September 15, 2021I wasn't feeling well during the past few days. I figured out I lacked enough sleep. I am trying to rest as much as I can now and I am feeling a lot better. Please don't imitate me, health is wealth.
What I will share with you has nothing to do with my introduction above, alrighty?
I'm a dancer since I was conceived. Dancing is my freedom, my ultimate form of expression, my passion, my soul. I usually dance like there is no tomorrow lol.
When I was like 6 or 7, my first dance was "Lambada". Are you familiar with the dance? My cousins and I would line up and they would follow my dance steps.
My first school dance performance
I remember practicing an Ethnic dance when I was in Grade 1. There was a time when the main dancer was stubborn. My teacher said, "Glessa will replace you if you won't listen to me". I wasn't aware that I could dance that well to be considered as the replacement. But I almost missed the "big day" because my parents fought and my mother went elsewhere.
"Don't dance anymore", my Manang told me. I didn't wanna break my teacher's heart so I attended. I didn't have make-up, a flower, and an accessory for the dance because we didn't have money. My sister's friends pitied my situation and sponsored me.
I didn't join dance competitions during my elementary years because I got so chubby. My chubbiness took my confidence away haha.
"As long as you love me"
I was a freshie in high school when my group entered a dance competition. Our entry was Backstreeboys' "As long as you love me". We would practice every after class and every weekend. Our uniform was a yellow T-shirt and black pants. We never won but we had fun.
"Maayo mosayaw nang tambok", a senior student told his classmate. He meant, "That fat one can dance" and he was referring to me. I was surprised when he said it.
And that contest paved way for my membership in an elite group- it was a dance group of top students in our class.
We then participated in another dance contest. We'd dance in front of a mirror in our church's dance studio and I was loving every minute of it. The dance title was "Lollypop" by Aqua. It was one of the most memorable moments of my dancing life because my mother and grandma witnessed the event.
My first dance heartbreak
When I was a freshman in Uni I wanted to join the "Kalimulan" Dance Troupe. It offers scholarships, dance workshops, and free travel locally and abroad. And I knew that our PE teacher might be the ticket for it. So I thoroughly practiced my entry for our final exam- the application of our exercises in a dance.
My heart was rapidly beating when I was called in front of the stage. "Let's get loud" by JLO was my dance piece. And I did it with all my heart. I couldn't forget how my teacher smiled and encouraged me to go on. I wanna get loud, so loud by dancing! I wanna own the stage! It was my happiest experience at the uni.
I told my pastor that I wanted to become a dancer but I got declined. She said it is a "worldly" desire. I asked God, "You gave me this talent, why can't I show this to the world? This is what I love, I am happy dancing!". My dream died. My aspiration went to the grave. My heart sank. Then I stopped studying at the university.
Nothing could stop me from dancing!
When I transferred to another school, my potential was discovered by my Humanities instructor. Working students were not supposed to participate in any competitions but she became my backer and I was a dancer once again. Yes, I joined the cheer dance and the pop dance groups.
The practices were tiring but enjoyable. It was difficult for me because I was an officer, a working student, and a dancer.
And the very first dance contest that I joined in college was "Bebot" by Blackeyed Peas. I still dance to it whenever I hear the music. I got recognized and received an "Award for Dance" when I was in second-year college.
There were several dance competitions after it. I enjoyed the cheer dance despite not having a pair of white shoes. I wasn't sure why I was so broke that I couldn't afford to buy them or maybe there was no time. Despite showing my "bilbil" or baby fats in the cheer dance competition, the judges weren't disheartened. They were kind enough to score us based on our overall performance. Yes, we won in both cheer and pop dances.
My academic life became colorful and memorable because of dancing.
I wish I fought for my dream of becoming a dancer. The stage could have been my paradise and my world.
How about you? Have you given up a dream because you were told "No"?
Did you become what you really wanted to be? Share it by commenting below
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**The last image is mine, the other pics were from Unsplash
**The rest of the content is mine
I believe that it is never too late to fulfill a dream. And you can still dance;) I like to dance, but just for fun. But when I was younger, I took for a couple of years Flamenco classes.