Cheerdancing

One thing that makes me really happy is dancing.

It's when I let the music take me away and just let every fiber in my body move along to its beat and rhythm. It's about the moves I can make; the different ways I can contort my body. It's a way for me to relax whether it be through dancing to the bass blasting through the speakers or through pretending to be a ballerina with slower tunes.

Photo by Mari Olan

Dance gives me a certain euphoria. When I dance, I feel like I'm in a whole new zone; it's my little world where I know I best express myself. Let's face it.. I'm not exactly a singer like my sibling who can carry many different tunes, I'm working on my writing, and I definitely know I talk a lot too. But when I dance, it's inexplainable. I know there's a term to describe it, but I just can't catch it right now.

Ever since I entered college, dance went from my top priorities to one of my least priorities as compared to high school. I became more focused on my academics. I became very active in a political organization. I still hung-out with friends. I made time for my family and time to pray. I have no complaints. I'm very happy where I am in my life right now. But a certain realization just entered my head - I practically shunned dance off. There were a few moments I got to relive it. My friend Alex got me to go dance with a dance crew in school called Skittlez. But I only got myself to go twice. Again, I didn't prioritize it.

Ate Conching

Thoughtful, sweet, hardworking, lively - these were the first four words that entered into my mind when I think about Ate Conching. She was a humble member of the auxiliary back in my alma matter, PAREF Woodrose.

Ate Conching with my batchmate, Anna

When my batch and I entered Woodrose in 2000, she was already working as the person in charge of the Physical Education facilities. Normally every PE class when we have sports, she was the person from whom we got the volleyballs, badminton rackets, and what not from. We were always greeted with her warm smile and lively personality.

We grew up with her in our lives. She was assigned to different tasks which she did with love throughout the years. Moreover, when we reached high school, she was assigned to our building.

In the high school building, the auxiliary had their nook near the girls washroom. And being normal Woodrose girls, we took our time in the bathroom chit-chatting and just chilling there. But the point is that, a lot of the times I'd enter the washroom, she'd be like "Hi Queen!" which she pronounced as "Kwen". One of us would start making conversation and a lot of the times we'd talk about our families and our lives. Those were good moments.