Elizabeth Gilbert, author of "Eat, Pray, Love", speaks about the creative process. I'm pretty much sure that everybody who has created anything in his life has felt this anxiety. That feeling of being squeezed dry from trying to give birth to an idea that desperately needed to be translated to reality.

I am reminded of all those moments when I dreaded going to class or to a show, because I felt the choreography I prepared wasn't good enough. But yet, I promise that I will keep showing up.



"This is hard. This is one of the most painful reconciliations to make in a creative life. But maybe it doesn't have to be quite so full of anguish. If you never happened to believe in the first place that the most extraordinary aspects of your being came from you -- maybe if you just believed that they were on loan to you, from some unimaginable source for some exquisite portion of your life, to be passed along when you're finished with somebody else. If we think about it this way, it starts to change everything."

"Don't be afraid. Don't be daunted. Just do your job. Continue to show up for your piece of it, whatever that might be. If your job is to dance, do your dance. If the divine, cockeyed genius assigned to your case decides to let some sort of wonderment be glimpsed for just one moment through your efforts, then ole. And if not, do your dance anyhow. And ole to you nonetheless. I believe this and I feel we must teach it. Ole to you nonetheless, just for having the sheer human love and stuborness to keep showing up."

Turkce Yer Bar and Restaurant Opening, December 10 '09, Timog Q.C.

Leigh and Zeyne Tatli manage and own the newest Turkish restaurant at 35 Timog Avenue, QC -- Turkce Yer Bar and Restaurant.

The grand opening was graced by the presence of the Ambassador to Turkey, among other special guests. Try it out, the food is good and the prices are reasonable. I danced three sets, which was good fun, because the crowd was very appreciative. There might be regular bellydance nights there in the near future, so watch out for further announcements.

Tamminy Aleek Choreography - Before and After

Hakim is always fun to dance to. Here is a Hakim hit - Tamminy Aleek - I choreographed for my belly dance class.


Before: This is me giving out instructions.



After: Finished product. My students are awesome.

Aaja Nachle Choreography

As a teacher, there is no greater joy than seeing your students do something they never thought they can do. This is a beginner's class, and these ladies have taken the belly dance class for about a month. Some started as awkward dancers, very unsure of how capable they are or insecure of how to move their bodies. The end result is something I, and most especially they, can be proud of.

The music is from the Bollywood hit, Aaja Nachle.



Here is another version I choreographed for the ADB Dance Guild:

Alo Youth Drink Launch - Manila Polo Club, November 10 '09

Ahhh, another big event, where, for a change, us bellydancers weren't the ones with the least amount of clothing on. :)

Hosted by Tim Yap and Tessa Prieto Valdes. 10 gorgeous models. 2 Russian pole dancers. 3 Yogis. And a lot of society people.

With the Japanese-Brazilian model we all love.


Me and Ros.

Group pic where I insisted to pose differently. Bleh.

With Angel, who works the pole effortlessly!

Yes, I got married! - Caleruega, Sonya's Garden, September 26 '09

Daniel and I got married during one of the angriest typhoons that hit the Philippines. But that didn't stop us from saying "I do". And guess what I choreographed for our first dance?

We are grateful for all the love we felt that day. Much love to our family and friends.

Mourning for Cory and the Arts Community

I never thought I'd be this much affected. It has been a tough week for the Philippines, as a friend said "Nag-quota na si God sa Philippines this week". The biggest tragedy perhaps is that Cory Aquino, the icon for freedom and respect for the constitution, died on August 1. The Philippines just felt a little unsafer for me and many others at this point.

This feeling stems from a culmination of events. The arts community has been hit this week by the proclamation of the new National Artists. To give you a background, the arts community in this country has been struggling to be taken seriously. Now there has been talk that Carlo J. Caparas, a filmmaker, and Cecile Guidote Alvarez, a theater stalwart, have been proclaimed as National Artists. I am not here to lambast these two and say they don't deserve it. I am in no position and have no right to say that. They create art in their own way, as all artists are wont to do.

What affects me immensely is the disrepect for the protocol. The process is this: Selection committee names candidates > deliberation happens > awards are announced.

Now the two are named National artists without going through the process. Someone from up there just said, hey, I think these two are cool, let's just give them the award. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a great disservice to the community.

I've seen talented friends give up their would-be careers in art, because they lost faith in the system. Simply put, they weren't taken seriously. I've seen the exodus of Philippine talent go to Hong Kong and work in Disneyland because it was a job that paid well. These are people who are well respected in the theater and dance community, who can change lives in our country, but couldn't -- well, because they needed to survive.

The National Artist slate isn't just a trophy to massage egos. It is a validation that indeed, there is hope that artists will be appreciated and taken seriously. A validation that disproves how some people see art as frivolous and unnecessary. With total disrespect for something as simple as a process...what message does that send? I feel as if little by little, my freedom and rights are taken away from me.

Cory fought for freedom and democracy. Democracy is something we enjoy unconsciously in our daily lives. You like watching the teleseryes on ABS-CBN? Well, guess what, you're watching that right now because of Cory. You like walking around without a curfew in the evening? Yup, democracy. You like the fact that your government is accountable to you? That is freedom.

One of the most touching speeches I've heard was when Cory claimed that "this is my contract with the people". Her contract of accountability to the nation. If something as "little" as the process of giving out an award is disrespected, then I'm afraid for the bigger things that can happen/is happening. We need to keep being angry. Once you stop being angry, then it is hope you're giving up. Or worse, it would mean that you're accepting this as a way of life.

I still have hope for this nation, and I promise to keep fighting the good fight in my own little way. Because if not, then I might as well give up my rights as a Filipino.

Circo De Baila - June 14, 2009

At Baila Dance Studio's circus-themed recital last June 14 at the Insular Theater Alabang.

Everyone's faces were painted, the kids danced hiphop in animal costumes (cute!), there were dancing magicians, mimes, the excellent gymnasts. I could go on and on. And of course, the superb choreography. One of Baila's best productions, I must say.

I danced Flamenco Oriental by Dalida. Will post a video once it's uploaded :)