Dancing Genes: From Stage Lights to Laundry Day

 

In our family, if there’s one thing that truly stands out—besides our unmatched talent for savoring every bite of culinary delights—it’s our natural gift for dancing that moves hearts and souls.  Now, before my brother objects, let’s all agree on this eternal truth: he has two left feet. Relax, bro—it’s not a flaw; it’s a feature! You’re the anchor to our rhythm, the steady ground beneath our cha-chas and sambas. Every family needs someone to keep things grounded while the rest of us groove into stardom.  But props to my brother—he may have dodged the dancing genes, but he’s a wizard of photography and painting.🕺

 

Who’s the real shining star of our sister dance troupe? My elder sister, next to me, of course! Back in the day, she was one of the Penthouse dancers during the era of Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera. She embodied elegance, with the sleek and shapely poise of a jazz dancer in her prime. These days, though, I might need to double-check her résumé—she’s now happily settled in Canada with three grown-up kids, one of whom recently got married. These days, her interpretive dances probably involve laundry baskets more than spotlights! LOL.  Every so often, she is still sought after to choreograph for a group of passionate dancers who share her love for the art. 

 

But hey! Three of us sisters, myself included, share the gift of swaying our hips with flair. Who says dancing is only for those with perfectly agile and flexible bodies? We've all embraced the grace and fluidity of trained dancers! My self-proclaimed 'dancing journey (if I may call it that.  LOL)  began back in high school when I joined the cheer dance team. From there, it became a passion that carried me through college and beyond. To this day, when my high school classmates organize events like Christmas parties, I’m still happily stepping in to create choreography, always pro bono, of course. 

 

In the vibrant world of ballroom dancing, my eldest sister undeniably steals the spotlight. Her movements exude the refined elegance of a seasoned professional, honed through training sessions with an expert two to three times a week. Like the rest of us (if I may humbly say so), she’s a natural-born artist. Back in college, her artistic talents shone through her flawless paintings and sketches. Nowadays, she channels that same creative spirit into the graceful and captivating realm of ballroom dancing. Every now and then, my sisters and I indulge in our shared passion, gliding across the dance floors of Club Filipino in Greenhills, Savanna along E. Rodriguez, or occasionally at La Vie En Rose in Quezon City.

There’s so much to say about dancing.  It is more than just an activity for me and my sisters—it's truly a way of life. We like to imagine ourselves still moving to the beat well into our 90s, though that might be a stretch (pun intended). Haha! Here's to the enduring beauty of dancing, a timeless passion that we hope inspires not just women, but anyone to embrace the rhythm of life.