It seems that the dancers at the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet (SHCSB) don’t get tired at all. Because after their successful grand recital (two of them!) at the Meralco Theatre last March 29 and the numerous concerts in celebration of the Arts Month in February, the group immediately began rehearsals in preparation for their participation in the Dance Excellence 2009 in Los Angeles, California.

Once again, the SHCSB has been invited to be the official representative of the Philippines in the Dance Excellence 2009. In 2007, the school was awarded five gold trophies for the five categories they participated in. The SHCSB is one school that regularly conducts CSTD examinations to insure the accuracy of its ballet education and standard of teaching. The high performance of its students and enviable results in this international examination is an indicator that the SHCSB provides its students with accurate ballet theory and dance techniques that conform with international standards.

The SHCSB prides itself with high standard of ballet education, artistically excellent performances, creative choreographies, best school in molding talents of very young children, thus, the school is awarded as the Most Outstanding Ballet School in Asia.

The Dance Excellence 2009, an international festival for young dancers, will be held starting today, April 5, and will end on April 11 in Los Angeles, California. Dance Excellence is a global event. This festival brings together some of the finest young dancers from around the world to exchange ideas and share their love of dance – on and off the stage. Each year the Dance Excellence selects one dance group from each of the 50 states of America, Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, the Philippines, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland and Wales to participate in the festival and competition.
The Dance Excellence 2009 will be participated in by about 800 participants from Europe, Australia, North America and Asia. The goal of Dance Excellence is to inspire young dancers and teachers to fulfill their artistic dream and desires through education and performance.

The SHCSB selected 18 dancers to participate in various activities of the Dance Excellence to include dance workshops, competition and performances on classical ballet, jazz, tap, hiphop and musical theatre. The Philippine delegation is composed of 42 members lead by the Artistic Director, Shirley Halili-Cruz, teachers Grace Garalde-Perez and Anna Lissa Tuazon-Balmadrid, and dancers are Cheka Cabreza, Jackie Chua, Alee Young, Nicole Paredes, Inah Hung, Dianne Hung, Gwyneth Dumayas, Patrice Barin, Cheekey Reyes, Jeng Guerrero, Louisse Lopez, Lindsay Lopez, Bianca Nobleza, Keesha Panlasigui, Raja Gavina, Gail Miranda, Angel Kung –Hun, and Toni Noel.

The participants from other counties will also have the opportunity to watch shows at various theatres in Hollywood. The Shirley Halili-Cruz dancers on the other hand will have special performances in Disneyland and in Knottsberry Farm.

The trip of the SHCSB to California is just one of the many international travels lined up this year. After their performance in Dance Excellence 2009, the group will participate in the Ansan Arts Festival in South Korea and in the 11th Asia Pacific Dance Competition in Bangkok, Thailand.

Upon the group’s arrival from the US, the school will be busy for the opening of its Summer Dance Program on April 1, and the second batch of audition for scholarship and company membership on April 20. It is the belief of many that It is such a privilege to be part of the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet family. Because the school offers fun and productive activities that will make your little girls and boys excellent and elegant dancers and cultured persons.

So, Shirley invites everyone to come and join the summer fun at the Shirley Halili Cruz School of Ballet at 1227 Quezon Ave., Quezon Ave. QC.

Joy Velasco endorses Japanese beauty products

Eighteen-year old and former Miss Teen Model of the World Joy Velasco has joined celebrities who are now popular endorsers of several and top beauty products. Since she is endorsing Japanese products, this may be her stepping stones for endorsing other foreign-made beauty products.
Minoru Steve Kishikawa, president and CEO of Japan-based MG World Co., LTD, said that Joy was their first choice as their product endorser. Joy has an “angel face,” he added.

The Japanese local company is called Bijin Labo, the distributor of handy cosmetic facial roller called Yubi-Tamago which diminish sagging of the face with simple and easy application; Shirayuki-Bijin, the only Glutathione component approved by the Japanese government for youthful, whiter complexion, and other fat-burning supplements.

Joy Velasco appears in the teledrama “Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang.”

GMA Artist Center has big plans for its talent Joy Velasco this year. Joy has just appeared in the blockbuster movie, “When I Met You” starring Richard Gutierrez and KC Concepcion.

By the way, Joy Velasco is taking up Arts Management at the La Salle University.

Medical mission for entertainment writers

Broadcast journalist Kuya Daniel Razon, otherwise known as Mr. Public Service, has launched among entertainment writers a monthly free medical mission which is scheduled every first Sunday of the month. Kuya Daniel launched his medical missions in 1986.

The free medical service will cover entertainment writers and their immediate kin.

“I have started a medical mission with the Press Photographers Association of the Philippines, and I find no reason why it should not be done also with entertainment writers,” Kuya Daniel said.

The free medical mission will be held – beginning this first Sunday of April from 8 a. m. to 5 p. m.

Kuya Daniel has many friends in media and it pains him to know that there are those who can’t afford to avail themselves of medical services, especially in their old age.That is why he decided to conduct a regular weekly medical dental mission for them at the UNTV premises at 907 EDSA near Quezon Ave.

Other free public services now being headed by Kuya Daniel are the free MRT fares for senior citizens and a transient house, among others.

Kuya Daniel, who is CEO of Breakthrough and Milestones Production, Inc., has a very early morning show on UNTV entitled “Good Morning Kuya.” Asked if public service is really his calling, he answered, “yes, because I believe that serving people is serving God.”

Kuya Daniel has also come out with a book on photography featuring his works. Just recently, he had a successful photo exhibit at the Shangri-La Edsa Hotel.

At a recent dinner get together at Technowave Bar at the Il Terrazio along Morato, Kuya Daniel announced two other worthwhile projects that he and Bro. Ely Soriano and UNTV are embarking on. One is putting up a free college that offers nursing and mass communication courses for the benefit of poor but deserving students. The second is the revival of the once very popular noontime variety show “Student Canteen.” He said Eddie Ilarde, one of the hosts of the program, has given him approval.

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 5, go to Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Sheryl Cruz, Gloria Diaz, Vic Valenciano, Tessa Jazmines, Elenita Onrubia-Nolasco, Charley Barreto, Vicki Lisandra, Gerry David, Chona Espina, Baby Gloria, Jun Cabanizas, Aida Zuniga, Arnold Gatdula, Corinne Javier, and Ms. Dada Saavedra Samson of our Lady of Sacred Heart School... Happy 1st aniversary to Sy and Flores Law Firm of Bocaue Bulacan...