BINASUAN

(Pangasinan)

Binasuan is very colorful and spectacular dance from Bayambang, Pangasinan. Baso means drinking glass. Binasuan in Pangasinan means with the use of drinking glass.

In this dance, the dancer displays good balance, graceful movements and unusual skill. She dances with three glasses half-full of water, one on her head and one each held on the palms of her hands. She shows her skill in maneuvering the glasses, particularly when she executes continuous fast turns, sitting and rolling on the floor without spilling the water or dropping the glasses.

Binasuan is usually danced only by one girl, but sometimes two or three or more girls may dance it in group formation.

COSTUME. Balintawak costume with tapis and soft pañuelo.

MUSIC is composed of two parts: A and B. it is danced to the tune of Pitoy Oras.

COUNT one, two or three to a measure.

FORMATION. Dancer enters from one side of the room or place where the dance is to be performed and stops at center, facing front.

NOTE: Throughout the dance the glasses are kept in proper places, on head and on the palms of the hands.

E N T R A N C E

Music A. Play first time.

Dancer enters from left and right side with one glass on her head and one glass each of the palms of her hands.

Starting with R foot, take eight waltz steps forward to center of the room or stage. Hold glasses in front, elbows close to waist. Move R hand up to chest level and down at waist or hip level alternately and L hand down at hip or waist level and up to chest level alternately, that means that when the R hand goes up to chest level, the L hand goes down to hip level on one count and reverse movement on the next count and so on for eight measures.

Music A. Play second time.

Waltz sideward R and L alternately, eight times. Raise R hand to head level and L hand at waist level when waltzing sideward right. Change

Change position of hands at every measure. There is slight movement of hands upward and downward with R hand and downward and upward with the L hand, alternately at ever count

Music B. Play two times.

(a) Starting with R foot, take four waltz steps obliquely forward right. Raise R hand obliquely upward at head level, L hand down at hip or waist level for four measures. Both hands are moving slightly upward and downward alternately at every count as in figure

(b) Repeat (a), moving obliquely backward left at starting place

(c) Repeat (a) and (b), moving obliquely forward left in (a) and obliquely backward right in (b). Reverse position of hands

Music A. Play two times.

As the following steps are being done, the dancer moves counterclockwise.

•  Step R forward (ct.1), brush L forward (ct. 2), step L close to R (ct. 3). Repeat same (cts. 1, 2, 3). Raise R hand at head level, L hand at waist level. Do not move hands.

•  Waltz turn right (using waltz steps). By this time the dancer has covered one-fourth of an imaginary circle. Hold glasses in front at waist level, elbows close to waist.

•  Repeat (a) and (b) three more times moving counterclockwise. Finish in proper place, facing front.

Music B and A. Play two times each part.

•  Place weight on L foot, R close to L, heel slightly raised. Turn R hand counterclockwise going gradually upward to overhead. L hand is down at hip level.

•  Reverse turn of R hand, going gradually downward to original position. Same position of L hand.

•  Repeat (a) and (b)

•  Transfer weight to R foot, L heel slightly raised. Repeat all (a-c) with L hand reversing turn. R hand is down at side at hip level.

Music B. Play two times.

•  Execute as many fast (whirl) turns in place counterclockwise (tiny steps in place, both feet flat on floor). Hold glasses obliquely forward at chest level without moving hands. Do not hold elbows too close to waist. Finish facing front

•  Repeat (a), turning counterclockwise

Music A. Play two times.

•  Step R sideward (ct. 1), brush L forward (ct. 2), step L close to R. (ct. 3). Repeat same two more times (2 M). Step R sideward (ct. 1), brush L forward (cts. 2, 3). Raise R hand level, L hand sideward at waist level or a little bit below waist. Do not move hands

•  Repeat (a), starting with L foot, going sideward left, reverse position of hands.

•  Repeat (a) and (b)

Music B. Play three times. Music A. Play two times.

•  Kneel on R (1 M), kneel on L (1 M), side sit on left (1 M), stretch both legs sideward right and place back of L hand on floor in front (1 M)

•  Turn R counterclockwise and raise gradually to overhead as in Figure IV