ARABESQUE (ah-rah-BHES) – “long flowing line.” One of the basic poses in ballet, arabesque takes its name from a form of Moorish ornament. In ballet it is a position of the body, in profile, supported on one leg, which can be straight or demi-plié, with the other leg extended behind and at right angles to it, and the arms held in various harmonious positions creating the longest possible line from the fingertips to the toes. The shoulders must be held square to the line of direction. The forms of arabesque are varied to infinity. The Cecchetti method uses five principal arabesques; the Russian School (Vaganova), four; and the French School, two. Arabesques are generally used to conclude a phrase of steps, both in the slow movements of adagio and the brisk, gay movements of allégro.
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And finally, on Gratitude.
Gratitude is this plump old lady with a pink ruffled umbrella, wearing layers and layers of baby blue tulle, weathered mint green driving shoes, and frilly red underwear.
Not to be mistaken for a prat, or an old foggy, this lady walks around with arms spread out to the sides, cheerily preaching the fundamentals of saying “thank you” to people.
Now, I saw her the other day and her words were so moving, it compelled me to devote my entire column space this issue to names I will find hard to forget after I leave UST.
Faculty of Arts and Letters (ArtLets) Professors Nestor Cuartero; Andres Saracho; Ian Esguerra; Al Dimalanta; Arnold Aldaba; Lito Zulueta; Jere Opiniano; Robert Roque; Sese Digna; Emer Gonzales; Sussy Macapagal; Rey Reyes; Chrisma Calumpang; Pepin Aguilar; Carlito Dalangin; Consuelo Gotauco; Vivian Anonas; Marilu Madrunio; Arlene Domingo; Roberto Ampil; Irene Lising; Ralph Galan; Luningning Ferrer; Milagros Aquino; Anita Garcia; Aurora Tuble; Ernie Mabahague; Cesar Orsal, Aris Estrella; and my thesis adviser, Nicky Salandanan.
Dean Dr. Belen Tangco.
My 4 JRN 1 friends: Jennica Amurao, Fatima del Carmen, Patrick Padilla, George de la Rama, and Ian Fegalan.
The entire class of 4 JRN 1.
The Journalese staff. The Parthenon editorial staff.
Ate Alma and Dr. Ophie Dimalanta of the Center for Creative Writing and Studies.
Flame-slash-Tunorg group and kasin Gelo.
Artlets student council ’04-05, especially to fellow seniors, Jules and Rex.
Guidance counselors, Ma’am Shake Guevarra and Ma’am Melay De Vera.
College of Science Regent Fr. Pompeyo de Mesa.
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The vitriolic articles from my past columns make it seem like it was always so hard to find even a taste of Gratitude in my tongue. But even the most stinging and ironic of words I can use for my future articles can never equal with what these people have done to make my entire four-year stay in the Faculty worthwhile.
