Biomechanical Demands and Motor Skill Acquisition in the Performance of the Gaddang Folk Dance “Ope Manque Wayi”

The biomechanical requirements and motor learning processes associated with executing Ope Manque Wayi, a traditional Gaddang courtship dance that originated in Nueva Vizcaya, are examined in this study. The dance, which has its roots in themes of love, treachery, and resiliency, uses a variety of physical and motor abilities in addition to embodying cultural narratives. In addition to evaluating how inexperienced dancers advance through the phases of motor learning, the study aims to investigate the movement efficiency, joint articulation, muscle engagement, and balancing mechanics displayed during the dance performance. A combination of observational scoring rubrics, dancer notebooks, and video-based motion analysis was used in this mixed-method approach. During a four-week training program, sixteen student participants, ages 17 to 21, who had no prior experience with traditional dance, had their biomechanical execution and motor learning progress monitored. Particular motions including the waltz turns, engaño step, kumintang kneel, and malong spin were assessed for postural control, rhythmic timing, and muscle coordination. According to the results, the dance requires a high degree of proprioceptive coordination, lower limb strength, dynamic balance, and spatial awareness. By the end of the training, participants’ timing, posture, and expressive quality had significantly improved, demonstrating a move from cognitive to autonomous learning stages. The results support the inclusion of Ope Manque Wayi in physical education and therapeutic movement programs as a culturally relevant performance and a useful tool for developing motor skills.