Celebrating the Success of our Pioneers

" If given the opportunity to learn dance, the dancer could fly."- Gigi Felix Velarde

Grethel Domingo

Another promising ballerina which is one of the Gigi Felix Velarde Dance Fuzion products.. She started dancing at the age of six under Joji Felix Velarde  is her ballet teacher and lasted for less than two years. After which, Gigi Felix Velarde took over as her ballet teacher for four years. After she graduated from elementary at San Sebastian College in 1984, she took the scholarship examination at the Philippine High School for the Arts and passed it. She choreographs and teaches baby ballet after attending her classes at the University of the Philippines where she took up Bachelor of Arts in Music major in Dance. She is right now connected with the Ballet Phils. II and Ballet Philippines. Gymnastics was her first love but her mother enrolled her instead in ballet classes. She cannot forget het first public and solo performance in “The Music Dancer which was choreographed by Joji Felix Velarde. She choreographed and danced “Sana Bukas Pa ang Kahapon”, a dance dedicated to Gigi Felix Velarde who taught her a lot of dancing, choreographing, directing, and teaching. She is the youngest and amateur choreographer in Ballet Fest 1987 which was held at the Folk Arts Theater in November 1987. Her choreography entitled “Valse Brillantes” was one of the best during the Festival. She was also sent to Japan for the Frix de Loussane Ballet Competition, an international competition for students. She was the first and only Filipina who ever joined in that competition.

She had became the former principal ballet dancer of Ballet Philippines II, San Jose Cleveland, and Diablo Ballet. She now lives in California with her husband, Russell, and two children.

Judell Trician S. De Guzman

She is another promising alumni of GFV Dance Fuzion. Judell trained under Joji Felix Velarde for only a month and four years under Gigi Felix Velarde. The rigorous training of Gigi Felix Velarde had helped her developed her confidence and dancing style, that is precisely the reason why she got a dance scholarship at the Philippine High School for the Arts and eventually became a member of CCP Dance School. She took up Bachelor of Arts in Music major in Dance at the University of the Philippines. She is also a TV and Print Ad Commercial Model. The event she remembered most was her first performance as Snow White in a Gigi Felix Velarde Production. Overcoming the Snow White role on stage here and in Clark Airbase and also on TV, developed her self- confidence.

Judell was introduced to Pilates in 1997, while being a soloist of Ballet Philippines. Her desire to strengthen her “powerhouse” led her to dragging co-dancers to join her in attending Cecilia Sicangco Ibarrola’s mat classes for the company. After a few sessions she already felt the beneficial role of Pilates in her dancing.

In 1999, she had an unfortunate accident in rehearsals where she hurt her ankle after it got trapped under an untaped linoleum floor. Resting it for a week, she continued dancing without proper healing until she reinjured it in a warm up class hours before a performance. That caused her a torn ligament that required her to undergo physical therapy for two weeks. At that time, Cecilia suggested that Pilates would enable her to “regain strength and balance…and it did!”

In 2001, Judell discovered the power of Pilates and left for New York with the help of Cecilia Sicangco Ibarrola and Lynley Tan, to get her certification as an instructor of Authentic Pilates™. After her retirement from Ballet Philippines, she dedicated her time in rearing her son and sharing her knowledge of the Pilates method to her clients. She has been employed as a senior instructor (level 4) of Integrated Body Arts since 2001.

Unita Gay Galiluyo

She was one of the alumni of the GFV Dance Fuzion who also possesses talent in dancing. Gay trained under Gigi Felix Velarde before she became a scholar in dance at Philippine High School for Arts. She took up Bachelor of Arts in Music major in Dance at the University of the Philippines. She was a member of the UP Dance Company. As a scholar of CCP, Gay attributed her success in the field because of the training she got from her Ate Gigi. She got Gigi’s ways and versatility in dancing.  The TV and stage appearance was one of the experience she got from Gigi that helped thru. Gay received a gold medal for dance at the Philippine High School for the Arts in 1988.

She was born in Pasay, Philippines. She was also trained under the tutelage of Agnes Locsin, William Morgan, and many more. She became a Ballet soloist in the Philippines from 1992-1998. After that, she pursued her career in Europe. From 1999-2001, she was a guest dancer in Tanztheater Basel in Switzerland with Joachim Schlömer.  Since then, she has worked in many theatres in Germany including Stadttheater Giessen, and Stadttheater Heidelberg-Freiburg,(2002-2006) with Irina Pauls, where David Bolger was a guest choreographer, with his piece Out of Harm’s Way. She also worked at Stadttheater Aachen, in a modern opera, Diary Of Nijinsky and guested with PVC Tanztheater, in This Wild Darkness by Olivia Koop and Softer with Eun me Ahn.  In 2007 she performed at Dublin Fringe Festival, Osculation, a work in progress by David Bolger. She is currently a free-lance dancer-performer.

Rosaria Felisazoe S. Tanjutco

A Centro Escolar BS Psychology Student, Rosario took ballet with Gigi for five years. She attended the CCP Summer Dance Workshop where she met Eddie Elejar and Tony Fabella as her mentor.

Mari Felix

Mari took her ballet lessons at the age of four under her Tita Joji until she was 15 years old. She performed with the group for four years under her cousin Gigi, then she went to the United States and further trained in Fine Arts Academy of Dance under Gina Rosson taking up Jazz, Tap, Ballet, dance.

 She also took some classes in Hollywood under Joe Trenaine, Jackie Sleight, Rhonda Miller, Bill Boh. She performed in Asia and joined performing arts competitions in the United Stated and even won.

Julie Alagde

One of the promising scholars of the Gigi Felix Velarde Ballet and Dance Workshop is Julie Alagde. She stayed with the workshop for almost eight years now. At hey young age, she received many awards both in the field of dancing and education. To name few, she is a gold medalist for the Outstanding Youth Leader in the Elementary Level in 1986, which was given by the Commission for Concern of Children, and a recipient of Gifted and Talented Youth National Award which was sponsored by the PICC and YMCA. She had also become a 2^nd placer in the gymnastic competition GAP, NCR.

She does not only concentrate on dancing, she develops her talent in painting. To prove, she joined and won in several painting competition, e.i.. On- the spot Painting Competition in celebration of Fish Conservation Week in 1981 which was formed by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

When asked to comment about the workshop, she says, the workshop has earned accomplishments and has produced more and it will be very successful and received recognition it deserves someday.

Her parents’ primary aim in enrolling her to workshop is to be able to developed her potential in dancing. They believe it that the workshop enhanced the child’s skill and ability in dancing and has developed Julie’s self- confidence.

Based on an article written on a blog by Ea Torrado, she is an extraordinary person and teacher. Both a ‘powerhouse’ and a matured and sensitive performer, her extensive background in Gymnastics, Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, and dance has made her an exceptional dancer. Julie is a former Powerdance member and artist of Cirque du Soleil. She is a co-founder of PlanaFORMA and our director for training.

She was also trained in Physique 57 at New York City . She was now a Certified Zumba Instructor (B1, B2, Toning, Gold, Pro Skills) ZIN member,  and Greenpath Vinyasa Yoga Certified (Clayton Horton).

She created the Plana Forma technique based on the key principles of Physique 57, a popular workout in the USA. Plana Forma is a cardiovascular workout, which uses isometric exercises and orthopedic stretches. The resulting workout is a rigorous, fast-paced regimen combining yoga, Pilates and dance. Its goal is to give you lean, strong and flexible muscles by firming up your thighs and seat, toning your arms and strengthening your abs. (lifestyle.inquirer.net)..

Mhel de Guzman

He was a Fine Arts Student. Fr him, being a ballet dancer would be a lifetime profession. He admires Milkhail Baryshaikow. Gigi Felix Velarde has taught him almost one and a half years now. He always recalls his performance in Hospicio de San Jose where in they performed for their unfortunate brothers and sisters just before Christmas 1989. He realized that happiness could be expressed and shared through dance.

He had taught belly dancing for the GFV Dance Fuzion Studio.

Zally- Marie Arce Ruaro

Zally Marie started dancing at the age of 12 under the guidance of Joji Felix Velarde for less than a year and later with Gigi Felix Velarde for almost five years. She is sixteen years old and a  highschool student at the Philippine Women’s University then. She is very proud to be in the workshop since the workshop for her is not just a place for dancing but also a place called home one big happy family.

Her proud mother said “the workshop contributes a lot to her personality development.”

She is currently for the Nissan Motors Philippines, Inc.

Arweena Mae David Luayon

LIka Alma Luayon, her sister, Weena is native of Davao City. She had graduated from St. Theresa’s College and taking up Commerce at the University of Santo Tomas. She became a member of UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe.

Sammy Doroquis

Sammy was then an 18- year- old student of the University of Santo Tomas. He was an active member of the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, a cultural group composed of active students from the university.

He  was formerly a Training Manager for Star Cruises, then promoted to Executive Assistant Manager, Front Office Manager on Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, Senior Manager of Star Cruise and recently, Assistant General Manager of PGIRS.

Hazel Flores

She graduated a degree in Commerce major in Management and Marketing from PSBA Manila. She had worked at Sulo Hotel as one of the Aqua Ballet Swimmers where she has her ballet training under water.

Ana Miso

She started ballet at the age of seven under Gigi Felix Velarde. She took up BS Nutrition and Dietitian in PCU.

Quilet Rarang

A dancer, began her ballet training under Gigi Velarde in the Philippines at the age of 11 and was later accepted as a dance scholar at the Philippine High School for the Arts. She performed with Makiling Ballet, Lab Project, Dance Forum, and Ballet Philippines. Since arriving in the United States, she has worked with Jigsaw Dance Collective, Redlands Ballet, ECNAD, Le Studio’s Dance Corps in Pasadena, and South California Dance Theatre. With SCDT she choreographed several pieces presented at the Young Choreographers’ Festival. Quilet has also worked with TRIP Dance Theatre in Los Angeles and Parsons Dance Company in New York. She joined ODC in 2005.

She is currently an educator in QR Pilates after experiencing the rehabilitative benefits of Pilates while recovering from a dance injury. This inspired her to dive right in and become a Pilates instructor. She studied the Classical Pilates Method with Pilates Education Lab under Carol LeMaitre and Sharon Gallagher. To complement her enthusiasm for healthy movement, she is also a Certified Franklin Method Level I Educator. She incorporates the Franklin Method's focus on dynamic imagery to create awareness, embody functional movement, and therefore facilitate change from the inside out.

She is currently a volunteer at ODC Dance Clinic, working side by side with physical therapist Kendall Alway.

Beverly Rolda   

  

She is an associate artistic director of En Pointe School of Dance at Alabang Country Club Dance Studio and teaches Adult Ballet and Ballet Stretch. 

She got a degree of Advertising Arts from the Philippine Women’s University and Dance for De la Salle College of Saint Benilde.

Theresa Sanchez

Theresa has been part of GFV Dance Fuzion Studio and now she is making her own noise in the international scene. She had been part of the West End revival of Miss Saigon, Whiplash, 2014 American jazz music drama film and of the Philippine Ensemble who participated in a West End charity concert for the Philippines after being beaten by Typhoon Haiyan, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

A message from Theresa Sanchez to her mentor, Gigi Felix Velarde.

Edmund Gaerlan

Tap dance’s popularity in Indonesia did not escape the hard work of Mr. Edmund G Gaerlan charismatic figure.

Edmund Genecela Gaerlan is the only professional Tap dancer who exist in Indonesia,

 Edmund GG's dream is to be a soccer player, but because there is a problem of balance in his legs, Edmund GG must postpone his desire and divert his passion to dancing.

To improve the shortcomings, the mother of Edmund G forced him to learn to dance ballet.

At the age of 8 years old, Edmund G minor studied  Ballet with Joji Felix Velarde and Gigi Felix Velarde. After ballet, he turn to Tap Dance and Jazz Dance in subsequent years. He eventually forgot his ideals to become a soccer player.

His success in the field began to be seen, in the year 1987-1989, Edmund became a member of Ballet Philippines, Ballet Philippines is the leading Ballet Company in the Philippines. In the year 1989 – 1992, Edmund G became a member and choreographer in Hotlegs Jazz Dance Company, and also a member of the Locsin Tap Ensemble.

Year 1992 – 1994, Edmund G come back into as  the main dancer in Ballet Philippines, and continued his dance career which brought him in Hong Kong, where he became the principal dancer at City Contemporary Dance Company.

Edmund G has lots of great dance works by choreographers from various countries, such as William Morgan (Scotland), Mikhail Kukharev (Russia), Garth Weish (Australia), Bing and Agnes Locsin (Philippines) , Norman Walker & Adam Sage (USA), Helen Lai & Willie Tsao (Hong Kong), Laura Alonso (Cuba), Jurgen Otte (Netherlands), Olivier Patey (France).

Edmund G also learned from world-renowned choreographers such as Mario Recto, Rene Novilena, Cecile Santos,and Guilermo Gormez de Rivera.

In 1996 Edmund G moved to Indonesia, and became the Director of the Dance Department at the Jakarta International School senior high school. Because it is still a little dance school in Jakarta, and he saw the potential that can occur in the city to dance very well, together with his beloved wife Yasintha Gaerlan, which are both lovers of dance and have lots of experience in the fields of dance, Edmund G  established a dance school in Jakarta, namely Genecela Dance Centre, Genecela was taken from his middle name.

Genecela Dance Centre currently consists of several classes of Tap Dance, Classical Ballet, Modern Jazz Dance, HipHop – Street Funk, Latin dance and Salsa dance, and at a certain time without reluctance Edmund G go directly to teaching.

Kenneth Gaerlan

A graduate of Bachelor of Fine Arts, major in Advertising from the University of Santo Tomas, Kenneth had learned ballet from the studio together with his siblings. He had taught Tap Dance and Flamenco for the studio. Today, he is an accomplished senior web/ graphic designer in profession. He had choreograph for the PDA Convention 2010.

Vinia Pamplona became a scholar of Makiling School for the Arts recommended by GFV Ballet Workshop, was a member of Power Dance. Today she teaches and choreographs in different schools.

Vinia graduated full scholar at the Philippine High School for the Arts, CCP. Her professional dance career started with Powerdance under the tutelage of Douglas Nierras. Some of the performances she participated in were: the First Asia Dance Festival (NHK Television, Shibuya Japan), A Chorus Line (Dewan Assarra Hall, Brunei), Once on this Island (Sari Kultur Production), Philippine Celebration of its 100th Year of Independence (Lincoln Center, New York City), West Side Story Manila Production, King and I (Broadway Asia Tour), Sweet Charity (NineWorks Production).

She was a former national athlete Aerobiocs-Gymnastics, Philippine Sports Commission. Occasionally she joins Latin Ballroom Competitions of DanceSport Council of the Philippines, is currently an Associate Artistic Director, Faculty of AirdanceTheatre Inc. and a Stott matt and reformer Pilates Instructor for Options Studio. (http://www.airdance.com.ph/index.php/about-us-2/our-people/associate-artistic-directors/11-vinia-pamplona-peralta)

Ana Bautista became a company dancer member during her High School and College years which give her the opportunity to travel and perform in the USA

Kris Reyno performs for Bayanihan Dance Company and a member of La Salle Dance Company Street.