| TANGO
Philippine Version
If you have danced in any of the many dance halls in the
Philippines, you would have noticed that we have our own style of dancing the Tango. Many
have wondered (and so have we!) how this came about. My guess is that since, unlike in the
US and in Europe, ballroom dancing has always been a social activity in the country. Thus
amateur dancers learn from other amateur dancers, styling the dance with individual styles
and syncopations. We'd rather dance with creativity and flair. Schooled steps just won't
do with our temperament and culture.
So don't be surprised if you
see the following 16-beat pattern used extensively by many dancers as both an intro and as
a regular amalgamation. Done with grace and finesse, it can be considered one of the more
fascinating Tango sequences.
PHILIPPINE
INTRO AMALGAMATION
START facing each other,
MAN's weight on right foot, Lady's weight on left foot.
| PART I |
|
|
|
|
| Count |
1 &
2 |
3
4 & |
5 6 & |
7
& 8 |
| Rhythm |
|
|
|
|
| Verbal Call |
QuickQuick |
Slow |
Slow |
QuickQuick |
| OR |
Dip & Back
|
Walk Touch |
Walk Touch |
Walk Walk
|
| Man |
|
|
|
|
| Foot |
L
R |
L (R) (R)
|
R (L) (L)
|
L
R |
| Direction |
B(dip) F |
F (h)(br)
|
F (h)(br)
|
F
B |
| Lady |
|
|
|
|
| Foot |
R
L |
R (L) (L)
|
L (R) (R)
|
R
L |
| Direction |
F (dip)B |
F (h)(br)
|
F (h)(br)
|
F
F |
| Turn |
|
|
|
1/2 L
|
| Both |
|
|
|
|
| Dance Position |
Conversation |
Conversation |
Conversation |
Conv. R-Parl.
|
| Foot Position |
4th
1st |
4th 1st
|
4th 1st |
4th 4th |
| PART II |
|
|
|
|
| Count |
1
& 2 |
3
& 4 |
5
6 |
7
8 |
| Rhythm |
|
|
|
|
| Verbal Call |
QuickQuick |
QuickQuick |
QuickQuick |
QuickQuick |
| OR |
Walk&Turn |
Walk Turn |
Full Turn |
Full Turn |
| Man |
|
|
|
|
| Foot |
L
R L |
R
L |
L
R |
L
R |
| Direction |
B
T B |
F
F |
B
S |
S
Cl |
| Turn |
|
1/2 R |
|
|
| Foot Position |
4th 1st 4th |
4th 1st 4th |
4th 2nd
|
2nd 1st
|
| Lady |
|
|
|
|
| Foot |
R
L R |
L
R |
L
R |
R
L |
| Direction |
F
T B |
F
F |
Pl
Pl |
Pl
Pl |
| Turn |
1/2 R |
1/2 L |
Full R |
Full L |
| Foot Position |
4th 1st 4th
|
4th 1st 4th |
1st
1st |
1st
1st |
| Both |
|
|
|
|
| Dance Position |
Conversation |
Reverse Conv. |
Open |
Open Closed |
View Animated Step Pattern
This is not an absolute
pattern. Numerous stylings and variations of this pattern have been utilized by many other
dancers. As far as we know, this intro amalgamation is most common among the DIs from Pampanga.
|
Side Steps
