands on waist. ....

b.) Starting with R foot, Girls take two Change steps sideward right and left in place
(cts.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8). Fans moving at chest level in front, L hands holding skirts sideward left,
Boys take 8 walking steps around Girl clockwise, finish at behind partner. Hands on waist. ....

c.) Girls repeat (b),Boys take four-steps-turning right in place (cts.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8), Hands as in
(b) above. ....
d.) All take 16 walking steps going to proper places. Boys holding Girls' elbows, finish in proper
places. ....

e.) Repeat "Zapateados" (Stamps) in Fig.1 (i-k). ...

IV

"Cadena" (chain)

Music D.

Face partners. Line of Direction of circle: Girls moving counterclockwise, Boys moving
clockwise.

a.) Starting with R foot, take 1 Change step moving forward to partners' place, Boys hold Girls'
R hand with his R, Girls holding open fan with R hand (cts.1,2,3,4). Boys' free hands on waist,
Girls' L hands holding skirts sideward left. ...

b.) Starting with L foot, take 1 Change-step turn counterclockwise away from partners, moving
in line of direction (cts. 1,2,3,4), Girls' fans at chest level in fronts, L hands holding skirts
sideward left. Boys hands on waist. ...

c.) Repeat (a,b) three more times moving in line of direction, finish with own partners in proper
places. Girls facing away from the audience, boys facing audience. Hands as in (a,b) above. ....

d.) Repeat "Cambià Lugar" as in Fig.1 (e,h). ....

e.) Repeat "Zapateados" (Stamps) in Fig.1 (i,k). ....

"Atras y Adelante" (backward & forward)

Music E. All face front.

a.) Boys

Starting with R foot, take 8 walking steps forward to be in one line side by side in front
(cts.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8). Hold top of hats with R hands, lowering hats slowly forward to shoulder
level in front. L hands on waist. ...
 Girls Repeat (a) perform same movements moving backward to be in one line side by side
behind Boys. Hands as in (b) in Fig.IV (2M).

b.) All take Three-Steps-Turn sideward right (cts.1,2,3), point L foot sideward left (ct.4), finish
facing audience. Hands as in (a) above. ...

c.) Repeat (b) turning sideward left, point R foot sideward right, Finish with Boys facing R, Girls
face L Hands as in (a) above. ...

d.) Repeat (a). Boys' R forearm in front, fist close. L hands on waist. Girls slowly move open
fans from chest-downward-sideward R (top-side-out) upward to 5th position on ct.8. ...

e.) Repeat (b), Boys turning towards rear, Girls turning towards front. Boys' hands as in (d)
above, Girls' fans at chest level in front, L hands holding skirts sideward left. ....

f.) Face front.

Girls:

Take two Change steps moving forward to form one set at the left stage (cts.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8).See
diagram below. Fans moving at chest level in front, L hands holding skirts sideward left. ...

Boys:

Forming one set at right side of stage. Take 2 Slide-Close steps sideward right, turn right about
on ct.4 to face away from the audience. Hold top of hats with R hands, lower hats downward-
sideward-upward right, finish with hats on head (1M). Repeat Slide-Close steps with L foot,
moving sideward left. Bend trunk slightly R, look at Girls, hands on waist (2M). ( See diagram
below).

2x 4x 20 40

1x 3x 10 30

g.) Boys:

Take 2 Slide-close steps moving sideward right (cts.1,2,3,4). Hands on waist. ...

Girls:

Step R foot sideward right, look right on Boys at ct.1, point L foot sideward left on ct.2.
Transfer weight to L foot, R foot pointing right sideward, face left looking away from boys on
cts.3,4. Hands as in (f) above. ...
h.) All across L over R foot, turn R twice in place (cts. 1,2,3,4). Girls' fans overhead, L hands
holding skirts sideward left. Boys' hands on waist Girls and Boys 1 & 3, finish turn facing away
from audience. ...

i.) Boys:

Take 4 walking steps Boys 1 & 3, moving backward towards the rear, Boys 2 & 4 moving
forward towards audience (cts. 1,2,3,4), hands on waist. Turns R about and return to former
position (cts.5,6,7,8)....

Girls:

Starting with R foot, take 2 close steps alternately sideward R & L (1M). Swing fans from
chest, downwards-sideward-upward to fifth position overhead on ct.4 Step R foot sideward right
on ct.5, turn R about to face audience, close L foot to R foot in third on ct.6, step L foot sideward
left on ct.7, lower fans to shoulder level, bend trunk slightly right, close R foot to L foot in third
on ct. 8, bring open fans to chest in front (1M).

j.) All take 1 Slide-close steps sideward right (cts.1,2). Take 1 Slide step sideward right (ct.3),
cross L over R foot in front to turn right (ct.4), finish facing from. Boys' hands on waist. girls'
fans on chest in front, L hands holding skirts sideward. ...

k.) Take 1 Cross-turn right finish facing front (cts.1,2,3,4). Hands as in (j) above. ..

Finale

Music Finale, All face audience.

a.) Boys:

Step L foot sideward left (ct.1), stamp R foot close to L foot (ct.2). R hands hold top of hats to
lower sideward-downward across body in front. Stamp L close to R foot turn left about to face
away from audience (ct.3). Stamp R foot close to L in place (ct.4). Hats finish in front of the
forehands. ...

Girls:

Step R in rear of L foot to face right, top closed fans on L palms at chest level in front onct.1.
Take 3 stamps in place (L,R,L) on ct. 2,3,4 facing Boy. Tap fans 2 times on cts.3,4 (1M).
b.) Boys:

Repeat (a) with opposite foot, turning right about on the stamp to face audience, Hand
movements as in (a) above (cts.1,2,3,4). ...

Girls:

Repeat (a) quarter turn right finish facing away from audience (1M).

c.) Boys:

Repeat (a) in place facing audience (cts.1,2,3,4). ...

Girls:

Repeat (b), right shoulders toward audience (1M).

d.) Boys repeat (c) turns heads on last count to face Girls. Girls repeat (c) finish facing audience,
turns heads to the right to face Boys on last count. ...

e.) Pose

Boys feet together, looking at Girls. Girls' weight on L foot, R foot pointing sideward right
(cts.1,2,3,4). Open fans sideward right on cts.1,2, bring fans close to chest in front on cts.3,4 L
hands holding skirts. Boys' hands on waist. ....

f.) Starting with R foot, take 4 large steps turning clockwise in place (cts. 1,2 3,4), finish in
proper place facing audience. Girls' fans at chest level in front, L hands holding skirts sideward.
Boys hands on waist. ...

g.) Starting with R foot, take 8 walking steps to meet partners in original positions
(cts.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) Hands as in above. ...

h.) Starting with R foot, take 8 walking steps turning around clockwise with partners, ("Jaleo"
position). Finish in proper places. Hands as in above. ....

i.) All take 2 Cross turns right in place (cts,1,2,3,4). Hands as in above. ...

j.) Pose. All assume different poses. ..