When tango comes alive

MANILA, Philippines - Al Pacino danced the tango opposite Gabrielle Anwar for his Oscar-winning role in Scent of a Woman. Erstwhile action superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger also did a mean tango dance with Tia Carrere in True Lies.

Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci makes tango erotic in The Last Tango in Paris, starring Marlon Brando. Even Sandra Bullock will take on the dance in her upcoming movie, Kiss and Tango, a true story of a New York executive who quits her job and goes to Argentina to rediscover herself.

Tango has been known not just in Hollywood movies. The dance, that originated in Latin America, has become popular the world over.

Today, tango is again a phenomenon, not just among adults but also among young people. Yes, Argentinean tango instructor Enzo Hoces insists that tango is a dance that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

 “In Argentina, they start dancing young,” Enzo shares. “Children from four to five years, all the way to adults up to 90 dance the tango. They have schools where they teach how to dance. One of my dreams is to start teaching children how to dance (the tango).”

Argentinian Ambassador Joaquin Daniel Otero, Chita Wilcox and Roni Tapia-Merk during the launch of Tango Argentino at Merk’s Bar and Bistro

Enzo has learned to dance the tango since he was eight, strongly influenced and buoyed by members of his family — both his parents and two siblings are tango dancers. At 19, he started dancing the tango professionally.

To date, Argentina-born Enzo has been to many places around the world just to teach tango. Aside from Latin America, he shuttles between Russia and Europe to teach.

Argentine tango, Enzo points out, is recognized as one of most sophisticated, sensual and passionate dances. It has come to epitomize glamour and elegance of high society, with women in glittering evening gowns and men in tuxedos.

 “It is danced with emphasis on the lower body, done with intricate movements of the legs and the upper body in close embrace,” explains Enzo. “It is far different from the traditional tango, with open embrace at the chest level and the characteristic head snaps from time to time.”

Argentine tango comes with improvisation, according to Enzo. The men lead and the women follow. “It is a very powerful dance art form.”

Enzo is presently in Manila upon the invitation of Chita Wilcox, his student in Argentina, where they met two years ago. During winter in Europe, the Paris-based Chita would go to Buenos Aires to enjoy the summer weather and learn to dance the tango.

Enzo is conducting tango classes and workshops at the Makati Cinema Square Tower along Chino Roces Avenue in Makati City. Sessions are ongoing until Sept. 22.

Enzo believes there is a present resurrection of tango, that’s why the dance has become popular again. “Twenty five years ago, tango died,” he grants. “In Argentina, the youth improvised the tango. That’s why tango has a rebirth.”

Tango is not just a passion for Enzo. “It gives fire to my life. It’s my love. It’s everything to me. Tango is not the same every day. It can be happy, sad or melancholic. It has many different moods.”

Enzo’s Tango Argentino workshop was recently launched at Merk’s Bar and Bistro, which is co-presenting the series. Guests of honor were the Argentinean Ambassador Joaquin Daniel Otero and wife Marta, who were welcomed by Chita Wilcox and Merk’s owner Roni Tapia-Merk. Also in attendance was Philippine Ambassador to Argentina, Rey Carandang.

A first-time Manila visitor, Enzo loves the way Filipinos are so warm and hospitable everywhere he goes to. “Coming here is a totally new experience for me,” says Enzo, who also wants to explore Asia. “Manila is beautiful. The people are very natural. I will not think twice about coming back.”

(For details about tango classes and workshops by Enzo Hoces, e-mail [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also call 0915-5189116.)