Dance socials were important community events in Sariaya, Quezon from the 1920s-1950s. Orchestras and dance programs entertained large crowds at venues like grand homes and Plaza Rizal. Common dances included tango, chacha, and rigodon. Special occasions like Valentine's Day and Flores de Mayo featured elaborate competitions and balls. Interviewees fondly recalled the social opportunities and dress customs of these dance traditions that brought the community together and courted romance.

1. Plazayaw:Dance Socials at the Plaza Prof. MynettedR. Aguilarkuwentong-bayan of the sports, games and dances group of “An Interdisciplinary Research on Alternative Model Towards Sustainable Tourism”

2. Dance in Sariaya

3. Tango (accdg to Esther Dedace-Alcala, Goyong Idea, MedardoSaluybayba, and Sariaya teachers) Chacha(accdg to Esther Dedace-Alcala, Goyong Idea, MedardoSaluybayba, Yellow Belles and Sariaya teachers) Sweet (accdg to Esther Dedace-Alcala, MedardoSaluybayba, and Sariaya teachers) Boogie (accdg to Esther Dedace-Alcala, Goyong Idea, MedardoSaluybayba, and Sariaya teachers) Rumba (accdg to Esther Dedace-Alcala and Sariaya teachers) Samba (accdg to Esther Dedace-Alcala and Sariaya teachers) Dances at the Baylehan

4. “Angmgataga-Sariaya ay talagangmgamarurunong at mahihiligsumayaw.” Yellow Belles

5. Aba…sasayaw… ay hindinamansapaghahambog…ay kamingmag-asawa ay educated nakamisasayaw. Kami kung na-sayaw, kami ay na-bukod…pagnakitang judges na ‘Abamarunongmagsayawyun’ ganun…lalopag tango, ah….” Lolo Goyong Idea (96 years of age at the time of interview in April 2007)

6. “…masayaangmgabuhayngdalaga’tbinata noon…” Goyong Idea & granddaughter Miner Circa 1985

7. Piknikan – “pasimulanasabakasyongrande ay sunud-sunodnaangmgapiknikansatabing-dagatngTalaan at Castañas, lupon-luponngmgadalaga’tbinata. Mgasunosakariton o kalesanagdadaansabaku-bakongdaan.” Mukmukan Tagayan Socialization Opportunities of Sariayahins:

8. Floresan o Bulaklakan – “Anggrupongmgadalaga ay mag-iipon-iponsabahayngkabisilyaupangmag-Rama. Ito’yangpagtutusokngmgabulaklak, tali-tali o isa-isangbulaklaknatinutusukanngtingting at itinutusoknamansakaputolsakatawanngsaging. Nagagawangmgadalaga’tbinataangiba’tibanghugis. …Pagkataposnito ay ihahatidsasimbahanupangilagaysaharapngMahalnaBirhenangmgabulaklaknaito. Sa kinagabihankaraniwan ay baylehan o sayawannaman. Kung minsanangpagkainghandasagabi ay samgadalaga at angtugtugin ay samgabinata. “ Baylehan Socialization Opportunities of Sariayahins:

9. Occasions for Dance Socials in Sariaya

10. Special Occasions

12. Cupid’s Club Comparsas Anniversary Ball February 11, 1938

13. Annual Dance Social Events

14. “Pagkataposmag-Rama ay ihahatidsasimbahanupangilagaysaharapngMahalnaBirhenangmgabulaklaknaito. Sa kinagabihankaraniwan ay baylehan o sayawannaman.“ Floresan o Bulaklakan

15. Flores de Mayo “Sa bisperasng Flores de Mayo, idinaraosangbayleng “en grande”. BagongAnyo & LikasSariaya

16. “…nuongpanahonniPunongBayanHilarionValderas(1926/1932): nauso noon angsayawansaBagongTaon. Pagtugtogngkampanasahatinggabi, may ginaganapnaparadanakasaliangmgadalaga, binata at bata, sapamumunongpangulo. ” BagongAnyo & LikasSariaya New Year

17. January 31, 1935 January 1, 1938 December 31, 1933

18. “Bastainaabanganyung valentine’s day, talaganginaabangan….minsan may mgadalawang orchestra…mga pre-war, mga 1932 hanggangsiguromga late 50’s or 60’s.” Erik Dedace Valentine’s Day

19. Cupid’s Club Founders: VicencioRama Francisco Castro AnicetoReyes ConstancioCadiz Victor Manhit Daniel Obordo RomualdoLozano Dr. RufinoOreta Alberto Emralino Sr. others

20. The first “muse” of the Cupid’s Club was Ms. Pacita Alvarez , who also later on became Queen of Rizal Day in Sariaya. (nd) She eventually married and became Mrs. Pacita Alvarez-de Luna. Cupid’s Club Reyna & Prinsesita Chosen annually for each Valentine’s Day dance social event Cupid’s Club Muse

21. Valentine’s Day Celebrated yearly by the Cupid’s Club of Sariayaevery 14thof February, the event that originated as a simple idea, possibly on a whim, developed into a big and grandiose affair through the years. This event eventually developed into one of Sariaya’s most celebrated, grandest and memorable event that had an impact on the Sariayahins that reverberated throughout time.

22. SariayaComparsasthroughout time

24. Main Features of Sariaya’s Dance Socials:

25. “…nungunatalaga…walanamang live orchestra…taposdumatingang 1940…panahonni Manuel Roxas…” Erik Didace Sariaya had a wealth of musicians. . . Music

26. MgaManunugtog ng Sariaya (1920-1950)

27. Occasions for Hiring Orchestras (Japanese & American time): Special Baptisms Weddings Bringing the couple to Church Bringing the couple from Church to the Reception Burials Bringing the deceased & funeral party to Church Bringing the deceased & funeral party to the Cemetery Other special occasions Dance Socials

28. MaramingSariyayahinangnag-aaraltumugtogdahilsa kung angisangtao ay kabilangsapanunugtog (kabilangsabanda) o kaya’ytiplesasimbahan, siya ay librenasasapilitangpaggawasamgagawaingpambayan (“exempted” sa “forced labor”). LikasSariaya & BagongAnyo

29. “Kadalasan ay 2 o mahigitanginaarkilangbanda o orkestra. Nasamagkabilangdulosilangparke. Kailangangmag-relyebosila… magkaibangtugtog…mayroongpambatangtugtog, mayroong pang-matanda…” MedardoSaluybayba Orchestras for Dance Socials:

30. “Kung anoangkinakantanila, yunangnasasayaw din…kayanamanangsayawdito’ypinaghahandaan, eh.” Goyong Idea Crooners with Orchestras

31. Dance socials were previously held in grand old houses of Sariaya. The Venue

32. Rodriguez House’ dance socials were held at the 2nd floor Spacious Area Record Player Dining Area

34. “Dati, ang plaza nayan ay sunken…usually mga ballroom angisinasagawadoon.” Erik Dedace Plaza Rizal

35. “Sa mganagingHermanong Bata (parasaokasyong Flores de Mayo) ay tangingsiAbogado Mariano G. Rodriguez at Julian Gala angnagpasahigngtablasa Parke Rizal noongwala pang sementoanglubakngparke.”

36. Stage for Performing Band Dining Area Spacious Area

37. “…ay bastapagmagsasayawan, pirmingismarteangmgaternonglalaki” GoyongIdea Dress Code

38. Attire for Dance Socials through the years Males: Tuxedo Chakatelya Barong Tagalog Any other attire appropriate for the occasion Females: Long Evening Gown Short Formal Wear Any other attire appropriate for the occasion

39. “maramisaamin, mgabinata’tdalaga, nag-aaralngsayaw” GoyongIdea Program

40. A dance of French origin Usually serves as the formal dance at: state social functions prestigious social events legendary annual balls of affluent regions in the Philippines Participated in by: members of high society high government officials The importance of an occasion can often be gauged by the social and/or political ranking of the individuals participating in the Rigodon. Alejandro (2002) Rigodon de honor

41. The number & complexity of the steps and patterns depend on individual inclination. Basic figures are the “saludos” (greetings), “cadena” (chain), “cambio de pareja” (change of partners, “zeta” (zigzag formation). Rigodon de Honor

42. Opening prayer PambansangAwit Introduction of Guest Speaker Welcome Remarks (Mayor Masilang) Induction of Officers Rigodon de Honor* Ballroom Dancing *eventually scrapped from program due to insufficient time for practice. Sample Program (from Magandahan Club, 2nd Generation, April 29, 2007 event)

43. Lutucan Tango Dancers The Gay Dancers Jazzletics Club, 2008 Morong Barn Dancers, 1939 Cupid’s Club, 1938

44. “Angmayayaman at simplengtao ay doonnagkakakilala, nagkukumbidahan, at puwedengmagkasayaw, hindinagkakahiyaan.” Goyong Idea

45. ”papasokangreynaangganda-ganda Sasayawngchacha, ansaya-saya A-boom-ti-yaya boom-tiyaya boom-yeh-yeh.” Kantangmgabatasalaro

46. Thank you for listening. . .

47. Didace, Eric. Interview. 05 April 2007. Didace, Ernesto. Interview. 06 April 2007. Didace-Alcala- Ester. Interview. 06 April 2007. Guardino, Louie (2nd generation Magandahan Club officer). Interview. 13 February 2009 Idea, Goyong. Interview. 25 April 2007. Saluybayba, Medardo (Senior Citizen’s Federation President). Interview. 22 March 2007. Sariaya Elementary School Teachers. Focus Group Discussion. 25 April 2007 Yellow Belles. Interview. 19 August 2007. “BagongAnyo: PistangSariaya 77, Pang-alaalangMagasin” “LikasSariaya: LibrongKasaysayan – Sobinir Program ngSariaya” Copyright 2000. SariayaQuadricentennial Foundation Inc. Alejandro, Reynaldo & Amanda Gana (2002) Sayaw: Philippine Dances. NBSI. Jonas, Gerald (1992) Dancing: The Pleasure, Power and Art of Movement. New York : Harry Abrams, Inc. Sources of Information: