MikeLigalig.com

By Fiel Angeli Arao-arao Gabin

Boholanos have shared in the victories of Panglao’s Anna Mariz Arcay Igpit, newly-crowned Binibining Pilipinas –World 2006; Candijay’s Rey “Boom boom” Bautista and Cesar Amonsot, latest Boholano boxing sensations; Pilar’s Jerome Sala, ABS-CBN “Star in a Million;” Baclayon’s Cesar Montano, internationally-acclaimed actor and the many others who have given honor and prestige to the province. Unfortunately, very little is known about the Boholano dancing couple who put the Philippines in the spotlight in international ballroom dancing tilts.

Jonathan Cajes Reyson, youngest son of Guilberto Reyson Jr. (Tagbilaran City) and Domerciana Evardo Cajes (Talibon) and Cherrel Justiniani Deiparine, second child of Manuel and Juanita J. Deiparine (both from Inabanga), were the grand champions in the World Dance Masters Competition - Latin Category in November 2005. There were originally 104 couples who joined; the finalists selected came from United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Hongkong, Taiwan, United States of America, Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, India and finally, Jonathan and Cherrel from the Philippines. They had been dancing their way to the hearts of the ballroom dancing enthusiasts and judges of different dance competitions who have admired them for their terpsichorean prowess.

Added to that, in February 26, 2005, the dancing couple won the championship in Latin Novice and 5th in Latin Pre-Amateur Singapore Dance Masters International Championship at Swissotel, Raffles City, Singapore organized by the Alvyn Low Dance Center and YMCA of Singapore. They excelled from among the 21 other dancing couples from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore and Thailand. Also, on September 26, 2005, the tandem, together three (3) other Filipino dancers, reaped the championship plum of the KULOV Modern Dance Contest in Bangkok (contestants came from all over Thailand) - Jonathan (awarded Choreographer of the Year and Most Outstanding Junior Jaycee in 1993-1994) did the choreography of their winning dance presentation.

Their other major feats were the championship trophies of the China World Dance Competition - Latin Category, on February 10, 2004 sponsored by the association of ballroom dancing enthusiasts of China and in the 17th Singapore International Ballroom Dancing Championship at Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Center in Thailand held on October 31, 2004 (they were 5th in pre-amateur Latin category and 6th place in novice Latin category).

Another revelation was Jonathan’s (then a first timer) getting the fifth place, in the International World Figure (Ice) Skating Competition, out of the 50 veteran performers, in August 2005 proudly bannering the talent of the Filipinos. He hopes to make it big for the Philippines in this year’s international figure skating competition in October 2006 as feels especially proud to have undergone a weeklong training camp under Pamela McGill, five (5) – time ballroom dancing (Latin) champion in the United Kingdom.

Jonathan and Cherrel’s partnership began in college when they were pioneer members of the University of Bohol Dance Troupe. At that time, Jonathan was taking architecture (in fact, in 1997, he was first runner-up in the Mr. UB Personality representing the College of Architecture and Fine Arts) and Cherrel wanted to finish a degree in Bachelor of Science in Commerce – Major in Finance. Then, they became dancing instructors at BQ Garden and then at the Atmospheres in Metrocentre Hotel catering to high-end clients such as Barbara G. Ong, Pacita G. Borres and Cecille Lumayag. In 1998, they were competing in the Palarong Pambansa dance sport competition. In the year that followed, they were hailed Alturas Ballroom King and Queen in 1999. In the Tagbilaran City Government - sponsored 34th City Charter Day Dance Festival on July 1, 2000, the pair placed first in the Latin category.

As with the other Filipinos who seek the proverbial “greener pastures,” they went to Thailand as dance instructors and in 2002 opened “Let’s Dance Training Studio.”  Cherrel was teaching Latin aerobics and basic English in school as well. Jonathan has been working at the Dancing Oasis Club and Studio at Montien Buratong. They also accepted offers to be commercial models for Suzuki in Thailand.

Their latest achievement together is their six-year contract as part of the “Latin on Fire,” a cabaret fantasy show which started in Thailand and is set to have performances in Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Korea, and China. As they continue to excel in their endeavors and gain more triumphs in Thailand, they consider having met Khun Tastha Kamulsiri, their generous Thai mentor, adviser and sponsor, a blessing, aside from the moral support that they get from their parents and family back home. They hope to perform here in Bohol during the Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) in July.  (As published in The Bohol Chronicle, Bohol Times, Bohol Sunday Post and Bohol Standard)



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