Dateline: Singapore July 30-August 7, 2oo6 
 
 

                                                         WEEK  I 
 

As I took off from Bali via Qantas 137 for Singapore, my mind has already been busy planning my agenda when I get into the lion-state this afternoon. First, I have this scheduled workshop to attend to on the first two week-ends of August and I’m still jittery as to its’ outcome as I have to make a final push for its’ promotion this whole week prior to Saturday and Sunday. Secondly, there is this project I am working with a local company on a joint-venture scheme for a very important event in the coming months and I have to thresh out details for the execution of this project. Adding up to the confusion is my schedule for private lessons that will build-up in the days to come as I carry on with my activities this month. Really I have never been this busy and pre-occupied in the mind since I started moving around the region three years ago. 
 

The minute I got out of the airport I immediately called up Ms. Bg Pang to inform her that I’m in town. Bg will be celebrating her birthday tomorrow July 31, and I purposely came to Singapore to join her in the celebration. She threw a party the night before at the Upper Club for her close friends and it was just unfortunate that I couldn’t change my schedule because of a prior commitment I had in Bali. She then told me to be ready for action tomorrow as we carry on with the second round of the celebration at Upper Club but this time with friend Ms. Annie Yeo. Meanwhile, I settled myself as I slowly started informing friends and students that I’m back in town.  
 

I noticed an air of nationalistic fervor as I was getting into the city. Cloths in red and white colors were draped in building facades, and miniature Singapore flags decorate the tens of vehicles I saw along the way. If my memory serves me right, Singapore will be celebrating its’ National day in August. To be exact, Singapore celebrates its’ 41^st birthday on August 8 and the nation takes great pride in celebrating this momentous event in the history of the island republic. Happy Birthday Singapore! 
 

On my first day, I met up with Ms. Bg Pang and was looking forward to seeing her because today is her natal day. Happy Birthday Bg! I saw her in the morning at 10:oo and immediately she grabbed her pair of dancing shoes indicating that a lesson is in order. I haven’t even handed down my gift to her, and she already jumped the gun to begin with her tango lesson. She says she’s been raring to dance since she got back from her US sojourn last month and has been out of dance since then. She wants to revise her tango not wanting to forget anything that has been learned the last time we worked together which was less than two months ago. I brought her to the usual warm-up routine which I would always do with my students to get them back on track. She was doing very well after a two-month break from tango and was even surprised at how well she remembers everything that I taught her during the previous lessons from my last visit. Her “tomas y pasadas” was still very much clear in the way she executed it during our lesson. The “Pulpo style”of coiling the legs was also well-remembered by this lovely septuagenarian lady. Amazing, I would say for someone of her age and despite the hip-injury she sustained in a golfing accident several years ago. We had a wonderful lesson that day and I can see that she was in high spirit perhaps because it was her birthday. She prepared a fantastic roast chicken with capsicums, onions and tomatoes on the side complimented with a Moroccan Kous-kous that really made my day. I love chicken so much that if anyone would want to feed and please me, all they have to serve is chicken, either fried or roasted. We had a great time talking about many things at the lunch table as she reminded me of our rendezvous tonight with Ms. Annie Yeo in Upper Club.  
 

Meanwhile, I started sounding-off prospective participants for the Beginner’s intensive scheduled for the week-end. I was getting favorable responses from friends and acquaintances that they will be joining the event but I can’t help but still feel some apprehension as to its’ outcome. The die is cast. I have no choice but to wait and see the result when the workshop opens on Saturday. 
 

Ms Angeline Jansen did a one-hour lesson at 5:oo pm and she was so excited to get back into tango once more. Remember she just got back from Buenos Aires about two weeks ago and she’s got loads of stories to tell regarding her tango sojourn in that great city. As I saw her at Xenbar, and she was all smiles, as though she was trying to tell me that she made some big progress during her recent trip. True enough, because in the few rounds that I started dancing with her I noticed a somewhat clear connection as we got into the “abrazo” position. She is somehow a bit more relaxed and had managed to ease her shoulders the moment she got into an embrace. I already foresaw this because it is always 100% guaranteed that the minute one comes back from Buenos Aires, this instant connection is easily manifested. There is no better way to learn and understand the nuances of tango than to experience it from its’ birthplace because there, you can really feel the soul that emanates from the music and in the hearts of the people who frequent the “milongas.” 
 

At 7:oo pm Bg and I went to Park Royal Hotel where Ms. Annie Yeo was to tender a birthday dinner for her. Mdm. Annie was already inside the Chinese restaurant when we saw her and was so gracious and extra-solicitous to us as she brought us to the dinner table. She ordered this fabulous Peking duck which was “to die for” and a very special shark’s fin soup which we all feasted on. There were other great foods that came and as we finished our dinner, we could hardly stand up as we were filled to the max eating these gourmet Chinese dishes which Annie served us.  
 

We then adjourned to Upper club which was just the right thing to do after that heavy meal, and as soon as we arrived in the venue, we wasted no time and immediately jumped into the dance floor and started dancing our night away.  
 

On Tuesday afternoon, I conducted lessons at Xenbar with adorable “tanguera” Ms. Shirley Tay. She was ranting that she missed tango so much as I have been away for a month and that she couldn’t dance because she has nobody to dance with and she was worried that she might have forgotten the lessons I taught her during my last visit.  
 

I proved her fears wrong, as I brought her to a few rounds of dancing and ergo she was doing very well. She was amazed at the way she managed herself during the initial dance and became all the more inspired to learn tango because of the great progress she has achieved and sustained despite lack of practice. I too, was even surprised that she has progressed a lot all this time. This only means that there is no difficult task if one has the determination and perseverance to achieve good results. Keep it up Shirley.  
 

After Shirley’s lesson, Ms. Angeline Jansen introduced me to another client. Thanks Angeline. Her name is Ning and she took the next slot after Shirley. Ning is a total beginner having no knowledge at all of what she’s going to learn in the next one hour. All she knows is that she’s learning the Argentine tango as recommended by my counsel-friend and that she’s ready to give it a try .I found out that Ning used to do ballroom dancing and took up ballet lessons when she was much younger. Based on the way she moves, she’s a natural dancer and in fact has some basic knowledge on proper dancing. Quite an intelligent girl who exudes so much class and confidence, Ning works as manager for Bain & Co..  
 

I gave her an introductory course n the one hour that we worked together. She was not a difficult student to handle. In fact she has a tremendous analytical skill trying to understand every statement I say in my discussion of weight changes to definition of axis to obtain balance. She throws in questions enough to keep a teacher taken aback, that if the teacher is not knowledgeable enough, he/she would sustain some credibility problems in front of this student. I managed to answer and satisfy her queries and that started a more relaxed working relationship based on respect, trust and confidence. Sometimes, it is hard for students to just simply learn with a teacher for fear that he/she might not be getting the right and sufficient information the teacher maybe providing him/her In the same way that a teacher needs to adjust and find sometime to understand and analyze the learning behavior of every student that he/she works with to be able to provide an effective means of transmitting information to the student. If both the teacher and student transcend this stage, then a smooth working relationship is guaranteed making both parties benefit from this good relationship.  
 

In the succeeding days until week-end, Mdm. Bg Pang was seen taking her private lessons everyday. I have never seen Bg as focused and as intent with her learning of the tango. After three intermittent years of learning she finally was bitten by the tango bug. This is always the case when things like these happen. Students get so focused almost until addiction. But in Bg’s case, it is her insatiable want for learning and doing things to near perfection that is what is keeping her determination to improve on her tango. I really admire her learning attitude. She’s is dedicated and really takes things seriously.  
 

Bg and I managed to do some fun dancing as well during the week. On Thursday evening, we went to the Raffles Town Club together with Annie Yeo and friends. We stayed until 12:oo mn and then we adjourned to the coffee lounge at the Mandarin Oriental for supper. On Saturday evening we went to the Carriage Bar to meet up with Annie Goh.and then later went to Temasek Club to meet up with Col. Lim and wife Florence together with our Saturday group. Whenever my nights are free I make it a point to accompany Bg and bring her to dance which she loves so much. I tell you she is a “terminator” in the dance floor. The longer she dances the longer she stays.  
 

On Wednesday at 5:oo-7:oo pm, I met up with Angeline and Shirley for their scheduled lesson. My two inseparable “tangueras” are always seen taking lessons together. But it has always been fun this way because after every session and when my schedule is free, we would always go out for fun nights either going to Club 5 to dance or to NUSS to sing and listen to our favorite singing duo husband and wife Ronnie and Gemma. This couple is such a delight to listen to. One should listen to Ronnie as he belts out an Air Supply ditty and boy oh! boy he’s got such fantastic vocal chords to hold on to as he reaches for those high notes ditto with Gemma who is always requested to sing Bridges and Both Sides Now. She’s such a great singer and makes another interpretation of Bridges different from Rachel, the Furama singer. That’s why she endeared herself to our Friday singing group. 
 

Angeline did a lot of revising on the figures we have worked on in the past prior to her departure to Buenos Aires. With an improved connection and better sense of musicality, she has somehow interpreted these figures with more depth that is required of it. Yes she is more attentive to the leading and the music which makes a total difference to the whole look of the dance. I am slowly seeing her metamorphose into a fine “tanguera.” This is highly achievable in her case as she is a natural. After one hour, I saw her moving and executing those steps/figures elegantly.  
 

Shirley this time is in a stage where she has to make a final break-through insofar as learning and understanding the music and the dance is concerned. While it is evident that she has this passion for tango, but after less than a year of intermittent lessons, she is finally beginning to feel the soul which is tango’s very embodiment. She’s starting to be more attentive to her own body to achieve a certain degree of subtlety in the same way connecting and being more sensitive to the man’s lead. This is one of the crucial stage one as to undergo through when learning the tango. Like I keep telling my students, it is always a build-up process for one to be able to fathom and discern this simple yet complex character of the Argentine tango. It takes patience, understanding and analysis for one to catch the essence of this intelligent dance. 
 

After the lesson we went to NUSS and again I had the chance to watch Ronnie and Gemma as they treated guests to a delightful rendition of many a great classics. Both Ronnie and Gemma play the guitar. They have been working in Singapore, particularly with NUSS for the last 12 years. Filipinos like them, who work overseas with so much dedication, are a source of pride for the Filipino nation. Keep it up my kababayan! <my countrymen> 
 

During breaks, we would run off to the karaoke bar at the basement, and would take turns singing our favorite tunes ably assisted by this lovely lady who does the spinning. She would always give way to my two “tangueras” to sing High on You as she loves listening to them do a duet to this fast-beat rhythm. I love going to NUSS as well. It’s a nice place to relax and hang around after a hard days work. No wonder I see a lot people mostly alumni members of the university, all professionals, taking a respite in this singing oasis.  
 

I again had Ning on Thursday at 6-8 pm. She was determined to know and learn more about the dance that she opted to have a two-hour session this time. I am impressed at the way Ning understands my discussion as she can translate all the theories into practice. Meaning to say, her body can produce all the movements required based on pure understanding. She is a fast learner considering the few hours of exposure she had. Often times in my experience as a teacher, it takes quite a while before a student can imbibe the discipline of tango. But in Ning’s case, she was terrific for a first-timer. This is amazing as seldom does this happen in my life as a teacher. Perhaps, I can attribute this to the fact that she is a dancer, natural at that, intelligent and a good listener.  
 

Thank God it’s Friday! And yes, lessons were lined-up again from morning till late afternoon. Bg, Angeline, Rose and Shirley in that order were the people who occupied my day with lessons. In the evening, I met-up with my singing buddies for another night-out at a place somewhere along Orchard. Again, Bryan, Sadnah, Angeline, Shirley, Alice, Fadil and Ben were all there to break our vocal chords for a night of endless singing. Call us karaoke maniacs but we really have fun time jamming together as we meet up for our Friday outings. 
 

It’s Saturday and today is the moment of truth. Will my first tango workshop in Singapore after two years be well-attended.? Well! Well! Well! I woke up feeling upbeat as I prepared my things for this afternoon’s scheduled workshop. Although a bit jittery, I somehow have an inkling that everything will turn out fine. As I got into the venue, I already saw some six people inside the dance studio. By 2:oo pm I started the session and saw fourteen people attend the Beginner’s workshop to my surprise. I was so inspired by the response that I was practically in good mood during the two hours I was conducting the lessons. I had mostly locals and one American expat in Debbie, a very nice lady indeed. The gender balance was almost perfect as I had like eight ladies and six guys which is not a bad idea at all. Ms. Bg Pang was there to assist me and sometimes she will help by taking the man’s role to dance with ladies who don’t have partners during certain exercise, quite interesting though for a lady who is seventy-six years old and still actively take part in workshops like this.  
 

Being an intensive course, every bits of information made everyone really focus and listen to the discussion attentively. I was so happy about the student’s response as I can see them responding well on the program I designed specifically for this level. At the end of the two-hour session, all participants applauded signifying their approval of the just-concluded workshop. They are looking forward for tomorrow’s schedule as they were introduced to the basic yet essential element of walking with emphasis on weight changes defining balance/axis. Also, they were introduced to understand their roles as leader or follower allowing them to explore the intricacies of connecting to a partner when dancing the tango.  
 

After the workshop, everyone adjourned for coffee at the cafeteria downstairs. Seen were Royston, Annie Yeo, Piolo from the Philippines, Debbie, Ting and Siang, Henry, Francis and Elsie. Others who did not join were, Greta, Irene and Barbara as they have to rush for some commitments. My “tangueras” Bg, Angeline and Shirley were there too. I was so pleased to have formed this initial batch of would be “tangueros” in Singapore as they are somehow vibrant and friendly creating a different kind of energy to interact with. Lest I be mistaken, the initial batch I am referring to are the participants to the just concluded workshop. But of course Argentine tango has been in Singapore for the last seven years under the auspices of the Singapore Tango Club. I hope I made myself clear. 
 

Sunday and I went on to continue with the succeeding lesson from yesterday’s workshop. I grilled them more on the basic element of walking underlining the importance of weight changes as they move from one step to another to define their axis/balance. I noticed that a lot of them were really focused and trying to understand these exercises. Until, Francis came up to me and said that he really enjoyed what he was learning and that it was a new experience for him to understand the many things about dancing by just changing weight. I also made it clear to them how to find the beat to every tango piece as I find this essential, specially in the introductory class, because this is where students will be able to define musicality later, notwithstanding the fact that tango pieces are usually difficult to discern and understand if someone is not that adept with music at all.  
 

The class ended again on a high note and every one was looking forward for next week’s lesson. I am very pleased with the outcome of this workshop as I can see many great things will happen in the months to come concerning tango in Singapore. The students I had were serious learners, dedicated and have the right attitude towards learning. These are the kind of people who will make tango happen in a community and as a teacher I must see to it that their interest is sustained to keep them going. 
 

In the evening, I went to Brix with my lawyer friends Angela and Angeline. I have not seen Angela for sometime and was just very pleased to see her again. But before we went to Brix, we went to this new place called Zen to listen to a salsa band that plays on Sundays. The place was not that busy and we felt we needed to go Brix to keep our adrenalin going and in ten minutes, we saw ourselves walking inside the club and ready to party That’ how small Singapore is. The music was pulsating as we entered the club and we saw dancing friends already in party mood as they were there ahead of us and was already packing great energy because of the music being played by Los Caballeros. You will never go wrong on a Sunday evening with Brix. It is the best place to go at this day of the week. What a nice way to cap a heavy week of teaching, planning and partying.  
 
 

Dateline: Singapore August 8-14, 2oo6 
 

The second week was another week of intense teaching and logistical planning. I’m always seen rushing from end to end, hovering around Orchard road as I did my things from computer graphics to checking my emails etc. I can see all my hard work is paying off. In life, nothing is ever handed on a silver platter. You must pass through all trials and tribulations, before one can achieve his/her cherished ambition. Lucky are those who are able to get their ambition with hardly any effort.  
 

It’s Monday and lessons with Bg, Nurdi and Ning were line up. I had a fantastic morning lesson with my most loyal student Mdm. Pang who did a lot of fine tuning in the one and half hours that I worked with her. She has managed to improve her “voleos” this time as she really forced me to grill her on this aspect to perfect this once and for all, so she says. She did pretty well as she finally understood that everything about the “voleo” concerns the torso. Well, I know Bg, she won’t stop at anything until she really has perfected this action.  
 

Nurdi, is an Indonesian lady who lives in Singapore and has learned the Argentine tango when she was still in Paris. She also went to Buenos Aires one time to learn more about the dance. I would normally see and bump into her in the dancing clubs but never have the chance to talk to her more so teach her the tango. It was in one of my dancing night outs with “tangueras” Angeline and Shirley that I was finally introduced to this lady and she immediately ask if she could take lessons with me. I accepted the offer and we set the date and so today she takes her first lesson with me together with her dance partner from Manila, Marvin, who happened to be a student one time back in the Philippines. 
 

I brought Nurdi and Marvin to the usual exercises I would give any students working with me for the first time. I considered Marvin a beginner, because it was many years ago when I last taught him and many things from my teaching style have evolved so he needed to be re-oriented to my new method ditto with Nurdi who is a totally new student.  
 

The elements of walking, defining balance/axis, grounding the feet on the floor were discussed thoroughly and I can see her partner getting impatient with the procedure as the guy is not use to the ways of tango because he comes from ballroom. This is always the case with ballroom people trying to learn tango thinking that the Argentine tango can be learned ballroom style. Well sorry folks! It’s either you learn the dance properly or not learn it at all. To learn it properly, first, they have to have the right learning attitude which a lot of these people don’t have. I don’t mean to minimize their capabilities but there is just a distinct way to learn this art form so much different from ballroom. Secondly, they must already have an appreciation for the music to like and learn the dance as well. If you have this, then half the battle is won because the next stage will require patience and perseverance as they carry on until they are able to imbibe the tango discipline. This requires time and most student fall-out because they are unable to instill this discipline. If you have it, you have it. But if you don’t then you have to work even harder as many things need to be understood.   
 

I was surprised at the progress Nurdi was showing in the barely thirty minutes that we have been working together. Slowly I’m beginning to realize that she has learned from good teachers because she exactly understood all the elements I have been discussing and was manifesting it through proper body movements. She too was equally ecstatic at the sudden change she felt and said that this was the same feeling she had when she was dancing tango in Paris and Buenos Aires with her teachers. Her tango senses were re-awakened as she rekindles her lesson with her past teachers.  
 

Later in the day, it was Ning’s turn to take her lesson again. Really intent on learning, we immediately went on and started revising the things she learned during the past lessons. Yes she easily remembered all these things from walking, to weight changes, and the embrace. Although still very early to really understand the complexities of tango musicality, she somehow understood the beat of every tango piece I played during her run-through with me.  
 

After the run-through I went on to discuss “ochos” forward and back which is another important element when learning the tango especially for the women. While this step or figure looks a little fancy, but I managed to explain to her that every thing about the “ochos” is all about walking. It did not take her long to understand the statement as she gave nice beautiful “ochos” based on natural walk. Of course, I have to discuss about swiveling on the ball of the foot during the “ocho” and she very well incorporated this input I gave her in the one and half hours that we worked together.  
 

Today is Tuesday and it’s Singapore’s 41^st birthday. Another celebrant is my very good singing buddy Sadnah. Happy Birthday Singapore and Sadnah! We are having a surprise birthday “asalto” for Sadnah tonight at the NUSS Club. 
 

During the day, I was busy conducting lessons for Bg, Angeline, Nurdi and Shirley. Aside from that, I was also, busy attending to this event I was organizing for a local company that will be staged in November. There were many things going on in my mind that I needed to organize myself very well to make sure that everything’s properly attended. I have added a huge responsibility on my shoulder and I am dead-set to make it happen. Nothing ventured. Nothing gained.  
 

In the evening I went to meet up with my singing buddies at NUSS for Sadnah’s birthday party. Angeline, Shirley, Fadil, Ajith and wife and sister-in-law were all there to greet our birthday girl. At the strike of 9:oo pm we saw Bryan and Sadnah coming in to the lobby and we brought them inside the bar to listen to our current flavor of the season husband and wife Ronnie & Gemma. The party started as we all went into the dance floor to party. Everyone was having a good time until our friend Fadil was called onstage to sing some songs for our celebrant. Yes Fadil brought the house down with his rendition of two fast- beat numbers making Ronnie “blink” in disbelief that this Malay guy has got showmanship. Yes the party energy soon went up and soon after Bryan had to sing for the love of his life. Bryan and Sadnah shared the stage as they sang a duet of Love Me.  
 

Of course the party won’t be complete until every one was called to sing on stage. Ms. Shirley Tay did her most requested piece entitled Run Apalooza Run which made every one rise up from their seats and started doing the line dance. Then soon after it was Angeline’s turn to sing Betcha by Golly Wow which was a retro classic back in the 70’s popularized by the Stylistics. She did a wonderful rendition of that song and everyone was so delighted with her interpretation of the song. And of course, I tried belting-out this Beatles’ classis called Yesterday which was the first time I sang onstage but managed to survive the ordeal though. Whew! hard to duplicate the original. 
 

It was past 1:30 am when we left NUSS and all of us were once again in great mood celebrating a very dear friend’s birthday. Sadnah then reminded as that she will tender a dinner at her home in Changi Village the following evening and we all said yes to her.  
 

The succeeding days until Friday were lessons in the day, and occasional partying at nights. On Thursday evening, I conducted a group workshop for some expats residing in Singapore. The workshop was held at Karen Kholland’s residence in Kallang and was attended by two other couples Edward and Elizabeth from Britain and Carmen and Bill from the U.S.A. I had a two hour fabulous workshop as I introduced them to the basic elements of the Argentine tango. They were very attentive and were very nice people. As we ended the class, they invited me for some drinks and got to know them better. Carmen is a writer for an expat magazine in K.L and she said she will feature some stories about the Argentine tango and her experiences regarding he just concluded lessons. While husband Bill is a CEO for a top multinational. Husband and wife Edward and Elizabeth are London bound in ten days and will be back after two months. Edward is also a CEO for a multinational. 
 

On Friday evening Bg and I together with Annie Goh went to the Carriage Bar for some fun dancing. Annie introduced her friend Samuel to us and even invited him to join the tango workshop I am conducting during the week-end. The band that plays at Carriage Bar is an old “reliable” which have been in the lion-state’s club circuit for more than two decades now. They are called the Thunderbirds and they sing and play instruments very well. We didn’t stay long at Carriage Bar and we rushed off to Club 5 to meet up with some dancing friends again. This is what I like with Singapore night life. It’s full of surprises. One minute I am in this place the next minute I’m in another. These friends of mine are party-goers and bar hoppers but has always been great fun to be with whenever I’m in town. 
 

The two remaining workshops I had during the week-end were fantastic. I have finally started a vibrant group that will perhaps invigorate interest for tango in my circle. These are very open-minded individuals with so much zest for life. Yes they liked tango and my teaching, and are willing to carry on with the intermediate class should I spear-head one when I get back in September. I wanted to sustain the momentum that has been gained so I’m taking this opportunity to open an intermediate class next month.  On the last day which was a Sunday, everyone was feeling jovial and talking out loud with so much praises for the just concluded workshop. I am so pleased having satisfied them to learn the dance. I did tell them to go to Xenbar where they can meet up with the tango people of Singapore who are mostly members of Singapore Tango Club to practice. 
 
 

Dateline Singapore: August 15-21, 2oo6 
 
 

I am now on my third week in the lion-state and I hardly notice the passing of time because of my busy schedule. This morning, I woke-up to a loud thunderstorm and when I looked out of the window, it was raining heavily. It seems like there is a storm approaching but certainly not because after twenty minutes heavy of heavy downpour the rains had stopped and slowly the sun went out and the whole day was bright and sunny. Well, this is usually the weather in Singapore at this time of the year. It’s crazy I would say because the weather condition is so erratic. Unlike in Manila, expect monsoon rains to frequent the archipelago around this time because it’s the rainy season. And this goes on for 4-5 months beginning in June.  
 

Bg as usual was seen taking her lesson at 10:oo am. I don’t know what made her concentrate on tango this time. She’s now really enjoying the dance and the music. Unlike before when she will just learn it because it’s just a dance that she wants to perfect. But this time, I can see that she’s beginning to feel some special kind of attachment with tango. It’s short of saying that she is metamorphosing into a “tanguera” and not just a tango dancer, a clear indication that she is reaching a certain kind of tango maturity. Considering her age, don’t get me wrong please, but I really am so amazed at how she derives this liking for the Argentine tango this time. Bravo Bg! 
 

I again saw Ning in the evening and she too had an equally fantastic lesson as I took her to improving her “ochos” with emphasis on hip rotation and bringing the shoulders together with the hips as she executes this figure. The whole point of this discussion is to enable her to turn in one piece each time she does an “ocho” and at the same time provide a dissociation of the upper from her lower body to create tortion. I can see that her shoulders was a little tight, a common problem with people learning to dance tango in the beginning, and it needs to be addressed by stating the fact that the where ever the hips go, the shoulders join the hips to move in one direction. This is all about using the torso to move the whole body into the “ochos”. Ning is an incredible student so far the only student I have who managed to put all my discussion/theories into practice in so short a time. She has a high level of understanding things and really listens to every bits of information you tell her with scrutiny yet with submission. I enjoy teaching her as it puts my status as a teacher on a higher plain. An intelligent student/dancer for an intelligent dance indeed.   
 

I was suppose to do something in Malaysia towards the last week of the month but it seems nothing has been firmed up yet so I decided instead to open another Beginner’s Intensive course in Singapore on the last two weeks of August. Since I am still busy putting this project for November until the end of the month, I decided to push through with the planned workshop. I got favorable responses from many people and I knew I had another winner on hand. I arranged the studio at Spans jom and ergo everything was set for the two remaining week-ends of August.  
 

On Tuesday evening Shirley took another lesson sans Angeline as she went up to the mountain in Genting together with her lawyer friends for a golfing and casino holiday. She told me she will be meeting up with Marguerite and Runa while she’s in KL and be with them for their Wednesday “practica”. Have fun Angelina! 
 

Shirley meanwhile, focused on making herself more grounded on the floor to undo this habit of always raising her shoulders each time she moves. This usually happens when one has no full knowledge of weight change thereby making him/her just pass on every step he/she does. This must not be the case in tango. Dancers must be aware at which foot he/she is standing on because this is what keeps the axis/balance thereby making him/her more grounded and solid on the floor each time he/she moves in whatever direction. By doing this, it enables the shoulders and arms to relax and the process creates a connection between partners based on good energy. This is where the idea of being grounded comes in as well. Really tango has many nuances and character to be able to understand and feel it better. Being a feeling dance, it s so unlike the other dances in such a way that it makes partners be sensitive to each other in the same way that it allows either the man or the woman to be sensitive to his/her individual body. I am very happy at the way Shirley has been posting significant progress. 
 

I had another great time teaching my new student Ning. Yes she’s a focused learner. She told me that she will be away for a week to do a project in Vietnam. And that she’s taking this chance to really learn more about the dance so that when she comes back, everything would still be fresh in her mind as she decides to take more lessons while I’m in Singapore. Being a fast learner I started giving her the element called “giro” or turn. But before that I gave her the “parada” coming from a back “ocho” leading to a sandwich or “mordida” which is one of the most common figures one learns in tango. While indeed, simple, I mean the sandwich there were many things that need to be discussed to really get this figure right. For one, ladies always tend to miss collecting or putting their feet together each time they go to a back “ocho”, Ning was not spared from this. While she understands the principle it is not enough guarantee that she’ll be able to put it into practice.  Not at least for now. I have to make her go over the sequence until her body gets used to the idea of collecting whether forward or back “ocho” because this is important in making her “parada” position definite. After several repetitive attempts, I finally saw her slowly imbibing this discipline until she slowly has incorporated it into her moves.  
 

Then we proceeded on to discuss “giro” or turn and it proved to be kind of easy for her to follow as I demonstrated and explained to her the basic elements that make up this figure.

She now understands front and back “ocho”. These two elements are integral part of the “giro” combined with a side step called “apertura.” Now she has to start with a front “ocho” going to an “apertura” then a back “ocho” which makes up the giro. I then brought her to a “parada” and viola she was surprised at how the movement has taken shape. Yes this is what I call tango magic. With these simple basic elements one learns in the beginner’s level, it really turns surprising for one to see how steps evolve around this concept. Ning was so pleased and delighted having learned so much in so short a time and promised that she will definitely go to Buenos Aires to pursue her learning of the tango in December since she’ll happen to be in South America for her four month leave beginning September. I encouraged her to learn with some of my teachers and was just too happy to hear my offer. After two hours, we have to finally end our lesson and she already started giving me the schedule for our next session as soon as she comes back from her trip. Safe trip Ning! 
 

On Wednesday I saw Bg in the day and Nurdi in the evening. My teaching schedule wasn’t that heavy though that I manage to go to the gym to do my work-out during mid-day. It feels good to be back again doing gym works after being out of it for a month. I never have problems going back to the gym after a long lull. Like I said, it has been a lifestyle that I have learned to imbibe in my system. Bg and Nurdi’s lessons today were equally great. Nurdi is really hell bent on carrying on with her tango lesson. I admire people who really take Argentine tango seriously.  
 

During the day, I was also busy attending and coordinating things in Bali and Singapore for this event in November. I won’t divulge anything yet as I wanted to make sure that everything is well-placed before I start making any announcement.  
 

Sometime in September, I will soon start cracking into the Jakarta scene to teach and introduce the Argentine tango in the city together with Stefani. Stefani has managed to arrange something with one Jakarta lady named Wiwik who was interested to launch the Argentine tango. In fact, today I will meet the chairperson of the dance sport of Indonesia called IODI to discuss on the project. Her name is Mdm. Fathma Hakim and she was introduced to me by a nice lady Ms. Maria Lukito. Stefani and Wiwik decided to cooperate with Mrs. Hakim for the launching of tango for better exposure.  
 

A very soft-spoken and gentle mannered lady, Mrs. Fathma Hakim is a very motherly figure. For one who holds a position such as dance sport, usually these ladies are very flamboyant and gorgeous. But in Mrs. Hakim’s case she was exactly the opposite. I found her to be simple in her ways but her vision for Indonesian dance sport is clear as she told me of her plans to really bring awareness to the Indonesian youth up to the grass root level. This is to promote and instill discipline, according to her own words, and the value of hard work so that they, the youth will be trained at an early age to take responsibilities at the same time develop the etiquette of social graces through dance. Her motherly image speaks well of her plans. She even sighted a documentary with a similar theme she saw in an in-flight entertainment in one of her overseas trips. She sounded upbeat as she was making a narrative of her plans and we just found ourselves talking about many things about our plans as I gave my credentials as a tango teacher. We had such a good chat and after two hours her daughter Ayu arrived and introduced herself. Ayu told me that she loves the Argentine tango and that she learned it for a year when she was still studying in New York. We agreed to all meet up tonight at Upper Club after our commitments earlier in the evening as we wrapped up our meeting. 
 

True enough, after they finished with their dinner appointment at Tanah Merah and mine at SICC Thomson, we met at Upper Club at 11:oo pm. I was surprised to see Ms. Maria Lukito in the table and was so pleased to see her as we exchanged pleasantries. I immediately invited one of them for a dance and did a cha-cha-cha with Mrs. Hakim as first dance. Surprisingly, she can dance very well. No wonder she took the chairmanship of the IODI. We had some other friends of them who were with us in the dinner table. I didn’t realize that we have a celebrity in the group as Ming, a student of mine, came up to tell me that this lady who I was sitting beside with is Noor, and a very popular singer in Singapore during the good old days. I saw other ladies in the club came up to greet her. Noor then asked if we could dance, gosh! I think it should be the other way around, and I obliged but of course. We had a fabulous time together as I danced with five ladies until we have to call it a night. Mrs. Hakim and Ayu will fly back to Jakarta the following morning and promised to keep me posted of the developments regarding the planned launching of Argentine tango in Jakarta ditto with Ms. Maria Lukito who will be flying to Europe tomorrow evening. Bon voyage ladies! 
 

In a few days I will be conducting another round of Beginner’s workshop during the week-end. It’s actually my second for this visit. I have been drum-beating this since I started planning it barely a week ago. And it seems like I am on a winning streak this time as I get favorable responses from people who are interested to learn tango with me.. In fact, Ms. Rose Dieu is also organizing another separate workshop at her Clementi place on a separate date as her group will not fit in to my schedule for this week-end. Well, when it rains it pours.  
 

Nurdi took another lesson on Thursday evening and we carried on where we left from our last discussion. She is more balanced now and has been moving more confidently to Marvin’s surprise. Even Marvin for that matter, is making significant progress despite the few hours that I grilled him on the basic elements of the dance. Well, dance instructors like Marvin will easily pick up and learn fast for dancing is their profession. But this is not enough assurance that they can learn it quickly but rather, it’s having a right attitude towards learning that will make them learn things easily. I was a bit more assertive with Marvin in the beginning of the lesson as he has a tendency to take simple things from the basic elements as though he already knew it. I made him feel that he doesn’t know anything by pointing out all the flaws that he does and then giving him the necessary tools to correct all these flaws based on the right elements contained in the basic understanding of the tango. This way, it made him realize his weaknesses which eventually changed his attitude towards learning the dance. He was more attentive to the discussion as he demonstrated the theories in to practice making Nurdi nod in approval. 
 

On Friday morning I had the chance to run to Spansjom again for my regular work-out. Good grief I can really find time to sneak this in between my busy schedule. It really feels good every time I see myself hitting the gym. By 12:oo noon  I had to rush to Orchard to meet up with Philomena regarding the project I am spear-heading in November. I am taking in Philo to assist me in the marketing aspect of the project. As I saw her at the Coffee bean shop, she seems ready for action. Our meeting came out fruitful and we have agreed on many terms that will make us work together in the coming months till November.  
 

I saw Bg after lunch for a one hour lesson and then I headed-off to Xenbar at 5:oo pm for another lesson with Shirley.  
 

The following day, Saturday, I woke up at 10:oo and was preparing my things for this afternoon’s second round of Beginner’s Intensive. I’ve been receiving text messages and phone calls from participants for directions to the venue. I was beginning to feel more confident that this workshop is going to turn out very well again just like the first one I had two weeks ago. As I got in to the studio, I saw some twelve of them already waiting inside. Immediately, I called everyone to come forward and started my stretching exercises to condition their bodies for the marathon lesson today. These exercises were also introduced to the first batch of students I have of two weeks. I started devising this method to enable students to develop and warm up specific muscle groups that will be most needed in their learning of the tango. As this will help them develop good posture which is very essential to achieve the desired movement. Some four new people got in making the total number of participants to sixteen. Wow!  I was in high spirit and was so motivated by the response I got from this batch of learners. A lot of them are relatively new and it was the first time that I ever saw most of them.  Although some were people I knew before.  
 

In the two hours that I worked on them, everything was confined on the basic walk, defining balance/axis and a lot other exercises to prepare them for more exciting elements

as they learn to tango. They were also introduced to the idea of leading and following as they play their roles in the dance. The group was a delight to work with as I can see them really immersed with the discussion and at the same time having fun as they try out the exercise with one another. This is one thing good about group workshops because easily you can build a community based on camaraderie and understanding. After two hours, I was pleased at the way the group responded to the program I gave them in the same way that I saw every one already relaxed with one another as they break the so called ice to get to know each other better.  
 

The group was participated in mostly by locals, but mixed I would say. It was a mix of Indian, Chinese and Malay but Singaporeans nevertheless. From here one can see how diverse a group Singapore is with the mixture of all these races. From the Chinese side I have Koh, Angie, Jessie and Vivienne. They were all nice fellows and are avid ballroom dancers. I thought they would not like the workshop in the beginning because of their dance orientation but it turned out the other way around as they were very focused and pleased to have joined the workshop, so they say. On the Indian side, I had Ajith and Shakila, who both happen to be friends of Ms. Shirley Tay. Ajith is a medical doctor who is a general practitioner. He too was over- whelmed at the out come of the workshop as he told me that this was exactly the kind of information he wanted to obtain to improve on his dancing. Now he’s been bitten by the bug this early. Shakila comes from the academe and I think works as a lecturer with the NUSS. Lily is another Chinese lady but a New Yorker at that. Having lived for many years in the big apple, her accent and her care free ways is undeniably one that has lived in that great city. I saw Francis again taking a second time ditto with Henry. Francis is a writer while Henry is owns a consultancy firm related to business. Fred Ho, who has been out of tango for long, was there too to try his luck the second time around. Fred is a licensed engineer and a web designer by profession. Quite a busy man though, but he finds time to go out dancing from time to time. He is actually in our circle of dancing friends at Temasek Club. Shirley and Bg attended the class too. They were there too to revise and strengthen their basics. So far these are the names I can remember and I am so pleased having made them come together and liked tango under my tutelage. 
 

The following day was a continuation of yesterday’s workshop and again I brought them to all the exercises I would give specifically for this program. Slowly I built up the patterns based on weight changes as they define axis/balance and their beginning to see the basic step leading to the “cruzada.” Everyone was getting excited as the lesson was slowly progressing and they are beginning to see and feel some beautiful movements based on the elements I mentioned. After two hours, I have to call it a day as the next occupant of the studio was waiting outside for their turn. The class gave another resounding applause as they promised to keep up for the succeeding lessons next week. 
 
 

Dateline: Singapore August 21-30, 2oo6 
 
 

I’m on my last week in Singapore and it seems like I have not finished my work yet considering the many things that I still have to organize both with my teaching and this event I am spear-heading in November. Oh! Gee this is lots of work. Well I have no complaints though and in fact my adrenalin is very much up, that my creative juices just keeps flowing, making me even surprised at how I can manage to plan and do my logistics with so much clarity and precision. I am so inspired by the turn of events. Like I said, I’ll just keep on doing things to the best of my knowledge and ability and the rest I’ll leave it up to Him.  
 

I started my week teaching Bg on Monday morning. As usual Bg was in dancing mood especially so that it’s the first day of the week. She asked me to teach her “milonga” which I obligingly did as I brought her to understand more about the music than the steps to be learned. Immediately upon hearing Toca Tango, she was already upbeat as this is the kind of music which she would normally go for because of the fast rhythm. I made her listen to the beat as I translated it into the dance and viola she was surprised to find out that she was doing the same basic step as that of tango but only this time she’s moving a little faster. I knew she will enjoy it. And in the one and half hours we worked together she was so pleased that finally she’s doing the “milonga.”  
 

In the afternoon I went to Clementi for the group workshop Rose Dieu organized. I was surprised to find out that there were three ladies in the class and no men. There were two Singaporeans, Medy and Irene and a Filipina, Marissa, who is married to a Singaporean. And this means that I will have to be dancing with every one of them in between discussions. No problem .Anyway all three ladies are very nice and are willing learners that I immediately buckled down to work with no innuendoes. All three ladies have actually got a partner but they were not in town as they are Filipino DI’s who would come from time to time to dance with them. I started by giving them the same exercises I would normally give beginners to define posture, balance/axis and the tango walk. It was quite difficult for them at first to adjust to my teaching method as they have been so accustomed to the informal ways Filipino dance instructors who would immediately bring them to do steps without even understanding the basic principle of weight change. I am a Filipino and I have nothing against them so please don’t get me wrong. I am just simply stating a fact and an opinion at that and I hope that everyone who reads this would be considerate enough to just listen at least… to my opinion. They realized that after the class they were beginning to feel differently with their dancing because of this concept about weight change. It has made them feel good and has improved their balance and stability as they delineate a tango walk. Yes the basic patterns from the “caminatas” to the “cruzada” were discussed thoroughly making sure that they got the idea right from the start I was to meet them again in the coming days so, in fact I ‘ll be meeting them again in two days time. Nice try ladies..  
 

On Tuesday Bg, Angeline and Shirely had their lessons each during the day. These three ladies had managed to become good friends since after my first tango workshop two weeks ago. Angeline who just got back from K.L last Sunday invited us for karaoke at NUSS. In the group were Bg, Shirley, Henry and your’s truly. Wow! This is incredible. I never thought we’re going to have an addition to our singing group in Bg and Henry. Well! see what tango can do? It knows no boundaries. Since after that workshop I spear-headed, I just finally realized that I have formed a new and vibrant group, which will come together and become friends because of a common denominator called tango. We had a great time singing at the karaoke bar and at times Bg and I will go up to do some dancing because there is ballroom dancing every Tuesdays at the club. We all had quite a wonderful time and I never saw sweet old Bg in her element enjoying the company of my two “tangueras” Angeline and Shirley ditto with Henry who was great fun to be with. 
 

The succeeding days were more lessons from my pool of students in the lion-state. Bg, Angeline, Rose, Shirley, Nurdi and Colleen were seen taking and filling-up my schedule that will run from 10:3o am to 7:oo pm. I still managed to run the remaining workshop I had with Rose’s group in Clementi. In fact all three ladies, Marissa, Medy and Irene were looking forward already for the intermediate class with their partners when I come back in September.  
 

There were two nights when Bg and I went for dancing at Club 5 together with our friends Fred and Annie. We also went to SICC for a monthly function held at the club on Saturday evening. This time we were with Lilian, Bg’s long time friend and confidante ditto with Fred Ho. I always feel good whenever I’m in the company of these people. They are so real and down-to-earth individuals who have no air of pretension and you can feel the sincerity of their friendship. I’m so lucky I have so many of their kind in Singapore and I cherish and value my friendship with them.  
 

I also managed to finish the two remaining sessions I have with Rose’s group in Clementi. All three ladies were very pleased with the results they achieved in the eight hour intensive they had for a couple of days.  
 

I went off to JB to renew my visa on Saturday evening to extend my stay by three more days. Like I said, my things concerning this event in November needs to be threshed-out before I fly out of Singapore and I’m leaving no stones unturned to ensure the success of this event.  
 

But before that, in the afternoon, I ran a continuation of the workshop for the second Beginner’s intensive I spear-headed last week. The students this time were introduced to the elements of musicality and embrace making them finally feel the proper form of the tango as it came to shape based on the exercises I gave them since day one of the workshop. All fourteen of them including my original “tangueras” Bg, Angeline & Shirley were having a great time trying to understand the exercises.  
 

Also, I have been getting favorable responses from Francis and Ajith, telling me how much they appreciate my teaching and that they really have learned so much about posture for good dancing and that they will always remember me for this input I gave them. Of course I was pleased to hear it but this is my job and I always make sure that I give students what he/she deserves.  
 

I carried on with the workshop on Sunday afternoon and because this is the last day of the session, everyone was present and ready to start with the lesson. Yes Lily, Henry Co, Angie, Ajith and the rest were already enjoying their dancing with one another based on the six hours of workshop they had made since they started last week. I would always encourage them to switch partner so they get used to the idea of dancing with different people to make them develop sensitivity to their individual bodies and the other’s as well. This also foster camaraderie and goodwill making them feel comfortable with each other as they carry on with their learning. I’m totally satisfied with the outcome of the two workshops. It was a fulfilling experience as a teacher to have made this fete possible. It’s like seeing light at the end of a tunnel.  
 

As I ended the class, everyone cheered and gave a resounding applause as I accepted their salutations and thanked them for the time they have spent with me in learning this beautiful dance. I heard Lily invited everyone to come to her place at Bukit Merah where she has a showroom of Chinese antiques which she sells to selected buyers. She wants us to celebrate some kind of graduation rites as everyone get to know each other even better. Everyone agreed and drove-ff to her place as we were all greeted by these wonderful and amazing collections. These are collector’s items I suppose and they should be priceless. She offered us wine, red, white or rose, it’s our choice. We enjoyed each other’s company and started feeling some kind of bonding because of tango. Bg, Philo, Shirley, Angeline, Ajith and the rest were delighted at this experience of meeting new friends as we promised to meet-up again in the coming days. The camaraderie we had was oozing with so much positive energy as we ended the fun with “abrazos  y besos.”  
 

Well, today is Monday and in two days I’ll be on the road again. I have been a rover these past few years doing what I love most, teaching the tango. I find this job exciting as it gives me the chance to move around different places, meet different people, cultivate friendship, earn my keep and enjoy life to the fullest. With all these blessings I’ve been receiving I couldn’t ask for anything more. 
 

I still had lessons with Bg, Angeline, Shirley, Nurdi, Rose and Colleen in the remaining days. I also did last minute meetings with Annie and Philo to thresh-out pressing matters regarding this project I am organizing in November. This month has been pretty hectic with loads of teachings, planning, coordinating and organizing.  
 

On Tuesday evening, I went out for fun dancing with Bg, Angeline, Shirley and Lily in Club 5. My God this is a casting coup considering that I never thought I’ll be able to put all these ladies together and have the time of their lives to enjoy each other’s company since after that group workshop I spear-headed these past four weeks. The evening was packed with ballroom dancers and we had a pretty good fun dancing the night away as we talked and laughed and smiled as if every one of my “tangueras” had known each other for long.  
 

What a great way to cap this visit with great workshops, beautiful people, good energy, a promising important event in November and loads of fun and action as I prepare myself to board my plane on Wednesday evening via Quantas 138 to my next destination.