DO THAT ISHHHH

I just received the agenda for the Kennedy Center’s Hip Hop Dance program and I’m . (dot) . (dot) . (dot) .

Speechless.

But inside I’m a blissful wreck.

This is so exciting! Me & 6 other emerging artists from different countries will travel to New York, Philadelphia & Washington and…

“Hip-Hop Dance – July 2009

Participants in this program will work with renowned hip-hop dancers, exploring the history of hip-hop culture and dance in the United States. Participants will attend the International Illadelph Legends Festival (Philadelphia, PA) sponsored by Rennie Harris Puremovement. Illadelph takes place over 14 days in July and includes master classes in hip-hop dance, lectures, and demonstrations. This program will take place in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, PA during July 2009.”

All I can say is I am just so thankful for this opportunity. I didn’t think I deserve this coz there are a lot of younger, stronger dancers out there. But as Lema said, this is a gift for me coz I had to stop dancing (as I was carrying Tala) though I didn’t want to.

This program was initially offered to Lema & Sheena by the US Embassy Cultural Affairs Department coz they have worked with them for their outreach program, Hip Hop for Life, where they teamed up with Joel & Rick of Havikoro (from Texas) & held dance workshops for kids of poor families in Davao & Manila. But then Lema was pregnant & Sheena was training to compete this year (yeah, rep up the girls Sheens!), so Lema recommended me… And there you go. Thank you Mama Lems! *mwah*

I’m really so excited not only because I will finally get to travel to one of my dream cities, New York, but also, I will get to immerse myself in the genre that I deny myself of sinking in which is Hip Hop.  Coz I always thought of myself as a Rakista, in thought, in fashion & in music. I would always think that I just dance hip hop & that’s it. I don’t even talk the talk or walk the walk once I get out of the dance studio or the stage.

But then, here it is, beckoning me to get to know him. It is not enough that I dance it. I have to observe, absorb & learn the foundation, it’s roots. Coz this will ultimately make me a better hip hop dance artist.

CRAVING

It had been hard for me keeping up with the group in dance after my maternity leave. But after weeks of hard work & perseverance, it was like I never stopped for 6 months. I got back into my pre-pregnancy shape, I could do some of my old bgirl moves again, and (as if this is the gauge of my strength) I could do round-off back handspring again! Ha-ha!

But I ain’t content. I wanted to be as strong as before I got pregnant, even better. I wanted more training. I wanted classes & workshops. I want ALL my old moves back. I want my flexibility back! (I lost a lot of clacium that sometimes I feel that my brittle bones were gonna break down during stretching)… But then I had to give way to summer classes & teach kids. That was why, even though teaching, training with Allstars & being a mom were already physically exhausting, workshops with Lenny (hip hop), Profo Won & Rob Nasty (breakdance), Prince (funk), Julie & Charles (jazz) were such welcome breaks for me.

Then Allstars had to concentrate for the Worlds so classes were not allowed in our sked.

Then something was laid before me that made me just wanna drop on my knees & thank heavens! An answered prayer! I was chosen to participate in the Kennedy Center’s Program for Hip Hop Dance! Woohooo, my own plate of classes for 2 weeks! What more can I ask?! (Sorry for the exclamation marks. I am just really so extatic. ) All I have to do is gobble it all up, let it sink into my system & hope that I’ll be a better dancer than I aim to be.

WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION?

I am a dancer.

Protected: DEAR SPIDERMAN

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

VOTE EARTH FOR EARTH HOUR 2009

SOLES

Booo for my dansneakers. I went to Airdance’ company class yesterday (my first jazz class after a looong time). In the middle of an across-the-floor routine, something black came off my foot when I did a jete. When I looked back I realized it was a my sole. Hahaha! I left a part of my sole on the flo’. Tsk. Ang mahal pa naman nito. Tagal ko kasi di nagamit. But I think it’s the reason why it’s so comfortable for dancer’s feet. Coz of those soft unsturdy soles. It’s not even coz of the prolonged un-used. Coz I remember, we’d spend some time before class covering our shoes with Leukoplasts to extend their lifespan.

hello mr. quikie?

NO WOMAN NO CRY

I’ve always thought it was like “No woman=no cry.” But I overheard Koy telling Maya that it actually meant “No woman, don’t cry” pala. When I read the lyrics, it was actually very political like what most of his songs are. He dedicated it to the people of Trench Town to give them comfort amidst their impoverished conditions & struggles. I also read somewhere that Woman may have been the Queen of England, in reference to England’s prior control of Jamaica.

Anyway, yay for my first dreads!

(no, not my hair)

Protected: I AM OVER YOU :)

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

FINAL SET

I was brought back to the 90’s. Not only coz of their music, but because I was with Pam, my friend from college who’s also a die-hard Eheads fan.

SHOUT OUT TO BESTFRIEND

Good Lord! He saved our *sses off yesterday during our ASAP performance. This is the only time we were glad that TV cameramen does those tricks (We are usually pissed coz they don’t know how to take really nice angles of dance performances. They should watch ABDC & learn. ). What happened? S-e-c-r-e-t!!! Hehehe! Only us, the live audience, the ASAP stars & crew know what happened.

Thank you Best Friend! Grabe, He’s really got our backs!