FOR THE RECORD



I still love my "besteezy." We will always be awesome and have that undescribable bond! I'm here for you! That's one thing that won't change.


SO NOT OVER IT

One of my favorite/happiest/best moments of 2007 STILL:
Jota Angelina
Kababayan's 28th Annual Pilipino Cultural Night
May 5, 2007
taught by: Amanda DueƱas & Rohmel Reynoso
choreographed by: Barbara Ele
composed by: Nitoy Gonzales



I can't say that I have worked hard for everything I've gotten lately.. but Maria Clara is a great effort of mine that I can never forget or discredit. Growing up with Kayamanan Ng Lahi, I had always seen the "big kids" do this dance and never thought I'd get the chance to be in their dancing shoes. It was one of my childhood fantasies, like those of little boys aspiring to be fire fighters, NBA players, or doctors. I just wanted that moment to shine and feel so empowered.. by one dance, for just five minutes, in a costume.

When I first went back to my directors and dance coords at KNL to learn the choreography, I was so intimidated. I could barely keep up with the choreography, and I was forced to learn it in one session. But I went back home and mastered it on my own, rewinding videos until the remote control button was nearly worn down. Next obstacle that I had to face was teaching it to 9 other people! Well, luckily I wasn't alone. What made the biggest impression on me during this process, was everyone's will power and individual inputs. They felt how much this meant to me, and made it a group effort. Jota Angelina is a special dance that had to be done right. You have to be able to smoothly transition from happy energetic, to somber dramatic, and to make all your movements big and distinct. To see all of it come together in the end - 5 months of rehearsal, for 5 minutes on stage - was like a dream I still can't believe was real. Every kick of the dress, stomp of the foot, click of the castanet, twirl of the manton, emotion portrayed through facials, body language, and tempo.. was absolutely perfect.

This is what you get when you mix yelling, sleepless nights, cramped feet, phenomenal teamwork and dedication into a parking-structure-shaped bowl. Line the pan with sweat and tears. Bake for 5 months. Sprinkle with love and smiles. A sweet sensation that lasts longer than any red velvet cupcake that Sprinkles or Team Dylan&Amanda can make.


I LOVE all of MariaClara!