"80 percent tayo ha! 5, 6, 7, 8," I chanted as my body automatically moved to the beat.
I watched the mirror in front of me as I danced, but instead of watching myself, I was paying attention to the students who were all synchronously dancing to the choreography I created.
The steps weren't all difficult. It had a couple of fundamental steps. The struggle was keeping up with the tempo most of the time and making sure that the movements were strong and fast.
My students for this session, who are of ages 16-21, are not completely beginners—so they don't have a problem keeping up with the routine.
"Focuses!" I shouted when I noticed one student not following the specifically choreographed head placements.
"Hold," I announced as I halted and paused for two seconds before proceeding to the next step. "Pose... and milk it," I raised my oversized t-shirt as a part of the choreography and slowly waved my body, before announcing again, "Clip turn... now walk away."
Nakasabay silang lahat sa dulo ng choreo na 'yon. Pumalakpak ako at nagsigawan naman silang lahat.
"Galing galing! Konting cleaning pa," puri ko sa kanila. "Next session, dapat malinis na, ha?"
"Yes, madam!" they all chimed in.
"Perfect! End of session. See you next week!" Pumalakpak ako ng dalawang beses and they all dispersed.
"Ma'am Rei," tawag nung seventeen-year-old kong student na si Valerie. Nagmamadali siyang lumapit sa akin.
"Yas, queen?"
Tumawa siya. "May inter-block competition po kasi kami. Naghahanap kami ng choreographer. Pwede po kaya kayong kunin?"
My eyebrow raised in interest. "Kailan 'yan at anong details?"
"In two months, pero kahapon lang officially in-announce yung details. Meron na kaming music, choreo at magtuturo na lang talaga kulang."
"Malalambot ba mga buto ng ka-group mo o kailangan pang banlian?" biro ko.
"Magagaling naman, Ma'am," tawa ni Valerie. "Plano sana namin tuwing weekend ang practice. Available ka ba, Ma'am? Tsaka magkano kaya ang rate?"
First time kong tatanggap ng ganoong gig. Wala naman kinaibahan 'yon sa dance class maliban sa may kailangan sundin na mechanics at criteria sa bubuuin na choreo. Magandang opportunity na rin 'yon para sa studio at baka makahatak pa ako ng bagong enrollees doon.
"Send mo na lang muna sa akin yung mechanics at criteria, ilang dancers, yung music tsaka kung magkano budget niyo. Review ko tapos I'll send you a proposal."
She smiled wide and nodded enthusiastically. "Sige, Ma'am Rei! Thank you!"
"Thanks din! Ingat sa pag-uwi." I waved her goodbye.
Isa-isa silang nagpaalam habang ako naman ay nagsimula nang magligpit sa studio.
Wala naman kailangang linisin. The students already knew that they needed to throw out whatever they bring inside the studio. As for the floor, kasama sa monthly rent ang maintenance and cleaning. Ang kailangan ko lang talaga gawin araw-araw ay i-unplug ang mga electronics at patayin ang ilaw bago umalis.
Nagpalit muna ako ng top dahil basa ng pawis ang shirt ko. I just changed into another oversized shirt and put on some perfume. After fixing my hair and wearing my black bucket hat, I was ready to go.
Pababa na ako ng hagdan nang tumunog ang phone ko. I fixed my duffel bag and reached for the side pocket to bring out my phone.
Summer calling...
