As Time to Dance, a new Kapamilya dance survival show, premieres today, January 18, dancers Gela Atayde, Ken San Jose, and dance coach Vimi Rivera shared their expectations and advice for the contestants.
At the show’s media conference on Thursday, January 16, the three discussed the qualities they’re looking for in the contestants and offered guidance to dance hopefuls.
“You have to be the best of what you do. It’s still a competition,” Coach Vimi said.
“The technicality of it of course you need to be really skilled as a dancer, you have to be creative but on top of that also kailangan is very competitive ka kasi it is a long journey. If your endurance and fighting spirit is medyo shaky, hindi ka tatagal because there will always be pressure. Pressure is good because it helps you grow as long as you embrace that,” he added.
Coach Vimi also emphasized his strict approach as a judge, saying, “(I’m) very strict. That’s a part of, in a way, as a judge to indirectly help the participants with their growth because you are setting a standard. It’s also an example for them to send them a message and they have to grow.”
Ken San Jose, another judge, stressed the importance of emotional connection in dance.
“Dance is not just movement. They have to be skilled in performing kasi a lot of people are watching them. As a performer you need to know how to use your moves, your emotions to be able to tell a story that everybody will be able to connect and be impacted by,” he said.
For Gela Atayde, Time to Dance is both a passion and an advocacy project. She is excited to showcase the dancers’ journeys and hopes their stories will inspire viewers.
“I’m super super excited for everyone to see. Ang gusto ko talagang ifront dito yung mga dancers talaga. It’s really their show. I'm excited for people to see the life of these dancers na makakarelate din talaga sila,” Gela expressed.
“It’s to inspire. We showcase their stories for people to relate to them and to be heard and seen especially in the dance community,” she added.
The three judges, who have long been recognized in the dance world, also shared their advice for dancers performing on stage.
“Number one, if you really put hours into your craft, the end product of it is to showcase. If you have that, you have to be grateful. With the gratitude, comes the excitement and the readiness to be able to share what you have been working hard for,” Coach Vimi shared with PUSH.
“One thing should be the pure joy and gratefulness that you have the opportunity to showcase and perform kasi not everyone has given the chance. It’s normal na may kaunting takot but it shows and gives you the idea how much you want to perform. Kapag may kaunting kaba, doon mo malalaman na mahal mo iyong ginagawa mo. You just enjoy the whole ride,” he added.
Ken also expressed how letting go of oneself and trusting one’s capabilities are things that will make a performance better.
“First thing I do is I let go of everything from all the rehearsals, the practice. If you think about those things, those are the things that make you think twice on stage. The second thing I remember is to trust the preparation that you’ve done. When you trust yourself, and you have faith that you have done your part. The third thing is, ‘wag ka mag expect kasi kapag walang expectations, you will be able to give your true heart and to be genuine,” Ken advised.
Gela, on her end, expressed how trusting one's journey in preparing and training is something very crucial to make their performance extra special.
“Do it alone. Do it scared. Do it with pride. Just do it. Just trust your body kasi if you know that you rehearse enough, kapag ginalingan mo sa practice and training, lalabas iyon on stage,” she said.
Time to Dance is set to air on January 18 on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.