What you should know?

       Social Dancing, also known as Ballroom Dancing, has a unique history that has contributed to its current popularity as a recreational and competitive sport. This dance is usually performed by couples in a close facing position with partners held as if in a close embrace. Sometimes, it is performed by a group. Many ballroom dances date from the 19th century or earlier, but truly became fashionable from 1920’s onward. It became popular among the working class, who attended public dance halls or “popular assemblies”. In 1924, the Ballroom Branch of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing was formed; its mission was to standardize the music, steps, and technique of ballroom dancing. Throughout the years, ballroom dancing gained increased popularity throughout Europe, the Asian-Pacific, and the Americas. 

"Ballroom dancing" as a term hail from the Latin word "ballare" which, coincidentally, means "to dance". Thus, a ballroom is a room in which to dance. Makes sense, right? Centuries ago, ballroom dancing was primarily for the privileged and well-to-do, while the commoners had to make do with folk dancing; however, these boundaries have since disappeared, leaving ballroom dancing a fun hobby for everyone.

        The American occupations, with its sweeping institutional changes, brought with it a new concept in social gathering. Social dance became its own reason for being and Filipinos absorbed the new dance forms with the same ease that they absorbed everything else. Social dance in the Philippines has since closely followed American trends.

        In the 1920’s Filipinos danced the 1920's Filipinos danced the Charleston, diving the 1930's. They did the jitterbug and some South American styles by the 1940's and 1950's they were adapting at the mambo, samba, and chachacha. The 1950's also brought the boogie-woogie and countless rock'n'roll styles. The 1960's saw the twist, frug, camel walk, shy, tuna, qua, Velva, escalator, shiminy and boogalou. Many dancers and choreographers now incorporate movements and Filipino traditions of social dance in modern choreography.