In Their Own Words: Rafael Perez on channeling his emotions
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.
As a dancer, napre-pressure ako tapos naiinis ako sa sarili ko kasi hindi ko magawa ’yung kailangan. Dahil sa dance, ang ginagawa ko, doon ko ine-express. Mas ginigigilan ko siya. ’Yung feeling na ilalagay ko sa sayaw na ito ang lahat ng galit ko, o ’yung kasiyahan ko.
Nu’ng hindi ako nagba-ballet, pag galit ako, hindi ko alam kung saan ko ilalagay. Pero ngayon, dito ko nae-express ’yung emotions ko.
As a dancer, I feel pressured, and I get upset with myself when I can’t do what needs to be done. Because of dance, what I learned to do was to use it to express myself. I give it my all. There’s this feeling when I put everything into the dance – my anger or my joy.
When I stopped dancing ballet, I didn’t know what to do with my anger. But now (that I’ve returned), I am able to express my emotions here.
Photos by Giselle P. Kasilag
Top photo: After being away from dance for more than three years, Ballet Manila company artist Rafael Perez has returned and is loving his time in the studio and on stage.
Rafael Perez is back in top form in the Peasant Pas de Deux in Giselle last August.
