Back to the 90s

I love dancing. It's just that, I haven't danced ever since my immune system went haywire and started attacking my joints. 

As one friend would put it, "wala na lagi kay nagasayaw, Sar?" (How come you don't dance anymore?)

I do have my reasons:

1. My joints are painful with any kind of snappy movement.
2. I got preoccupied with running.
3. And even if my joints became better, I totally forgot that I was once in love with dancing.

Then I got invited to Cebu Pacific's 30th Anniversary at Marriott Grand Hotel in Manila. Of course, I said yes! Little did I know it came with a twist. I had to dance alongside fellow bloggers and content creators, representing Davao in the Galwang 90s Dance Off.

So with a little pressure and 3 hours of practice, we did it.

Image from: Barato Blog

I danced my heart out knowing the eyes of Rendel Cruz, Michael Flores, and Joshua Zamora were on us. Having our performance judged by 90s dance icons added both pressure and thrill to the experience. 

Michael Flores (background) giving comments about our performance.

We went up against six rival teams from Palawan, Manila, Iloilo, Clark, and Cebu. Amid strong competition, we were grateful and proud to finish 3rd overall (Cebu bagged 1st, while Iloilo placed 2nd).

 

3rd place! Not bad. :)

The event was also hosted by no other than the original Queen of Pop Culture, Jolina Magdangal, which brought undeniable 90s charm and energy to the stage. 

With Jolens!

But that's not all. There was also a moment where I found myself dancing on stage with the Manoeuvres. It was an unplanned but unforgettable highlight. While my knees may have had their own opinions (because kwarentahin, duh), I chose to embrace the moment with confidence, and it became one of the most memorable parts of the night. (See Instagram post for video)

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A post shared by Sarah Andres-Aterrado (@sarwrites)

The experience was a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and nostalgia. It reminded us that stepping outside our comfort zones often leads to the most meaningful memories.

Thank you to Cebu Pacific Air for the opportunity, the push, and for celebrating 30 years in a way that brought people together through movement and shared memories. Representing Davao on this stage was an honor, and the experience is one I’ll carry with me for a long time.

Davao represent! Image from Ian Garcia.