2009 Metro DC Dance Awards

The Annual Metro DC Dance Awards were held at the Terrace Theatre of the Kennedy Center on September 14th. I was stunned to win the "Outstanding Individual Performance" award for my performance of "Nocturne Monologue" by Jason Hartley at the Kennedy Center last year. What made this more special was that this award was presented jointly to myself and my fellow CityDance Ensemble dancer Delphina Parenti for her performance in "On a Train Heading South" in CityDance Ensemble's "The Songwriters" at the Music Center at Strathmore. I honestly went to the awards ceremony to enjoy the show, mingle with friends, see new and different artists and have an excuse to dress up nicely. Nonetheless, it was such a great honor to be recognized by the Washington DC Metropolitan area dance community.

Too Good To Be True!

Whew! After a long wait, I finally premiered my very first huge dance, "The Mountain" at the Millennium Stage of the Kennedy Center. It was an amazing feeling seeing how people responded to the dance, with both nights receiving standing ovations and there being standing room only because we ran out of space.

To be honest, it hadn't struck me on the night what had just happened, but now after a couple of days, it has finally sunk in and it's amazing: I have just finished my very first show and performed my first full length choreography. Not only that, I was honored to have the Ambassador of the Philippines present, His Excellency Willy C. Gaa, who opened the show with a beautiful speech and presented me with the "Pearl Cultural Heritage Award".

This opportunity has changed my life for the better and I am still trying to come to terms with everything that has happened. I am still pinching myself to see if I'm dreaming.

None of this could have happened without the support and guidance of my colleagues at CityDance Ensemble, the Kennedy Center and the Philippine Embassy, who have never failed to be there at my side. I also have to give my heartfelt thanks to the Filipino community who have united to give their support for "The Mountain", and to all my family and friends, whom have kept me going throughout the entire process.

Finally, now that the premiere is over, I am going to carry on doing what I love - keep on dancing in the music and see wherever the tide takes me.

Salamat.