Pampanga’s king of retro dancing

Who says retro is out? Not in Fitness First Pampanga, where most members are die-hard retro fans. Once they attend a retro class, one of the club’s most attended group exercises, people will get addicted to the activity and look forward to joining it again.

Retro dancing, based on moves and music that date back to the disco era of the ‘70s and the electronic phenomena of ‘80s music, has become a source of therapy and relaxation for most of the health club members, especially whenever they have the so-called “bad-hair day.”

Dance instructor Jeremaine “Jer” Herosa’s retro classes are always jampacked — be it early in the morning, or in the evening.

Jer has also conducted classes in different Fitness First clubs in Metro Manila such as the ones in ABS-CBN, Robinsons Place and SM North. But he says the Pampanga club has the most number of enrolees — and the happiest at that.

His easy-to-follow dance moves and interaction with members of the class encourage people to attend his retro sessions.

“Even the music played during the classes create the party mood and encourage people to join,” says Jer. The tracks he uses, Rico Mambo, New York, Rio, Tokyo, Are You Ready for Loving Me?, September and Shake that Groove Thing are his favorites.

Jer’s background shows he’d go a long way in becoming a favorite dance instructor. In fact, if he pursued his career in dancing on different TV shows such as Tsibugan Na, Chow Time and Hatawan sa Trese, to name a few, Jer may have become famous now not just in Pampanga, but in the whole country as well.

A former member of the popular Solid Gold Dancers and different dance groups that performed on TV, 30-year-old Jer was also a backup dancer to then sexy stars Lara Morena, Aya Medel and Stella Ruiz. He was also one of the dancers on VIP’s Party People and Keep on Dancing hosted by Charlene Gonzalez.

His stint as a dancer for different TV shows that almost brought him to fame now remains just a happy memory to Jer. Does he want to go back to his former dance groups?

Jer replies, “Not yet. They have split up already. Some of the members died from accidents, while many took a turn for the worse becaue of drugs.”

For now, Jer enjoys watching club members perform ala dancing kings and queens in his retro classes. It brings him so much joy seeing them appreciate his moves, choice of music and effort in bringing fun and laughter that promote camaraderie among members.

The enjoyable tracks in Jer’s class mirror his contentment and satisfaction. Because of this, he is well-appreciated and loved. He has become the Pampangueños’ Retro King.