Sun Star, Philippines
June 7 2005

Work that belly!
By Jojie Alcantara
Witerary

“BELLY dance ” has gone by many names. The French who found the dance
named it “dance du ventre”, or dance of the stomach. It is known in
Greece as the cifte telli, in Turkey as rakkase and in Egypt as Raks
Sharki. Middle Easterners call it “danse orientale”.

This folk dance developed through the influence of many different
cultures and continues its long process of modernizing today. It is
not only a sensual form of movement but was historically performed
under special occasions throughout ancient times and was regarded as
sacred in its purest form.

When I was very young, dance was my first love. Writing and art came
second. My world revolved around the arts and theater since childhood
(one I am so grateful to my parents for). Mom put me in Locsin’s
Ballet Studio when I was 6, piano lessons at 7, guitar and banjo at
8, Hawaiian dance class at 9, drama, speech and theater under Miss
Aida Rivera Ford at 11.

I danced my way through high school and college, and stopped being a
dance choreographer only in my late 20s, when the ballroom trend came
in (I hate teaching pair dancing). My obsession was to master the
artful Balinese dancing.

Alas, alack I gained weight and people forgot that I knew how to
break dance in my prime years (I once did a mean backspin that ripped
my pants off onstage).

So when belly dancing came in as a form of fun exercise, friends
joined the latest craze to shed off excess pounds, trim the belly and
learn to be graceful at the same time. They tell me to join these
dance sessions. I didnt have the heart to inform them I’ve been doing
a mean hula dance since Hawaii Five-O and can jerk my hip separately
from my upper torso like a madwoman in heat! I have done Body
Language popularized by Pia Moran in the 80s (ugh)! This time,
though, I cannot bend over backwards and be able to kiss my ass.

In the olden times, belly dancing was probably sensual and erotic
without being lewd. Since noontime shows launched these Showgirl
dance competitions, scantily clad bodies incorporated the motions,
writhing and jerking suggestively that often maligns the art.

If you want to learn real belly dancing, however, go for the real
McCoy and learn from professionals. The first thing they will teach
you is to stop being self-conscious and let yourself go. If you
don’t, you will look so rigid, you’re better off doing the Macarena.

Diana Dakini, a professional Armenian performer, was in Davao and
gave an hour demo to a group of excited ladies in the Fitness Gym of
Marco Polo Hotel.

While teaching the basic movements, she told them not to worry about
their breasts (too small?), or bellies (too big?), but to always feel
sexy as they dance to the rhythm. I joined the group as an observer,
but before long I was gyrating with the class as well, alongside
enthusiastic fellow columnist Tita Josie San Pedro.

Diana was fun to talk to as we later had an engaging conversation on
dancing. She had impressive credentials, having performed in Germany,
Armenia, Japan, Denmark, France and Greece.

In the Philippines, she has performed in Shangri-La Edsa Hotel, New
World
Renaissance Hotel, Prince of Jaipu (The Fort), Jools Cabaret
(Makati), Air Force One Club (with Andrea del Rosario and Katya
Santos), and Club Paraw (Boracay).

In Davao, she gave dance workshops, including the ladies of Square
Circle (a well-known club). I sure hope they will really learn the
true art of dancing from her.

Last time I watched them many years ago, they were just slipping and
sliding down the runway to the music of Bon Jovi.