Monday, October 08, 2007 Mercado: The Kundiman of Angeles City By Ram Mercado First Person
THE hanging habagat, spawned by the mid-typhoon season in the country, has ushered October rains, intermittent but gentle in the evening, and it is fun time in Pampanga.
In the late afternoon, the cool but brief visit of the amihan breeze foretells it is a season of grace, actually the last quarter of the year -- the "ber months," as young people call them, anticipating the brightest celebration of the year, the Yuletide.
Peace seems to have descended on the province, either as a blessing of the Virgen delos Remedios, patroness of Pampanga, with her canonical coronation a month ago, or the "fall-out" of a refreshing climate of calm, with neither NPA or Moro terrorist groups disturbing the quiet.
On Friday, October 12th evening, for instance, chosen Angeleños, with their guests, will gather for a night of fun and remembrance at Perto Cruz's famous estate.
It is Kundiman night, Pampanga's main glittering social event, along with "Circulo Fernandino" in the capital city held in May.
The rich and famous of Angeles City and invited guests from Metro Manila and suburbs will be featured in the traditional rigodon de honor, a group chain dancing introduced by Hispanic culture. Only the rich and powerful of the community were selected dance participants.
This year's version of the decades-old kundiman event brings back to Central Luzon's premier city the rich social tradition which saw only the illustrado class as invitees to what was a social preserve of the local aristocracy.
While participants of the past Rigodon dance came chiefly from the landed gentry and the upper class, today's event has evolved into a democratic exercise with men and women in the professions as the core groups in the Kundiman organization.
As with the present day Circulo Fernandino crowd on the other side, the nouveau riche dominate the ballroom event. The old rich has faded away into retirement or decommissioned by arthritic legs. Most had lost an appetite for social thrills.
As a young man I was awed by the fantastic jewelry worn by the matrons and their daughters with their prized (P15,000) gowns. Even the aging grandmothers sparkle on this festive night. Each lady becomes a radiant beauty as in a dream, admired still by her loving spouse, even with his eyes straying to young pulchritude swirling in abandon on the dance floor.
This year's Kundiman officers are Carlomagno Torres and Norma Deang, presidents; Mancio Suarez and Mely S. Roque, vice presidents; Pons Henson, Bing Zablan and Beth Garbes, secretaries; Resty David Jr. and Nila T. Torres, auditors; Ed Sugay and Bubuth de Leon, directors; and Restituto M. Mercado and Enrico P. Quiambao, legal counsels.
Founding (2005) members: Freddie and Baby Ayson, Larry and Rosette Biag, Noel and Nenette Canlas, Jycee Cura, Jun and Joy Cruz, Resty and Lulu David, Mrs. Norma Deang, Bubut de Leon, Dan and Joan Dizon, Mark and Joy Fernandez, Jun Gamboa, Bobot and Beth Garbes, Frank and Nora Gomez, Pons Henson, Tito and Cecille Lazatin, Tito and Letty Mercado, Jiji Paras, Rico and Judge Angie Quiambao, Sunday and Aida Reyes, Rene and Agnes Romero, Jun and Mely Roquez, Amapola Abad Santos, Nong Abad Santos, Paul Santos, Carning Songco, Mancio Suarez, Ed and Zon Sugay, Carlo and Nila Torres, JM Valencia, Jose and Lina Velez, Leticia Yap, Bing Zablan.
Atty. Tito Mercado said today's Kundiman group differs from the organization of previous decades as the foundation which manages it mandates community projects and humanitarian activities to be funded by its own resources.
As in the past year, the ball and dinner affair will be held at the swank Grand Palazzo Royale, the largest and most lavishly built auditorium/ballroom in Pampanga.
The public at large may not witness the elegance and stunning event unlike in previous years when the ball was held in downtown Angeles City, usually at the Holy Angel University's quadrangle or gym.
At Perto Cruz's tourist estate, guests and participants are protected in layers of security, from the gate to the parking lot, and even inside the huge banquet cum ceremonial hall. The family crown gems in the hall would put the night stars to shame.
That should be so as the most valuable and priceless jewelry of the noveau riche shall be put on public display on this scintillating night.
On display too will be the demonstration of love among husbands to their wives through romantic dances. The night is a celebration of married love by faithful couples. Even the unfaithful will dance with the music.
