I was already discoing in the ‘80s. So why did I have a difficult time choosing what to wear to a retro ‘80s disco party? Juice colored. And to think I wasn’t even planning to join the best costume contest. I simply wanted to dance the night away.
A gym friend said she would wear tattered jeans. I was like, Tattered jeans? I don’t remember wearing tattered jeans in the ‘80s. Hmmm. Perhaps I was too conservative then, a la Madonna’s “Like a Virgin.”
Another gym friend asked if she could wear a knitted top. I was like, Knitted? I don’t remember wearing that in the ‘80s perhaps because I preferred cotton.
Sneakers? I didn’t wear sneakers in the ‘80s. I wore sandals, ballet flats, and heels.
Others were planning to buy earrings and accessories in neon colors. I wore that in the ‘80s for dance performances but not for the disco.
I do remember having blue eye shadow for our barkada’s reunion photo ops at Agfa.
The DJ for this particular ‘80s retro disco was Cocoy Banaag, of course.
Years ago, a friend mentioned Cocoy, and I was so clueless then.
She: You don’t know The Cocoy Banaag?
Me: …
I was in Manila for more than six years in the ‘80s and only came home for Christmas and summer. That’s why I somehow missed Cagayan de Oro’s disco scene. I was more familiar with DJ Raul Montelibano who was a close friend of my sister Joan. I’m not sure if I got his name right. That was decades ago and I can’t ask Joan anymore about details.
Joan then had a group, the Lady Vogue dancers, who performed with New Edition. They used to practice at our Corrales residence.
Joan was my encyclopedia for this column when I needed info about the disco, dancing, CDO’s nightlife, fashion, showbiz, trends, food, cooking, oh, I guess everything about life. When she died, I began to miss the times when I’d simply go to her room and ask her many questions about anything under the sun while I was writing columns.
And while choosing clothes for the ‘80s retro party, I was asking her to please help me because I had no idea. Pretty ironic for someone — me — who was already discoing in the ‘80s, eh?
Joan was the family’s fashion stylist, and each time I get dressed nowadays, I always try to remember what she taught me.
One thing for sure, she hated the color gray.
There was that time when she was confined in the hospital. It was 12 midnight and I was already home sleeping when my phone rang. It was her yaya telling me that Joan wanted to talk with me. I rushed to the hospital and upon arriving there, that’s when I realized I was wearing a gray T-shirt. So, there I was, listening to her while wishing she won’t notice my shirt’s color.
Friday’s retro disco party brought back lots of memories especially since it featured the ‘80s’ dancers like New Edition, and Joan’s friends were there, too.
Those were the days.
