Assumption Dance Crew: Giving Dance Our All

By Kayllery Gorecho, Grade XI – St. Francis

The hushed voices, the tangible anticipation, the audience's cheers as you are introduced,

the dimness of the stage as you walk on, and then the igniting warmth of the lights as you become

the thing everyone turns their gaze to. This is what the first 20 seconds between waiting offstage

and starting a dance are like. Whether it feels like 20 seconds, 20 hours, or 0.2 seconds, that

varies on the person.

Some people live for those 20 seconds and the excitement it holds. While others are not

as keen for the nerve-racking wait time before putting themselves at the center of attention.

Nevertheless, whether you crave the spotlight or shy from it, it’s a part of something all dancers

do: we perform.

In Assumption Iloilo, there is a group of learners who believe that dance is one of the most

beautiful forms of human expression; and I am proud to say that I am a part of this group. We

believe that dance – and physical activity – should have the same status in schools as math,

science, and language. Thus, the Assumption Dance Crew (ACDC) was born in 2018.

It all started when my friends and I thought of joining the street dance competition at the

PRISAA. Street dance is an informal style of dancing with energetic movements developed outside

in the street or in dance clubs. Because time was against us, we were not able to make it.

Complying with the documentary requirements as well as preparing for the competition itself

were effortful and exacting. That unfortunate situation did not in any way dampen our spirit.

We put this dream at the backseat temporarily. Later, we learned that Assumption

College – San Lorenzo has a dance group called ‘The Assumption Dance Company (TADC).’ This
inspired us to start our own here in Assumption Iloilo. We had our first ever planning session under

one of the umbrellas in the high school field.

We called our dance group Assumption Dance Crew or ACDC. Other than what the

acronym represents, we also wanted to give tribute to AC DC, an Australian heavy metal band

whose theatrical, high-energy shows placed them among the most popular stadium performers in

the 1980s.

In order to make our existence in school ‘official,’ we formally asked permission from Sr.

Aremar Grantos, RA, our School Director. After getting her nod, we held auditions and began with

our first training. We also approached Ms. Rogine Laurino, a primary grades teacher, to be our

adviser. Thankfully, she said ‘yes!’ without batting an eyelash! Ms. Laurino is a member of a dance

group that has competed in various national dance events. At the outset, she told us that “dance

uses the body as an instrument. Body language can be exaggerated and abstracted in dance to

project an infinite number of feelings, subtle moods, and emotions.”

Finally, ACDC was launched during the Family Day Concert on December 10, 2018. After

that, all the members have undergone more training sessions and endless rehearsals to master our

craft. Representing Assumption Iloilo this school year at the PRISAA stage is our biggest success so

far. We ranked 4th out of 16 competing groups from different private schools throughout the city

and province of Iloilo.

For us members, ACDC is like a family, and like all families, we care about each other

despite arguments and misunderstandings. It has helped us find ourselves or parts of us we didn't

know we had before. There is something truly unique about joining a community of people from

all different backgrounds and interests but who all have something in common - a love for dance.

This passion is what brings us together on stage, in the dance studio and out. It helps us accept
each other for our flaws, challenge our strengths, celebrate our accomplishments, and lift each

other up after falls.

The close friendships we have formed and the freedom of expression are what make

becoming a part of ACDC so worth it. Personally, my favorite part of dance is simply, "just being

able to express myself - especially when I am having a hard time and I can just dance and go

into a whole new place. It's like I am not even myself anymore, I can just be in that moment and

focus on the dance and on the emotions.

On stage, the very best part comes at the end. After the last moves have been executed

on stage and I am left panting, out of breath, I grip my pose until the lights have faded out

completely. The crowd's cheers go up and in the darkness I can't stop smiling. Leaving the stage

sweaty, and head held high, I know I gave it my all.