A lot of people said they wouldn’t bounce back. A lot said they wouldn’t win again. But here they are, winning yet another title. The Philippine Allstars just won the Dance2Dance Competition in Switzerland. It amazes me how they remain to conquer the dance world and how incredibly humble and down-to-earth they remain to be after all the wins and championships.
What I love about the Allstars is their impetus to give back. Since their starting years from 2005, they’ve always tried to share what they have to the community despite limitations especially when they were first starting out. They always knew that they weren’t only representing for themselves but for Filipinos all over and ever since then, what they’ve shared to the world now is an accolade beyond comparison – an undisputed recognition to Filipino dancers. I’ve learned a lot from the Allstars most especially from the interview I had with them a couple of years ago. What was just supposed to be a concise interview turned into more than an hour of storytelling of the Allstars’ journey and deep-rooted philosophy. You would understand how I was personally moved as Kenjohns, Sheena and Lema poured the innards of their journey and their life as a group together. From that day forward, to be honest, I have never held such high regard nor respect to any other dance crew but them. Ever since that day of the interview, I knew something inside me changed. That change propelled me to help in one of their projects back then, collaborate together and later on, take training under them.
Last year, on the opening of the Allstars Dance School, they held a summer showcase. I was picked as one of the dancers to perform with them on stage and the experience was priceless. They held an open audition for dancers who’d like to join them perform and all I can say after that audition was that I emerged a better dancer through everything. If being watched by all of the Allstars dance and cypher wouldn’t make you a better dancer, I don’t know what would. Apart from teaching choreography, they told us to freestyle on the spot, making an all together cypher. The Allstars couldn’t have been more gracious as they cheered and encouraged some shy ones during freestyle. After a few days, I got a text from Ate Tzy (Michelle Tzy Salazar – resident B-girl of Allstars) saying that I was picked as one of the dancers to perform and we had rehearsals for the next coming days. I am still very thankful.
Having been able to rehearse and perform with the Allstars was just amazing and even saying it like that is still an understatement for me.
Love the provocativeness of this picture.
Grooving.
Showing the boys what’s up.
“Fly”
Thankful for the moment.
Yesterday was the 6th anniversary of the Philippine Allstars and their recent win at the Dance2Dance Competition in Switzerland was definitely the perfect way to celebrate.
Happy anniversary Philippine Allstars and congratulations on all the achievements! 6 years strong and counting. You will always be my biggest inspiration.
LRN NCL 