MOVE - 14 days to go!

ACTS MANILA goes on stage once again this August 24!

Featuring new choreographies, including a world-premier choreography by Belgian choreographer - Marc Bogaerts. Special performance by Acts Manila alumna and now Pennsylvania company member - Sarah Grace Lee. An exciting night is up ahead, so save the date and book your tickets now!

We are all excited to perform for all of you. Check out our video teaser that can also be viewed in HD over HERE!

See you at the theatre! ;)
For tickets, call: 0922-890-5255. (P800: orchestra center & P600: orchestra side)

This production is in partnership with:
BusinessWorld, HerWord, and HighLife Magazine
Azumi Boutique Hotel
MAC Cosmetics
The Dance Store Philippines
Casa Belrina Travel Consultants
Precepts Electro-Tech Construction Corporation

#ActsManila on the MOVE!

It has been an eventful first half of the year!

God has been really faithful in answering all of our "Christmas wishes" last year that He really fully-loaded our schedules for this year. Since this year opened, Acts Manila's performances have been one after the other, and we couldn't just be more grateful. Keeping up with what God has in store for us maybe shaking off our schedules, but definitely enjoying every single moment onstage.

Here's a bit of a round-up for what has been happening with Acts Manila (and my life, of course):

Acts Manila in our annual CCP Main Theatre Recital ~ "Once Upon An Ever After", April 24.

"Let it Go" by Chelo Gemina • photo by Tes Tirol

"Ian's Walk" by Jan Manlapig • photo by Tes Tirol

"Esmeralda" by Jun Saagundo • photo by Tes Tirol

..and of course my beloved kiddos who performed so well on that night!

Alice in Wonderland's Mad Hatter, Dormouse, March Hare
The Happy Prince Jewels • The Velveteen Rabbit Children

We were also privileged to be chosen by Ms. Myra Beltran to be part of RE: Rosas ng Maynila at the Bonifacio High Street for the International Dance Day celebration, April 27. It was an amazing experience to perform the iconic "Rosas danst Rosas" choreography by Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker.

photo from Jem Rodriguez

photo from Jem Rodriguez

Check out the video here, uploaded by Ms. Myra Beltran:

Acts Manila's out of town assignment last June 4-6: MICE Conference at Fontana in Clark, Pampanga. It was a new kind of experience - from the preparations, rehearsals, to the actual performance itself! We got to dance in sync with video effects through the hologram screen and LED projection, something I thought only exists in YouTube, hehe. Watch our "Brand New Day" performance video with the Ryan Cayabyab Singers here and the closing ceremony performance with the LED projection effects here!

late night rehearsals..

..to early morning call time! (as in 6am early!!)

all dressed up in line with the theme!

Another main highlight was out trip to Laos ~ June 11-16! We performed for the Philippine Embassy's 116th Independence Day Celebration. Thank you to Her Excellency Ambassador Lumen Isleta for giving us the privilege to represent our country there.

Acts Manila's "Madamira & Sarumbanggi" as part of the Filipino repertoire • photo by Gerry Gemina

Acts Manila with Ambassador Lumen Isleta

being presented to the VIP guests • photo by Tes Tirol

conducted a workshop for the kids from the Filipino community in Laos

also performed for the students of the Laos School of Music and Dance (they really have big stages, i tell you)

And of course, we did not miss out on experiencing the wonders of the city!

Acts Manila at the Patuxai Victory Monument • photo by Gerry Gemina

on tourist mode

no regrets for all these ice cream goodness (whooops!)

of course, shopping! even if they don't have malls, we had great deals on the night market ;)

We also had performances for churches and SM Malls. (and there will be another on July 26 at SM Southmall for their Jeans Month celebration)

for CCF Alabang's Easter service • photo from Jem Rodriguez

here's one from SM Sta. Rosa performance, June 28 • photo from Julia Morados

And finally for our next BIG THING!
Acts Manila's 3rd company show happening this August 24 ~ "MOVE!" at the CCP Little Theatre, 6pm. We will be featuring new choreographies, with special guest performance by Acts Manila alumna (now with the Pennsylvania Ballet), Sarah Grace Lee. Save the date!

See you in our next performances! We are definitely on the MOVE! ;)
For updates, you may visit our website at www.actsmanila.com or through our Acts Manila Facebook page.

the week that has finally arrived

..and i never thought i would reach this far.

me and Shek on the plane bound for HK!

TOUCHDOWN HK! :)

Monday, August 12 - we arrived here in Hong Kong for the Asian Grand Prix competition that will open Tuesday, August 13. the week that we have been preparing for monthsssss is finally culminating. and in that journey, bittersweet it may seem, God has been truly faithful.

as i've previously shared on this blog, God has given me this assignment to be able to face and conquer my fears. and now the time has come to overcome them onstage. God has already fulfilled His part of answering for all of my needs in this journey. now, i'm holding on to His word that as i finally conquer the stage, His hand won't leave me until the end.

yes, i am so nervous. yes, i am still frightened. yes, i still feel that i am not good enough.
but God being the faithful God that He is, has been giving me strength and courage that i would need. i used to wish for this to be over as soon, but now that the end is approaching, all the more i'm cherishing every single moment there is. this has been a one-of-a-kind experience for me, not only because it is my first, but God has really proven His love and greater plans for me.

i wonder how this will end.
no matter what competition result i would get, i would still be thankful i went through this.
that no matter what happens, i would still be so grateful to have witnessed God's greatness in my life.
because i went through this, i know i've already glorified my God. :")

the journey to #bravery2013

AAAAAND IT IS FINALLY CONFIRMED!

surreal, yes, it's still surreal. legit, but surreal.

i received this confirmation email a few hours ago after having our forms submitted straight in HK through Shek's mom. i still can't believe that i'm really gonna be competing this August, that i will in fact BRAVE it. God has been so faithful to me for the past weeks, leading me to be at peace with the thought of competition. He first provided for my plane fare + registration fee (just out of nowhere!), and then giving me an assurance of being able to nail those Italian fouettes (during my birthday, indeed wish granted!). even during rehearsals today, i was able to finish the fouettes in 3 consecutive runs of the variation. sige na talaga, surrender na ako kay God!

God is taking me further and beyond my limits this year. going through this is really a major MAJOR breakthrough for me. and it hasn't been easy. i've been down for so many times, my body has been failing too, and i've been really tight with my finances now, knowing the costs i need to cover. looking into it from my own point of view, i know i won't make it. i will tremble in fear and drown in frustrations. but my God is greater than all these, and since He was the one who directed me onto this path, i know He will not forsake me.

and as Teacher Chelo would say, the PROCESS is the most important prize. and i believe God has far more rewards for me than just the medals and titles. so here's to a journey of bravery - of conquering fears and increasing in faith, of experiencing fulfilled promises! let's do this together, my Lord!

"So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. 
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand." 

- Isaiah 41:10

Scripture reassures us, "No one who trusts God like this - heart and soul - will ever regret it."

..the same God for all of us, acting the same incredibly generous way to everyone who calls out for help. 
"Everyone who calls 'Help, God!' gets help."

- Romans 10:11-13, MSG

PS. please keep me in your prayers. it would really help a lot and i would be forever grateful. <3 a total of 13 or 14 will be going from our camp to compete, so please include them as well. Acts Manila represent, woo! :")

Acts Manila in Kwerdas at Sayaw: Ang Unang Yugto

ACTS MANILA'S MOST AWAITED PRODUCTION - 

KWERDAS AT SAYAW: ANG UNANG YUGTO!

Finally our most awaited production is going onstage this December 1 & 2, 2012 at the Insular Life Theater in Alabang! Catch the Acts Manila company members and aspirants as they bring to life the message of transformation, with special participation by the scholars of Acts School for the Performing Arts. This show is for the benefit of the Philemon Academy Foundation, Inc.

Kwerdas at Sayaw: Ang Unang Yugto

December 1 & 2, 2012 at 6pm

Insular Life Theater, Insular Life Building, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Ticket prices: P750, P500, P250

For tickets call: 0922 - 890 - 5255 or visit us at Acts School for the Performing Arts, 2nd Flr., Molito Bldg., Madrigal Ave. cor. Alabang-Zapote Rd., Muntinlupa City

THIS IS SOMETHING YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO MISS! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW. :)

Cornetto's Black & White

and the first ever commercial that i got to be part of..

of course it had to be ballet! enjoyed doing this because of its fun and unique concept. it has always been hiphop x ballet fusion because of how opposite these two are - indeed a black & white sort of thing. enjoy watching this new commercial, while trying out Cornetto's Black & White! yummy one, ya'know. ;)

thankful for this awesome experience.
making His name known in every opportunity available, through Acts Manila. <3

Ballet Magnificat! in Manila

last May, America's premier Christian ballet company - Ballet Magnificat! visited Manila as part of their Asian tour. we got the privilege to watch them perform live at the Faith Academy. seeing them was more of an experience for the heart, and not just the pleasure to watch a really good ballet show. while they were dancing, you can really feel their hearts worshipping God and moving the audience. i'm glad to have seen them here in Manila, but i'm looking forward to watching more of their performances in the future. :)

Ballet Magnificat!'s show at Faith Academy last May 5

photo credits to Ms. Tes Tirol :)

the Acts Manila family with Ballet Magnificat!

at Acts Manila, we were privileged to have a whole day workshop (May 8) in classical technique and creative worship with 3 guest teachers from Ballet Magnificat!. they handled 3 classes in different levels - kids, intermediate, and advanced / company class. the visiting teachers were Rebecca Grove, Christina Hudson, and Esther Choi, who are all members of the Alpha company.

Ballet Magnificat! guest teachers Esther, Christina, and Rebecca
(with Shek, me, and Bea!)

kids' class with teacher - Rebecca Grove

intermediate ballet with teacher - Esther Choi

same as their show, the workshop was refreshing. most especially the creative worship class, it opened our hearts to freely express passion through movements. seeing them do it right in front of us is like speaking directly to our spirits to just let go and worship God. more than being technically good, what moves audiences is their heart to lead others to Christ through their dancing. they srsly have everything - the body, high extensions, turns, performing quality, and most importantly, passion for both dance and God.

Christina Hudson sharing the Word during the creative worship session

Esther Choi during their demonstration of creative worship dancing

Rebecca Grove

Christina leading the dancers by giving movements for creative worship

i'm praying that someday, i'd get to visit and take classes with Ballet Magnificat! in Mississippi. but if i won't be able to, at least i got to experience having them here already. i just wish they stayed for a whole week (or so) though, so we got to experience more of them! after seeing them, i had really high hopes that Acts Manila would someday be like Ballet Magnificat! ❤

the kids' class

intermediate ballet

Acts Manila company - photo from Jem Rodriguez
(we performed for them, hence the costume, heehee)

with the Acts Manila teachers

PS. i want to see Esther Choi again! so please God, let me go to Mississippi. :D

hihi, fan-girling over our girl crush, Esther Choi :")

Beauty from Ashes - Acts Manila 2012

oh hiiiiii, sorry for being gone too long! stressful summer is over, of course with so much to blog about! i will start with the main highlight - Acts Manila's recent recital at the CCP Main Theatre, Beauty from Ashes!

Beauty from Ashes 2012 Souvenir Program!
props to our very creative layout artist, Ms. Tes Tirol! :)
(and that cover girl? hmm.)

this was my first major recital as a returning serious dancer since 2007, the year i graduated high school. i've joined 2 recitals though after (Esther in 2008 and United Colors of Dance last year, 2011), but my dancer role isn't as major as my teacher role. (because i was in college, my schedule and school workload won't allow me to get into regular dance classes. :( glad i'm already done with school!!!) this year, i had a more serious role as a dancer, gaining a solo for the classical ballet Paquita and a part in the trio for an Acts Manila choreography, Bach's Passion. no, my teaching role didn't subside; in fact, this is my first year having a "director" title for Palms Country Club ballet, which i've been handling since 2006. God has been really faithful in giving me the best of both dancing and teaching, i couldn't be anymore grateful that i am able to handle both.

i never felt so excited and soooo nervous at the same time for a show like this before. i've done so many recitals and performances already, but i still felt like this was my first time. i haven't had as intense training as what we had to prepare for this show. my workload wasn't as "loaded" as the previous recital seasons. there's no other choice but to work doubly hard, keeping up with my dancing and teaching, with some admin work on the sides. frustrations hit me for so many times, even as close to the few minutes before the final show starts. inside of me, i knew i wanted to really give out my very best and come out different and stronger than before.

and yes, i knew i did. grateful that God has enabled me to go through all of these, because i won't be able to appreciate everything that comes after. i was touched with every cheer, "congratulations", and all those positive remarks. i was humbled knowing that it wasn't because of my own capabilities, but because of God's never-ending and sufficient grace. all the praises and glory only belongs to God, and Him alone, forever grateful i will just be. :)

on the other hand, i am so proud of my kiddos who performed as well! i didn't expect too much with my little cherubs (coz ya'know, their still this small, haha), i'm just so glad they were dancing on stage and they know what they were doing! nevermind them getting lost with their blockings, haha. and my LCC girls (the young scholars i'm handling) did so well! they were dancing together and pointing their feet, haha!

say hello to my dear angels!

the scholars from Lord's Christian Circle church that i'm handling! :)

indeed it was all worth it. i won't have any other things exchanged for this feeling of being on stage, dancing, and pouring my passion out. :) until the next "Curtains up"!

so glad to be reunited and dancing AGAIN with my high school
bestfriend (and twin!), Shekinah Ciudad! <3

"To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak."- Hopi Indian Saying
blessed and grateful to be dancing with these girls who
share the same passion. (hello Bei and Shek!)

long lost sister! so glad to see Agatha again after two years!
she watched during the first night of the show.

a very dear and close friend from high school, supporting us
all the way - Jess Orleans :)

of course the gang is (almost) complete! mi Super Friends with Tita D
after the second night's show. 

"Out of these ashes, beauty will rise!" ❤