MANILA, Philippines—Pinoys are known for their creativity, easily transforming something foreign and making it our own.
The same could be said about belly dancing, also known as Raqs Sharqi or dance of the Orient, which can be traced to the Middle East. Hearing it performed to the beat of Gary Valenciano’s “Hataw Na!” is somewhat amusing and downright entertaining. And seeing a doctor leading the crowd added to the surprise.
Dr. Gemma Magtibay is an Internet pulmonologist with a passion for dancing. She started with hula at 12 years old and her passion continues with belly dancing. She has performed all over the Philippines and appeared on various TV shows. She swears by the natural high from teaching belly dancing.
Day of womanhood
The Philippine Bellyfest 2008 recently held at Glorietta Activity Center was a day of dancing, sisterhood and celebration of womanhood. The participants of various shapes and sizes came in dazzling costumes. Kids as young as four and geriatrics as old as 64 bellydanced their way all over the place.
Jill Ngo-Crisologo, former member of Whiplash Dance Group and the mover behind Philippine Bellyfest, was happy with the event’s outcome. When she first staged it last year in the smaller venue of Ateneo’s Irwin Theater, it was more of testing the waters for her students. Bringing it to a bigger venue such as Glorietta was her way of propagating a foreign dance form to the masses, reaching a wider scope of audience and enthusiasts. “More people will be reached—which is our mission—so this is very good,” says Crisologo, also the dance director of Peak Performance Dance Studio. “We are more excited than ever, and we are sure that this will be bigger next year. Our students are very supportive as well.”
She studied under world-renowned belly dance gurus Ansuya Rathor, Kajira Dhoumanha, and Pacita Prasarn in the US.
Non-injurious
What Jill loves about belly dance is that it is non-impact and non-injurious, enabling her to experiment with the movements. “As jazz dancer, I was used to high-impact dance routines. Belly dance helps me relax a bit with my routines. Because the dance varies from country to country, you can do whatever movement you like while retaining your gracefulness and power.
Indeed, this beautiful dance has gained popularity for it taps into an individual’s confidence, which students attest to. “In all honesty, belly dancing has improved my sense of self-worth,” says a first-time recitalist, Jane Boholano. She was both nervous and excited at Belly Fest. “It’s a fulfillment of a childhood fantasy—learning to dance,” she adds.
“Belly dancing improved my life in that I gained more confidence and I learned to believe in myself more”, says Denise Nucum, who also joined last year’s Belly Fest. “This dance helps me become more flexible and fit—while emotionally, it teaches a woman to love one’s self and to be expressive through dance.”
What inspires these women to continue dancing? “Sisterhood and accepting who you are,” Jill says, “as well are all goddesses within.” And maybe, this dance form will be adapted quickly by Pinoys, the way we loved the ubiquitous shawarma.
The 2008 Belly Fest was presented by Nesvita ProDigestion. For inquiries on belly dancing, contact Peak Performance Dance studio at mobile 0917-6247534; e-mail peakperformance@asiapad.com; or visit www.adultwellness.com.ph.
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