Pushing the Boundaries of Dance: My Personal Account of Math Unit’s Low Number
The brains behind the Humanities Week concocted a new twist to the pseudoannual Talent Show. Billed this year as Talent For a Cause, the project urged the Pisay community to vote for their favorite student performer, and/or their Academic Unit of choice. Proceeds will then go to the outreach projects of the school. Only the top five student performers/groups will be given the chance to perform, so friends and fans alike poured in effort to collect coins and bills for their (usually batchmate) peers. In the other division, the three units that will top the money votes will be “required” to perform on stage.
Here is my personal account of the craze that lead to the ubertalented Math Unit’s Low.
Pre-Humanities Week
Thursday, 28 August 2008
In the front lobby, on my way to Ateneo, Juan (Thy Kingdom Camia 2010) informed me that the Math Unit leads Talent For A Cause voting (alongside Chem and SocSci). I am clueless, so Juan explained the mechanics, that students get to vote for the units they want to see perform. I shrugged it off, since a lot can still happen, including persuasive campaigning for other units. Kidding.
Friday, 29 August 2008
A Talent For a Cause update revealed that the Math Unit still leads with 3000+ votes. The Math Unit even outvoted all the other units combined. Either people really clamor for us to perform, or students want revenge, given the piles of homeworks and seemingly intimidating exams. Sigh. Oddly, the students’ names were also listed, and the amount they contributed. Hmmm…
Humanities Week
Monday, 01 September 2008
I once in a while went to the 4th Floor Auditorium to peek at the Opening Salvo. The scorching sun practically uninvited me to the grandstand. Teasers of the student performers were generally okay, save for (Hello ARCI’s) Isabel’s Alicia Keys-ish number, which was very upbeat and classy. I stayed in the Math Faculty Center, trying to check papers, while waiting for Bow & RO 2012 students who will submit their problem sets early. The Math Unit still lead the tally.
Tuesday, 02 September 2008
ACLE time meant that I’ll stay in the 4th floor again. Ma’am de Joya (our unit head) sort of assigned me to be in charge for the Math Unit number. At the rate the Math Unit generated votes, we’re 99% sure to perform. I left for Ateneo in the afternoon, so I missed the KKKwiz (the Cardiac RS 2011 teams had a 1-2 finish!). I texted Cyd Calub (formerly of Sagala) if he can help the Math Unit with our performance. He asked what particular songs we like to be mixed, so I texted back: Go Girl (for the boys), Don’t Cha (for the girls), and Low (all together now). He did not reply after that.
Wednesday, 03 September 2008
An update was posted in the front lobby, reminding the Math, English, and Physics Units to somehow prepare for performances in case the units stay in the top three.
The Filipino Unit held the annual batch competitions on this day, so I was in the 3rd Floor Auditorium the whole day. I’m so proud of Bow & RO 2012’s sweep in Kilos Awit (Ruby’s Dakilang Lahi finished first, while Opal’s Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo placed second). Their performances were very simple, yet honest, striking, and goosebump-inducing. Congratulations!
The sophomores’ Katutubong Sayaw was mildly interrupted by a shattered glass. Cardiac RS 2011’s efforts were rewarded as well: Sampaguita’s Singkil earned third place, while Rosal’s perfectly-lit Pandanggo sa Ilaw placed fourth. I, personally, found Jasmin’s Manlalatik/Subli the best in the bunch.
The juniors’ Di-Kumbensyonal took the competition a notch higher, with each section presenting original songs. Cesium’s winning sailor package – with their song, white sail, sailor costumes plus matching (Krispy Kremes-based) hats – was practically highlighted by the chimney-sounding bottles. Rubidium’s vocal harmony was above the rest, so they really deserved their second place finish.
Finally, my most-awaited contest, the Sayaw Interpretasyon, commenced. I thought Tau’s Tatsulok had it, with an angas feel throughout the performance, and each sequence with a different protagonist. Instead, Muon’s Posible clinched the first place trophy, largely because of unique ingredients – the puppet portion, and the reliable black light drama. Truth (the third-place section) and Graviton deserve extra applause for using their original songs. Electron, meanwhile, opted for a supreme showcase of their overflowing talents, which surely wowed the thrilled audience. Cyd and his gang deserve some props too.
Back at the Math Faculty Center, I was again reminded of the performance, so I sent Cyd a text message. There was no reply. On my way out of the campus, some pairs were practicing for the Art Fashion Show, including Jio (who won as Best Model two years ago under the Hipon banner). I told him about the dance thing, and asked him too to do choreography just in case Cyd cannot come up with one.
Thursday, 04 September 2008
0700
An official post declared that the Math Unit topped the voting. Meaning, the dance number should materialize. I stayed in the Math Faculty Center the whole morning, studying for my Ateneo make-up exam.
1100
I tried to call Cyd at around 11 AM, but he was inaccessible. Panic mode.
1230
Since I had to attend my Ateneo class in the afternoon, all I can do is text Jio to go up the fourth floor (once the fashion show ends) to try teaching the other teachers whatever he can come up with. Providentially, I chanced upon ARCI’s Julia, another Sagala member. So I told her my dilemma, and pleaded for her to go to the Math Unit as well after the fashion show. Thankfully, she agreed.
1330
I attended my Ateneo class, and then looked for my other teacher after for my make-up exam. It dawned upon me that this is the first time I’m missing Pisay’s fashion show.
1600
I finished my exam, then hurriedly went back to Pisay for the dance practice. Meaning, there was much brisk walking in between two jeepney and one pedicab rides.
1700
Back at Pisay, I was in the second floor of the SHB when Sir Vlad was walking towards my direction. “Anong gagawin ng Math?” he asked. “Wala akong idea, nandun sila sa taas,” I honestly replied.
At the Math Faculty Center, Jio and Julia (with other Sagala members) were already acting as dance masters to Sir Nat, Sir Sherwin, Sir Leo, and Ma’am Dinah. Good thing I wasn’t that late, and they were doing the chorus of Low. The students dance really well, and they were showing no signs of fatigue; in contrast, we teachers already felt aching legs even before we mastered the steps.
1800
The kids had to leave already, and we still only had the chorus done. They were suggesting other moves that we felt were either very complex, or too funny-looking for non-dancers. The idea of mixing songs were dropped, since nobody had the time for it, bit that’s okay. Ma’am Dinah had to leave for TriNoma, and Sir Leo went home. So, Sir Nat and I searched online for Low dance moves. We laughed our hearts out: the choreography’s more intricate. We had no choice but to invent the dance moves ourselves.
1900
We were supposedly tired, but we were having so much fun that the exhaustion was not yet felt. We tried to incorporate the Running Man and the Roger Rabbit, but the transition’s too fast, we had to drop them. We also planned to pull out hankies from our sneakers in the second chorus, but we never succeeded in pulling this trick off (no pun intended). We also orchestrated the blocking and formations (and the domino effects), so as to fill in the gaps of the unchoreographed parts. Haha.
2000
The hungry group trooped to TriNoma. Slowly, lactic acid formed in our bodies. My legs were too shaky. After dinner, we went to Coffee Bean to meet Ma’am Dinah. We taught her the moves inside the coffee shop, and I drew the formations at the back page of the placemat. All the time, Sir Vlad was either texting or calling Sir Sherwin regarding school stuff. We then concluded that Sir Vlad was fishing to be included in the number. Haha. So I made adjustments in the formation groupings.
2200
We went home, tired but happy. I was able to call Sir Vlad to invite him to join us. He was only too glad at the thought of dancing with us.
Friday, 05 September 2008
Morning
I waited for the teachers to come to practice what we have. The idea of Ma’am de Joya doing rhythmic gymnastics suddenly popped up. We weren’t able to attend the entirety of the Recognition/Convocation program. One by one they came, and last night’s dancers felt similarly about our legs, so we stretched properly before grooving. Last-minute editing were done to guarantee smooth transition, and the final pose was particularly hilarious to create. We were never complete before lunch, so the blockings weren’t practiced ever.
Lunch
Sections that won the competitions performed again, over lunch by the faculty and staff. I couldn’t finish my food at the thought of performing in a few hours.
Afternoon
Before proceeding to the gymnasium, we were at last complete, so we were able to have run throughs (if there is a plural in this article, this should be it). I couldn’t count anymore as to how many times I changed my shirt. At last, after freshening up, the dance troop was ready.
We were scheduled last to perform, so we were able to watch all the numbers. The numbers of the English and Physics Units were received warmly. How I wish I could whistle songs, as well as front a band. The student performers were above average as well; I particularly liked Isabel Serrano’s moment.
The Math Unit rehearsed a few times backstage before our time to shine, so as to counter the nerves.
Actual Performance
Chaos. The adrenaline rush made us forget about our aching body parts. From the very beginning until our very “rehearsed” wave, the crowd cheered us on. Down the stage, I was semihounded by former homeroom students from Jasmin 09 and Camia 2010; that was such nice short moments of getting together again.
Days after
Videos of the performance were uploaded; sadly, almost all of them were from the same vantage point. After x times of viewing, we dancers never tired of watching us perform. Upon closer inspection, it was very funny to see the reaction of select students after we danced. Slow-motion replays also showed the particular second when Ma’am Dinah dropped her pendant, and when Sir Nat’s 100-peso bill popped out of his back pocket. It was interesting to note that introducing us took way longer than the actual performance. Some of my students already memorized my part.
Dancing was such a nice group experience for the Math Unit. It was a release that a Coffee Bean checking/storytelling sessions or Red Box moments couldn’t match. Personally, I think my previous schoolyear’s SexyBack/Lovestoned number was better in terms of choreography and visual appeal, but I enjoyed Math Unit’s Low more by a mile, since I’m dancing with the math people (no explanation needed). Plus much of the effort – choreography, transition moves, formation, insane ideas – came from us.
After the performance, we failed to recognize the people who helped us with the number; perhaps the cheering distracted us positively. So thank you, Jio Santos, Julia Negre, and the other Sagala members who dropped by. Thanks too, Cyd Calub, who could have had helped us given different circumstances. Plus, personally, thanks to Vince Severino’s magic shoes (both for Low and SexyBack).
After the buzz has died down, we remain as Math teachers. Nothing thrills us more than teaching Math, where the classroom is our dance floor.
Here is my personal account of the craze that lead to the ubertalented Math Unit’s Low.
Pre-Humanities Week
Thursday, 28 August 2008
In the front lobby, on my way to Ateneo, Juan (Thy Kingdom Camia 2010) informed me that the Math Unit leads Talent For A Cause voting (alongside Chem and SocSci). I am clueless, so Juan explained the mechanics, that students get to vote for the units they want to see perform. I shrugged it off, since a lot can still happen, including persuasive campaigning for other units. Kidding.
Friday, 29 August 2008
A Talent For a Cause update revealed that the Math Unit still leads with 3000+ votes. The Math Unit even outvoted all the other units combined. Either people really clamor for us to perform, or students want revenge, given the piles of homeworks and seemingly intimidating exams. Sigh. Oddly, the students’ names were also listed, and the amount they contributed. Hmmm…
Humanities Week
Monday, 01 September 2008
I once in a while went to the 4th Floor Auditorium to peek at the Opening Salvo. The scorching sun practically uninvited me to the grandstand. Teasers of the student performers were generally okay, save for (Hello ARCI’s) Isabel’s Alicia Keys-ish number, which was very upbeat and classy. I stayed in the Math Faculty Center, trying to check papers, while waiting for Bow & RO 2012 students who will submit their problem sets early. The Math Unit still lead the tally.
Tuesday, 02 September 2008
ACLE time meant that I’ll stay in the 4th floor again. Ma’am de Joya (our unit head) sort of assigned me to be in charge for the Math Unit number. At the rate the Math Unit generated votes, we’re 99% sure to perform. I left for Ateneo in the afternoon, so I missed the KKKwiz (the Cardiac RS 2011 teams had a 1-2 finish!). I texted Cyd Calub (formerly of Sagala) if he can help the Math Unit with our performance. He asked what particular songs we like to be mixed, so I texted back: Go Girl (for the boys), Don’t Cha (for the girls), and Low (all together now). He did not reply after that.
Wednesday, 03 September 2008
An update was posted in the front lobby, reminding the Math, English, and Physics Units to somehow prepare for performances in case the units stay in the top three.
The Filipino Unit held the annual batch competitions on this day, so I was in the 3rd Floor Auditorium the whole day. I’m so proud of Bow & RO 2012’s sweep in Kilos Awit (Ruby’s Dakilang Lahi finished first, while Opal’s Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo placed second). Their performances were very simple, yet honest, striking, and goosebump-inducing. Congratulations!
The sophomores’ Katutubong Sayaw was mildly interrupted by a shattered glass. Cardiac RS 2011’s efforts were rewarded as well: Sampaguita’s Singkil earned third place, while Rosal’s perfectly-lit Pandanggo sa Ilaw placed fourth. I, personally, found Jasmin’s Manlalatik/Subli the best in the bunch.
The juniors’ Di-Kumbensyonal took the competition a notch higher, with each section presenting original songs. Cesium’s winning sailor package – with their song, white sail, sailor costumes plus matching (Krispy Kremes-based) hats – was practically highlighted by the chimney-sounding bottles. Rubidium’s vocal harmony was above the rest, so they really deserved their second place finish.
Finally, my most-awaited contest, the Sayaw Interpretasyon, commenced. I thought Tau’s Tatsulok had it, with an angas feel throughout the performance, and each sequence with a different protagonist. Instead, Muon’s Posible clinched the first place trophy, largely because of unique ingredients – the puppet portion, and the reliable black light drama. Truth (the third-place section) and Graviton deserve extra applause for using their original songs. Electron, meanwhile, opted for a supreme showcase of their overflowing talents, which surely wowed the thrilled audience. Cyd and his gang deserve some props too.
Back at the Math Faculty Center, I was again reminded of the performance, so I sent Cyd a text message. There was no reply. On my way out of the campus, some pairs were practicing for the Art Fashion Show, including Jio (who won as Best Model two years ago under the Hipon banner). I told him about the dance thing, and asked him too to do choreography just in case Cyd cannot come up with one.
Thursday, 04 September 2008
0700
An official post declared that the Math Unit topped the voting. Meaning, the dance number should materialize. I stayed in the Math Faculty Center the whole morning, studying for my Ateneo make-up exam.
1100
I tried to call Cyd at around 11 AM, but he was inaccessible. Panic mode.
1230
Since I had to attend my Ateneo class in the afternoon, all I can do is text Jio to go up the fourth floor (once the fashion show ends) to try teaching the other teachers whatever he can come up with. Providentially, I chanced upon ARCI’s Julia, another Sagala member. So I told her my dilemma, and pleaded for her to go to the Math Unit as well after the fashion show. Thankfully, she agreed.
1330
I attended my Ateneo class, and then looked for my other teacher after for my make-up exam. It dawned upon me that this is the first time I’m missing Pisay’s fashion show.
1600
I finished my exam, then hurriedly went back to Pisay for the dance practice. Meaning, there was much brisk walking in between two jeepney and one pedicab rides.
1700
Back at Pisay, I was in the second floor of the SHB when Sir Vlad was walking towards my direction. “Anong gagawin ng Math?” he asked. “Wala akong idea, nandun sila sa taas,” I honestly replied.
At the Math Faculty Center, Jio and Julia (with other Sagala members) were already acting as dance masters to Sir Nat, Sir Sherwin, Sir Leo, and Ma’am Dinah. Good thing I wasn’t that late, and they were doing the chorus of Low. The students dance really well, and they were showing no signs of fatigue; in contrast, we teachers already felt aching legs even before we mastered the steps.
1800
The kids had to leave already, and we still only had the chorus done. They were suggesting other moves that we felt were either very complex, or too funny-looking for non-dancers. The idea of mixing songs were dropped, since nobody had the time for it, bit that’s okay. Ma’am Dinah had to leave for TriNoma, and Sir Leo went home. So, Sir Nat and I searched online for Low dance moves. We laughed our hearts out: the choreography’s more intricate. We had no choice but to invent the dance moves ourselves.
1900
We were supposedly tired, but we were having so much fun that the exhaustion was not yet felt. We tried to incorporate the Running Man and the Roger Rabbit, but the transition’s too fast, we had to drop them. We also planned to pull out hankies from our sneakers in the second chorus, but we never succeeded in pulling this trick off (no pun intended). We also orchestrated the blocking and formations (and the domino effects), so as to fill in the gaps of the unchoreographed parts. Haha.
2000
The hungry group trooped to TriNoma. Slowly, lactic acid formed in our bodies. My legs were too shaky. After dinner, we went to Coffee Bean to meet Ma’am Dinah. We taught her the moves inside the coffee shop, and I drew the formations at the back page of the placemat. All the time, Sir Vlad was either texting or calling Sir Sherwin regarding school stuff. We then concluded that Sir Vlad was fishing to be included in the number. Haha. So I made adjustments in the formation groupings.
2200
We went home, tired but happy. I was able to call Sir Vlad to invite him to join us. He was only too glad at the thought of dancing with us.
Friday, 05 September 2008
Morning
I waited for the teachers to come to practice what we have. The idea of Ma’am de Joya doing rhythmic gymnastics suddenly popped up. We weren’t able to attend the entirety of the Recognition/Convocation program. One by one they came, and last night’s dancers felt similarly about our legs, so we stretched properly before grooving. Last-minute editing were done to guarantee smooth transition, and the final pose was particularly hilarious to create. We were never complete before lunch, so the blockings weren’t practiced ever.
Lunch
Sections that won the competitions performed again, over lunch by the faculty and staff. I couldn’t finish my food at the thought of performing in a few hours.
Afternoon
Before proceeding to the gymnasium, we were at last complete, so we were able to have run throughs (if there is a plural in this article, this should be it). I couldn’t count anymore as to how many times I changed my shirt. At last, after freshening up, the dance troop was ready.
We were scheduled last to perform, so we were able to watch all the numbers. The numbers of the English and Physics Units were received warmly. How I wish I could whistle songs, as well as front a band. The student performers were above average as well; I particularly liked Isabel Serrano’s moment.
The Math Unit rehearsed a few times backstage before our time to shine, so as to counter the nerves.
Actual Performance
Chaos. The adrenaline rush made us forget about our aching body parts. From the very beginning until our very “rehearsed” wave, the crowd cheered us on. Down the stage, I was semihounded by former homeroom students from Jasmin 09 and Camia 2010; that was such nice short moments of getting together again.
Days after
Videos of the performance were uploaded; sadly, almost all of them were from the same vantage point. After x times of viewing, we dancers never tired of watching us perform. Upon closer inspection, it was very funny to see the reaction of select students after we danced. Slow-motion replays also showed the particular second when Ma’am Dinah dropped her pendant, and when Sir Nat’s 100-peso bill popped out of his back pocket. It was interesting to note that introducing us took way longer than the actual performance. Some of my students already memorized my part.
Dancing was such a nice group experience for the Math Unit. It was a release that a Coffee Bean checking/storytelling sessions or Red Box moments couldn’t match. Personally, I think my previous schoolyear’s SexyBack/Lovestoned number was better in terms of choreography and visual appeal, but I enjoyed Math Unit’s Low more by a mile, since I’m dancing with the math people (no explanation needed). Plus much of the effort – choreography, transition moves, formation, insane ideas – came from us.
After the performance, we failed to recognize the people who helped us with the number; perhaps the cheering distracted us positively. So thank you, Jio Santos, Julia Negre, and the other Sagala members who dropped by. Thanks too, Cyd Calub, who could have had helped us given different circumstances. Plus, personally, thanks to Vince Severino’s magic shoes (both for Low and SexyBack).
After the buzz has died down, we remain as Math teachers. Nothing thrills us more than teaching Math, where the classroom is our dance floor.
posted by mardan at 7:02 PM
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