PANUYOM

Dance Researcher : Regel L. Maagad & Dr. Lincoln V. Tan

Music : Dr. Lincoln V. Tan & Dr. Irish Kim G. Timula
Dance Annotation : Dr. Corazon O. Agustin
Dance Presenter : Dr. Corazon O. Agustin
(2025 PFDS Workshop)

Meaning : Gathering of Sea Urchin or “Tuyom”

Place of Origin : Talisayan, Misamis Oriental
Ethnolinguistic Group : Visayan

Classification/ Content:

Talisayan, Misamis Oriental, located in Northern Mindanao, is renowned for its

rich marine biodiversity, particularly its thriving fish sea urchin sanctuary. The coastal
town of Talisayan offers a sustainable way of life for its residents, who rely on the
abundance of fish & sea urchin species found along the seabed makes Talisayan an ideal
place for coastal living.

In times of food shortages, Talisayanons rely on the sea, engaging in traditional

fishing & sea urchin gathering. One of the most sought-after species is the "tuyom," a black
sea urchin characterized by its long, sharp spines. The locals refer to the activity of
collecting this sea urchin as Panuyom, employing tools such as the Sigpaw—a stick with a
small basket attached at the tip—to carefully extract the tuyom from the seabed. The
collected tuyom are then placed in a basket & vigorously shaken to break off their spines,
ensuring safe consumption.

This cultural practice has been artistically preserved through folk dance, with
movements inspired by the process of gathering sea urchins. The gestures & steps reflect
various aspects of the tradition—mimicking the delicate act of collecting tuyom, the
playful courtship between couples, & the rhythmic motion of tuyom as they shift in the
basket & glide beneath the waves. Through dance, the heritage of Panuyom is celebrated,
embodying the harmony between the people of Talisayan & their marine environment.

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Dance Properties:

Costume:
Female - Baro with Bell Sleeves with Alampay & Saya with
Tapis.
- Cloth headband
Male - Camisa de Chino with Scarf & Dark Colored
Trouser.

Dance Implements:

Basket with hook Sigpaw with sling

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 A woven container made from A small rattan basket with a stick
rattan, popular for sea urchin attached across the rim as handle.
“tuyom” storage.

Music:
2 & 3 Time signature composed of 6 parts a, b, c, d, e, & f
4 4
Count:
1 2, 1 & 2, 1 2 & in 2 time signature
4

Steps & Movements Particular to the Dance:

Steps Step Pattern & counting

1 & 2
Change step - Step, close, step.
& 1 & 2
Hop polka - Hop, step, close, step
1 2
Hop Step - Hop, step
1 2 &
Habanera - Step, close, step

Movements

Scoop - Scoop sigpaw outward & inward, forming a figure of eight. Swing sigpaw
outward- upward into girl’s basket.
Kapay - To invite by swaying arm sideward-upward overhead.
Kungkong 1 - Arms bent in front at chest level, with R & L fingers toward each
other as if holding a rounded object, twist with both hands in
opposite (forward & backward) direction, mimicking the
movement of a tuyom.
Kungkong 2 - Arms in reverse “T” position. Fingers upward, twist both hands
to the R & L alternately.

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 Entrance

Music A

Girl: Hold basket over L shoulder, R hand on skirt.

Boy: Place Sigpaw over R shoulder, L hand on waist.
a. Execute 4 hop polka steps forward to meet at center………………………………. 4M
b. Face audience. Take 2 hop polka towards audience & 2 hop polka turning R
about & bow………………………………………………………………………… 4M

Figure I

Music B.

Girl: Holds basket with both hands at waist level

a. Face audience. Take 2 change steps R & L, swing basket to R & L side………. 2M
b. Quarter turn R, bend trunk forward, extend basket forward, & wiggle buttocks
4x to R, & L (Look at partner over L shoulder)………………………………………. 2M
c. Quarter turn R & repeat (a)…………………….…………………………………….. 2M
d. Quarter turn L & repeat (b)…………………………………………………………... 2M
e. Repeat (a) facing audience…..………………………………………………………... 2M
f. Quarter turn L & repeat (b) (Facing partner)……………………………………….. 2M
g. Quarter turn L & repeat (a) (Facing away audience)……………………………… 2M
h. Quarter turn R & repeat (b) (Facing partner)………………………………………. 2M

Boy: Puts basket across R and L shoulders, trunk slightly bent throughout the figure.
a. Take 16 change steps in place. (Look at partner admiringly) Stomp on every 1st
count of the measure …………………………………………………………….……. 16M

Figure II

Music C.

Girl: Hangs basket on L bent elbow, R hand on skirt.

Boy: Hands as in entrance.
Partners do the same movement facing front.
a. Take 2 Habanera steps R & L alternately…………………………………………...… 2M
b. Execute 2 step swings outward & inward. Outside arm doing the Kapay…..…… 2M
c. Repeat (a)………………………………………………………………………………... 2M
d. 2 Habanera step turn R about to be in one line with partner at center. Boy behind

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 the Girl, both facing front……………………………………………………………… 2M
e. Repeat all, (a) to (d). Finish in proper places facing
partner…………………………………………………………………………………… 8M

Figure III

Music D.

Partner execute movements to a diamond formation.

Girl:
a. Take 4 walking steps obliquely forward R, hold basket with both hands in front
at waist level……………………………………………………………………………... 2M
b. Hop on R 4x, turning R about, raise R foot while hopping & raise basket
overhead………………………………………………………………………………..... 2M
c. Repeat (a) & (b) moving obliquely L to partner’s place………………….. ……….. 4M
d. Repeat (a) & (b) moving obliquely R to be in line with partner at
centre…………………..……………………………………………………………......... 4M
e. Repeat (a) & (b) to proper places………………………………………………………. 4M

Boy:
a. Execute the same steps with girl to the same direction. Hold Sigpaw with both
hands vertically in front, R hand up, reverse position of hands on every step…….. 2M
b. Raise Sigpaw horizontally overhead while hopping on R & turning R about…… 2M
c. Repeat (a) & (b) 3x more, to a diamond formation………………………………….. 12M

Figure IV

Music E.

a. Facing front, take 2 change steps obliquely forward and obliquely backward R.
Feet together and jump. Girl and boy’s hands as in entrance…..………….………. 4M
b. Repeat (a) starting L, moving to opposite direction ………………………………... 4M
c. Repeat (a) and (b) ……………………………………………………………………… 8M
d. Repeat all (a) to (c) facing partner …………………………………………………... 16M

Figure V

Music F.

Partner face audience

Girl: Holds basket at waist level.

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 a. Starting with the outside foot, execute 4 change steps outward & inward
alternately. Shake basket to the sides. Encircle basket outward- upward to
partner’s side on the last measure…………………………………………………... 4M
b. Repeat (a) 3x more…………………………………………………………………..... 12M
c. Repeat (a) moving towards audience……………………………………………….. 4M
d. Turn R about & repeat (a) moving away from audience…………………………... 4M
e. Repeat (c) & (d)………………………….……………………………………………. 8M
(Hang basket on R side on the last count)

Boy: Holds Sigpaw with both hands at waist level.

a. Starting with the outside foot, take 4 change steps outward & inward
alternately. Scoop Sigpaw outward & inward forming a figure of 8. Encircle
Sigpaw outward- upward to the girl’s basket (as if pouring the content on the
last measure)…………………………………………………………………………... 4M
b. Repeat (a) 3x more…………………………………………………………………….. 12M
c. Quarter turn R & repeat (a) moving away from audience………………………… 4M
d. Turn R about & repeat (a) moving towards audience…………………………….. 4M
e. Repeat (c) & (d) ……………………………………………………………………….. 8M
(Hang Sigpaw on R shoulder on the last count)

Figure VI

Music G.

Hook L to L elbow with partner Girl face audience, boy face away.
a. Take a hop step and bend sideward towards the girl’s side and towards the
boy’s side 2x. Extend free arm sideward/ upward. Close fist on the on the last
count of each measure …………………………......................................................... 4M
b. Hop on the inside foot 8x turning R about with partner. Bend trunk slightly
backward & extend free arm sideward. …………………………………………… 4M
c. Repeat (a) & (b). Finish facing audience…………………………………………… 8M

Figure VII

Music E.

Partner face audience.

a. Take 2 change steps R & L alternately, execute Kungkong 1……………………… 2M
b. Repeat (a) arms on reverse “T” execute Kungkong 2……………………………… 2M
c. Step inside foot forward & shake shoulders forward & backward, trunks
slightly bent forward & backward…………………………………………………... 2M
d. Repeat (c)………………………………………………………………………………. 2M
e. Repeat (a) to (d) facing partner. Step R foot forward on (c)……………………… 8M

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 (Get implements on the plus count)

Figure VIII

Music G.

a. Repeat figure V moving to circle formation with boy behind the girl & exit. 32M

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