Chelo hangs up her dancing shoes

A change of guards in music is inevitable now that we have started not just a new year but a whole new decade. And who better to be the voice for Generation Z than Chelo Aestrid?

 One of the founding members of prized hip-hop dance group, Philippine All Stars, that won in the 2006 and 2008 World Hip-Hop Dance Championships, Chelo hangs up her dancing shoes to focus on her first love, singing. She does so in a big way with the release of her self-produced album, Love, Life And D’light, in February which is composed of 24 tracks that bear positive messages.

“I want to sing about how to treat people right, pride in being Filipino, spirituality and other inspirational subjects. I’ve seen both victory and defeat but I know that in all, we can achieve because of who we are and what we’re made of,” she said.

The titles of her songs that border on hip-hop, R&B and funk certainly tell music lovers that they are in for a feel-good experience. Some of these are Boracay, Someday, Diamonds In The Rough, All About Timing and the promotional song, Pinays Rise.

 It will be remembered that in 2001, Chelo released a solo album titled Nice To Meet You. Two years later, she joined a group called Flavors that generated enough buzz to land them guest appearances on several TV variety shows.

 Even with Philippine All Stars, Chelo did not entirely turn her back on singing. The group recorded the song Mainit, which eventually won Video of the Year at the Urban Music Awards and Song of the Year at the 2010 Hip-Hop Music Awards.

 The only time the singer-dancer went into hiatus from entertainment was when she finished college in London. As with all her endeavors, Chelo finished her studies with excellence by receiving a First Class Honours (Summa Cum Laude), BA degree in Business Administration.

Through all of her achievements, Chelo remains humble; a virtue that, she says, she learned from Philippine All Stars.

 “I used to have a different mindset when I was younger. Being part of a group made me realize that the common goal is more important than yours, and that no man is an island.”

 Chelo’s genius, however, doesn’t end there. She co-founded and runs Capital G Shop, which proudly sells Original Pinoy Apparel and Music and supports underground independent local artists.

The artist also designs her own clothes. These are seen in her clothing line, BY:Chelo+G, which specializes in ladies urban gear.

 What can Chelo not do?

 “I can’t do the gymnastics stuff in dancing. The most I can do is turn cartwheels,” she admits with a laugh.

 Never mind. Anyway, Chelo is multi-lingual, can act and, yes, she can even design a whole subdivision.

More than enough to make up for any perceived shortcomings, right?

All the best, Chelo!