Still alive and dancing!

Hello world. It's been awhile. I noticed that I still get a lot of visits from this site, but I haven't updated it in 2 years. WOW. So sorry about that, but I'm more active in Youtube nowadays. I post choreographies there, so please subscribe to my channel if you can.

Salome Choreography

Narain Narain Choreography

Ringa Ringa Choreography

Esma Yalli Choreography

Salma Ya Salama Choreography

Shoufou Shoufou Choreography

This is the 4th class for this workshop and I'm particularly happy about this. The ladies have caught on fast and the memory work is great. Looking forward to polishing the steps next week!

Making JLo proud since 1999 - Bellydancing to "Dance Again"

I decided to inject a bit of fun to the class by combining bellydance moves with modern jazz (I'm a jazz dancer by training, then shifted to bellydance when I injured my knee). I love JLo and I've used her music for some choreographies. My students learned this dance in one session - that's pretty good memory and focus for beginners.

Who's the Fairest Choreography

Another pop song - Who's the Fairest - by Shani. Fun, energetic, and easy to remember!

I'm baaaaaack!

As my students know, I took a year long hiatus from dance because of a little bundle of joy that was on the way. It broke my heart to decline offers for shows, classes and workshops, but as every mother out there knows, it was definitely worth it.

I have been blessed with very understanding students and clients, who were giddy with excitement for this next phase in my life. It was also a pleasant surprise to receive a lot of positive comments for the Alf Leila Wa Leila choreography (29,204 views on YouTube y'all!). That coupled with all the teaching and show requests I've received is fuel enough to bring me back to dance world...with a vengeance!

I have two shows lined up so far - one for a Moroccan-themed wedding, and another for a Mediterranean 7th birthday party. I hope to teach again by May. Being a mother, my perspective has changed, but the passion is still as strong as ever. It's all a matter of time management this time around, wish me luck!

See you all on the dance floor :)

Alf Leila Wa Leila Choreography

I've always wanted to choreograph classic Egyptian music. I've always veered toward Turkish or Egyptian pop for my classes, mainly because it's easier to choreograph and easier for students to memorize. Pop is, well, predictable: 32 counts here, 32 counts there, chorus, rinse and repeat.

Classic Egyptian music is unpredictable. You don't know when the beat will change, when the instruments will come in, when it's going to speed up or slow down.

And that's exactly what makes it beautiful.

It might be difficult for my memory, but seeing it all come together makes it worth it.



Anyway, it's been a crazy month. With all the shows for Christmas parties, I am glad to have the time to update. I'll update more when I have a chance to grab pics. Until then :)

Waka Waka Choreography

I know, I know. The World Cup fever has died down like a month ago. But still, this is one fun dance. Shakira does another "dance-able-can't-stop-moving-to-the-beat" hit again.

Canon Pixma Launch - September 2, 2010 - Establishment, The Fort

4 bellydancers plus 6 printers. We thought we were all that...until the Ms. Earth pageant titlists showed up. Hmp. :p

Bellydance Superstar Visits Manila!

I got so excited the first time I heard that someone was bringing in the Bellydance Superstars in Manila. World famous bellydancers don't usually come to Manila. This is precisely why a lot of us Manila-based dancers travel to Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and China to attend workshops. So when That's D Pointe announced that Moria and Petite Jamilla were coming over, I immediately thought of all the money I will save -- no more airplane rides to enjoy a workshop.

So on August 6, we booked Moria for a private workshop (my first time to book someone for a private workshop. I usually attend the public classes). Petite Jamilla wasn't able to make it because of a family emergency. That's ok though, one teacher is better than none at all!

Moria taught us a tribal fusion choreography. The muscle work was difficult, but it's learn-able with a lot of patience and strength training.

On August 8, we attended a hafla with the workshop participants, with of course, Moria as the special guest.

Habibi Ya Eini and Tabel Ya Issam - Choreography

Another choreography completed by my lovely students. Two songs this time!

Bellydancing with KC Concepcion - July 1, 2010

So during my birthday, I got the rare treat to do a shoot with KC Concepcion for her morning show "Simply KC". The guest for the day was Vina Morales, and the topic was motherhood. So you ask me, what the hell does motherhood have to do with belly dancing?

Well, easy! Fitness is something moms forget because they get too caught up in daily errands. So a fun way to keep fit is by engaging in sports and other activities. In this case, belly dancing was the activity of choice. Yay!

Drama Queen, Veil Dance - Complete Choreography

We've finally completed the Drama Queen choreography! A big round of applause to my students, who executed the choreography well. Those eight sessions of sweat, body pain, and sore muscles were worth it after seeing this. Until the next choreography!

Turkce Yer Belly Dance Night - May 20 '10

Another show at Turkce Yer, this time with another enigmatic dancer - Kim Kong. We decided to do a spontaneous number together, using Tabel Ya Issam, a song we've both used for previous performances. Oh, we had so much fun! Here is the outcome:



It was my lucky night -- a talented photographer, Bert Aricheta, was taking pictures that night.

Drama Queen, Veil Dance Choreography

Here we are again with our dance class videos! My students are starting to hate me for posting videos publicly. But ladies, there is nothing to be ashamed of, I mean, look at your progress!

For this workshop, we're doing a veil choreography, by special request. The students wanted to use props, and I think the veil is perfect for their first exposure to belly dance props. This is us at the 5th lesson for this workshop, the choreography is about 2/3 done. Stay tuned for the complete dance, I should be posting that within 2 weeks.

Turkce Yer Belly Dance Night - April 30 '10

This was a special show, as there were 3 soloists performing - all with different styles. Aside from myself, there was Jill and Rosanna. Here's hoping we all dance together again soon.