Dancestastic

There was a slight drizzle as we stepped out of the car. As we entered the Blue Ridge 2 Barangay Hall, Cynthia and I were surprised at how that place was spruced up for the event that we were attending. Chairs and tables were decked in white linen adorned with lovely pink ribbons. A tall vase with an exquisite long stemmed bloom punctuated each table top. An enticing buffet table sprawled at the right side of the hall. We could hear soft music from the combo that was warming up by the left side of the stage.

At exactly six pm, the birthday celebrant walked in. We stood up and were the first to greet my co-alumni of Arellano High School, class '62 and dear friend, Lilian Castro nee Lopez. Soon other guests started pouring in. The combo started singing standards that were popular during our salad days. Twenty minutes after her arrival, Lilian welcomed and thanked her well wishers and promised an evening of fun and dancing. Her friend and Cynthia's former boss (whom she hasn't seen in a long while - small world indeed), Sally Fernando, blessed the gathering with a prayer. Lilian then requested that each table send a representative to say something about the celebrant. Our co-alumni, Ester Dijamco, spoke in our behalf as she reminisced her high school and college times with her dear friend.

Then the buffet. It was lavish - both a feast for the eyes and a gastronomic delight. White rice and carbonara pasta went along with Chicken Cordon Bleu, Lengua, Breaded Fish Fillets, Pork Barbecues on a stick and Waldorf Salad. Dessert was Fruit Salad and lusciously sweet Leche Flan. Iced tea complemented the culinary fare.

After dinner came the dancing. The tables in the middle of the hall were removed to provide space for the evening's terpsichores. To get things started there was an Argentine Tango exhibition followed by a fiery Flamenco solo. Lilian then declared, "Everybody dance!". Slowly, the floor began to fill with swinging dancers. Being the only male around who was not a DI (Dance Instructor) I felt a bit underqualified to join the others in swaying to rock-and-roll music. Cynthia, on the other hand, couldn't resist the beat and hailed one of the DI's. Soon they were off and dancing.

Also sharing our table, aside from Ester, were three lady friends of Lilian who were all Eastwood residents. One of the them, Tita Siony, also an ex-pat retiree like ourselves, took a liking on us (perhaps as kindred spirits) and shared with us her life stories. She was also among the first to hit the dance floor. After doing the boogie for a good ten minutes, Cynthia returned to our table, a bit out of breath. Tita Siony, meanwhile, kept on dancing through the various genres that the combo played. Did I mention that she's 84 years old?

At one point, Lilian asked, no, forced, me to dance the Samba with her, a dance I absolutely do not know how to execute. She encouraged me to just follow the rhythm. As I embarrasingly started to swing my hips to the feverish beat of the samba, Lilian was called by her in-laws for some important business. Gratefully and much relieved, I returned to our table.

No Filipino dance party is complete without an Electric Slide Line Dancing. I thought my knee can handle this so together with Ester and another co-alumni (Cora del Prado-Lim, who was delayed in coming to the party by the now heavily-pouring rain), we joined the fray. Cynthia decided to sit this one out.

As the evening mellowed into night, so did the music. When the combo started playing the Rumba, Cynthia and I were ready. Despite being the only "amateur" male dancer on the floor, I cherished having to finally being able to dance with my wife. Nevermind the simplicity of our steps and even some miscues, I was dancing with my life partner - and that's all that mattered to me.


The time came when Lilian had to blow the candles on her cake. When asked what she wished for on her birthday, she replied, "I just wish that my dear, departed husband, Jun, would lay beside me tonight." Not a few tears fell as we all felt Lilian's deep love that remained long after the object of her affection had gone on to be with God.

The party slowly came to a close. As Cynthia and I floated back to our car, we couldn't help but admire Tita Siony - the 84-year old lady who outdanced everyone on the floor. And thanks to our friend, Lilian, the birthday celebrant, and generous host, for making us starry-eyed on a rainy night.