An Elegant, Cherished Tradition

In celebration of the 110th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence, Malacañang will host a special rigodon de honor, a revival of an old tradition in the Palace.

The rigodon de honor, a formal dance, follows a strictly choreographed square formation with the most important participants called the cabeceras or head pairs occupying the width of the room, and the less distinguished pairs, the costados, occupying the length of the room.

The rigodon is a meticulous dance with very precise formations, sequences, arm movements, alignments, and style. A dance of elegance and etiquette, partners start each figure with a graceful bow. The preciseness of the dance reflects the many hours of rehearsal that each dancer devotes to learning the moves.

A dance highlighting prestige and status, the rigodon was performed in ballrooms during grand occassions. In the Philippines, the dance was traditionally held to open exclusive state, national, and provincial functions. Participants are only a privileged few. Each participant wears intricately embroidereded ternos and barongs, each trying to be the most fashionable of the lot.

The dance begins with much fanfare, each couple being announced as they promenade around the ballroom for all the guests to admire. They then proceed to further impress their audience, this time with their smooth moves as they crisscross the ballroom, the partners leaving each other with lilting footwork, then find each other again, joining their partners from across the room in graceful movements. The dancers’ rhythmic arm movements, the measured sway of their bodies, and their proud posture with their heads held high, reflect the nobility and authority of each in the society.           

The tradition of dancing the rigodon first came to Malacañang when Governor-General William H. Taft and his wife Nellie introduced it into the Palace’s official and social life. During that time, balls were a popular feature of every important social gathering and occasion, and Taft most likely used the rigodon as a way to win local sympathy for the American colonial government. Soon, the rigodon de honor came to be regarded as an inevitable part of the program to open the dancing at Malacañang Palace.

At the Palace, the dance was usually accompanied by the music of the Constabulary band. At state functions attended by high government officials and those from high social class, the President and First Lady with the guest of honor or next highest official and his partner would lead the dance as the cabeceras.

The performance of the dance had become so frequent and prestigious that the Palace had an official dance master. Don Manuel Yriartc was one such dance master. So dedicated was he to his craft that he, ironically, died of a heart attack while directing the rigodon for the Legislature in Malacañang in 1930. He was replaced by Felipe Buencamino who served during the term of President Manuel Quezon.

Quezon’s love for dance was legendary. In what is today Heroes Hall was a permanent dance floor where prestigious guests enjoyed the rigodon and other dances. As the years went on, anniversaries, holidays, and formal functions inevitably featured dancing. While many modern dances became popular through the years, the rigodon remained a highlight of official Palace celebrations, well into the Roxas and Quirino administrations. From then on, the performance of the rigodon declined as the role of dancing in official functions declined. When it was performed, the rigodon became more of a spectacle watched by the hosts and guests, rather than participated in or led by them.

The last rigodon de honor to be danced in Malacañang was performed on June 30, 1981, in the Ceremonial Hall, in commemoration of the third inauguration of President Ferdinand Marcos. The participants featured leading officials and Filipino high society of that time, who danced for the First Couple and foreign dignitaries.

This year’s rigodon de honor, to be held on June 12, once again in the Ceremonial Hall  (also called the Rizal Hall), will feature 20 pairs personally chosen by the President. The eclectic group of participants includes, among others, Cabinet members Arthur Yap and Peter Favila, Congressmen Dato Arroyo, Robi Puno and Martin Romualdez, former Philippine National Police chief Arturo Lomibao, retired Armed Forces chief General Generoso Senga, U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney, New Zealand Ambassador David Pine, CCP president Nestor Jardin, mayors Aldrin San Pedro (Muntinlupa) and Freddie Tinga (Taguig), former senator Tito Sotto, social figures Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo, Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Mons Romulo-Tantoco and Assunta da Rossi-Ledesma. With representatives from the cabinet, legislature, uniformed services, local government, cultural sector, the diplomatic corps, as well as well-know personalities, the rigodon promises to be a colorful and entertaining celebration.

The rigodon de honor is not only an elegant dance, but a symbol of the old traditions of Malacañang. Hopefully, the dance will bring to mind the old ideals of generations of Filipinos who brought the nation together and remind the distinguished guests of their role in leading the country with honor and discipline, a fitting tribute the the country’s independence.