Dateline: Bali August 30- September 3, 2oo6

 

 

                                             WEEK  1

 

Zooming in to Bali via Quantas 138, I arrived in the island at quarter to ten in the evening. There were many passengers in the arrival hall and the Bali immigration was busy issuing out clearances to the hundreds of travelers I saw at the time of my arrival. The weather was still a bit cold which was exactly like it was when I left a month ago.

While it took me forty-five minutes to go pass through immigration, everything just went on smoothly.

 

I got out of the airport and immediately saw the service that will take me to Stefani’s tango house in Sanur. Bali was relatively quiet on the day I arrived and I always feel at home each time I come to the island during my working visits.

 

When I arrived at Stefani’s house thirty minutes after, she was there to receive me and ready to surprise me with her collection of artworks intended for an art exhibition sometime in November. She has started working on these paintings last month since she received the confirmation that she will finally realize her first international art exhibition.

 

I was stunned at the magnificence of the pieces I saw. This lady indeed has this innate talent in painting. I am glad I was able to put her talent in combination with a tango event which I find rather unique in the sense that I am putting all these events in one extravaganza. I will tell you more about this in the coming weeks as things unfold prior to the major event in November.

 

 I purposely came to Bali this time for Raymond’s wedding. Raymond is Made and Peter’s youngest son who is tying the knot with Shenoa on Friday September 1. Ni made Masih, being the tango “loca” that she is, specially prepared a tango show for her son’s party. Being a wedding occasion, it was just apt that a romantic and passionate dance such as tango be showcased. She flew in Gato & Andrea from Kuala Lumpur to do a performance during the evening. Meanwhile I settled myself as I brace myself to work the following day.

 

On Thursday, Stefani handed down my schedule as usual. She told me that a French family will be taking classes for three hours the following day. The couple is so madly in love with tango specially the lady, so she says. This couple had been making her days busy since two weeks ago as they take lessons with her everyday since they arrived in Bali for their yearly vacation. 

 

True enough, as I saw them, they were indeed cordial and extremely nice people as Stefani introduced us to one another. Well, they are French remember and the French are noted for their being discreet and good mannered. Francoise and Martine are the couple and their daughter is Alienor. For two weeks now, Stefani has been teaching them how to tango and the progress was evident in the way they were moving the first time I asked them to dance together. I started working where Stefani left off, and now I made them more grounded on the floor as they define clearly the basic tango walk. Slowly I brought them to the embrace, and made it even more framed to help them build-up better connection. I found Francoise rather weak with his center, that I made him understand to breathe properly by pumping air into is diaphragm to make his lead more solid and stable ditto with Martine whom I would ask to relax her shoulders also by breathing properly to enable her to define the role as a follower.

 

Stefani actually did a good introduction that it came rather easy for me to make them understand the more important elements of the dance with out much effort. They easily understood what I was trying to explain and despite language barrier, as both do not speak English that fluently but their daughter can, so it was Alienor who did most of the translation to her parents if they could not understand some of my discussions. But generally, husband and wife were able to follow through and were very happy at the progress they were making. After two hours, husband and wife were seen enjoying the few basic steps by being more grounded on the floor. They can feel they are much better connected now and that they can glide around the dance floor with much ease.

 

Alienor then took the next slot. At 14, this young girl already showed special liking for tango. I won’t be surprised if she gets to like it. I had students lately, same age as hers, who all have been smitten by this art form. Like I said in the past, gone were the days when tango was typecast to elderly individuals. With the evolution and the coming of tango Nuevo, more and more young people will eventually be drawn into the dance. She was an attentive student and learns fast. And I have such a wonderful time teaching this young lady.

 

At 7:30 in the evening I attended to Tracy and Stewart for their wedding dance in November. The soon-to-be husband and wife were seen enjoying their routine to the tune of Love is in the Air. They did perfectly well during the one hour session we had and amazingly both made huge progress in the short time we worked on their choreography.

 

The following day I had again Martine and Francoise minus Alienor. And again, husband and wife have been working doubly hard to make the most out of their remaining time with me as they are set to leave in a few days. We were all focused and intent trying to bring out the tango in them and fortunately our efforts paid- off as I can see them improve by leaps and bounds from the first day I worked on them. Martine’s posture was perfect except for the discipline that needed to be instilled to make her imbibe the feelings of the tango. And this is all about relaxing the shoulders, keeping this slight leaning forward to maintain good connection etc.

 

Friday all roads lead to Made’s palatial home at Bukit with a good over view of the ocean.  Today is Raymond and Shenoa’s wedding reception and we wish this newly weds congratulations and best wishes. Raymond is the youngest son of Peter and Made. What makes this event interesting is the fact that Made, being the tango “loca” herself, specially flew in Gato Valdez and Andrea Monti to do a performance.

 

We arrived at the venue with hundreds of cars parked on both sides of the road. Wow it seems like one-fourth of Bali’s population was in attendance during the evening. It reminds me of parties I attended back in Manila when big-wigs from the high society and government would throw parties as if there were no tomorrow. I wouldn’t be surprised if many people came for this occasion. Made is an institution in Bali. And anytime she calls for a party or an event for that matter, her legions of followers will come and celebrate with her.

 

I came with Stefani and the French family, Francoise, Martine and Alienor. As we entered the premises, we were greeted by a swarm of people, locals and expats alike. The huge lawn was filled with people and a big white stage was set-up for the evening’s presentation.

 

We joined the Tango Bali Club group who all came in full force. Italian tanguero Gianfranco Boca sans Anton, was there. The Jenggala group Nancy, Ellen, Ade, Wita, Maria, John and a host of others were having fun watching the proceedings. I spotted husband and wife Peter and Galina looking great. Peter, who has just recovered from a bout with typhoid was looking much better although he needs to add on a little weight. Very glamorous Swiss “tanguera” Christine came in an elegant ecru ensemble ditto with Omar and Lily who were both looking magnificent in their Balinese traditional outfits. Also seen were husband and wife Pablo and Iris. Pablo finally found his fellow Argentineans in Gato and Andrea as we introduced them to one another. Also seen were Lola and Ricky having a good time as they danced the tango together. Conspicuously absent were Mark, Ana and Douglas.

 

The show was a mixed of everything. It was more like a variety show but the energy was really high. It started with the traditional Balinese music and dance which was well applauded. It then segued to a fashion show of wedding gowns by a noted Indonesian designer. And then came the much awaited part by the Tango Bali Club, the performance of Gato and Andrea. German/French/Moroccan “tanguero” Khaled was there too to greet the newlyweds.

 

Despite the difficulty in handling the dance floor, the couple gave a fantastic performance and everyone especially the” tangueros” were very pleased at the tango spectacle the couple presented.

 

Gato and Andrea then invited me and Stefani to join them onstage as we switched partners. I took Andrea while Gato took Stefani. The Tango Bali crowd was cheering as the four of us glided into the dance floor to the playful rhythm of “Mala junta.” We ended the number with a thunderous applause from the audience and soon after “tangueros” were invited to come up the stage to open the “milonga.”

 

Gato and Andrea are very nice people. They are very friendly and easy to get along with. The Tango Bali Club accorded them a very warm reception during their short visit and the couple was very pleased about it.

 

After the program, the wedding couple was invited to come up the stage to cut the wedding cake. The whole family, Peter, Made and Jigo joined the newly weds and soon after immediate relatives and close family friends joined them as well. The disc-jockey then played pulsating rhythms to techno music and everyone just went into hysterics and soon after the party mood was in high gear.

 

Guests then joined the mayhem and the whole stage was covered with people, dancing and having a good time to celebrate with Raymond and Shenoa. This is one of the best parties I have attended in three years, if I may say. The energy was just contagious. Congratulations Made.

 

On Saturday I ran some private lessons with Helena and Ellen. As always, Helena will be in her dancing element every time she sees me. I incorporated new and exciting figures to add to our routine and she was just so glad to learn new things once again.

 

Ellen meanwhile carried on with her lesson. Yes, finally, I’m beginning to see her moving in true tango fashion. This thing with leaning and making her emphasize her axis to understand being grounded finally manifested in her moves. And she couldn’t deny it as she herself can feel the big change in her dancing. I was so pleased having made this break-through as I can finally bring her to her next level of learning and understanding the tango.

 

My schedule wasn’t so hectic that I managed to plan my things for this event I am organizing in November. With my webmaster on his computer, I started sending out information via internet to all my contacts in my mailing list announcing the staging of TANGOXPOSED in Singapore. There were many other things that I was able to thresh-out concerning the initial preparations for this event. Thank goodness my schedule was not too busy this time otherwise I wouldn’t be able to attend to the nitty-gritty of organizing these little details to ensure success for this project.

 

I managed to pamper myself again with a good massage courtesy of Wiwik this Sunday. I had no scheduled lesson today except for some run-through with Stefani on past choreographies. And after which, I went on to map-out plans on the sales and marketing aspect of this event. I’m really beginning to feel the pressure as my mind and body is so stressed out these past few weeks. Tough!

 

 

Dateline: Bali September 4-11, 2006

 

 

                                                       WEEK  2

 

On Monday, Lola took a one-hour class at 1:00 pm. She’s set to improve her dancing prior to the arrival of the two Argentinean taxis scheduled in mid-September. She has a more defined tortion now each time she swivels into ochos and I was surprised at how she remembered and kept the lessons we discussed the last time I worked on her. There is no denying that Lola is a serious learner. And she makes me really fulfilled as a teacher with the kind of progress she’s showing.

 

After Lola, it was Jane Chen’s turn to take her lesson. Jane has been actively pursuing her tango lessons since my last visit to Bali. I’ve never seen her so keen and intent to keep up her pace since she started realizing that the tango has really made a significant improvement on her posture.

 

She flies to New York to see boyfriend Robert who is under medication for brain tumor. And like I said, I pray for the recovery of this guy who’s such a good and talented man. The world needs more people like Robert, and I pray to God that he survives this biggest battle of his life and come out unscathed.  

 

Tracy and Stewart came after Jane at 4:00 pm. We did continue on the choreography we were working on. I gave them some dips and lounges to create an element of surprise for their wedding guests in November. The couple was seen enjoying these exciting figures as they laughed and tried out the steps making them giggle at their mistakes and were sometimes seen getting into petty arguments especially if Stewart cannot make her do the sequence I was teaching them. But after awhile, they will again be back in their usual element, laughing and giggling looking like little kids in a play-pen. Well, the music they chose, Love is in the Air is just apt for them as they are seen so much in love with each other.

 

 I remembered our “tanguero” friend Mark telling us one time that if you want a couple to separate make them learn dancing. True enough because this is one moment when couples will get into an argument that could lead to terrible fights lasting for days or months or sometimes leading to separation or divorce all because of the inability to lead and follow.

 

This is how strange the world of dancing can be. And this applies to either the ballroom, tango or any world for that matter. This is the reason why I have been extra careful in handling Tracy and Stewart during their lessons for fear it might lead to a fall-out because of a misunderstanding. But of course, this is just looking at the worst case scenario based on Mark’s statement. Good grief they know each other very well..

 

The succeeding days from Tuesday till Friday were lessons with Lola, Helena, Jane, Nancy Ellen, Made and husband and wife Ana and Douglas. I had a wonderful week considering that all these students of mine have been regularly taking lessons with me each time I am in Bali. Not only that, but they have consistently been posting progress insofar as their learning with me is concerned. As a teacher, this is fulfilling and inspiring when you see your student progress and take tango to be their passion. There is nothing more I could ask for especially in the case of Doug and Ana who recently had been consistently coming for lessons wanting to catch-up since they have been busy with their production work and has somehow waylaid tango for a while. I am surprised at Ana’s enthusiasm lately as she is keen to take lessons this time as she wanted to please hubby, Doug, for his insatiable thirst for tango. And true to form, Ana has managed to bring out all the best she can, being the trouper that she is, Ana has improved immensely since she started taking lessons regularly two months ago. It is so nice to see this couple enjoying each other’s company during lessons. There is no denying that Ana is the next important tango dancer in the making in the island of Bali. After all, she’s got the background in dancing being a trained Balinese dancer since from young.

 

I had the chance to work again with one of the nicest ladies in the island, Dewi. Dewi, who’s another Balinese dancer, is another work of art I’d say. Yes, I’ve always considered my student’s progress in tango as work of art. Because indeed, it takes time and patience for both the student and the teacher to achieve good results before they can be classified as good tango dancers. And when this happens, this is when fulfillment and satisfaction comes in, thereby making the result a work of art until they are honed to perfection.

 

Dewi was in her element when she started taking the lesson this Friday afternoon and was raring to get back into tango as she has been very busy of late running the Sunset. Yes you heard it right. She’s running the Sunset where Stefani left. She was given the go signal to re-open the restaurant again as a Latin venue for salsa, merengue and of course tango. Her tight-shoulders had started to relax and she has somehow managed to get the right feeling for the dance. Although she takes lessons quite intermittently because of her busy schedule, but so far she has maintained considerable progress in the last one and a half years that I’ve started working on her. What else do you expect from someone who has dancing running in her veins but improve. Keep it up Dewi!

 

On Saturday morning, Nancy was there to take her lesson. I’ve noticed that a lot of my old students had been coming to take their lesson this time. Well, I should not be surprised as the much heralded arrival of the Argentinean taxis is the reason why most of them are coming for lessons. Yes they are preparing themselves with more tango inputs for better understanding and appreciation of what the two taxis are going to teach them.

 

Nancy looked very upbeat when I saw her. She has always liked and loved tango from the very first time she laid her eyes on it. For less than two years now and one trip to Buenos Aires, add in a couple of lessons with me during my trips to Bali, the result is a more grounded and fluid Nancy moving in distinct tango fashion. Yes, she has metamorphosed into a more mature tango dancer in so short a time. And one can see the sparkle in her eyes whenever she gets the chance to display her passion for the dance.

 

Her brother Doug was equally ecstatic when he came for lesson after her. As I said in the past, Doug like elder sister Nancy has been bitten by the bug earlier as he has continuously been taking lessons trying to understand the dance. He too, like my other students in the island has been trying to stockpile knowledge prior to the arrival of the much celebrated Argentinean taxis next week.

 

It’s Sunday and I managed again to treat myself to a relaxing massage this time by Helena’s masseur Wayan. It’s been a hectic week and I always look forward to Sundays for this kind of indulgence whenever I’m in the island. These little luxuries are really affordable in Bali, so why not make the most out of it to relax and condition a tired body?

What a good life!

 

 

Dateline:Bali September 11-17, 2006

 

                                                     WEEK 3

 

Monday 12:30pm and Dewi came all the way from Seminyak to take her lesson. This lady is a real trouper. She loves tango so much that she wouldn’t mind going the extra mile just so to catch-up with her passion. But being the vivacious lady that she is, Dewi has always manifested this joie de vivre each time I see her. She may look care-free and easy-going but the truth is, she is one hell of a busy lady having to run a manufacturing firm that exports garments to Tahiti and other Pacific islands. Recently, she got the right to operate the Sunset, a new business which she got into aside from the fact that she has to raise her two kids while hubby George provides the basic necessity. Quite a superwoman indeed!

 

We had quite an interesting discussion concerning shoulder tension, tortion and other stuffs to enhance fluid “ochos.” Being a Balinese dancer from childhood, like most of my other Balinese students from Made Masih, Ana Macy and the like, she too has this very peculiar way of tightening her shoulders which can be attributed to the way they were trained to do the Balinese dance. Although she has taken lessons with me for less than one and a half years now but old habits is not just easy to undo. It requires time for the body to understand new things that you want it to do. It would require a lot of patience for both the student and the teacher to achieve greater result.

 

But Dewi and I have no problems concerning this. As a teacher I am used to according patience to students with stubborn bodies in the same way that Dewi is just all willing to undo whatever bad habits that need to be undone to be a good tango dancer. In the one hour that we discussed on the subject, she somehow understood what I was trying to point out to make her move into the “ochos” with relaxed shoulders as she provides “tortion” based on contra-body movement. A few more inputs her body will finally understand how to move in almost feline movement which is characteristic of tango.

 

Jane soon came after Dewi. This lady is US bound in a few days and luckily our schedule coincided this time that she managed to catch-up with some lessons before she flies of to New York. She is now much centered as can be seen from the way she is moving. It took her quite some time to get into the discipline of tango because of some inabilities that has been defined and corrected. I can feel her to be more relaxed and more confident with her movements as she has never been fastidious in learning until she got into tango so she says. Before she left, I asked her if she can bring some of my TANGOXPOSED flyers to New York, San Francisco and Japan where she will be going and she obligingly accepted. Thanks! Jane. Bon Voyage! Send my regards to Robert.                                                                                              

I was surprised that today was going to be a bit hectic insofar as commitments are concerned. Helena came in to do her rounds of Latin dancing and like before, she has always been in her element always perked-up and bubbly despite her constant moving around as she is into property business. I had a wonderful time with her doing some rhumba, jive and bachata as it gives me a break from my tango loaded schedule. Well done Helena!

 

At 5:00 pm I was seen rushing to Jimbaran for the Jengala Jive workshop. I always look forward to my outings with them each time I have the opportunity to conduct classes at the Jengala premises. Mitra, John & Maria, Ellen, and a few other staffs all totaling to sixteen by now were seen having fun as I gave them new figures to work on. Mitra who is the most jive addict of them all, was just too pleased to learn new things as the guy really loves doing complicated steps. Quite understandable though for people who want to learn to dance as they always have this impression that the measure of a good dancer is how well he can do and remember the complicated steps to a given dance. We all had a good time in between bites of some chips with avocado and tomato salsa coupled with freshly baked brownies courtesy of the Jenggala kitchen

 

In a few days the Argentinean taxis are coming. I am also very busy doing logistical works for my scheduled event in November. I don’t know how I will manage this but I can feel luck is on my side so I’m giving it a go to make this project happen. This is where I see myself moving heaven and earth, pulling strings from all sides to effectively concretize my plans for this event. I use to do this in Manila a couple of years ago before I started moving around the region to concentrate on teaching, and I know how taxing and grueling organization can be as I’ve had quite a few of them in the not so distant past. Grrr! Actually, I don’t want to, but I saw an opportunity and felt the need to do it. And so the die is cast.

 

The following day Tuesday, Dewi again came for lesson. I tried introducing her to some “voleos” which she found interesting. Yes, I always make it a point to make my lessons  fun and interesting for my students. As a teacher, you must be sensitive to their needs but only when you feel that they are ready to embark on a new horizon making it easier for them to adapt to new ideas. Of course, Dewi was just too excited and pleased to try out this new thing as we ended our class with a hearty laugh.

 

Ana & Douglas took the next lesson as a couple and I can really see their great improvement as partners because they now have managed to define their respective roles as leader and follower. I can see a more confident Douglas taking the lead while Ana listens intently, an indication that she has matured as a follower. Both of them were seen dancing as relaxed as they should and I was very happy to see their progress. They’re getting ready for the Argentinean taxis scheduled to arrive in a few days for more knowledge and information about the dance.

 

In the evening I ran again the regular “practica” and tonight we had quite a good turn out. Gianfranco, Franziska, Lola and the “old reliables” were there never wavering their love and passion for tango. We had some new faces who came by to try out a step or two. Also seen, were Pablo and Iris, who have always been coming for “practicas” quite regularly though.

 

My schedule for the remaining days were distributed to the same people from Dewi, Jane, Ana & Douglas,  and Made, all of whom are preparing for the arrival of Facundo and Bruno, the Argentinean taxis who will be here for one month to share their knowledge and expertise on the dance.

 

In between rounds of lessons, I am seen doing the necessary preparations for this event called TANGOXPOSED which I’m organizing in Singapore in November. I’ve been having sleepless nights of late trying to figure out how this project will succeed as I do not want to disappoint my producer, Ms. Annie Goh. While I am so pleased that I am finally making a go of a new concept in organizing a tango festival, but the pressure and the stress is just killing as it is not just about having a good concept but the return of investment I can guarantee my producer which is my main concern. It is the cash register that would matter at the end of the day.

 

Yes the TANGOXPOSED website is now online and details about the event can be found. Visit www.tangoxposed.com . I’m looking forward to the support of everyone in the tango community around the region.

 

Friday, I wrapped up my work and soon headed to Seminyak to meet Facundo and Bruno who are arriving today. Stefani picked them at the airport at 2:00pm and ferried them to Sunset where they are to stay for a few days. I decided to postpone my trip back to Singapore purposely to meet –up with them and learn as well. They were nice fellows and were very friendly the first time we all met.

 

On Saturday, I took some classes with Bruno together with Stefani and in the evening a dinner/milonga was tendered in their honor. Also, that same day, Paul Bradley from Dubai breezed into town to promote the Tango Dubai event with Fernanda & Guillermo and at the same time learn with Facundo and Bruno while he does his work around. It was nice to see Paul again. In fact, Stefani and I brought him for dinner at Jimbaran the following day where he enjoyed a sumptuous seafood delight.

 

 

Dateline: Singapore  September 18-24, 2006

 

 

                                                             WEEK 4

 

On Monday morning, I saw myself rushing to the Denpasar airport to catch my flight to Singapore via Qantas 137. I have never felt this kind of pressure for nearly three years until I decided to throw my hat into events organizing again through TANGOXPOSED. The stakes are just too high to ignore that I really have to plan everything carefully to ensure the success of this project. As I boarded the plane, I have many things going on in my mind, planning and strategizing making me hardly feel that the two and a half hour journey had passed. At 6:00 pm my plane landed at Changi airport and I hurriedly embarked from the plane to go through with my immigration and customs clearance.

 

As I got out of the airport, I more or less knew what to do with the first few days I will be in Singapore. And this concerns my workshops with my students, which is part of the promotion for TANGOXPOSED as I build-up interest for the event. I started sounding of everyone in my pool about my arrival and was pleased to hear favorable replies from everyone.

 

Since Trung’s house is still occupied, I decided to stay with Bg Pang this time. I called her up to ask if I can stay with her and she said yes. In half an hour I was at her place and started settling myself for the coming weeks as I need to manage my activities concerning TANGOXPOSED and my life as a tango teacher. Thank God I have wonderful friends whom I can rely on during times like this. I shall forever be grateful of their kindness and generosity.

 

As soon as I got wind of my paraphernalia I immediately contacted my producer Annie Goh and Collin of Upper Club to coordinate some important matters concerning bookings for the art exhibition. Fortunately there wasn’t much rough sailing as I managed to thresh-out pressing issues concerning said event. After I finished with Collin & Annie, I then contacted Philomena Waung whom I designated as official coordinator of TANGOXPOSED, and as such she oversees the sales and collections of entries for the said event. Although the website of TANGOXPOSED had been officially online as early as August it is only now that I am slowly coming out in the open to identify myself through my events company Tango-Oriental as the brains behind this forthcoming event. Philo and I had a lengthy discussion mapping out plans to intensify sales and promotions for TANGOXPOSED and checking out sales progress for the last three weeks since we brought TANGOXPOSED to everybody’s consciousness. Things were moving on in the right direction as per our meeting as I then directed her to start rounding of my students for the next level workshop I will spear-head in the coming days. These workshops are also part of the promotion for Tangoxposed to prepare my students and other newcomers for Roberto & Tamara’s workshop to make it worth their while and money.

 

The whole evening of my arrival I did nothing but concern myself with matters pertaining to my November event. I managed to advise my other students that workshops will soon be started in a day or to and have received positive responses from them. Ditto with Mrs Fathma Hakim, the IODI Dance Sports chairman of Indonesia, whom I emailed to confirm my workshops and show scheduled for November as well. Yes, from the looks of it, it is most likely that I am headed for the busiest time of my life moving from one city to another, running workshops, doing a show, organizing a festival, giving out private lessons, attending a workshop, taking private lessons and all that jazz. Jesus Christ! I don’t know how I’m going to do it but I certainly know I will do it.

 

The following day, I started by conducting lessons for Bg. Bg has just been consistently learning her tango every time I’m in town. She’s like I said a bonafide “tanguera” in my pool. We had a nice time going over past lessons were we left last time and she’s just always amazing. Of course, after every lesson we would segue into our usual lunch where she usually prepares sumptuous meals which she’s so fond of doing.

 

After lunch, I proceeded to the Ivana Daniels Pilates Studio at Camden Medical Center. Ivana of course is a good friend and I was happy to see her today to ask for some help regarding the promotion of TANGOXPOSED to her clients and the Argentinean community through Dario her Argentinean beau. She was so excited to hear about this  and had promised to give full support for the project.

 

Angeline and Shirely took lessons in the early evening from 6:00-8:00pm over at Xenbar. My wonderful “tangueras” are also seen excited over my forthcoming project, especially Angeline who likes Roberto’s style very much. As what she always says, learning and watching Roberto is like watching a Pavarotti. I think this is one of the most superlative comments I’ve ever heard for this great tango master. We quite had a fantastic time together as Shirley took the first class at 6:00 which saw her improving her “voleos” some more. I made her understand using “tortion” each time she swivels into “ochos” especially now that she has started doing real fine “voleos” based on this understanding.

 

I managed to call the Philippine Embassy earlier in the day to inquire if Ambassador Belen F. Anota would be available to come as guest of honor for the gala dinner of TANGOXPOSED on November 18. The secretary was very accommodating that she instructed me to make the necessary letter of invitation for the good envoy. I promised  her that I will get back as soon as I have the letter in a few days..

 

I also wrote letters of invitation to the Embassies of Argentina in Jakarta & Germany in Singapore with the same intention of inviting them to come as guests of honor for the TANGOXPOSED event. This reminded me again of my days in Manila five to six years ago when I use to organize tango events then and was made to do similar things as I am doing now. How time flies so fast and it’s like history repeating by itself. But only this time I’m doing it on an international scale. 

 

 

Angeline meanwhile arrived at 7:00 to take her slot. She just came from her office and was ready to tango once more. I just went over past figures that we have been working on last time to warm her up and make her recall these figures. She really has progressed a lot since she started taking lessons less than two years ago. She’s headed to do performance stuffs at the rate she is going. Not bad I think for someone who used to be shy to dance in front of an audience but since she has gained enough confidence with tango, she’s managed to overcome this kind of stage-fright whenever we go dancing at Club 5 or Upper Club. This can be attributed to the fact that she really works hard by taking lessons regularly and therefore there is no other way for her to go but to master her craft. Thus she has managed to become an effective tango dancer in that respect.

 

On Wednesday morning, I was happy to see Mr. Henry Tan taking private lesson with Bg Pang. The duo decided to take the lesson together to enable them to acquaint with each other’s movements when they dance the tango. Yes Henry has been into tango for 3-4 years now. He has been an active participant of the Tango Singapore since he started tangoing. He loves to do a variety of stuffs which he has learned from visiting teachers. Bg but of course has been my student for three years now. And I can very well say that she has a full grasp and understanding of tango especially from the follower’s point of view as I trained and provided her with the basic skills to become a good follower. Now they come to work and learn together as I started building up on Henry’s leading ability to provide good connection with each other. Both Bg and Henry were a delight to work with as we went over a series of routines that will make them define their roles as lead and follow.

 

Angeline &Shirley took another lesson at 5:00 to 7:00 at Xenbar and after that we decided to take a night-out at Club 5 and to make necessary promotion and marketing for TANGOXPOSED. I was happy to bump into Grace Wong as Angeline managed to convince her to sign up for the gold package together with husband Kevin. Philo must be grinning from ear to ear when she finds this out. I also informed her of the next intensive workshop which I’m spear-heading in a few days and she obliged.

 

The following day, Thursday, I saw myself talking to Lily Tsao discussing matters concerning the setting up of an art exhibition. I was asking her for some pointers on how to set-up art exhibits as she is in the art gallery business. She was so kind enough to have given me quite a few things to focus on to minimize problems that usually plagues neophytes when they get into the pre-event preparations. I certainly took note of all these things she mentioned and thanked her for the support she has been according me as she too has signed up for a gold package that will make her join the event in November. Thanks Lily.

 

Maybe because of too much stress concerning TANGOXPOSED that I feel like I’m breaking apart. The past two days my back problem had recurred and I felt so worried that it might incapacitate me again leading to a cancellation of all my teaching commitments similar to what transpired two years ago when I had the same attack. I decided to rush to my sports therapist/chiropractor Dr. Wassermann for immediate remedy and I was appeased that it had nothing to do with my lower disc problem but rather with the stress I’m undergoing concerning the organization of TANGOXPOSED. I never realized that this event has been stressing me so much that soon after the back problem, a severe migraine ensued. My shoulders muscles were so tight leading to an unbearable head-ache, that Annie have to bring me to her Chinese masseur in Thomson Plaza.  I felt great relief after the massage as the guy really loosened up my tight shoulders easing out the terrible head ache I was feeling at that moment. I just came to realize that my name and reputation was at stake, the reason why I was having all these pains. Well no pain no gain is just what I thought to appease me of all these things I’m feeling in my body. I will survive. Nothing scares and petrifies me.

 

Soon after, I have to call the Embassy of Argentina in the Philippines to ask if the good ambassador can provide a message for the souvenir program of TANGOXPOSED. I was advised by Rose that Singapore is not a concurrent of the embassy in Manila and she directed me instead to Jakarta as it is the one that holds the concurrence concerning Singapore affairs.

 

Lessons were conducted the following day. Bg, Angeline, Shirley and Lily Tsao were seen taking lessons during the day. Lily took another private lesson together with her dance partner Sam. Sam, having taken some basic lesson with me in Manila several years ago, has to undergo a crash course to be able to catch up with Lily who has been consistently taking workshops with me since I started organizing some more than a month ago. Lily was quite happy at the progress they have achieved in the one and a half hours that I worked on them.

 

In between lessons I pre-occupied myself with TANGOXPOSED obligation. I tried reaching out for Haffez Harun, a mediacorp radio artist whom I’m asking to anchor the gala event in November. I also scouted for alternative venues for Roberto & Tamara’s workshop for the same event. I was so happy to hear that Angeline volunteered to source out contacts for possible press release. I contacted Irene Ho, a journalist-friend of Nancy Meicy, for possible media connections. And fortunately, I received a favorable response from her. Thanks Irene. I was just really seen pulling all strings to derive the most of whatever I can obtain in the remaining period I have prior to the staging of TANGOXPOSED. It’s a make or break process and I MUST ..make it happen against all odds!

 

On Saturday, I ran my next level workshop which was well attended. The gender balance was perfect. Lily, Angeline, Bg, Debbie, Mei lin, Philo, Grace, Kevin, Jun, John, Henry, Ajith, and some more came to attend and learned more about “giros” and some other stuffs I taught during the two hour session. I can see the interest among the group building up. And everyone is just getting excited over tango as we carry on with more complicated figures for them to work on. But of course, I have always been clear about my position about posture to obtain balance and good connection, that I always point this out to my students during discussion. Everyone was responding well to the program I started and I was so pleased to see the great improvement they have undertaken in so short a time.

 

In the evening, Bg and I went to see our dancing friends over at Temasek Club where we met Col. Lim and wife Florence, Maybel and the rest of the Saturday crowd. They have a new band playing and they happen to be Filipinos. As usual, they are very good. Kudos my Kababayan. Itayo ang bandilang Pinoy..!

 

Sunday and I carried on again with the continuing part of yesterday’s workshop and the same people came to participate. The energy was so good as everyone was enthusiastic to learn the elment of “giros” or turns which makes them move in complex patterns making tango even more exciting for them. We ended on a high note as Philo again promoted TANGOXPOSED after the workshop.

 

In the evening, Mei lin invited me to attend her friend’s birthday. His name is Bryan, a British national and an artist married to a Singaporean lawyer. We had such great fun in this place at Boat Quay where the party was held. Most of the guests were “ang mos” or whites and they were such fun to be with considering that the celebrant was a fun guy himself. There was a mini program that was specially prepared for him by his wife Lucila and of course it was meant to be a surprise. Mei lin and I did an Argentine tango number. There was the  Lady Marmalade group were most of the ladies who participated including his wife were garbed in sexy outfits. But the real surprise number during the evening was a lap dance performed by Cindy, a close friend of the couple, were Bryan was blindfolded as she was trying to tease him in this lap dance act. Applause! It was a good way to end a week as I met new and exciting people. I’m looking forward for next weeks activities and there’s just gong to be more. I have to rest now.

 

 

Dateline: Singapore  September 25-30, 2006

 

 

                                                                WEEK 5

 

On Monday morning Bg was up for her scheduled lesson at 11:00 am. We went through our routines concerning the Pulpo style, changes in direction by Gustavo Naveira and even the “tomas y pasada.” Isn’t she amazing? Imagine she can do all these considering that she is a lady of 77. Well I guess it’s not about age but about one’s determination to improve and obtain better results. Bg is a hard worker. She knows for a fact that she has to work hard to be able to dance as she is not a natural. And determination is what keeps her going to improve on everything she does especially, tango.

 

My lovely “tangueras” Angeline & Shirley took the evening slot at 6:00-8:00 pm. I can see Shirley getting better and better each time she comes for lessons. She even told me that her friends had noticed a distinguishable change in her posture and that she lost some weight. She was so happy to hear this comment as she told them it is tango that’s keeping her in shape these days. I can see that she’s so inspired brought about by these changes and one can see the glow in her eyes as she executes her “ochos” with fluidity. “Mampos!”

 

Angeline of course took the next slot. She was watching Shirley as she was doing her movements and she too was convinced that indeed Shirley’s finally got it, the tango movement that is required of anyone wanting to be a “tanguera.” She’s talking from experience as she underwent the same training as Shirley did to reach the level where she is now. Tonight I gave her some new routines I learned from Gustavo Naveira & Giselle Anne. But along the way, I would still highlight on some important techniques that would make her enhance her tango.

 

We all went out for dinner after the class and decided to go for night dancing at Club 5 to promote TANGOXPOSED once again,

 

In the coming days I had all three of my “tangueras” Bg, Shirley, & Angeline taking lessons. On Tuesday evening, Angeline invited us, Bg, Henry, Shirley & me at the NUS club for karaoke and dancing. Being a Tuesday, there was of course the weekly ballroom dancing which the club spear-heads for it’s dancing members. Sweet Bg was in high-spirits as she will get to do two things which she loves doing aside from cooking and that is singing and dancing.

 

During the week, I also had lessons with another “tanguera” Rose Dieu. Rose has been actively helping me promote TANGOXPOSED as well. Her two lessons were equally very good this time as she managed to keep her balance all through-out the two hour sessions I had with her which was actually her biggest problem. But I was happy to see this big improvement on her balance as she can now dance with stability and with less interruption caused by her imbalance.

 

I can feel a mounting tension each time I think of TANGOXPOSED and when I look at the calendar. I feel like I don’t have much time on hand to accomplish the many things that need to be done to make this event a success. But I am so determined that all things will be possible otherwise I would have not done this if I do not believe in myself. The project’s concept is fantastic. My logistics are very well placed. I believe in the project and above all I believe in my ability to make it happen.

 

I carried on with my meetings concerning TANGOXPOSED. I threshed out important matters (i.e. lightings, sound system, music, food) with Collin regarding the art exhibition. I met up again with Philo to update our charts concerning collection, registration and other pertinent details. I was in talks with the embassies of Germany, the Philippines, & Argentina. I was moving around trying to disseminate information through flyers distribution in designated places such as the American Club, Hollandse Club, Dr. Wassermann’s clinic, the Japanese Club etc. Events organization is all about marketing and promotion after all.

 

Towards weekend, I fulfilled the remaining parts of the workshop that was scheduled during this visit. I can see my students getting more confident with the elements that has been discussed concerning lead & follow, .They are more attentive to the music as they define the beat of the tango in every step they do. They may not be dancing yet very well, but one can already see clearly some clarity in their execution of movements and rhythm. I am very pleased with my work in the same way that I know that at the rate they are going, they will be able to understand Roberto’s workshop when he comes in November.

 

 

     For more particulars about tango in Singapore visit www.tangosingapore.com