Nanay was a born dancer. She did not take any formal dancing lessons but she could sway like a pro.
Philamlife hosts an Awards Night every year to acknowledge its top producers and Agencies. At the end of the program, several DIs (Dance Instructor) appear and choose from the crowd whom they will dance with first. I try my best to be hidden but God works in very mysterious ways. More often than not, A DI will approach me and ask me to dance. My reply has always been: “Could my mother dance with you instead?” The DI then turns to Nanay and she immediately goes to the dance floor with him.
Year after year Nanay would tell me: “You just need to be obedient inorder to dance with a partner. Just follow what he wants you to do. Do not go against his will. The reason why you can’t follow is because you are disobedient. You are a rebel.” Well, I agree with her. I prefer dancing my own way—no rules, no inhibitions. I want to dance just the way I’d like it to be.
6 years ago, our friend Tita Cors celebrated her 90th bday in the ClubHouse. There were only 2 DIs. The first DI approached me and as usual, I directed him to Nanay. I thought I was able to escape the ordeal but heaven was making a joke on me. The second DI also approached me and I already ran out of mother to bail me out. I had no choice but to hold onto his hand while making our way to the stage. Yup. The 4 of us danced on stage!
I recalled Nanay’s words and prayed to God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; all the angels and saints; Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph; and to my guardian angel to help me OBEY the DI’s direction.
I have no idea what happened next but I just followed the DI’s lead. The song finally ended and with great applause, we descended the stage with utmost grace and poise.
Last year, we celebrated Nanay’s 90th birthday. Instead of ballroom dancing, we had line dance instead. The DI was the only one on stage and Nanay was among the crowd mimicking her dance moves. Everybody was amazed that at 90, Nanay could still dance like before, but of course milder and slower.
My daughter Eia dances everyday at home. Nanay used to join her a few times a week but now, she prefers to sleep on her rocking chair than move her frail body. She completely lost her interest in dancing.
The once “Belle of the Ball” has now taken her Final Bow.
