Unstoppable: Get to know Lila Goco, the dancing queen
When Kathy M. Villalon saw a video of Lilia Diancin Goco dancing and applying steps that we thought only young people could do --- the split, banana, lifting, and more --- she was amazed. Here is a 78-year-old who can give dance sports enthusiasts a run for their money.
Believing that such talent and endurance are very remarkable and should be emulated by others, an interview was set up. We found out more and so will you and hopefully you'll get out of that couch, get into your dancing shoes and have a blast, even if you're already a senior citizen.
KATHY M. VILLALON: WHEN DID YOU START BALLROOM DANCING?
LILIA DIANCIN GOCO (LDG): When I was 67 years old. My doctor advised me to take it up as a form of therapy because I have high cholesterol and diabetes. I did not know ballroom dancing before that. Then, when I did, there are times that I would ballroom dancing five times a week. I was handled by dance instructors (DI) like Ronald Tolentino, Joebert and Aldin Ano. Now, my DI is Steve Taleon.
WHAT DANCES DO YOU LIKE?
Tango, waltz, foxtrot and pasa doble.
DO YOU LIKE DANCING SINCE BEFORE?
Yes. During the pre-war period, my grandmother gave me tambourines and castanets and asked me to dance. In college, I was the star dancer of the University of San Agustin.
YOU'RE VERY FLEXIBLE. WHAT'S YOUR SECRET?
When I was in South Africa, I enrolled in yoga class. I could really bend my body to the floor. Even when I come home early morning from a party, I still do my yoga before going to sleep.
YOU HAVE A GREAT NUMBER OF DRESSES. YOU MUST REALLY LOVE TO GO OUT.
I'm a homebody, actually. But I love the night life. These days, I just stay in the dance hall for 30 minutes to one hour. You know, when you grow older, you already feel things in your body (health), so you have to limit. I used to have 120 pairs of dance shoes, but I gave them away. The same with clothes because I don't use them that often anymore. I'd rather let others have them.
HMM, A CLOTHES AND SHOES COLLECTOR. WHAT ELSE DO YOU COLLECT?
Dolls. I got them from my travels in places like Tanzania, Central East Africa, South Africa, Kenya, Belgium, India, Sri Lanka and the United States, among others. My oldest doll is 45 years old, a walking doll. I also collect whiskey, but I don't drink. I just serve them to my guests. And I love to look at the whiskey bottles. I used to have 100 bottles on display.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT DOLLS THAT YOU LOVE?
I enjoy looking at them dressed in their costumes.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?
I'm poor but I have helped people around me as much as I can. I'd like to be remembered for that.
Goco's husband is the late Rodolfo Goco Sr, a civil engineer. They have five children. She's a teacher by profession but devoted her life as a wife and mother.