Philippines grooves to the Papaya beat

At work or play, the "Papaya" dance craze in the Philippines has people all over the nation dancing to a unique set of moves.

It has simple steps -- clap clap, shuffle shuffle, point your fingers in the air!

The "Papaya" dance craze has taken over the Philippines since it began as a gimmick on a television game show, where a correct answer clinching the elimination round "Papaya."

Host of the "Game Ka Na Ba", (Are You Game?) show Edu Manzano said the song has a great effect on people. "This song just kind of tickles people in the right way. It brings a glint through your eyes, a smile to your face, and a kind of sway to your hips," he said.

(Click here for Edu dancing to the Papaya dance tune)

The daily exposure helped Manzano popularise the dance across the country. He even released an album entitled "The World's Greatest Dance Steps," including a remixed version of the "Papaya," a 1970's R&B tune originally composed by Urzula Dudziak. The album has sold more than 80,000 copies.

The craze reflects the Filipinos' fun-loving attitude despite political turmoil and economic strains, Manzano said.

The has become so contagious that a supermarket chain has made it part of its staff's daily regimen. From the fish section to the shoe department, salespersons were gyrating to the "Papaya."

"When we get a bit tired from work, the dance helps us relax," said Ricky Albot, who mans the fruit and vegetables section.

The shoppers appreciated the light-hearted attraction, "It's fun, they're an added attraction to grocery shopping," said shopper Josie Agtas.

In Boracay island, a tourist hotspot, resort staff at One-MGM (My Greatest Moments) hotel welcome their guests with a "Papaya" dance number.

"We just discovered that dancing the "Papaya," when we started to share it with people from London, from Germany, we saw that it clicked. There's a special something," said Rey Fuentes, One-MGM's general manager.

He added that the perky dance cut across all ages, professions, and cultures.

The tune's catchy beat and steps have gripped dance floors across the Philippines, and inspired groovers and less likely venues, including a church, an embassy and a jail.

A clip of U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney shuffling to the Papaya alongside Manzano is a popular clip on YouTube, with more than 30,000 hits since it was posted four months ago.

(Click here for Edu & Amb Kenny dancing to the Papaya dance tune)

About 1,700 "Papaya" dances, starring children and young people, as well as Transformer toys and Ronald McDonald, have been posted on the video-sharing websites by enthusiasts.