Pasigin Literature
Pasigin Literature
Background/Context:
Pasigin or sibot is a fish net used by the Capiznon similar to the scoop net but not
quite like the Scissors and cast nets. All these nets are handy for shallow and quiet
parts of the river. The pasigin's ring shape makes it a special net for catching only
specific fish and crustaceans. In the hands of skilled fishermen a pasigin assures
food for the family.
A Filipino's playful Imagination, created the pasigin dance. Using the movements of
excited fishermen scooping after schools of fish, Intricate footwork and dexterous
swishing, swashing, scooping, and sifting gave the pasigin that chase and run
character. The pasigin would have been an ordinary and playful dance had it not
been for a comic relief where at the end, the ring-net reveals a hole big enough for
the fish to escape.
How two people were able to collaborate to make fish and net become one of the
country's favorite dances is why we are extremely thankful to the late Petronella
Suarez and the late Crisostomo Barrera.
Dance Properties:
Costume: Capiznon peasant outfit.
Female:
Top (Kimona): Sleeveless blouse of flimsy material, plain
Skirt (Saya): Ankle-length skirt of any color, fine or wide checks or stripes
Accessories: none
Footwear: None
Male:
Top: Camisa de Chino of the camiseta type
Pants: Colored trousers
Footwear: None
Props: Pasigin/sibot-ring net, Wide brimmed hat
Entrance
Music C.
Dancers execute the following movements going to formation with the Girl leading
and the Boy following behind.
(a) Starting with the R foot, take 16 cross waltz steps to proper places. Girl's arms
are in hayon-hayon position (as described above). Boy holds sibot with both hands
scooping it sideward left and right alternately across the body, trunk slightly bent
forward. 16 M
(b) Partners face audience, Girl In front of Boy.
Starting with the R foot, take four cross-waltz steps moving forward and four cross-
waltz steps moving backward. Arms as in (a). 8 M
(c) Girl: takes four cross-waltz steps moving clockwise around partner and four cross
waltz steps turning right in place, arms as in (a) (8M).
Boy: takes eight cross-waltz steps sideward left and right alternately, arms as in
(a) (8M). 8 M
Music A. (Figure I)
Partners face audience with the Girl In front of the Boy. Movements of the Boy and
the Girl are done simultaneously.
Girl:
(a) Starting with the R foot, take 16 change steps forward moving around to any
direction. Arms are in hayon-hayon position, right and left forearm in front
alternately. Sway the hands inward twice every measure, wrist leading. Finish in
proper places (16M).
Boy:
(a) Step R forward and scoop sibot once to the right (ct. 1), step L forward and
scoop sibotonce to the left (ct. 2). 1M
(b) Take a change step forward. Scoop sibot twice to the right (cts. 1,and,2). 1M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b) starting with the L foot. Reverse direction of arms. 2M
(d) Repeat (a - c) three times more. Finish in proper place behind the Girl. 12M
Girl:
(a) Take eight mincing steps moving forward, shaking skirt and hips (cts.
1,and,2,and; 1,and,2,and). 2M
(b) Take eight steps in place. Exaggerate shaking of hips and skirt as in (a). 2M
(c) Turn right about. Step R forward (ct. 1), close L to R (ct. and), stamp R forward
and ralse L foot
in rear (ct. 2); repeat same three times more (3M). 4M
(d) Turn right about and repeat all (a - c). Finish facing audience in front of partner.
8M
Boys:
(a) Starting with the R foot, take four walking steps forward raising sibot slowly
upward. 2M
(b) Turn right about and repeat (a) moving forward to proper places moving sibot
slowly downward. 2M
(c) Kneel on R (1M); holding sibot with the L hand, pull the net upward with the R
hand twice (1M); snap fingers of the R hand twice (1M); scratch head (1M).
(d) Repeat all (a-c). 8M
(a) Take two steps forward (R,L) (cts. 1,2); change step forward (cts. 1,and,2). Hands
are cupped together moving in a figure of eight once on every count In the first
measure (two counts) and three times on the second measure (three counts). 2M
(b) Repeat (a) starting L. 2 M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b) three times more. 12M
Boy:
(a) Execute 16 change steps sideward right and left alternately in place. Scoop the
sibot twice for every measure sideward right and left alternately. 16M
Music B. (Figure VI)
Repeat Figure II.