Ballet Academy of Cebu's 4th anniversary a must-see

This writer recently had the pleasure to chat with a world-class performer, a teacher, and a very supportive mother-and she's none other than Christine Javier Samonte.

Christine started studying ballet when she was 12 years old. She's a B.A. Economics (Major in Math) graduate, and is armed with a Masters degree. Her parents are natives of Leyte.

Ballet is one reason that keeps the 40-something Christine young and very sexy (she, in fact, looks like she's still in her 20s!). She is the Principal Dancer of the Ballet Academy of Cebu (BAC), where she trains and teaches aspiring ballerinas on the rigors of the different genres of this classical and most elegant dance form such as Classical Ballet, Russian Technique, Pop Ballet Jazz, and the New York Technique. Same with BAC, she also teaches ballet at the Southcrest School in Banilad for three years now. Actually the best technique that she teaches is the Vaganova Russian Technique, taught to her by a good friend in Dallas, USA.

She also runs a ballet dance company in the United States. She initially named it "Mabuhay," but later had it changed to the "Tina Samonte Ethnic Ballet," which holds yearly productions. The reason why she teaches ballet in Cebu is because she wants kids and other young hopefuls to discover the benefits and values of learning ballet. She said that ballet, being a form of dance that is characterized by graceful steps, poses, and other movements like leaps and spins, can be employed or incorporated into any kind of dance from modern dance to pop jazz to even dancesport. Apparently, the uses of ballet go beyond the field of dance. I was shocked when she mentioned that in America, ballet has served as a training ground for those who wish to become a football player.

She said that BAC particularly offers free scholarships for boys. Ballet classes, which have been drawing in more female students, are incomplete without male students. She's still looking for males who are strong and committed. According to her, there is a prevalent misconception that "a guy who dances ballet is gay, when, in fact, in the States and Manila, there are lots of boys who enroll in ballet because they love it."

She also has plans of teaching ballet in every barangay, but as of the moment, there are problems with regards to budget and most especially, time as her weekdays are devoted to Southcrest Academy, while Friday and Saturday are set for BAC.

The best age to start a serious study of ballet is from eight to ten years old for girls, while boys may begin somewhat later. This is because younger children may be harmed by the strenuous physical demands of a ballet class, while older children gradually lose the flexibility that is required for a good turnout. Girls usually begin "pionte" (or the use of the tip of one's toe) work after three years of training. If one starts ballet instruction in his late-teens, there is still a possibility that he can learn ballet, especially if he is determined to dance and embark on a professional career in the future.

All dancers, no matter how experienced or proficient they have become, still need to take daily classes to keep their bodies supple and strong. The exercises for warm up start with the use of a barre (a long rail that a dancer holds on to for balance and support), followed by some movements that will stretch the muscles, and loosen the joints. At the start, the exercises would be slow and sustained, because in this way, a dancer's sense of balance and fluidity of movement will be developed. The exercises will then increase in tempo with the dancer engaging in quick movements-from small jumps and beats to finally progressing to large, traveling steps, turns, and leaps. A class generally lasts an hour and a half. Her class is scheduled after schooling hours, and every 10-11:30 in the morning during Saturdays.

You can catch Ballet Academy of Cebu's 4th anniversary special at the Ayala Activity Center this coming September 3, 2006, 4 o'clock in the afternoon with the theme "From simply Classic to Disney tunes." See them and be amazed by the graceful world of ballet.

What's up at UV Nursing acquaintance party?

More or less 4,000 Nursing students of University of the Visayas will embrace some party, hip-hop, reggae and nostalgic beat at their upcoming acquaintance shindig dubbed "Embracing a Healthy Beat" on September 2, 2006 at the UV Banilad campus grounds. The event begins with a race course or the so-called Enduro Challenge with tri-athlete Ricky Pilapil during the day.

Entertainment is undeniably in full blast. ABS-CBN's "Sabado Na Game Na" (SNG) and "Jud Morning" kapamilyas will savor the beat as well. A live telecast by "Sabado Na Game Na" is sure to conquer the waves. Moreso, Cebu's top local bands like SRO are expected to take the students to endless hooplas from five till 10 p.m.

At the party, the future nurses will be making their way to get acquainted; enjoy some good music by in-house and Cebu's top local bands; applauding their batch representatives in the "Nursing Idol Search" and "Lalaki Ka, Diva?"; jamming and cheering for their fellows in the band competition; and using some adrenalin rush at the Enduro Challenge. Some food exhibitors will complement the party scene. Some Nursing students will flaunt their potentials in songs and dances while most shall be responsibly campaigning for "re-modeling of an image."

"Embracing a Healthy Beat" is in partnership with ABS-CBN TV 3, i-FM, Southbiz Ventures, Art Dynamics Cebu and The FREEMAN. It is supported by Coca Cola, San Miguel Corp., T.W.O, Dimsum Break, Potato Corner, Thirsty, Smokey's Holy Kettle, Dunkin Donuts, Belgian Waffle Express, California Chicken, and eApple Internet and Study Lounge.