Rosebud hurt in ballroom fight

Former anti-narcotics agent Mary “Rosebud” Ong filed charges of slight physical injury and oral defamation against a Taiwanese woman who allegedly picked a fight with her on the dance floor in San Juan City.

Charged before the San Juan City prosecutor’s office was Sy Chai Lu of Barangay Hulo, Mandaluyong City.

Ong said she was with her friends and their dance instructor, Arnold Ponce, in the Black Betty Ballroom at Greenhills. Witnesses said Ong was dancing the Argentine tango with Ponce when she accidentally kicked Lu on the leg at about 9:30 p.m.

Ong explained that the Argentine tango, made famous in the movie “The Godfather,” involved some kicking steps.

She said she immediately apologized to Lu but the woman ignored her. After several minutes, Lu approached their group and confronted Ponce, holding on to the collar of his shirt and hurling invectives at him.

Ong said she approached the Taiwanese to apologize but Lu instead kicked her on the knee, making her fall to the floor. The incident was witnessed by at least 100 customers.

At this juncture, Ong called for police assistance. Responding policemen arrived at the ballroom and took the two women to the police station.

At the station, the police tried to mediate between the two women, but Lu neither listened to Ong’s apology nor apologize for kicking her.

The women were taken to the San Juan Medical Center for physical examination. However, Lu did not return to the police station to file countercharges against Ong.   – Non Alquitran