The Rigodon de Honor is an elegant dance. It was introduced into the Philippines during the time of the Spaniards and was very popular in French and Spanish courts. It is often followed by a waltz and performed at galas and balls, particularly by the rich and famous, or by government officials.
Penrith Community Filipino School Director, Dr Alexis Leones, with the leadership of Principal, Marie Bandayrel, had a vision. Their vision did not include the rich or famous. It did, however, include the performance of the Rigodon de Honor by Filipino-Australian youth, aged from 11 to 19, at the St Marys Senior Citizens Centre on the 16th of April 2011. Funded through the Community Assistance Program and Youth Week Grant of the Penrith City Council, this project was organised by the PLCAA as their first community event for 2011.
Rehearsals started early in the year, with students and their parents attending extra lessons to ensure that all the dance steps were learnt and that students were confident. As you can imagine, bringing 24 young individuals together to learn a complicated dance was not an easy task. The steps of the Rigodon look simple enough, but they are not!
Students approached the dance cautiously, not really sure of themselves, and in some cases, not knowing their partners at all. Rehearsals were often noisy and chaotic, causing some of us to worry that we would never be ready in time. After all, there were dresses to organise, heels to get used to and hairstyles to decide upon.
The day finally arrived, and the transformation from chattering adolescents to graceful young men and women was amazing. From the colourful dresses to the assorted barongs and suits, they certainly looked the part. They were in order and ready to dance the Rigodon de Honor for the very first time.
Each couple was announced and entered gracefully. As they stood waiting for the music to start we prayed that all of their hard work had paid off. The youth that we had watched wriggle and squirm, chatter and scream, during rehearsals were nowhere to be seen. Instead, what we saw resembled a highly choreographed exhibition of skill and grace. Where had our children gone?
What was evident, above everything else, was the fact that all of the participants thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They exuded confidence and happiness as they realised that they had achieved something remarkable. Not only had they learnt the complicated dance steps of the Rigodon and then the Cotillion, but they had also bridged the gap between generations. They had been given a taste of their parents’ culture.
The dance of the Rigodon de Honor by the youth was the crowning glory of a wonderful event. Once again the Filipino community pulled together to produce an event full of fun, family, love and laughter. I am sure that the special guests present including Philippine Consul General Anne J. Louis with husband Mr. Gerald Louis, Consul Anthony Reyes, Deputy Mayor Cr. Jim Aitken, Emeritus Mayor Mr. Pat Sheehy, David Bradbury MP, Tanya Davies MP, Cr. Prue Guillaume, Community and Cultural Development Manager Mr. Erich Weller, PCC-NSW officers Elsa Collado, Atoy Sayas, Noel Bernardo, Zignal Travels Director Tess Sayas and Philippine Community Herald Editor in Chief Evelyn Zaragosa appreciated the hard work and organisation that was put into such an event. Special thanks go to: Marie Bandayrel, Principal of the Penrith Community Filipino School, for her choreography; Alexis and Dodee Leones, for their vision and support of the youth; Lionel Laserna, for his stage backdrop and music coordination; Adult PLCAA Rigodon Performers headed by Maya Ibarra who added glitter in the performance,to the young, delightful entertainers: Rie Manaloto, Clarissa Bock, Dwayne Ruiz, Mark Funtanilla, Jason Alcantara and Joshua Montillano and to emcees, John Laserna, Giselle Gallam and Rie Manaloto for their leadership on the night.
We all look forward to another Rigodon de Honor in the future. Discussions are already underway with the Rigodon Committee about the endless possibilities. So, don’t put away your dancing shoes just yet. We might need you next time.
Penrith Community Filipino School Director, Dr Alexis Leones, with the leadership of Principal, Marie Bandayrel, had a vision. Their vision did not include the rich or famous. It did, however, include the performance of the Rigodon de Honor by Filipino-Australian youth, aged from 11 to 19, at the St Marys Senior Citizens Centre on the 16th of April 2011. Funded through the Community Assistance Program and Youth Week Grant of the Penrith City Council, this project was organised by the PLCAA as their first community event for 2011.
Rehearsals started early in the year, with students and their parents attending extra lessons to ensure that all the dance steps were learnt and that students were confident. As you can imagine, bringing 24 young individuals together to learn a complicated dance was not an easy task. The steps of the Rigodon look simple enough, but they are not!
Students approached the dance cautiously, not really sure of themselves, and in some cases, not knowing their partners at all. Rehearsals were often noisy and chaotic, causing some of us to worry that we would never be ready in time. After all, there were dresses to organise, heels to get used to and hairstyles to decide upon.
The day finally arrived, and the transformation from chattering adolescents to graceful young men and women was amazing. From the colourful dresses to the assorted barongs and suits, they certainly looked the part. They were in order and ready to dance the Rigodon de Honor for the very first time.
Each couple was announced and entered gracefully. As they stood waiting for the music to start we prayed that all of their hard work had paid off. The youth that we had watched wriggle and squirm, chatter and scream, during rehearsals were nowhere to be seen. Instead, what we saw resembled a highly choreographed exhibition of skill and grace. Where had our children gone?
What was evident, above everything else, was the fact that all of the participants thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They exuded confidence and happiness as they realised that they had achieved something remarkable. Not only had they learnt the complicated dance steps of the Rigodon and then the Cotillion, but they had also bridged the gap between generations. They had been given a taste of their parents’ culture.
The dance of the Rigodon de Honor by the youth was the crowning glory of a wonderful event. Once again the Filipino community pulled together to produce an event full of fun, family, love and laughter. I am sure that the special guests present including Philippine Consul General Anne J. Louis with husband Mr. Gerald Louis, Consul Anthony Reyes, Deputy Mayor Cr. Jim Aitken, Emeritus Mayor Mr. Pat Sheehy, David Bradbury MP, Tanya Davies MP, Cr. Prue Guillaume, Community and Cultural Development Manager Mr. Erich Weller, PCC-NSW officers Elsa Collado, Atoy Sayas, Noel Bernardo, Zignal Travels Director Tess Sayas and Philippine Community Herald Editor in Chief Evelyn Zaragosa appreciated the hard work and organisation that was put into such an event. Special thanks go to: Marie Bandayrel, Principal of the Penrith Community Filipino School, for her choreography; Alexis and Dodee Leones, for their vision and support of the youth; Lionel Laserna, for his stage backdrop and music coordination; Adult PLCAA Rigodon Performers headed by Maya Ibarra who added glitter in the performance,to the young, delightful entertainers: Rie Manaloto, Clarissa Bock, Dwayne Ruiz, Mark Funtanilla, Jason Alcantara and Joshua Montillano and to emcees, John Laserna, Giselle Gallam and Rie Manaloto for their leadership on the night.We all look forward to another Rigodon de Honor in the future. Discussions are already underway with the Rigodon Committee about the endless possibilities. So, don’t put away your dancing shoes just yet. We might need you next time.
By: Lee Candelario
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