A dance through history
One of the highlights of the 111th Independence Day celebration at Malacañang Palace was the rigodon de honor, a dance introduced in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. The Malacañang dance, which started during the time of US Governor General William Taft, was discontinued under the administration of former President Corazon C. Aquino but was reintroduced last year by President Gloria Arroyo — to the delight of guests who are members of the diplomatic corps.
Guests enjoyed watching the ladies dance in their elegant and colorful ternos and the gentlemen in their barong tagalog. Dancing the rigodon last Friday night were selected government officials, foreign diplomats and noted personalities in the Philippine society.
The list was personally chosen by the President. Participants were Ambassadors Luis Arias of Spain and Roderick Smith of Australia; retired Armed Forces chiefs of staff, Genarals Narciso Abaya and Alexander Yano who is now the Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam; special envoy on renewable energy Vicente Perez; Rep. Nikki Teodoro; Lizzie Zobel de Ayala; wife of businessman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala; Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.; Economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto; Pasig Rep. Roman T. Romulo; presidential adviser on political affairs Gabriel Claudio; Rep. Dong Gonzalez; presidential daughter-in-law Kakai Arroyo; Davao Rep. Anton Lagdameo; Governors Dax Cua (Quirino province); Michael Keon (Ilocos Norte); and Jericho Petilla (Leyte); writer/photographer Joanne Andrade-Zapanta; former beauty queens Miriam Quiambao and Precious Lara Quigaman; Sunshine Cruz-Montano (wife of actor Cesar Montano); Vivienne Tan; Julie Defensor (wife of Philippine National Railways chief Michael Defensor); Belinda Adora; Dinagat Gov. Jade Ecleo-Villaroman; Dina Arroyo Tantoco; Mimi Aquino; Chiqui Roa-Puno; Liana Romulo; dancing instructor Becky Garcia; Annette Gozon-Abrogar; Frannie Jacinto; Rep. Trisha Bonoan David; and Carol Quimson; Kenneth Yang (son of Philippine McDonald’s franchise owner George Yang); Ali Atienza; Buddy Cunanan; businessman Atom Henares with Dr. Vicki Belo; Raul Manzano; and STAR columnist Babe Romualdez.
The well-applauded rigodon was choreographed under the direction of Dalah Pia, Budjing Danao and Renato Delgado.
