A Tribute to my friend, inspiration, and mentor in dance |
I was only 19 years old when I shared the stage with one of the GOATs of the dance community, then Hotlegs’ Artistic Director, Christine Blando. It was truly an honor, and even more daunting when she was my complement in some shows and concerts here and abroad. Sometimes it was just she and I plus the artist on that stage, and I truly hope I was deserving of that spot with her.
In the early 1990s, I remember watching her in awe as she moved across the floor during our company dance classes at Shape studio in Mile Long, Makati. Mother Christine, with her white Capezio high-cut dance boots, midriff top, and seamless bike shorts—because God forbid any panty line would show, as this was one of your pet peeves. She moved so gracefully, hitting every beat with precision, and her feet… My goodness! Those beautiful quick feet! I would literally lie flat on my stomach so that I could see her feet move at eye level. It was fascinating! No wonder she was called “Flash.” I said to myself, ‘I want to move like her,’ so I bought the same dance boots in black, hoping they would help emulate her grace. SPOILER ALERT: the boots didn’t come with magic powers, but I kept trying anyway! You, Mother, are my ultimate inspiration in dance. I told her this so many times, but she would always brush it off because that’s just how she was—always so self-effacing and genuinely modest.
Mother, I never told you this, but when you retired from dancing, it broke my heart. Somehow I thought we would dance together for a couple more years. Yes, I had abandonment issues, and I was envious of the people from advertising you were working with. But after hearing all their stories about you, I am so glad that they got to experience the Mother that we know. Ang dami nilang dumating sa wake mo, Mother! People from the dance community, artists, your colleagues in advertising, family, and friends all came. The venue was bursting at the seams on both nights. You touched so many lives in the dance industry and outside of it as well. As I say this, I can imagine you saying, “Ano ba!"
The last time I saw you in the hospital was in the morning before you passed away. I spoke by your ear, telling you to get better because magco-concert pa tayo. Before leaving, I made sure to thank you for everything you’ve done for us and, most importantly, to express my love for you again and again. I said ‘I love you’ one last time, and you managed to say it back. At least I think you did. Your voice was strained with effort, but I knew you could hear me and everyone else in the room that day. I will forever cherish those final moments with you, Mother.
I will always think about you—whenever I dance, because you were the one who instilled in me the love and passion for movement. Even in the simple act of doing my eyebrows, I will remember you because even before “Kilay is life” was a thing, you taught us the importance of having perfectly done brows. And because of that, I never left my house without any eyebrows since I was 19. Your influence shaped not just my career, but the way I approach life itself. So thank you, Mother. I will forever be grateful that I knew you in this lifetime—my mentor, friend, inspiration, our Mader.
O siya… dance ka na diyan with Charles. Ako na bahala kay Gong Yoo. Thank you for finally entrusting him to me.
Rest now in the arms of our Lord, and of course Papa Tom. You will be immensely missed but never forgotten. I love you, Mother! Please say it back again in my dreams.💗
