unexpected passion?

When I was a child, I was just a spectator on the side of the road, admiring the colorful costumes and energetic movements of the dancers at the Dinagyang Festival. Mama, Tita, and my two other Titos are once festival dancers back then. I didn’t fully understand why my family loved dancing at the festival. I witnessed my tito back then staying up all night, practicing until dawn, and their intense dedication to culture and the arts. 

Now, I’m on stage. I’m right in the middle of a palace of sound of drums and movement. The steps my family once taught me have become part of my system. I feel like they passed on more than just talent to me—they passed on a tradition that shaped their character, which now shapes me as well. Now I understand why they love dancing: it creates unexpected joys, experiences, and friendships.