 In
a country which has produced a good number of international beauty
queens, it isn't surprising that at least three women have proclaimed
themselves (in more than subtle ways) as the Ballroom Queen of the
Philippines. On was even flaunted as (sigh) "Asia's Ballroom
Queen". Fortunately for all three, they have the necessary
resources to push their claimed reign.
Widowed socialite Aida Posadas seems to dominate the more classy
magazine covers. With her millions, she can practically get her way in
media (so we heard) and simply smiles as she hands out free copies to
her presumed fans. Recently, Ms. Posadas starred in an exclusive
fashion launch "Strictly Fashionably Ballroom" at The Heritage
Hotel in Pasay City. The show itself fell short of its avowed goal to
blend fashion and ballroom dance, but Ms. Posadas outdid herself.
Interspersed between features of our local designers' interpretation
of fashionable dancing outfits, Ms. Posadas displayed her dancing
prowess with one of 6 dance partners she contracted for the night. In
the finale number she wowed everyone with her stamina while dancing (and
flying) with all 6 partners in a row.
Ms. Posadas, who was awarded the Teodora Alonzo Mercado Award in 1997
for having raised her children into prominent professionals and
community leaders, was a former PE teacher in Makati.
Public relations practitioner- turned ballroom school owner Becky
Garcia was once a TV dance show host. With her extensive media
contacts, she is never at a loss for mileage, as long as she appears at
the function. She too presides over the DanceSport Council of the
Philippines. Ms. Garcia continues to manage her own public relations
firm as well as a dance school which helps train future competitive
dance champions for the country.
Real-estate consultant Beth Victoria will not be left out. No
millions nor classy media friends here. But she's outdone the other two
by publishing her own ballroom magazine where she can unabashedly
plaster her pretty face and form in every issue. As publisher, she is
able to mingle and wangle her way into the most exclusive dance clubs as
"Sparklers" and "Smiles" to
assure continuous sales of her "Ballroom Dancing Philippines"
magazine which is right about to release its 5th issue this quarter.
Obviously, all three are dance addicts like us, and quite proficient in
their level of dancing. But to claim a crown is, well, .......
Especially so, since even the amateur formally-trained dancer can
immediately see the many flaws and inconsistencies in their dancing. If
they can claim a crown, surely many unknown dancers are more deserving
of the title.
August
1998
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Some
of your comments
"Your description of the Filipino
dancer is contradictory. How can the dancer not be responsible on the
floor and still enjoy a wondrous dance when he has to lookout for flying
arms and bodies?" -- from a dancer in New Jersey
"The jeepney is an most appropriate
symbol for the Filipino dancer -- very irresponsible yet
adaptable." -- from a Filipino based in Hawaii
"I always knew our Swing was
not the Swing in the US. Neither is it the Hustle." -- from a
recent visitor to the East Coast.
"Why do DIs refer to the "break
on 2" as off-beat. They just prove how naive they really are."
"I can't imagine Tango-ing in a dance
hall where no one follows the line of dance." -- from an
American dance champion
"I love your story on the ballroom
queens. But there's much more juicy details to tell about each of
them."
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Side Steps
