What do you think of our dance community today? What do we need to improve it? First, lets define muna the dance community we are referring to here. Sometimes we generalize, we forget na ang laki-laki pala ng DANCE COMMUNITY. When we consider all the ballet companies, or the more established dance groups like Powerdance, or how about the ballroom-istas? When you think about it, ang laki-laki pala talaga ng Philippine dance community! Id like to speak na lang in behalf of the dancers I am surrounded with, thats the combination of performers from the mainstream (people doing concerts, commercials, TV stuff), competition scene, and the hip hop dance community. I think this small community of dancers have really pushed the standards up! Im trying to remember how it was 8 years ago when I was just starting as a professional dancer. When I try to compare it, ang laki-laki na ng pinagbago. Everything for the better naman, and I am so happy that Im part of that generation who helped change the standards. If theres one thing na napapansin kong mali, is the lack of one-ness in the community. I have mentioned above yung iba pang group of dancers... theres a need to educated everyone, or at least make everyone aware na malaki ang mundo. We need to establish the RESPECT for our differences in terms of genre, walang magaling, walang MAS magaling. Pantay-pantay lang naman yan, because almost all of us train hard for our craft. Matagal nang pinu-push to pero walang nangyayari, maybe because mali yung way to start it or theres lack of someone in the position to start the revolution? But we really need a Dancers Guild in the Philippines. I am not after standardizing rates/professional fees (because as I see, most managers are afraid of that). What I want to see is a dance community in the Philippines where dancers are protected mula sa mga mapagsamantalang producers. We need a guild to secure all our Philippine teams are funded, so we can send the best out there and represent the country. Fine, people can hate me, but this is the truth. Id like to take our experience in the recent HHI in Las Vegas experience. There were 7 teams sent, pero sa America na nagkita-kita ang mga teams. I mean, makakasalubong mo na lang, mapapatanong ka sa sarili mo, wait, Filipino ba to? You are not sure. Doon na lang, sa simpleng bagay na yan you see if the dance community is ONE. To be honest, its NOT. Walang action plan, I see all the other teams like from Australia, magkakaiba silang group but during the delegation night, may iisa silang uniform. THE DETAILS. You see it, you see na they are proud to represent of their country. Philippines is always feared in HHI but from the last experience, there was lack of unity, walang game plan. Thats why I am allergic to the hashtag #PinasPataas because I dont see it. Maybe I am guilty in a way na I could have reached out more to the other teams? BUT THIS SHOULD BE MUTUAL!t Im not trying to blame anyone, Im just saying na its time to call this thing out and DO SOMETHING! Ang labanan dapat sa stage na lang nangyayari, lets support everyone! Going back, we need an avenue where there can be an exchange of knowledge, ang problema sa atin we are nurturing a concept na mas magaling ang mga taga-ibang bansa sa atin. We crave to take their classes. Sure, iba yung style nila. But Ive been there, Ive seen it. Mas magaling pa rin tayong mga Filipino. Im not saying na wag mag-take ng classes, but I hope kahit sa dance community magsimula, lets all push and start patronizing local talents. Thats the only time we can be truly be proud of bragging na what were doing is homegrown. Miss Joe Abuda Artistic and Managing Director, The ADDLIB Note: You may comment and share your thoughts and suggestions. Much love!
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 05:37:21 +0000
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