Michael Copon

MANILA, Philippines -- Another Fil-Am talent is making his country and people proud of his achievements as a singer and actor in Hollywood.

He is Michael Copon, whose homecoming is made even more memorable because he is the front act for the two-night Philippine leg of Bruno Mars’ “Doo-Wops & Hooligans World Tour.” After the sold-out show at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu, the Bruno Mars concert will move to the Araneta Coliseum tonight.

In a press conference held at The Establishment at The Fort, Michael sang some of his compositions (yes, he is also a songwriter and album producer). But before that, a video of his performances and the films he made were shown to introduce him.

Success wasn’t overnight for this towering (he stands 6’2”) and dapper singer-actor. When he moved to Los Angeles in 2000, he was jobless for five months; all he did was countless auditions. Until he got his pivotal role in “Power Ranger Time Force.” Then many projects fell on his lap, not just TV shows, live performances, and movies but also product endorsements.

He stressed that in this business, one needs persistence and determination.

Michael is also certified mixing engineer, upping his credentials as a veritable one-man production machine while working with Grammy-winning producers.

Among the TV shows he appeared in include “Even Stevens,” “One Tree Hill,” “Scrubs,” “Reno 911,” “That’s So Raven, “Beyond the Break,” “Greek,” “CSI Miami,” and the CBS remake of “Hawaii 5-0.” He has also appeared in such movies as “Dishdogz,” “Sideliners,” “All You’ve Got,” “Elevator,” and “Bring It On: In It To Win It,” and clinched lead roles in “The Scorpion King 11: Rise of a Warrior,” “Night of the Demons” and “Boyhand.”

Michael said his dad is from Rosario, Cavite and since his arrival in the Philippines he has been seeing his relatives. “It’s so good to see them all, and it’s really so nice to see where my father came from. Everyone is so nice and sweet to me.”

Referring to the Philippines in general, Michael said “this is a place I’d like to go to more often. And yes, if given the chance, he would like to do a movie here.

Summer Workshop starts at HCSB

Life at Halili-Cruz School of Ballet (HCSB) had always been full of energy and enthusiasm. The school recently had a successful grand recital at the Meralco Theatre March 29, 30 and 31, where more than 500 dancers were presented. Indeed life never slows down at HCSB. In fact the group is also preparing for their participation to the Dance Excellence 2011 in Los Angeles, California slated April 17-23, 2011.

In between the preparations of these two big events, the HCSB dancers had a series of local performances and TV guestings. At the helm of all these endeavors is the HCSB Artistic Team led by its multi-awarded Artistic Director, Shirley Halili-Cruz who’s ably assisted by the equally dedicated ballet teachers Grace Garalde-Perez, Anna Lissa Tuazon-Balmadrid and Anna Kathrina Halili Cruz.

The school is also all set for the Summer Dance Workshop 2011 which starts tomorrow, April 9, (and ends on May 31) offering the following courses for boys and girls, children, teens and adults: All levels of classical ballet, hiphop, modern jazz, modern contemporary dance, ballroom and taekwondo. The workshop culminates with a grand recital at the CCP Main Theatre and Meralco Theatre.

HCSB, the official school of the Halili-Cruz Dance Company (HCDC) also known as the Quezon City Ballet, is awarded as the “Most Outstanding Ballet School in Asia” from 2000 to the present. The HCSB and the HCDC have successfully represented the Philippines in different international festivals and competitions in Australia; Hong Kong; Japan; Kuching, Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands, Malaysia; Singapore; Beijing, China; Brunei; South Korea; Los Angeles, California and New York, USA.

To date the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet and the Halili-Cruz Dance Company have garnered more than 300 national and international awards. These include three-time Aliw Awardee as Best Classical Dance Company; three-time NCCA Ani ng Dangal Awardee; People’s Choice as the Most Outstanding Performing Group; Grand Prize Winner in the Asia Pacific Dance Competition in Thailand; Grand Prize Winner in the Asia Pacific Dance Competition in Singapore.

The HCSB, known for its high standard of dance education, is an affiliate of the American Academy of Ballet, New York and the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing.

For inquiries, visit the Halili Cruz School of Ballet Main Studio at 1227 Quezon Ave., Quezon City. Enrollment to the Dance Summer Workshop is ongoing.