BY AUBREY ROSE ALEJANDRO
“Le Gustaria Bailar?” (Would you like to dance?)
Now on its 14th year, Dance School of Teray Ecube Portugalete (Dance STEP) once again rocked the center stage with magnificent performances of young dancers championed with finesse and vigor.
Dr. Teresita “Teray” Ecube Portugalete, founder of Dance STEP, is always committed to support her students in developing not only their dancing skills but their self-discipline, confidence and positive outlook as well.
Dance STEP was co-founded by Prof. Reynaldo “Rey” Madjos Susbilla, Jr. in 2008. He was also the dance partner of Dr. Teresita since they were in college at PESCAR.
They competed in different local, regional and national competitions, and they even won national championships at the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges DanceSport competition in 2006 and at the National State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association DanceSport in 2007 during their senior year.
“I always feel so blessed remembering how we started with only seven or eight students during our first year with Dance STEP,” Dr. Portugalete says.
“We were at the peak of our expansion plans when the COVID-19 pandemic seriously affected our dance classes,” she adds.
The pandemic was like a shattered dream for Dance STEP but Dr. Portugalete never stopped finding ways to reach out and give hope to young talents locked up for two years.
“I couldn’t imagine myself without dancing. I want to share this talent to many of our aspiring children who love to dance,” she says.
Dance STEP has truly come a long way and this year, it showcased a total of 80 performances in major malls in Iloilo City: July 9 at Robinsons Place Iloilo, July 23 at Festive Walk Mall, Iloilo Business Park and July 31 at SM City Iloilo.
The categories were modeling, hip-hop, dance sport, gymnastics, contemporary modern dance, and ballet. Five branches of Dance STEP joined the said event.
Dance STEP is the only Iloilo-based dance studio with a focus on the local level to recognize young students and make lessons that are more accessible to them. They have branches in the towns of Oton, Guimbal, Miag-ao, Tigbauan, and Iloilo City.
Dance STEP is now accepting new students for the second quarter of the year. For inquiries please contact 0918-6411-362 or 0905-8789-020./PN
