Wonderworld

  




On April 9, 2011 , Pink Toes Center for the Performing and Musical Arts, celebrated it's 24th year with an annual recital entitled, "Wonderworld", staged at the Meralco Theatre. It was Isabela's first ballet recital and we were as excited as she was. I was given the task to be her production assistant for 3 days, staying with her backstage, helping her with costume change and just being her over-all "alalay". It was a wonderful experience for me, being a "backstage mom" to my pretty ballerina. I really do not mind staying backstage just to make sure that everything was taken cared of. From arranging the costumes, retouching make up, changing costumes for six times, putting on the headdresses properly, among other things. The PAs were even more nervous than the kids when it was time for them to make an appearance on stage. Such adrenalin rush! But watching them joyfully dancing on stage made it all worth it.

Practicing her Bieber moves



It was a memorable day for me, seeing my daughter dance on stage with almost 600 pairs of eyes watching. It was indeed a great show! From the backstage, we could sense that the kids were having so much fun on stage. I'm sure that their families and friends enjoyed watching the show, too.  It was a great day for all! But what made it extra special for me was when my dancing princess hugged me tight backstage and told me, just out of the blue, "You are the best mom ever!"  and she playfully kissed my nose. That moment was priceless!!! My heart was overflowing with happiness hearing those kind words from my 4 year old. It was like a balm that soothed away all my tiredness.

  

After the show, Daddy and Kuya Joshua surprised her with flowers and the expression on her face was something that I, as a parent, would remember for a lifetime.



Flowers from Daddy and Kuya



Bravo, our dancing princess!!! You are now a step closer to your dream. You make us all proud!!!



Smile princess! Today is your big day.



Our pretty ballerina ready for the "Flower Dance"




Posing for her PAs (Production Assistant) camera



Thank you, "Angry Birds", for keeping our little indian
preoccupied while waiting for their next number



Ready for the finale number



Isabela with Teacher Kristal

with Teacher Camille, from Singles for Christ Lower Antipolo Chapter



Thank you for watching the show
Isabela with Kuya Joshua, grandparents and cousins



After show celebration with family


 









A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

The countdown begins! It is 2 days before our ballerina's "big day". With twinkle in her eyes and a radiant smile on her face, upon waking up, never did she forget to remind me that it is almost April 9, her recital date. Her excitement is contagious. You can see it in her eyes and hear it in the tone of her voice. She looks forward to her very first ballet recital.

It was January of this year when she started attending ballet lessons. I was a bit apprehensive when I was informed that she will be joining the April recital. Pictorial in February. Never ending rehearsals. We thought it was too soon for her to join the recital. But she proved us wrong. Considering that she is the youngest in class, she is doing wonderfully. She is enjoying every minute of it. Just today, I felt so proud watching her with the summer enrollees.   She has truly bloomed into the ballerina that she dreams of becoming.



Isabela with her princess magazine



Our little pretty ballerina is a bit  timid and shy. She seldom talks to anyone in class and sits quietly in one corner while waiting for their turn to dance. She observes kids as they talk and play but she is just happy watching them and listening to their stories. She has made a few friends but  her interaction with them are still limited to answering questions such as "What is your name?" and "How old are you?" What amazes me is that her behavior is totally different once she begins to dance. It is as if she is being transported to another world. She is transforming into somebody who exudes an aura of confidence and grace. At such a young age of 4, she dreams of becoming a ballerina, just like her teachers and Liza Macuja, whose poster she saw when we watched a Ballet Manila show at the Star Theater. She even told us that when she is 13, her big poster will be on the walls of Star Theater beside the posters of famous ballet dancers with her name, Isabela - Ballerina.

"A dream is a wish your heart makes..." as the famous song goes. A little child with big dreams. She definitely knows what she wants and she is determined to get it. There was a time when she was nursing a fever and has swollen gums but it did not stop her from attending her class. She knows what she needs to do for her to reach her goal of becoming a ballerina.

Practice, practice, practice.

Focus and believe!

Before she goes inside the studio, I always tell her to be good and to have fun. A tight hug and an affirmation for a job well done awaits her at the end of every class. Never did I forget to make her feel important and loved. 



wearing her Indian costume



We are with you all the way, our pretty ballerina. Reach for your dreams. You give us so much joy and inspiration. We love you and we are all cheering for you, our dancing princess! You make us proud!



 

Cheering for you, our pretty ballerina!