Oh, how they danced!

Just as water reflects the face, so a man’s heart reflects the man." This is how Nedy Tantoco, chairperson of this year’s Red Cross Ball thanked all the generous donors, sponsors and friends who helped make the evening at the Shangri-La Manila’s Rizal Ballroom a glittering success.

Throughout the world, the Red Cross is legendary for its commitment to helping humanity, whether it is to assist disaster victims, sponsor bloodletting programs, or champion the fight against HIV/AIDS. Fundraising is therefore an essential means in keeping the wheels of such an organization turning. "To whom much is given, much will be required," a biblical passage the tireless Nedy Tantoco undoubtedly lives by. This year alone, she has chaired three successful fundraising events for the Red Cross. Last June, a dinner-auction called "Rhapsody in Red" was staged; in September, an unforgettable fashion show dubbed "Valera: A Retrospective for the Red Cross." Both events were a resounding success. With Bulgari behind the third and culminating fundraising event for 2003, one could only expect an elegant and glamorous evening. And what a truly unforgettable night it was.

I’ve never been asked to dance in a cotillion before. I’m not complaining – rehearsals and dancing in high heels are not for me. But when Nedy Tantoco asked me to be part of the rigodon de honor for the Red Cross Ball, I just didn’t have the heart to say no. I’m not much of a dancer, nor a walker in high heels for that matter, so it was of little comfort that Ms. Tantoco assured me the rigodon would only entail walking with a partner.

The idea was great. "Two generations of Filipino families showcasing the Filipino ternos of eight young Filipino designers – JC Buendia, Rhett Eala, Paul Cabral, Rajo Laurel, Jojie Lloren, Randy Ortiz, Dennis Lustico and Michi Calica-Sotto. As it was for the Red Cross ball, all ternos were made in red!

Paul Cabral was assigned to do my gown. He was a perfectionist through and through. I’ve never worn a terno before, but when I slipped into that red satin gown, complete with a petticoat, I felt like Marie Antoinette (before she was guillotined, of course!).

Despite several practice days spread over a period of one month, I don’t think any of the participants felt totally confident walking onto the ballroom dance floor. Stage fright, perhaps? First to enter were the pairs of the mature group, as Bujing Danao, our choreographer, liked to call them: Mayor Lito Atienza and Margie Moran Floirendo; Ambassador Raul Goco and Criselda Lontok; Ambassador Gion Gounet and Baby Ortiz; Alex Sison and Trina Kalaw; General Sonny Yan and Minnie Jentes; Danny Dolor and Tereret Liboro; Jamby Madrigal Valade and Manny Padilla; Lilibeth Campos and Paqui Campos. Once they exited, the "immature group" entered, composed of Congressman Miguel Zubiri and Audrey Tan; Anton and Nina Huang; Richard and Tana Madrigal; Dennis and Tessa Valdes; Crickette and Donnie Tantoco; Ernie and Jeena Lopez; Mons and Sander Tantoco; Manolo Quezon III and myself. The first part was a disaster. But thank-fully, everybody was messing up, and somehow it all worked out and the guests didn’t seem to notice all the blunders. Chaotic harmony, I suppose. The rest of the 20-minute or so performance went on smoothly. I tried my best to walk and curtsy like a lady. It wasn’t easy, I tell you. It’s especially difficult to count (the steps) and smile at the same time. But after we made our final bows, I actually wanted to do it all over again. Practice lang ‘yon! One more time and we’ll do it perfectly this time! Alas, it was over.

The rest of the evening was yet to begin. The sumptuous dinner was served, then what everybody was looking forward to, the raffle of prizes. I was really hoping for that round-trip business class ticket to any destination in Europe courtesy of Air France. Shucks, no luck for me. But many went home with amazing prizes – a Bulgari watch, European cruises for two, Boracay and El Nido vacations, oil paintings by Betsy Westendorp, Lulu Coching Rodriguez and Ramon Diaz, portraits by Rupert Jacinto, Jun de Leon and Raymond Isaac, artworks by Manuel Baldemor, Jose Joya and Al Perez.

Johnny Litton was master of ceremonies. Irene Martel Francisco as Nedy Tantoco’s co-chairperson and Bulgari country manager Mario Katigbak attended to the moment – not solely for the glitz and glamour of the evening, but more importantly because it was an answer to a call to help a most worthy institution.