The Philippine delegation to Dance Excellence 2011

MANILA, Philippines -- After the world class performance of “Kaos” with an international cast, Resorts World, Newport Performing Arts Theatre will present the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet in a Ballet Concert entitled “Summer Dance Divertissement 2011” on May 31 featuring more than 500 Halili-Cruz ballet dancers in various dance forms.

Two shows are scheduled on May 31, Cast A and C at 5 p.m. and Cast B and C at 8 p.m. while a Ballet Painting Exhibit opens at 4 p.m. at the Vestibule, the main theatre lobby of the Newport Performing Arts Theatre. The Halili-Cruz ballet dancers were painted by 30 renowned visual artists from the Arts Association of the Philippines and the Lakan Sining ng Bulacan. There will also be a photo exhibit of the Halili-Cruz ballet dancers.

The Halili-Cruz School of Ballet (HCSB) is awarded as the “Most Outstanding Ballet School in Asia” from year 2000 to present. The school is in continuous search for new and exciting things to offer its aspiring ballerinas in the intention of nurturing their love for dance. After its triumphant stint in “Dance Excellence 2011” in Los Angeles, California, USA, where they won four first prizes, the school has organized for its students the “Summer Dance Divertissement 2011” to be held in the Newport Performing Arts Theatre in Resorts World Manila.

Unique to the HCSB, as it is the only dance school in the Philippines holding 4 grand ballet concerts in a year (March, May, October, December).

The “Summer Dance Divertissement 2011” will bring together the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet dancers from the different branches to include the Main studio, the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet-Miriam College, and the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet-St. Pedro Poveda College.

Ms. Shirley Halili-Cruz, the force behind the dynamic activities and achievements of the school, believes versatility and stage presence that the advanced students have emanate from the stage exposure acquired during the regular performances which were opportunities that Ms. Halili-Cruz has created for their students.

The dance concert will feature new works of the dedicated dance teachers who trained under Ms. Shirley Halili Cruz for the past 24 years, Grace Garalde-Perez and Anna Tuazon-Balmadrid; Anna Kathrina Halili Cruz.

The dancers are preparing for the CSTD International Examination on June 11 and 12, Asia-Pacific Dance Competition in Bangkok, Thailand in Malaysia on July 22-24 and 7th World Dance Festival in Caracas, Venezuela on September 16-24. The First Semester for School Year 2010-2011 will start on June 15. Enrolment is now going on. For inquiries, visit its main studio at 1227 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City.

Sam Lopez dons perfect curve

Samantha Lopez, more popularly known as “Gracia” and a former mainstay of “Eat Bulaga,” is happily settled with husband Warren Edwards in New York, USA. Yet she still longs for home – the Philippines. Last year, while in the country for one of her regular visits, Sam appeared in a teleserye on GMA-7’s “Basahang Ginto.”

The former “it girl” of her generation is proud of the fact that at age 42, she still has the vital statistics of someone half her age, measuring 34-26-34!

Sam proudly shares her beauty secrets, having been named a beauty ambassador of Beverly Hills 6750 where she joins other beauty endorsers such as Miss Universe winners Dayanara Torres and our very own Gloria Diaz, along with actress Carla Abellana.

With the desire to still be able to don a two-piece bikini, Sam had the Curvex Advanced Body Contouring Treatment. Beverly Hills 6750 is set to open its second clinic in June along Timog Avenue, in Quezon City.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, May 29, go to Celia Laurel, Robbie Tan, Raul Piedra, Emma Gutierrez, Nestor C. Encariza, Ruby B. Villaruz, Pearl Susim, Dr. Luz Espiritu, Oliver Bundalan, Col. Reynaldo Giopilan, Pacita Aguiurre, Charmaine Vea C. Baldo, Dianne Bautista, Shirley Uy, Berna Duran Velasco, Virgie Lovely, Ines Ragodon, and actress Barbara Milano…