MARIO SALES, President Dance Lovers Club of Chicago, Inc.

By: Ryan Tejero

 

Dance Lovers Club (DLC) of Chicago, Inc. is probably the most admired dance club in Chicago’s Filipino American community. DLC has been around since 1992. Its regular patrons keep coming back and cannot get enough of dancing, bonding, and the fun that goes when the dance rhythms start. Its membership has dramatically increased since its inception, which translates to everybody just loves to dance. DLC has gained its non-profit status, and is known to be the first Filipino American dance organization in Metropolitan Chicago. Most of the dancing and DLC meetings take place at the function hall of the Edison United Methodist Church located at 6740 Oliphant St. in Chicago. For over 20 years now, DLC has been gaining popularity because of the organization’s mission to: promote and encourage interest in dancing; build friendship, foster camaraderie and provide a venue for fellowship among its members and supporters; promote, by itself or in partnership with other community organizations, activities that will benefit the Filipino American community in the Greater Chicago area, and assist in, or help to finance educational, scholarship, calamity, charitable, medical/dental and other socio-civic projects. Currently directing the activities of DLC is its president, Mario Sales. Mario, as he is fondly called by the happy dancers of DLC, hails from Lipa City in Batangas. He is married to his beautiful wife Baby Tabano Sales. They have been blessed with a son, Marbyn Gerard Sales. Mario graduated from the Philippine Maritime Institute in Manila. He pursued his career in Marine Transportation and travelled the world for his job for about two years. He migrated to the United States in the late 80s. Mario changed career while living here in the US. He studied Applied Science in Electronics at DeVry Institute in the 90s and is currently connected with an employer that belongs to the top US corporations. Mario recalled that, “In 2004 my wife and I was first introduced to DLC by a friend. Since then, we became religiously active with DLC events. The two of us became members of the board of directors. Last year, I got elected as DLC’s Vice President. I took over the presidency when the current president resigned April 2014. The couple went on their retirement and went back home to the Philippines. So, that’s how I became the president.” Mario vows to continue the purpose of the organization. DLC has regular dance events that is open to public. One DLC avid patron is Chaz Patron, saying, “I joined DLC and just fell in love with the group because you always feel that you belong, it’s like one big happy family. When I first started coming to their events, I knew that I will build friendship, I knew that I will meet genuine people and I knew that I made the right decision. It’s just making my time worth. This is just one group that truly serves their purpose of helping others without letting the whole world know about what they did. Each member becomes very responsible and sensitive to other’s needs. I remembered members just taking out money from their own pockets to raise funds to resolve a funding issue. I also love the fact that this group is not out there to compete with other organizations. It truly serves its mission on building a community where people enjoy life through dancing and fellowship.” Mario said that, “Our aim is to create a safe space for community members of all ages and ethnicities to gather together, socialize, eat good food and dance away their weekly stress in a productive and amiable manner.” DLC invites the public to come and join them any time between 3:00-8:00 p.m. every Sunday at the Edison United Methodist Church in Chicago. For a fee of $5, DLC members can teach you the best line-dancing and the opportunity to experience various styles of ballroom dancing. DLC offers a welcoming environment of energy, food and fun. They said, “No dance experience necessary to join.” Please contact Mario’s wife, Baby Sales, at 312-909-7342 or 773-319- 5756.

DLC Members

 

Mario & Baby Sale