JOJI FELIX VELARDE
Studied Ballet under Totoy de Oteyza and at 17
went to London where she was the first Filipina given a scholarship by Alicia
Markova. She went to New York to further study at Rambert Academy at Nothing
hill Gate, with the master teachers Vitale Fokine and Vera Nemchionova. She
returned to the Philippines and opens her own studio. In 1950 she started
teaching ballet in her own home and in the apartments that they owned;
eventually she opened her studio at Philippine Women’s University at Taft
Avenue.
At a very young age of four, the illustrious Joji Felix- Velarde began her ballet training under Madame Aineit and Totoy de Oteyza. The discipline which goes with ballet was something she was able to developed thru rigorous training. For this reason, she became the first Filipina to have won the prestigious "Alicia Mackova Scholarships" and studied abroad at the Ballet Art Studio at Carnegie Hall in New York. The Reambert Academy in London; with Karein Marie Taft in Madrid; with Julia Barashkova and Vitale Fokine in New York.
When she was younger, she modelled as Mis Mobil. She travelled with Karilagan Tours to Seattle and New York World's Fair for three years. As head of the Pacific Fashion Group, her tours included Asia, United States, South America and Europe. She eventually became one of the recipients of the Ten Best Model Awards. On television, she produced and hosted "Sight and South Pacifica" and Joji which features events in the fashion world. She was once the official chairperson for Miss Asia Quest and was then the only female of the board of social directors.
Choreography has been part of Joji's life. Topping her list was the First Filipino Show, "Giting Kayumanggi", she was the production supervisor and choreographer at Lincoln Center in New York. She was the choreographer of "Walang Sugat" under the Zarzuela Foundation of the Philippines. In addition, she choreograph some musical presentation under the direction of Fr. James B. Reuter.
Having a strong desire to further develop her choreography she founded the Joji Felix Velarde Ballet and Dance Workshop at Philippines Women's University. Simultaneously, she was the directress and instructor with the dance school of the University of the East. It was thru her effort that the workshop produced great dances and choreographers and also helped into the development of dance in the Philippines.
Joji is also known for her charitable works, especially operations by her husband in blind indigents; she was the former Public Affairs and Protocol Manager of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). She acts as spokesperson for all the NAIA general managers since JUly 1986. She gives her best and full attention in situations needing her presence. Presently, she is connected with Malacanang.
In private life, she is married to an opthalmologist named Dr. Herminio T. Velarde Jr. and had three children. A true lover of dogs. As a matter of fact, there was a time she owned twenty three dogs. She plays the piano, organ and drums. She can sing and paint as well.
Surely no one will deny that Joji is one of the outstanding ladies in the Philippines today. From a ballerina, model, choreographer, wife, mother, and a public servant.
When she was younger, she modelled as Mis Mobil. She travelled with Karilagan Tours to Seattle and New York World's Fair for three years. As head of the Pacific Fashion Group, her tours included Asia, United States, South America and Europe. She eventually became one of the recipients of the Ten Best Model Awards. On television, she produced and hosted "Sight and South Pacifica" and Joji which features events in the fashion world. She was once the official chairperson for Miss Asia Quest and was then the only female of the board of social directors.
Choreography has been part of Joji's life. Topping her list was the First Filipino Show, "Giting Kayumanggi", she was the production supervisor and choreographer at Lincoln Center in New York. She was the choreographer of "Walang Sugat" under the Zarzuela Foundation of the Philippines. In addition, she choreograph some musical presentation under the direction of Fr. James B. Reuter.
Having a strong desire to further develop her choreography she founded the Joji Felix Velarde Ballet and Dance Workshop at Philippines Women's University. Simultaneously, she was the directress and instructor with the dance school of the University of the East. It was thru her effort that the workshop produced great dances and choreographers and also helped into the development of dance in the Philippines.
Joji is also known for her charitable works, especially operations by her husband in blind indigents; she was the former Public Affairs and Protocol Manager of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). She acts as spokesperson for all the NAIA general managers since JUly 1986. She gives her best and full attention in situations needing her presence. Presently, she is connected with Malacanang.
In private life, she is married to an opthalmologist named Dr. Herminio T. Velarde Jr. and had three children. A true lover of dogs. As a matter of fact, there was a time she owned twenty three dogs. She plays the piano, organ and drums. She can sing and paint as well.
Surely no one will deny that Joji is one of the outstanding ladies in the Philippines today. From a ballerina, model, choreographer, wife, mother, and a public servant.
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