Quick Links  From the Editor...A Message from RI Pres. MajiyagbeRotary StoryDistrict Governors RY 2003-2004Dancing in Brisbane |
And so, as early as Midway of Rotary Year 2002-2003, he began toying with the idea. First he asked this writer if it could be done. The idea, at that time, sounded so grand it was begging for a half-serious answer. "Sure! Why not?"
That only challenged DGE Mike who began requesting DGE Mike who began requesting the Host Organizing Committee for a slot in the program at the Hall of Friendship. The initial response was disappointing. HOC Manager John Blake denied the request, saying that the program for the conventioneers was intended to offer only an "Australian experience".
This did not stop Mike. Every two days for one month thereafter, he would email Blake with the same request. Out of exasperation or because of persistence, whichever, Blake finally relented.
Desperate for Dancers There were a couple of conditions laid down from the start. The first came from DGE Mike who said that only registered conventioneers would be allowed to dance. The next came from this writer who said no less than the country's premier dance troupe, the Bayanihan, should choreograph and teach the Rotarians.
These two, however, presented huge problems in finding dancers to perform in Brisbane, First, because of the danger to travel posed by the Iraq invasion and the SARS virus, Rotarians of D3820 could not decide early whether or not to attend the Convention. It would take, again, the persistence of this time, IPDG Kit Reventar, to convince them otherwise. In the end, the District had almost a hundred participants to the convention.
But to convince them to dance was another matter. Apart from those who said they had two left feet, many were simply too far from the headquarters of the Bayanihan in Manila to attend the practices.
Realize that D3820 covers the vast area of the provinces of Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Mindoro, Masbate , and the Bicol Region. For any Rotarian in the District, Manila is at least an hour and a half away from the nearest spot, and a good half a day of land travel from the farthest point. To make it to Manila at least once a week would really be a big sacrifice.
Finally, a group of 12 had materialized: IPDG Kit; IPP now AG Zen Garcia (RC Legaspi in Bicol); AG Dennis Sunio and spouse IPP Angie (RC Pagsanjan in Laguna); spouse Susan Lirio (RC Tanauan in Batangas); IPP Nerissa Santiago and PE Marissa Glang (RC Cabuyao Circle in Laguna); IPP Allan Baquilar (RC Santa Rosa South in Laguna); spouse Lydia Recto (RC Lipa South in Batangas); PP Joy Dado and PS Fely Castillo (RC San Pedro East in Laguna); and this writer DGE Mike served as the annotator.
The contact with the Bayanihan was facilitated by PP Joy who is the Vice President for Finance and Treasury of the Philippine Women's University, the educational institution that bore the world famous dance troupe. The choreography was done by Bong Jose, with help in training from Janice Albores and Melvin Manual, The music was recorded live the Bayanihan Rondalla and the colorful costumes and all paraphernalia from the hairpins to faux pearl earrings were supplied by the Bayanihan Costumes and Design Section.
Such professionalism had truly made Bayanihan world-class.
For the Love of Rotary
Not even half of newly formed D3820 Dance Troupe are actually dancers. But it must be true what they say that Filipinos have this inherent talent for music and dance; when certain call came, each one was at performance level.
Take IPP Angie, for instance. From Day one, she asked not to dance because she swears she couldn't. But seeing the dearth of participants, this writer had convinced her to just wear a costume, stand on stage and look like a pretty banana tree. She agreed. By the time Brisbane cam around, she was dancing like a pro. Likewise with PS Fely, who just accompanied PP Joy on the first practice and got stuck all the way to Brisbane .
IPP Nerissa was preparing her Year-End Report in between the hectic practices. IPP Allan had to shift his jerky disco moves to the grace of the Philippine folk dance. PE Merissa was a late entrant. Everyone had faith in PDG spouse Lydia who left for Australia one month ahead and missed the practices; it was PDG Chito Recto who was on tenterhooks. Spouse Susan Lirio, a pediatrician, cut short her clinic hours just to attend the practices, often bringing along her four children. But the greatest sacrifice came from AG Zeny who traveled 12 hours to Manila , and another 12 to go back to Legazpi the next day.
Another Rotarian who gave her share in the performance, even though she did not go to Brisbane , was PP Marie Battung (RC Metro Legaspi in Bicol). The night before the group flew to Australia, PP Marie went to deliver to the home of DGE Mike a thousand packs of bite size pili nut candies (pili is indigenous to the Bicol Region), nicely packaged with the D3820 calling card.
You seem in one of the practices, DGE Mike had another bright idea. Why not distribute candies at the end of the dance, as the performers are being introduced? And all it took was one call to PP Marie.
Another touch to the performance was the streamer that would be unfolded at the end of the number. This came from another Rotarian, PP Eloisa San Miguel (RC Hiyas Manila) who, interestingly, belonged to another district, District 3810.
Now, is this love for Rotary or not?
Like Real Troupers
The final word from HOC Manager Blake was that the D3820 performance would go on stage twice: June 2 and 3, at 1:30 in the afternoon. A few days before leaving for Brisbane however, IPDG Kit announced that she had been asked by R.I. Director Joc Joc Bolante to also perform during the Asian Breakfast.
By their second and third performance, the D3820 Dance Troupe had shaken off their stage fright. In the end, Blake had even asked DGE Mike if the troupe could dance again on the last day of the Convention. This time, it was DGE Mike's turn to say, "No sorry. We also want to see your country!" The last day was their only chance to sightsee.
Colleagues in Rotary have congratulated D3820 and said it was a mean heat to pull off indeed. In some measure, the performance in Brisbane could be called a success, especially since it showed the cohesive spirit of District 3820. But simply put, it is clearly an achievement for DGE Mike who dared to dream and a rare experience for the brave dozen who dared to dance.
