I started learning the Argentine tango 6 years ago, in 2008. This dance caught my attention when the DJ in one of our ballroom dancing places, Bykes, when it was still located along Pasong Tamo, sold me a CD of the CITA (Congreso Internacional de Tango Argentino), an Argentine Tango dance event taking place in Buenos Aires. The video so mesmerized me that I started asking around who can teach me the dance.
At the same time, as the PR Consultant of Bykes then, I was asked to join a group of ladies who were having a weekly dancing session, every Thursday it was, at the ground floor of the same building. Little did I know that it was what the Argentinians called a Milonga (an Argentine tango party).
There I met Miss International Aurora Pijuan and character actress, Vangie Labalan, who I consider the progenitors of Milonga here in Manila, and already deep into the dance. They wanted me to write and publicize tango and Milonga. I did! But it took a while for the concept of Milonga to catch on.
The dancing crowd, mostly populated by the ballroom ladies, did not easily subscribe to the idea of dancing just the Argentine tango the whole night! I even suggested that we designate one night in Bykes, as milonga night. But it was half-baked. When guests came in and wanted, maybe demanded is the better term, to dance ballroom, management had to give in, afraid to lose their patronage, to my utter dismay.
But it was inevitable that the Milonga finally came to its own, as more and more were discovering the beautiful Argentine tango.
As for me, a few stumbling blocks and some frustrations later, I finally found the local Maestro who literally swept me off my feet into the magical world of Argentine tango. And as the saying goes, the rest is history. I am now caught in the web of this phenomena called the Argentine tango, and this blog is an extension of my passion... a passion that is building up every minute of whatever is left of my life, with every breath that I take.
At the same time, as the PR Consultant of Bykes then, I was asked to join a group of ladies who were having a weekly dancing session, every Thursday it was, at the ground floor of the same building. Little did I know that it was what the Argentinians called a Milonga (an Argentine tango party).
There I met Miss International Aurora Pijuan and character actress, Vangie Labalan, who I consider the progenitors of Milonga here in Manila, and already deep into the dance. They wanted me to write and publicize tango and Milonga. I did! But it took a while for the concept of Milonga to catch on.
The dancing crowd, mostly populated by the ballroom ladies, did not easily subscribe to the idea of dancing just the Argentine tango the whole night! I even suggested that we designate one night in Bykes, as milonga night. But it was half-baked. When guests came in and wanted, maybe demanded is the better term, to dance ballroom, management had to give in, afraid to lose their patronage, to my utter dismay.
But it was inevitable that the Milonga finally came to its own, as more and more were discovering the beautiful Argentine tango.
As for me, a few stumbling blocks and some frustrations later, I finally found the local Maestro who literally swept me off my feet into the magical world of Argentine tango. And as the saying goes, the rest is history. I am now caught in the web of this phenomena called the Argentine tango, and this blog is an extension of my passion... a passion that is building up every minute of whatever is left of my life, with every breath that I take.
So, I hope I will be able to touch base with all tangueros, tangueras, milongueros, milongueras the world over via this blog... exchange ideas, share photos, make new friends, give and receive advice and tips; but most especially, spread the magic of Argentine tango.
....and to those who are not yet bitten by the bug, you are all most welcome to join in, and one day soon, discover what makes us soooo love this dance.
Please bear with me as I take these baby steps in blogging. Thank you to my associate and friend, Liza Almonte, for nagging me to take this new direction. By God's grace, this will be a great ride!
ILoveTango!
Psalm149:3
"Let them praise His name with dancing, making melody to Him with tambourine and lyre!"
Comment from Val Villanueva in my FB page: Argentine Tango is not only a dance. It's much like the red blood that gives us life, spring which gives us hope and the warmth of the sun which nourishes our soul. It pulsates, it explodes ... it is everything that even death dares to tempt ...
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