Lucy puts her dancing shoes back on

MANILA, Philippines - Among the many tasks on her shoulders — as a wife, mother, politician and showbiz personality — Lucy Torres-Gomez never denies that it is public service that tests her ability the most.

“It’s really a daily exercise in humility; it’s an exercise in commitment,” Lucy told The STAR after the presscon for Celebrity Dance Battle, her latest TV5 show that is set to air on March 22. “Every day, you have to commit to it because it’s really difficult especially now for me when we come from a district that’s been badly hit by (Typhoon) Yolanda and it is overwhelming given the number of people that need to be helped, that need to be assisted and the things to be done, so nakakalula.”

Lucy is on her second term as representative of Leyte’s fourth district. Aside from Ormoc City, the fourth district of Leyte covers the towns of Albuera, Kananga, Merida, Isabel, Matag-oba and Palompon. Leyte was one of the provinces hardly hit by Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) November of last year. Until this day, survivors of the province are truly working hard to get back on their feet again. 

“I say that public service is an exercise in humility because not all the people whom you’ll come across with will treat you in the same way that you do. It is not easy to take steps to rebuild what was lost, you need to look for means that sometimes it’s not easy na hahabul-habulin mo because we cannot solely rely on the government. There were over 60 towns that have been affected. Mine (jurisdiction) is just one of the districts that got hit by Yolanda and there are dozens of others who also need help. Really our effort is to supplement also that of the government.”

So far, Lucy happily shared that they are coping and with the kind of resilience Pinoys possess, she strongly believes that everything will be in a better shape in the days to come. It was not the first time that Leyte was struck by a calamity. It can be recalled that in 1991, many lives were lost when a typhoon hit the province. “As long as hope is there then, we have every chance of making it through,” she assured.

And just like a soldier who is dedicated to her duty, Lucy never tires flying in and out of Leyte to check on her constituents and bring with her things that would help provide for their livelihood. In fact, it was last Tuesday when she distributed the first 70 bancas through the generosity of sponsors. The happiness that reflected on her kababayan’s faces is enough validation for the hard work. “The tears of joy and their smiles made all the hard work so worth it. We gave the entire village of 50 fishermen bancas. Kinabukasan nangisda na sila nakakatuwa.” That alone relieved the stress from her daily grind, she adds. “Di ba sobrang hectic, it’s like I’m here one day, then balik ulit sa Leyte the next day.”

Good thing, Lucy still finds the time to de-stress through dancing and as if luck is on her side, Celebrity Dance Battle came right along her alley. Showbiz, according to Lucy, keeps her sane. She believes that life cannot be all sadness and misery. Everyone needs to be refreshed in order to do more.

How does she keep a balance between showbiz and politics?

“You’ll make time for what you choose to have in your life. I’m lucky that even without a show, I always look at dance as my form of exercise. So, it has always been my outlet especially when times are very stressful. It’s more fun now because there’s a venue to apply what you’ve learned from the dance studio.”

Celebrity Dance Battle brings the ballroom dance competition to a whole new level by pitting celebrities against each other and pairing them up with dance partners who are determined to take their battle all the way to the champioship.

Asked about its difference from her previous show Shall We Dance? in 2005, Lucy said the two are essentially the same with ballroom as the core, only this time the Celebrity Dance Battle infuses modern dance steps. The contestants have the freedom to interpret music the way they want to without losing the concept of ballroom.

For its pilot episode, televiewers will see how cager Gary David performs some footworks on the dance stage with his partner cum dance instructress Stephanie Sabalo. They will be competing against three other celebrities Valerie Concepcion, Priscilla Meirelles and Kevin Balot with their respective dance partners.

Of course, Lucy is not about to leave all the dancing to her guests as televiewers will see her perform with co-hosts David and Anthony Semerad.

And since her husband Richard will soon be seen on TV5, would it also be possible for him to guest on Lucy’s show? “Well, mapipilit ko naman s’ya konting praktis lang,” Lucy quipped.

But Lucy cannot exactly tell if she could also act opposite Richard. Acting, she said, is not her cup of tea but “I have to act once in exchange of a classroom for the (Leyte’s fourth) district from Sen. Bong Revilla. But I can’t really see myself acting, dance na lang.” 

Would she dare do hip-hop in one of the show’s episodes?

“They asked me to try hip-hop before but it took me an hour to do one step. The moves are different and you really need to wear lawlaw na pants so in all certainty, I’ll never dance hip-hop.”