Blazer dancer loves bagoong, lumpia

PORTLAND, Oregon — Two members of the Portland dance squad welcomed the Adidas Asian Streetball champions of San Beda College in a private reception an hour before the start of the National Basketball Association (NBA) game between the visiting Houston Rockets and the Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden last week.

To the surprise of the Filipino cagers, one of the Blazer Dancers turned out to be part Filipina.

Ione (Onie) Chaco, 21, was born in Tumon, Guam, and said both her parents Albert and Mary trace their roots to the Philippines. Exactly where in the Philippines, Onie wasn’t sure. But one thing for certain, she grew up eating lumpia, which she loves. And Onie said she also craves for bagoong.

"Both my parents cook and they know all the best Filipino recipes," said Onie who is in her fourth year with the Blazer Dancers. "I was born and raised in Guam where I went to John F. Kennedy high school."

She has lived in Portland the last five years.

Onie, who has represented Guam in beauty pageants, took up business at Clark College in Portland but temporarily stopped schooling to concentrate on her work with the Blazer Dancers. She also does work as a legal clerk in a law firm.

The third of five children, Onie said dancing for the Blazers is a challenging job.

"Every year, about 200 dancers try out for the squad and only 17 are chosen," she said. "It doesn’t matter if you were a dancer previously. You’ve got to go out and make the team every year."

Onie said her job is exciting and she’s optimistic the Blazers will turn around this season. Her favorite player is rookie forward Martell Webster.

The 5-1 dancer said the Los Angeles Lakers are her least liked NBA team and her favorite singer is Christian Aguilera. Her philosophy in life is "Believe in yourself and you can do anything you put your mind to."

A few years ago, Onie met her fiance, a soldier named Justin, during a Blazer Dancers visit at Fort Hood, Texas.

The other Blazer Dancer who welcomed the Filipino visitors was Melissa Hornberger.

The Blazer Dancers are in their 18th year and regarded as one of the top cheer teams in the NBA. They perform routines at every Trail Blazer home game and make countless charitable and promotional appearances throughout the greater Portland metropolitan area. The Blazer Dancers coach is DeeDee Anderson, a former dancer herself in their 15th season leading the performing group.