Performing every Saturday, the engagement allows old friends to mingle and share their weekly experiences, a departure from their chosen field of work. Most of them are professional choreographers and DepEd Cebu City teachers holding high-ranking positions as either cultural or PESS coordinators.
The group made its humble beginnings in 1988 where a handful coming from dance troupes of different colleges and universities of the city made headlines as a performing group named Heavenly Bodies Dance Company, perennially performing at the former Lantaw Restaurant of Cebu Plaza Hotel. For five years they performed there. Since then, they were able to make astounding performances in numerous hotels and resorts of Cebu. Some members even highlighted their name performing in the Great Garciani magical show.
The group changed their former name to Hiyas when they found an existing group in Manila with the same name.
According to them, monetary return is secondary to precious time for camaraderie during show schedules when all of them get to unwind weekly from their work and families.
The group also performs Hawaiian, Broadway, Latin and modern pop dances designed to suit clients' requests for birthday celebrations, weddings, reunions and out-of-town dance engagements.
The members of Hiyas ng Bituin Dance Company are Thea Ruelo, Zora Bacalso, Hazel Barro, Wendy Espinosa, Renezar Jotham Ferrolino, Stephen Bandibas, Paul Villareal, Vincent Desquitado, Voltaire and Julius Sotto, Ragus Garces, Reynold Gabrillo, Florante Ochada, Jennette, Ethel and Jessie Jumamoy, with Manuel Caalim as group manager.
Stressing passion and love for culture, HNBDC continues to grow stronger with every performance. Perfecting craft and skill, they soar high for better opportunities that will help them grow into a more mature group of dance artists worthy of emulation.