THERE
ARE SHORTCUTS to happiness, and dancing is one of them, says Austrian author
Vicki Baum.
I’m not lonely but doing zumba for one hour
early Thursday nights are happy times. I’m sure my classmates – including high
school friends Lydia and Ruby – share the same feeling, otherwise they won’t
come back after the summer class.
Here’s
the House of Dance’s poster announcing the school year’s regular zumba classes.
I am in the next picture – flushed but feeling refreshed and energized after 60
minutes of moving to the beat. Oh, did I hear you say poster girl for zumba?
Nah …
O
dance is to reach a word
that
doesn’t exist,
To sing
the heartsong of
a
thousand generations,
To
feel the meaning of
a
moment in time.
Bestselling
author and speaker Beth Jones could not have said it more eloquently and this best
describes the recent Smart Jump In Dance Off Grand Finals held at the Araneta
Coliseum. Students from different schools and universities from various parts
of the country converged to show their version of street dance and using today’s
parlance, they really had their moment!
[It makes me wish though that I was a better photographer to capture their heart-stopping performances.]
[It makes me wish though that I was a better photographer to capture their heart-stopping performances.]
One of my favorite authors, Maya Angelou,
whose book I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings is in my small library of books, has said that everything in the
universe has rhythm; everything dances.
During the recent State of the Nation
Address of President Noynoy – nicknamed SONA – everybody had rhythm and all the
President’s men as well as other members of Congress and the Senate, including
their spouses, partners and other companions traipsed the red carpet,
exhibiting different steps, moves and body English. Oh yes, how they danced!
Surely, you know where this is leading to
and I am about to tell you what you already know. Life is a dance and dance is a
perfect metaphor for life.
ZUMBA SPEAK
Dance
is a way of life and this is not just for legitimate dancers. For the rest of
us, including Thursday zumba-ers like me, it is also a feeling and a state of
mind.
Phrases like “I’m so happy,
I could dance” and “you make me feel like dancing’” are equated to great
happiness and unexplained bliss like falling in love and perhaps winning the
lotto.
Even St. Augustine has a poem in praise of
the dance –
I praise the dance,
for it frees people from
the heaviness of matter
and binds the isolated
to community.
I praise the dance, which
demands everything: health
and a clear spirit and
a buoyant soul.
Dance is a transformation
of space, of time, of people,
who are in constant danger
of becoming all brain,
will or feeling.
Dancing demands a whole
person,
one who is firmly
anchored
in the center
of
his life, who is not
obsessed
by lust for people
and
things and the demon
of
isolation in his own ego.
And I’m not done talking about zumba yet. Just like all the
other types, this modern day dance is relevant to what St. Augustine is raving
over.
I simply enjoy the dance and I have stopped being self-conscious
about how I do it. Personally, I was never really distracted by how the others
are faring on the floor. I just felt awkward the first time because, well, it
was a new thing for me – dancing in front of mirrors!
But zumba has much to teach us in terms of not getting affected
by what others think or say about us. As that text message I got from niece
Sylvia Marie on Mother’s Day –
Learn not to compete with others
because no one else is in the contest
of being you. You are wonderfully
made and there’s only one you
in the world.
The dancing activity makes me aware of my
body and how far it can go. My pace, my moves are uniquely my own. There is no
need to base it on others – not even the great moves of teacher Roz. She
herself would tell you in between her “let’s go! … let’s go!” to find our own
pace, most especially when we start to feel the steps are getting faster or
harder.
So very much like in real life – there are
limitations and there is pain. But there are also – as what Toni Gonzaga’s
character in Four Sisters and A Wedding has
said with aplomb – options, options, options!
And here comes award-winning TV talk show
host Oprah Winfrey who philosophizes, “Every day brings a chance for you to
draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance.” My version would be to put on my Chucks ...
British poet Lord Byron, for his part, urges, “on with the dance! … let joy be unconfined.”
British poet Lord Byron, for his part, urges, “on with the dance! … let joy be unconfined.”
FASHION MANEUVERS
Doris Humphrey has said that there are
times when the simple dignity of movement can fulfil the function of a volume
of words.
This dancer and choreographer of the early
20th century must have met somebody like new senator, Grace
Poe-Llamanzares; new congresswoman Lenny Robredo; re-elected Congresswoman Lucy
Torres-Gomez; and former Senator Nikki Coseteng, who emanated their inner grace
as they ambled into the halls of Congress during the SONA. [Photos below from NPPA Images and InterAksyon.com]
French-born Swiss dancer Maurice Bejart
says the dance is “a minimum of explanation, a minimum of anecdotes, and a
maximum of sensations.”
He’s
right, there wasn’t a need to spell out how these gracious ladies carried
themselves that afternoon. If they were a dance, it would be the ballet because
they seem to fit Webster’s definition to a T, “a classical dance form
demanding grace and precision and employing formalized steps and gestures set
in intricate, flowing patterns to create expression through movement.”
Same
thing with controversial couple re-elected Senator Chiz Escudero and actress
Heart Evangelista, who walked in the red carpet effortlessly, seemingly telling
everyone that the storm they had to face at the start of their relationship has
been weathered. Ambush interviews verify their positive vibe. [Photo from gmanetwork.com]
Long-time
Senator Loren Legarda, whom Grace dislodged in the voters’ #1 spot, prepared a Press
Release published at the Senate website to elaborate on her SONA outfit. A
maximum of explanation, maybe, but she meant well because she wanted us to be
aware of the beautiful and intricate the fabrics and clothes woven by indigenous
Filipinos and literary “walked her talk.”
“My
outfit represents ‘fashionalism’ – fashion and nationalism,” says Legarda in
the said release. “I wanted to wear something relevant and meaningful.”
For those who missed it, despite the fact
that it was much publicized, Loren wore a red, beaded Gaddang [they are people from the Mountain Province and other parts
of the Cordillera and Nueva Vizcaya] outfit composed of an aken [skirt], a barawasi [blouse]
and a bakwat [belt], which are all
woven out of kapat [cotton] thread
and accessorized with the traditional Gaddang
beadwork. A Bontoc necklace completed the outfit.
I’m
not sure about the blouse because what I saw on TV was a black cotton
long-sleeved off-shoulder shirt but it combined well with the skirt [exactly
what the photo below shows her wearing; photo from InterAksyon.com].
Her outfit and that of Nikki are my
favorites.
A
couple of years back, we featured Nikki in MOD’s
Career section and she revealed that she likes to accessorize her clothes with
fabrics she buys here and abroad and she would simply drape them on her
shoulders and let them flow.
And this is what she did in
the SONA and I liked her outfit’s color combination of royal blue and green. News
reports described it as Indian-inspired.
Indeed with this mini fashion show, we can say a woman’s place
is also in the House – and the Senate.
SONA
THROWBACK
I remember covering the SONA of then
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo a couple of years back. The MOD Editor, Ms. Chay, was sent an
invitation by then congressional spouse now Pangasinan congresswoman, Gina de
Venecia. My mandate was to interview those stunning women attendees – who made
their gowns and why that style; and what is their usual dress code when not
attending the SONA.
I was accompanied by photographers Sir Boy
and Tonton ( may he rest in peace), who enjoyed taking shots as the formally-dressed ladies gamely posed
and smiled into their cameras.
That was my first time to enter the House
of Representatives and I was seated at the Gallery. Seated in the row in front
of me was then Paranaque City Vice Mayor now Quezon City Councilor Anjo Yllana;
and about four rows ahead on the left aisle was boxing champ Manny Pacquiao,
who was yet to enter the crazy world of politics a year or two later.
Since
I was there as a guest and not as a member of Media, I had the chance to attend
the after-SONA cocktails at the VIP Lounge and it was one great gastronomic experience. All those
hors d’oeuvre in silver platters! ... and they never tasted so good!
Pia
was stunning in a pink terno and she said in the interview that the color of
her gown speaks for her advocacy on women. In the latest SONA, however, she
wore a black modern Filipiniana silk gown [Photo from InterAksyon.com]. I wonder what she was pushing for this time.
Then
Congresswoman now Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos came in jeans and a black
T-shirt. She said she boycotted GMA’s SONA and opted to join a street protest. And
that was her reason for not wearing the usual Filipiniana gown.
I didn’t get to ask her the rest of my
generic questions as she became busy airing her comments – more like venting
her ire – against the little girl President to the reporters of the major TV
networks.
Other ladies we featured at that time included
Manay Gina and another congressional
spouse, Aleli Arroyo, wife of the late Congressman Iggy Arroyo.
NOYNOY’S FACE
DANCE
Several Mondays have passed since the latest
SONA and you must have it up to here with comments, opinions and points of view.
Add to this the recent revolting
disclosures about the pork barrel scam which mocks Noynoy’s campaign against
corruption. Masterminded by Janet Lim-Napoles, this is a blatant declaration
that corruption still exists – actually never left! – in government.
Anyway, Noynoy’s haters and bashers had
their heyday hating and bashing on SONA day but there were also those who were
simply impressed. Some think he said too much; others feel there is so much to
be desired.
ABS-CBN’s
full coverage called it Sa Gitna ng Daang
Matuwid to which anchor Ted Failon teasingly said we are a country treading
the daang ma-Tweet in deference to
our penchant for the social networking site, Twitter. [Photo below: Screen shot of ABS-CBN's SONA coverage]
Senator
Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who was absent during the event due to a chronic
fatigue syndrome, wasn’t too tired to make a comment. She declared the SONA as
some kind of a college paper.
In a press statement, she wasn’t, as usual,
too kind with words: “I watched TV and could not stand it. The SONA should be a
serious time for the Congress to pick up policy directions indicated by the
President. It should not be treated as Oscar night in Hollywood, with a red
carpet, where peacocks spread their tails and turn around and around, as
coached by media in a feeding frenzy.”
But
then again, it’s the so-called peacocks that make SONA worth watching. They
provide entertainment complete with a touch of glamor and magic. And with Lucy
and Heart, the SONA firmament has just got prettier. That bumper sticker saying
politics is showbiz for ugly people is no longer true.
Anyway,
in between the applause, his smoker’s cough and buckling in reading his lines,
Noynoy delivered his fourth SONA as if it was his first. Meaning in almost one
hour, he failed to make me his captive audience.
The president of the land has bragging
rights and this could probably be the reason for the SONA. And so Noynoy exercised
his right and droned on with a litany of sweet nothings – better known as
achievements and statistics – but looking not too sweet, in fact his face was a
bit stoic. He could have won a face dance contest if there was one.[Photo below: Screen shot from ABS-CBN's SONA coverage]
He
managed to catch my attention when he mentioned a physically challenged man who
braved four floors just to be able to vote; that six out of 10 scholars of
TESDA and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have found jobs; and
Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro is doing his job right.
After that, I decided to wash the dishes I
used in a lunch earlier and then checked my email and Facebook.
He got me listening again when he talks
about lady cop Edlyn Arbo, who even if off-duty and unarmed pursued a mugger;
and two other cops – one who apprehends crime syndicates, and the other, one who helps
a motorist change a tire, then declines a P1,000 tip.
I
would like to believe Noynoy when he said that these cops who are doing their
jobs right are not really an endangered species.
“Someone
once said that dancers work just as hard as policemen, always alert, always
tense,” says George Balanchine, dubbed Father of American Ballet, “but
policemen don’t have to be beautiful at the same time.”
Still, I would want them to look physically
pleasant minus the beer bellies and their general unkemptness.
And it was just right that he also gave a
thumbs-up to the volunteers and disaster relief workers who have shown their
heroism in times of need. For me, they are the real rock stars in these times
of bad and wet weather.
Regarding
tourism, I was amused by his pronouncements – that in 2012, the country was
chosen Best Tourist Destination; Scuba Diving Destination; and Most Romantic
Destination. He added that Palawan was named Best Island.
Wow, haven’t we been receiving such
accolades since years back?
Anyway, I like the way he ended his
address: “Ako si Noynoy Aquino.
Filipino ako. Napakasarap maging Filipino
sa panahong ito.”
HIP HOP
HANGOVER
“When you dance, your purpose is not to
get to a certain place on the floor,” says American self-help author and
motivational speaker Wayne Dyer, “but to enjoy each step along the way.”
This
was what the participants of the Smart Jump In Dance Off have shown during the
grand finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
Smart
Communications, Inc. has successfully involved high school and college dance
crews all over the country in this dance competition. And I say good job to
them for coming up with this activity, which aims to “empower the youth and
encourage them to pursue their passions, jump in to their dreams so they can
live more.”
Watching these kids do street dance which
is very much like hip hop has given me a hangover of sorts. I was simply amazed,
I want to dance that way, too!
I’m
beginning to really take seriously Ruby’s plan to do adult hip hop after we get
enough of zumba. When I told Ana about this, she was like “what?” although she
was quick to add that “well, it’s in your character.”
So wanting to do hip hop defines my
character? Well, I like that ...
WINNING MOVES
Competitions have winners. If I were a judge, I would really be soooo
torn among the 16 dance groups … well, except for one, who when interviewed,
said their dance was influenced by “burlesque.” Really as street dance?
I am proud to say that FMD Extreme of St.
John Bosco Institute of Arts & Sciences-San Mateo emerged victorious in the
college category. I live in San Mateo (Rizal) and, for all you know, some of
them may even be my neighbors. Well, just saying …
But
seriously, this is an indication that street dance is not just the monopoly and
talent of teenagers from the Big City.
Emerging
winners from out of town include University of the Philippines-Los Banos
[UPLB]'s Street Jazz Company, Texters’ Choice in the College category; and University of Cebu-Main’s
University of Cebu Dance Troupe, third place, also in the College category.
Agnes de Mille, American dancer and choreographer declares that many other women have kicked higher, balanced longer, or turned faster … these are poor substitutes for passion.
True enough the girls from Miriam College’s Sayawatha Dance Troupe wore their passion in their sleeves and so they became the Texters’ Choice as well as champion in the High School category.
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The other winners in the High School category are Ateneo de Manila’s Indayog ng Atenistang Kabataan or Indak; and Claret School of Quezon City’s Hataw, second and third place, respectively.
Also coming out in flying colors in the College category is De La Salle University- Manila’s La Salle Dance Company-Street, who placed second.
“From
the stage to the lights to the thousands of screaming fans gathered at the
famed Araneta Coliseum, we made sure this Smart Jump In Dance Off experience is
something the participants will never forget,” says Jane Basas, head of Smart’s
Prepaid Business Group. “We honor and respect the participants’ impressive
skills and we believe they only deserve the best.”
Jump In Dance Off Grand Finals was hosted by Boys Night Out and
Ramon Bautista. Aside from Vhong, other special guests included Luis Manzano
and Elmo Magalona; and the Philippine All Stars, World Hip Hop Dance champions; as well as other much-admired dance groups, namely The Crew, Legit Status,
G-Force and Manoeuvres.
The 16 finalists received
Php 20,000.00 in cash, a limited edition Jump In Jacket and SMART starter
plug-it per member and an all-expenses paid trip to the Finals (airfare,
accommodation, land travel and shuttle service) for provincial finalists.
The champions brought home P300,000.00 each; while the Texters’
Choice winners got an extra P20,000.00 each.
Second and third placers earned for them P150,000 and P100,000
each, respectively.
TEENAGE TEMPO
Watching this Smart event was a fun experience. We should have more activities like
this to keep teenagers preoccupied with their dreams instead of drugs and other
negative influences.
“We respect lahat ng groups kasi lahat
sila panalo,” says Lema Diaz, one of the judges, and one of the founders of
the Philippine All-Stars. “Yung hirap nila just to get here and the
excellence that they showcased is beyond amazing.”
Lema went on to say that they are all ready
for the world. “Naiyak kami sa passion
nila for dancing,” she adds. “Thank
you Smart for bringing this great opportunity for the dancers.”
The other judges were Jon Supan of the
Manoeuvres; and Georcelle Dapat-Sy of G-Force.
In ending the
first-ever Smart event, Jane expressed their happiness over the good
turnout saying, “we were beyond impressed with our finalists this year and this made us
believe even more in the talent of the Filipino youth.”
With this, she assured everyone that there
will be another dance competition next year and the years to come.
The Smart Jump In Dance Off is part of
Smart’s Jump In campaign started with the Jump In music video starring
international Filipino talents Jessica Sanchez and apl.de.ap.
Presently, Smart
holds Jump In school tours to reach out to more students and help them realize
their potentials through their passions and interests.
For a few days, that Jump In jingle had me
in an LSS (last song syndrome). Let me share with you the lyrics because they
are good mantras even for non-teenagers like us –
Now’s
the time, can’t make
it
wait … It’s your life,
don’t
hesitate …
Live
it more, it can be great.
Jump
in, [don‘t waste your time].
Jump
in [just live
your
life] / Jump into
the
future, jump into
a new
day, jump into the new you,
jump
into a new way, jump into
a new
life. Jump in
in
things that you like.
It’s
time for you to be
brave
and jump into a new place.
Jump
into love.
CODA
Great
people have spoken in praise of dance.
Dancers and non-dancers alike show us that
it is very much a part of our everyday life. We may choose to move rhythmically
or stomp our feet; to simply glide and go with the flow or sway against the
tide.
We should always thank God that we are able
to dance. Look around you, there are those who could hardly walk.
And I’m not done sharing other people’s
words. Let
me
share with you some lyrics of the song I
Hope You Dance by American music country singer and songwriter Lee Ann
Womack –
I hope you never lose
your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single
breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave
you empty-handed
I hope you still feel small
when you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes,
I hope one more opens
Promise me you’ll give faith
a fighting chance
And when you get the choice
to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance.
