DOH Asec. Tayag does impromptu dance at House of Reps

He usually dances to spread the word about the benefits of exercise and the dangers of firecrackers. But on Thursday, Health Assistant Secretary Dr. Eric Tayag used his twinkle toes to lighten the mood at the House of Representatives.

The tense atmosphere at the House during the Department of Health's budget briefing Wednesday disappeared in an instant when Tayag showed lawmakers his famous dance moves.

At the legislators' prodding, Tayag waved his hands in the air and swayed his hips left and right even without music. His moves were accompanied by claps from lawmakers, their staff and other guests present at the hearing.

Before Tayag danced, the budget deliberations had to be temporarily suspended after Health Secretary Enrique Ona and ACT-Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio had a heated exchange of words over the DOH's Medical Assistance Program.

Tinio accused Ona of "deceiving the public" for claiming lawmakers no longer exert any influence in the  selection of indigent patients who will benefit from the MAP.

Tayag has become known for launching "dance crazes" to ramp up publicity for the DOH's initiatives.

In 2012, Tayag danced to the tune of the viral hit song "Gangnam Style" to encourage people not to use firecrackers, and did it again in 2013, only this time to Katy Perry's "Roar."

In June last year, Tayag danced with the world-famous You Tube sensation dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center to promote awareness about dengue.


— Xianne Arcangel/BM, GMA News