The last dance for now

Tonight is the grand finals of Shall We Dance: The Celebrity Dance Challenge. Up for grabs is half-a-million pesos. From the 12 pairs who were competing throughout the 13-week season we are now down to the final four – three of them monthly champions and the fourth pair, a wildcard entry. The last pair was actually eliminated during the course of the competition rounds but is in the running because of a twist where viewers were asked to text who they wanted back on the dance floor.

Being part of the show has been a rewarding experience. And although it sometimes gets nerve-wracking and suspenseful, there has never been a working day that was not fun and rich with laughter. I once heard my co-host, Dominic Ochoa, say, "No matter how tired I am, why do I always look forward to reporting to the set of Shall We Dance"? My sentiments exactly.

I never thought I would enjoy doing the show as much as I do now. Each step I have to learn is a challenge I know I will enjoy. There really is nothing like dancing your worries away.

The studio in the ABC 5 compound where we tape the show has become a playground, a very happy one at that. The working atmosphere is light, there is a lot of good cheer going around. This is rare in the supposedly high-strung environment of a TV network.

Because the format of the show is a competition between celebrity-and-professional dance-instructor duos, it already ups the ante as far as performances go. Rarely did we have celebrity contestants who did not give it their all. Initially, they admitted to saying yes out of curiosity, or a sense of fun. But I guess enthusiasm is as infectious as it is rousing. In every batch of challengers (there are four pairs per), there is bound to be at least two pairs who really, truly take the contest seriously from the onset. Naturally, when the other pairs see the level of competition they are up against they immediately rise to the challenge. That is when the show becomes really juicy.

Who would have thought the footwork of a professional boxer could take him far into the competition? Or that a big basketball player could actually move with grace and gusto and charmingly pull off a ballroom and hip-hop combo? There are comedians who insert humor into their routine without butchering the dance, unlikely characters whom the judges find oozing with sex appeal once they hit the dance floor, sexy stars who turn out to be sensitive dancers, female celebrities who have such natural flair and passion for the art they could actually compete professionally if they really set their hearts on it.

Tonight will be a sum of all that the show has been for the past 15 weeks. It is our season-ender and we give back to all of you what you have also generously given us. We have been enjoying very good ratings, many thanks to you guys, and because you welcome us into your homes every Sunday night we will soon embark on yet another exciting season. Yes, we are on to season 2. What it has in store for all of us is as much your guess as it is mine.

For now, we have tonight. I will be dancing a swing-chachacha-and-samba medley for the opening, the celebrity judges will have their own production number, the dance challengers will show off their best moves – we have many surprises in store for you. Oh, and because we are airing live you can participate by helping your favorite pair win. Just text in your votes, the instructions will be flashed on your TV screens. This will be a showdown you will surely enjoy. Don’t miss it.

Come dance with us tonight at 8 p.m. sharp (we are coming in an hour earlier than usual). I promise you, it will be fun.