This write-up was published in the November 2008 Issue of Starstudio Magazine Middle East Edition: Many thanks to Tita Rachel Salinel, ABS-CBN The Filipino Channel (TFC) News Correspondent, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Admittedly, dancing is not their forte but the Cluster 1 group from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia proved that they can still jive to the beat of the 70’s. The group was conceived to represent Cluster 1 in the Group Dance Competition Category for their 10th Year Anniversary held in Bahrain last October 1, 2008. Initially, the group was confronted with problems looking for would-be- performers. It was not easy, for most couples in their Cluster can not join them in Bahrain and most are not into dancing because of age and health factors and this so- called stage fright. Others kidded that they need pressure cooker to tenderize their stiff body and legs. “Malulutong na raw ang mga buto”. Nonetheless, when they start thinking of how to form the group, they made sure that they only need members who are willing to dedicate time for practice and dancing skills will only be secondary. Still, schedule for practice became a dilemma since it was Ramadan and the work shift of one member is broken-time. So, the group settled for 2 hours practice every meeting, which is not enough for complicated steps and blocking. It also came to a point that due to pressures of perfecting the dance with time running out and still a lot of brushing and polishing to do, blood pressure of one member shoot up, one got sick, others are already getting frustrated, not being able to cope up with the steps. But the good point is, the ladies and gentlemen too, shed few pounds which inspired them more to attend regular practice. Preparing for their costumes also gave them hype, thinking of what fabric to buy, the seamstress, the accessories to match the retro outfit. Out of excitement, ladies indulged in buying assorted head bands and pairs of colored earrings from an Asara-asara store for their Grease number. Only to find out later on, that they have collected a handful of different headbands. After practice, the ladies trooped to a nearby mall to look for a blouse and colored socks to match their skirt while the men frantically looked for Gangster hat and an Afro wig which was kept from public display. Funny! The seamstress seemed confused of what exactly their costume would be. They were changing minds from time to time, the costumes keep coming back and forth to the seamstress for a little stitch here and there, a pocket to be added, blouse to be changed, a collar to be resized, a hemline to be repaired, pants flared, skirts to be made fluffier. Finally, the costumes turned out well, and the group posed and posed during their dress rehearsal. Food is on rotation basis and venue for practice was mostly held in Pacquing’s flat. On their last practice, a day before their exodus to Bahrain, they gathered in circles and did some sharing; each member was given a chance to give their comments. Afterwards, they treated themselves to a pizza restaurant to what they believed to be a job well done. Yes! For completing a dance number unimaginable.

The Cluster 1 Group donned their authentic retro outfit and their smiles (to camouflage their nervousness) during their performance. The group was composed of couples from L-R Lito and Zita Opena, Tim and Sanjie Dy, Francis and Beng Licudine, Ben and Malu Dizon and Me-ann and Ricky Pacquing. Their opening number was a little of musical production of You’re the One That I Want, Grease Lightning, Summer Lovin’ and escalated to the groovy dance of The Hustle, Rock the Boat, Boogie Wonderland and lastly Ring My bell tune. They did a non-stop medley of 70’s music and dance in accordance to the criteria for GROUP DANCE COMPETITION CATEGORY and earned BEST IN CHOREOGRAPHY AWARD.

The group would like to thank Jun and Lilia Fernandez, Serge and Helen Arato, Shela Malibiran, Nancy and Francis Calivo, Richie Civil and his friends who mentored them and to everybody who supported and believed that they can do it.

Well, this is only the beginning of something exciting for Cluster 1…. the group will continue to dance for the Glory of God. That is first and foremost….

By the way, they are already looking forward to another event in Qatar next year, hopefully with more dancing members.