In Their Own Words: Germaine Dawal on bouncing back from a frustrating rehearsal
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.
Before the competition, ayaw gumana ng double tour ko. Parang biglang nawala. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ko magawa. Medyo napu-frustrate na rin ako kasi pag nire-rehearse ko naman ito, parang ang dali lang tapos before the competition bakit hindi ko na magawa?
After noon, nu’ng kinagabihan medyo pumatak ang luha ko kasi nga nawala. Tapos, nabasa ko ’yung mga messages nila Ate Abi (Oliveiro, principal dancer) at Kuya Sean (Pelegrin, soloist) na gawin ko lang ang best ko, na maganda raw ako tingnan sa stage. Kumalma na ako noon at natulog ako ng maaga para maging ready kinabukasan.
Nagawa ko! Over all, naging okay naman ang performance. Pumasok ako ng finals. Medyo nakahinga ako! Tapos sinabi ko sa sarili ko, babawi ako!
Before the competition, I couldn’t do my double tour. It’s like it was just gone. I didn’t know why I couldn’t do it. I started getting frustrated because it was so easy for me when I was rehearsing it but just before the competition, why couldn’t I get it done?
After that, in the evening, my tears really flowed because I just couldn’t do it. Then I read the messages from Ate Abi and Kuya Sean telling me to just do my best, that I looked good on stage. So I calmed down and went to bed early to be ready for the next day.
I did it! Over all, I performed well. I got into the finals. I was able to breathe a little easier! Then I told myself, I will do better!
Top photo: Ballet Manila apprentice Germaine Dawal (foreground) rehearses a scene from Don Quixote with the company. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Germaine Dawal shows his winning form in The Nutcracker: Clara’s Journey, the recital of the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet in December 2023. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
