In their own words, the artists of Ballet Manila share their thoughts and experiences on not merely surviving but flourishing in the very challenging world of dance. This series is a collection of personal anecdotes, as well as words of wisdom that can be heartwarming, funny or dramatic, but always inspiring regardless of what field one is pursuing.

They need to stick with what they rehearsed! Pareho kami ni Teacher Shaz (Osias Barroso). I don’t care if you do a double pirouette as long as malinis. May judges na ganoon nag-iisip, na ikutan mo ko ng anim, wala ka na sa music. Hindi na kailangan sa sayaw. Baluktot ‘yung ikot mo.

Mas maganda kasi ‘yung quality ng dalawa na malinis lang, na sa music, maayos gawin. Hindi ko ipipilit kung hindi talaga kaya.

They need to stick with what they rehearsed! Teacher Shaz and I are the same. I don’t care if you do a double pirouette as long as it’s clean. There are judges who think that way, that you can do six pirouettes but you’re no longer in sync with the music. The choreography doesn’t require it. Your turn is crooked.

It’s always better that the quality of the two turns are clean, in time with the music, and done really well. I won’t insist on it if it can’t be done.