By Eva C. Visperas

 

TIMELESS dance music. Irreplaceable. It’s our genre. It’s a way of life.

This sentiment particularly resonates among those who embraced the dance crazes of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s groove songs.

Whenever the beats echo, my body takes over me, moving involuntarily. The rhythm and lyrics of these songs still ring vividly, unforgotten and seamless, bringing forth a different kind of happiness.

So, when I got wind of Villasis’ Talong Festival 2024 featuring a Field Demo with Retro as its theme, curiosity sparked in me.

I started to feel excited to attend the event, with or without invitation from the town officials, because I wanted to see for myself if children can swing, sway and groove and dance to the beat of disco music of their aunts’ or lolas’ era.

Would they don costumes that transport the audience back in time? I was eager to find out.

On the early morning of January 19, we made our way to Villasis, fueled by expectations.

The event kicked off punctually, a practice upheld by Mayor Nato Abrenica and his ever-supportive wife, ex-mayor Dita, who stayed until the end, blending in with the crowd. The Sangguniang Bayan members, led by Talong Festival 2024 chairman Vice Mayor Cheryll Tan, were also present.

When the first group took the stage, their attire immediately caught my eye – a perfect fit for the theme. Their distinctive costumes, reflecting the fashion trends of past decades, were awesome. Bell-bottom pants, Bohemian influence, flowing dresses and skirts with floral or psychedelic patterns, sequined and glittery outfits for disco dancing, bold colors and patterns, neon colors, bold prints, and geometric patterns.

And their hair! Adorned with colorful wigs and bold makeup, they effortlessly embodied the fun and eclectic retro look. Our ace photojournalists, Willie Lomibao and Cesar Ramirez, captured stunning photos that vividly depicted the vibrant atmosphere.

The choice of disco songs added another layer of excitement, characterized by groovy rhythms and infectious beats that created a high level of excitement on the dance floor.

The January cold wind spared us from excessive perspiration, and thanks to the adrenaline rush from their performance, I couldn’t take my eyes off them.

From the first group up to the last, I was hooked. I didn’t mind the heat at all, but thanks to the January cold wind at that time, I didn’t perspire as much. Maybe partly because of the adrenaline rush of their performance.

I remember the funky and upbeat disco hits they danced to and I listed the titles, i.e, ‘Footloose’, ‘Great balls of fire’, ‘Let’s do the twist’, ‘Y.M.C.A’, ‘I’m so excited’, ‘Mamma mia’, I’ need a hero’, ‘Proud Mary’, ‘I wanna dance with somebody’, ‘Rico mambo’, ‘Shake your groove thing,’ ‘Wake me up before you go-go’ and a lot more.

There were also memorable tunes from our very own ‘Bongga Ka Day’, ‘Tayo’y Magsayawan’, ‘Sumayaw Sumunod’, etc.

Those memorable tunes, often with repetitive choruses, became anthems that people could easily sing along to. While covering the event, I did sang and danced, too.

I loved the idea of having retro dance by children basically for nostalgia. In this time of modern technology, the youngsters need to have a connection to the past. It’s a way of connecting the young to those who lived through those decades.

Listening to this music played during the Talong Festival 2024 and seeing the young school children wearing the attire transported me and the other adults in the audience back to fond memories of our youth.

The cultural influence, fashion statements that come back every now and then, reliving the good vibes, community bonding, impact on today’s youth, fostering connections among generations of people, this part of the Talong Festival this year became a way for Villasinians and guests like me, to bond with a common love for retro culture.

Congratulations to all the participating eight groups. You’re all my champions! #

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments