Boracay 2016: Coming Home to Judge our Next Generation of Dancers
Boracay has always had a special place in my heart. A place where I've constantly come back to during term breaks back in college. In a country where you are spoilt for choice with all the stunning beaches that abound, Boracay still stands out with its white sand so fine it feels like baby powder on your toes.
Being a beach baby, I couldn't have been happier when I was invited to judge the 6th Philippine Summer Ball in April 14 - 18, 2016. What better way to spend my summer than working at the beach and combining two of my favorite things in the world: DANCE and SEA.
Luckily, my dance godmom has a beach resort in Boracay where I've previously stayed in and absolutely love. I highly recommend this resort to everyone who plans on going to Boracay! Book your stay here: http://www.asyapremier-boracay.com/
They take care of you soon as you set foot in Caticlan.
No need to go to the public jetty. You get your own boat and private beach to dock in.
The warm smiles and welcome of the manager and the rest of the staff as I arrive at the resort's main building.
If you want to take a dip in the pool, Asya's waters are always the perfect temperature -- slated with special imported stones to keep the water warm at night, and refreshing during the hot sunny days.
Quick lunch by the sea.
A relaxing bath before teaching private dance lessons to competitors.
Getting a hearty breakfast before a long day of judging! With Maira - my closest friend in the dance competition world and my constant roommate at hotels all over the world when we were still competing. Oh, and she's also a Gold Medalist for Modern Standard (Ballroom) Discipline in the SEA Games. ;)
It was such a pleasure for me to teach and judge again in the Philippines, where I first started. Being the youngest Philippine National Champion at 15, I started my dance career quite early and advancing shockingly fast it felt like a whirlwind of event after major event to me. Fifteen years later, I went back to share my knowledge and experience and hopefully inspire more and more youth to take on dancing. The Philippines has so much raw talent waiting to be trained. It is innate in the Filipino to sing and dance, being in a culture of people who love to entertain and be entertained. Heck, even traffic enforcers dance in the streets back home. I truly wish the dancesport industry continues to grow in the Philippines and that the number of youth competitors increase each year. Not only to compete and win, but also for them to have a sustainable living by being compensated well to teach and perform. That is my wish.
All in all, it was a successful event where all the Filipino (and some foreign) dancers came together to celebrate our common love for dance.
All the dancers and judges coming together to party after the competition at one of the best clubs at this party island: Epic Club.
Until my next summer, Boracay. ❤️