The Magic of Ballroom Dancing: Memories of My Youth and the Timeless Tango
Macrine (RIP) and I Dancing the Tango, 1991
Every now and then, a familiar melody transports us back to another place and another time. For me, all it takes are the opening notes of El Choclo or La Cumparsita, and suddenly I am a teenager again in Iloilo, Philippines, during the early 1950s.
Music has a remarkable ability to preserve memories far better than photographs. It awakens emotions that have been quietly resting in our hearts for decades.
My late father was an excellent ballroom dancer. Like many fathers of his generation, he believed that dancing was not merely entertainment but an important social skill. One of the greatest gifts he gave me was teaching me how to dance the Tango. Looking back now, I realize he was teaching me much more than dance steps. He was teaching me confidence, poise, respect for one's partner, and the joy of expressing oneself through music.
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Those were wonderful years.
In those days, ballroom dancing was a major part of Filipino social life. School dances, town fiestas, weddings, anniversaries, and community celebrations almost always featured live orchestras. Young men polished their shoes, young ladies wore their best dresses, and everyone eagerly anticipated an evening of music and dancing.
There were no smartphones competing for our attention. Conversations were face to face. Courtship happened on the dance floor. A graceful Tango or a smooth Waltz often spoke louder than words.
Among all the ballroom dances, the Tango has always fascinated me. Born in the working-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Tango combines elegance, passion, precision, and emotion. Every movement tells a story. Unlike faster dances, the Tango demands concentration, discipline, and close partnership between two people moving as one.
Whenever I hear El Choclo, one of the most famous Tangos ever written, memories come rushing back. The same is true with La Cumparsita, often called the most recognizable Tango in the world. Their melodies possess a haunting beauty that has survived generations.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1914991612531651 El Choclo
It is amazing that music composed over a century ago continues to touch listeners today.
Recently I read that Turkish Tango has been experiencing renewed popularity in Istanbul. At first, I found that surprising. Then I realized perhaps it should not be. Great music knows no borders. The Tango began in Argentina, became beloved in Europe, found enthusiastic dancers in the Philippines during my youth, and is now enjoying new life in Turkey.
That is the universal language of music.
Ballroom dancing itself has also enjoyed a resurgence in many parts of the world. Television competitions have introduced younger audiences to dances like the Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Samba, Jive, and of course, the Tango. Dance studios continue to welcome students ranging from teenagers to senior citizens.
In fact, ballroom dancing may be one of the healthiest hobbies anyone can pursue. It provides gentle aerobic exercise, improves balance, strengthens muscles, enhances memory by learning choreography, and encourages social interaction. For older adults especially, dancing keeps both the body and the mind active.
But beyond the health benefits lies something even more meaningful.
Ballroom dancing teaches courtesy. It teaches patience. It teaches trust between partners. It reminds us that life is often more enjoyable when we move in harmony with another person.
As I reflect upon my own life at ninety-one years of age, I realize how fortunate I was to have learned the Tango from my father. The lessons stayed with me long after the music ended. Although the dance floors of my youth exist now only in memory, the joy they brought remains fresh.
Whenever I hear El Choclo or La Cumparsita, I smile.
For a few precious minutes, I am no longer a retired scientist or a senior citizen living in Walnut Creek. I am once again that young Filipino boy in Iloilo, carefully counting the steps my father patiently taught me so many years ago.
Some memories never grow old. Neither does beautiful music.
And perhaps that is why the Tango continues to capture hearts around the world, because every dance, like every life, tells a story worth remembering.
- Physical Health Benefits:*
- Improves cardiovascular health: Dancing can help lower blood pressure, increase blood flow, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Weight management: Dancing can help burn calories, maintain weight loss, and improve overall physical fitness.
- Strengthens bones: Weight-bearing dances can help improve bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
- Improves flexibility and balance: Dancing can increase flexibility, range of motion, and balance, reducing the risk of falls.
- Reduces stress and anxiety: Dancing can help release endorphins, also known as "feel-good" hormones, which can improve mood and reduce stress.
- Improves cognitive function: Dancing has been shown to improve memory, concentration, and cognitive flexibility.
- Boosts self-esteem: Dancing can enhance self-confidence, body awareness, and overall mental well-being.
- Social connections: Dancing can help meet new people, build relationships, and reduce feelings of loneliness.
- Community engagement: Joining a dance class or group can provide a sense of belonging and community.
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