I had been in so much of my commitments lately that it became my priorities ever since summer started. I had been working since last year too, and been dancing in some serious matters since March. But to be honest, I never expected things would go weird & difficult to understand lately..
June 2009, I had started working at my part time job as cashier in a theatre nearby, it was fun coz I had been working with cool and chill people, had good hours, making money for expenses, and at the same time getting myself out of boredom.
Late July / early August, I was invited by a coworker to join his dance crew. It was very glad to be involved in such experience coz I haven’t had it for the past year after leaving the Philippines. Actually, it was two coz my mom kept me in for a whole year with no school and all that to prepare for our move here in Canada.
Late August, I performed with the crew, called D.R.E.A.M. which stands for Dance Revolves Everything Around Me and won as crowd favourite in my theatre’s talent show. Although winning just a trophy, we still did something to show what we do and winning as crowd favourite still means something.
Early September, just before school started there was a Filipino Day at our local amusement park, which I met my friends from other dance crews & teams like C2 Genesys, Fo’Real, Koresthetic, etc. They were amazing, got me inspired on dancing more and improve for my crew, and as a motivation to be better too. The show ended when So Real Cru performed after the competition, it was sick coz they performed two pieces, and one of it was their competition piece for Hip Hop International. It was an awesome day too coz I get to be in Canada’s Wonderland with some people from my crew which is like a crew bonding somehow.
Sometime during school days, some of our team members organized an auditions for highschool team, which is a good thing for me coz they want the crew to continue and live on and keep dancing. DREAM competed for Toronto’s Best High School Dance Crew on October 30 by which they placed 4th amongst a number of crews in Toronto or the GTA. I was so happy when I was watching them coz they were represring their school and hehee carrying on the name of what most of the people of my crew started.
Beforehand, on October 24 there was the very first BeatDown competition here in Toronto. In it’s fors year it was soo intense coz teams, not only in Toronto or in the GTA, crews or dance companies from other territories came to compete, like Sikat Dance Company from Winnipeg, which came 1st place, followed by I Rock With The One from Missisauga, Ontario as second place, and by T.R.U.S.T. By Toronto. All crews gave out their best and showed awesome pieces to the crowed, and ended it up with showcases by Victor Kim from ABDC’s Quest Crew, Kaba Modern’s Mike Song, and Addy Chan.
Mid December, I started coming to classes more, which is held by KOREsthetic dance crew. This was a good experience coz aside from just dancing, I was learning and training myself on dancing through classes.
Late December, my heart broke when my Lolo (grandpa) passed away. He has supported me since I was younger, and when I started playing instruments, and dancing back home. I felt that I lost a part of me, the motivation I’ve been having eversince, and the only person who supports me on everything in his very extent. This I say coz I never felt my parents’ fullest support whenever I’m in stage, dance floor, or whatnot.. I kept going even though he passed away; I kept going to class and didn’t let my parents keep me away from what I love doing – dance. RIP Lolo <3
Early January 2010, I took a workshop hosted by KORE that features Arnel Serrano from Philippine AllStars, JP Amio from Bucc n'Flvr, KORE's very own Dan D. For me, it ws awesome coz I am learning other styles too aside from just KORE's. Other than that, meeting people from other crews are fun too, especially when I'm meeting a member of the Philippine AllStars and learning from them and their style of dancing. One of the best classes I had
Early February, C2Genesys were hosting a monthly workshop at their studio, and this helped me to learn other styles too. Like Mikey Le taught a tutting piece, while my friend, coworker (at that time) and co-DREAM member taught a krump piece. It was such a great time too coz I had my comembers of DREAM (both highschool & outside crew) were there to learn – worth the $10 pre reg
Late February, I had a huge talk with my friend Rondel on our way home from work. I told him I wanted to stop dancing for a bit coz I'm loosing my motivation on it (like my Lolo). He told me to come at their studio and dance with them, ending up that he told one of the leaders that he put me in the team and to dance with them.
Early March, I started coming to their studio and practice with C2 Genesys. Then on it was so much fun coz I felt that I belong to something and welcomed. Sharing what we love and sharing the love for what we do towards another. This started to make me feel that I'm part of their dance family
Early of May 2010, my heart broke again when my mom and dad separated with laws intact. It was hard for me coz having my family was breaking apart.. My dad's not home, my mom doesn't care about us even when she gets home – doesn't even talk to us for no reason. I technically had to feed my 2 siblings and take care of them. I stressed over it coz I'm still going to school and been working as part time too, add to that I had commitments with my dance family. Dance became my outlet of my stress. Later on I started to have consecutive headaches for no reason. I told myself it could be the change of temperature or whatnot, but it went on. I couldn't do homeworks and finish them on time coz I had to sleep it out, I couldn't move much at dance coz I might drop sometime soon, and even at work as well. I had my check ups and my doctor said i'm lacking of sleep. He told me that I need to sleep more, and stop stressing over things – I'm still young for that he says. Sigh, I guess he's right, gotta stop stressing!
Early June I had another best workshops of the year coz FORMALity came in town to teach a workshop. Again, learning their style dancing & style of teaching are huge adjustment coz they're known great dancers and teachers, and this was my first time. This was a good day too coz I spent a great day with the team coz we're learning all at once and we received tons of mental notes from great perspectives of great people, together hearing and taking in what Erik Saradpon is telling us. One word: Inspiring
Late June, old friends from the Philippines came to visit! Actually, they came for more than a visit – chills, workshops, and concert! The Philippine AllStars came all the way here in Torontk for their Canada Concert Tour! C2 Genesys, R.A.W., T.I.T.s, D.R.E.A.M., Bucc n'Flvr, JaeSpillz, Knowa Lazarus, JReyez and a lot more performed at the event. I feel bad coz more performers could've performed, and a lot of people could have made it to watch and meet the AllStars, but couldn't because of the G20 Summit hat happened in downtown core of Toronto. Hopefully, they would come back and redo their tour soontimes.. On the other hand, I had a good time reuniting with old friends too, like Arnel, but especially Josh – it's been two years since we last talked coz after I left the homeland we had no contact anymore, not even on yahoo messanger or friendster or whatnot. Now that we reunited, we have better connections which are through facebook & skype – talking like good old times
At the same time, me and the dance fam had started to practice for our upcoming competition which is BeatDown 2010 on August 21, to where us C2 Genesys and 11 other crews such as BOSS, Fo'Real, Woof Legacy, I Rock With The One, LIVE, Bucc n'Flvr, The Union, Twisted Vybe, Qaotic, Moon Runners, and last year's 1st place Sikat Dance Company are competing against each other. In my opinion, I feel bad coz I will be competing against my friends from other crews, but it's good too in a way that we're showing each other what we're capable of and we practically are sharing the same passion.
Lately, I was trying to be good and trying different things like krump and some other styles. I thought I'll be good but I ended up injuring myself with causing a click on my right chest- shoulder part of my body. I couldn't breath properly and my right arm just suddenly felt numb. I couldn't dance properly and full out coz I was trying to be careful not to hurt myself too much and cause more pain. Next thing I know I won't be dancing in BeatDown which made me sad, but eventually made me feel good coz at that meantime I could recover from my recent pain and get it checked. A week or two after I had it checked and the results were okay, my doctor said just keep going, but don't forget to drink milk for the bones, sleep well and eat properly, and if anything I should drink advil after a meal.
For the past week, July 10-16, I have been dancing nonstop on those days (except Tuesday coz I was working), and haven't had a break yet. Saturday July 10 me and the dance fam took the Tre Armstrong's free workshops downtown, but I had to leave early coz I had work in the evening. Sunday I took a KORE class by Kirby Singian, then Monday took Lenny D's Flavor Shop for the first time (I heard he's soooooooo sick!), then Tuesday I had work so still no break, then Wednesday practice with the team/dance fam then went to Lenny's after, then Thursday & Friday practice with the team.
On the 16th I finally met this awesome choreographer! And on the 17th of July, I had an awesome weekend with the team as we take a workshop along with GRV's Jawn Ha! He gave us massive inspiration and motivation for not stopping and keep on going til we reach our goal. It was honestly proven when we were dancing his routines despite of the heat and having no ac at all. Dancing his Get Outta Your Mind piece, was honestly intense coz lead by our very own Diamond Osoteo, we did not stop dancing his piece until we actually get it and perfected it. Feeling David Forteau's sore body, he still did not stop. Feeling that they were pushing all the way, I didn't stop as well. Even when they were cyphering and David bboyed, despite the pain I have on my chest/shoulder I tried to breakdance for a bit and do some tricks or something, and j ended doing good (as Lista and David said so) at it.
For the span of time that I've been in this dance life and despite of the ups and down, I'm loving it, coz I know people got my back, I got theirs, and He got ours
<3