Yap Session: How Dance Found Me (because I definitely wasn't looking)

How did I get into dance?

As I mentioned in my First Yap Session: Why I Started This Whole Thing.. I’ve been dancing since Grade 2, and the funny thing is, I got into it completely by accident!

2011 I (accidental) Dance Competition in SM Bacoor

One day, someone came into our classroom asking who wanted to audition for a dance competition. I raised my hand, and when they asked if I wanted to join, I immediately said no.. I was just trying to ask for permission to use the restroom lol!

On my way back to class, I passed by the audition area and stopped to watch. One of the facilitators noticed me standing there and asked me, “Naliligaw ka ba? Dito ang pila sa audition!” Next thing I knew, I was in line auditioning..

The audition was pretty simple–we were basically following a choreography being taught to us.. and somehow, I passed! Then we entered the competition and ended up winning first place.

And just like that, my dance journey started : )

2016 I Red's in Motion for NCAA in MOA Arena

Outside of school, I met one of my childhood friends, Ate Maegan, who loved dancing just as much as I did and is an amazing dancer! We spent so much of our childhood learning choreographies together, especially from Matt Steffanina. At first, she would teach me routines she learned from his tutorials, and once we finally had internet at home, I started learning them on my own too.

We’d spend afternoons filming dance covers and trends in our clubhouse or at the basketball court, carrying our own speakers around like we were preparing for a world tour lol! Looking back, those were some of my favorite memories growing up.

2020 I SSInergy for "The Promised Land" in CCP

And before I knew it, dance became a much bigger part of my life! What started as one random competition eventually turned into dance classes, performances, workshops, and opportunities I never would have imagined for myself as a kid. 

It’s funny how something that started because I needed to use the restroom ended up becoming such a huge part of my life! Dance gave me confidence, friendships, discipline, and so many unforgettable experiences. And somewhere along the way, between school competitions, performances, YouTube tutorials, and countless dance covers, it became more than just a hobby–it became part of who I am. 

D.