Life as a Dancer

When I first entered the world of dance, the first question that came to my mind was: "Can I dance?"

With the long journey I have traveled in these world, I learned a lot of things. I have learned that technique is the greatest weapon you could ever use in dancing. Even though you don't exactly know the steps, you could look as if you do, if only you have that right technique. A technique is not easy to be developed. It always takes time to learn something. And so if you want to have technique.

I can honestly say that I am not a great dancer. Yes, I dance, but that doesn't mean I am great in it. Not all dancers are great dancers. Not all dancers look like dancers. Not all dancers act like dancers. And not all dancers have the heart of dancing.

As I walk into the rehearsal room this afternoon, I looked in the mirror and saw dancers. Some were very advanced, yet, some were still  not that good. As I observe them dance, I came to a great realization. A realization that struck me.

I realized that time is just a factor of how you could be a good dancer. That time is not all that is needed to be better.

I have been in this dance school since I was in kinder and if you count the years, you would know that it's almost 10 years since I started. I could still remember the recitals I went to and how great I felt when I was in them. But if I look into the videos of every recital I had, I would realize that I wasn't that good as how I felt. And now, I would always feel that as if I just wasted every Saturday of my life for the past 9 years I've been dancing. Instead of taking the opportunity to love dancing, I just wasted it. I didn't take dancing seriously, and now that I am serious, I can't make myself any better.

So that just proves that no matter how long you've been dancing, if you don't have your heart in it, you wouldn't do it. Dancing is like any profession, that if you don't know how to love it, you couldn't do a good job out of it.

Loving is always the first. Timing is just the second.


Life as a Dancer by Monica Flores is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Little Bad Boy

Dr. José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda is known as the Philippines' Pambansang Bayani. A well known person to Filipinos and to some nationalities who not only possessed one profession but almost all of them.  Jose Rizal is a very intelligent man who came from a wealthy family. He was able to go abroad to travel and study.

But of course, he also made himself comfortable in those places. He found comfort in some bars and with some friends. Studies show that Rizal made used some of his time having fun. There were also a lot of ladies that were connected to him. In which most of them were from the other countries.

Rizal also was a gambler. At times, he goes out with friends and gambles. But surely, he wouldn't have lost most of those games. Taking him as a very diligent and intelligent man.

But what Rizal has portrayed when he was in the other countries simply explains that he is just like any man, just like any Flipino. He too is just a normal guy playing his games. It shows that no matter how intelligent you are and how many good traits you have possessed, you can still do wrong things.

Rizal has the right to do those things. He just made himself happy. No matter how great and good he is, there is still a part of him that tells us that he isn't as clean as God.

What I love most about Rizal is that he always thinks of what is for the good of others. He doesn't prioritize himself, but rather, makes sure that others are safe and well. He made all the studies and all the hard work to help his family and to save his country.

He came back for the Philippines. He came for the independence of this country. He never forgot to look back, and that's what brought him to great heights. He brought all the knowledge he knew to the Philippines. He taught Filipino boys and girls. He taught them to be strong and inspired them to do what is right. He cured a lot of civilians. He helped contribute to the development of the lives of the Filipinos.  

He loved the Philippines so much that he fought for the independence of this country till his last breath. He truly is a hero.

As we remember him, we remember the love and wisdom he shared to us, to our country, and to the world too.


Little Bad Boy by Monica Flores is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Just Be Who You Are

Billy Elliot:

I have been looking for great old movies and this struck me. Actually, at first, I thought it was just a usual movie. But when I saw it's trailer I was really touched especially I'm a frustrated dancer. This movie is entitled "Billy Elloit". Billy Elliot is an 11 year old boy who stumbles out of the boxing ring and onto the ballet floor. He faces many trials and triumphs as he strives to conquer his family's set ways, inner conflict, and standing on his toes! Setting aside the mining strike with his father and brother involving in it, he follows his heart instead of his responsibilities. When his family knew about this, he gets into big trouble. But he has enough determination and courage to fight for what he knows must be. With the guidance and support of his teacher, he was able to withstand the challenges he faced for his dream.

Although it has a lot of unpolished dance routines, Billy Elliot is about family relationships and dreams, not really about dancing. It is about how a father gives in to necessary sacrfices in order to bring back the bond that he has with his son, and about how a young boy, who unexpectedly dreams of being a ballerina and who is determined to pursue that dream.

The best thing about this movie is that there are a lot of values in it. It reminds us of the value of loving, determination, and honesty.

Sometimes, it's really hard to be you. Especially now adays, you really have to belong. Teenagers are really looking for belongingness. Belongingness somewhat brings them confidence. Being unique is far apart from being themselves, as if they aren't alive if they aren't in.

Is that supposed to be? I don't think so... no matter what they'll say, we must still do what we think is necessary, appropriate and proper.


Being the real you won't cause you anything, because if the people around you accepts you with love and accepts you as who you are then they'll be proud of who you are and who you've come to be.

In return, we must show them that we deserve the price of love they have offered to us.

Watch it, and you'll surely be inspired and you'll see how a boy and his dream changed the world around him.


Just Be Who you Are by Monica Flores is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.