10 thousand +

Yells. Shouts. I never imagined I will be performing for 10 thousand plus audience!!! Yup! I performed in Araneta! Whew! What an experience!

It was late February when i heard of the auditions for the UAAP Season 68 Opening Ceremonies. and since I am already a fourth year engineering student, I don't have any plans of auditioning. Firstly, because of our projects, and secondly, I don't think I can handle such adrenalin rush again at the moment for we are in a hurry thinking what project will we propose. But I guess, God really gave me the chance to experience the fun of preparing and including myself for such a big event. I had a chance to audition!

April. I was finally casted as one of the performers. But I was not happy still. I will be disheartened and frustrated if I wont be able to nip a slot in the premiere dancers' circle. And so, I, together with my fellow hopefulls went to a series of auditions. If I can remember it right, we auditioned for at least a month, done every week plus workshops, for the choreographers to identify who's who and which is which. Auditions are tough! Nerve wracking! But every audition strengthens me. Then, the final audition for the final casting for the who's who and for the where's where occured. It was really nerve wracking!!! Imagining it was the final decision to complete and cast the premiere dancers! Whew! It's really a hell of courage for me to be good! Or else, i will be casted as one of the support group... And it was our turn. I just felt that my body's becoming numb. So i just jumped and jumped before the music went on. Pampam parampam... it was the start of the beat. And... pampam parampam it was the last eight. And stop! The audition piece has just finished. I looked at the choreographer's eyes. I told myself, "Mauze... it's the end..." And so, I went to the right side to join the less fortunate auditioners... But wait... is this true??? They are calling me... I was accepted!!! I was casted!!! Yeah baby, yeah!

June. It was officially a month before our much-awaited July 9. but I'm getting tired. I felt so energy-drained! I thought of quitting... I thought of giving up! But no. No. I told myself, "I don't want all my hardwork to go to trash because I'm tired! I still can go on!"

And so I did. It was less than a month before the much-awaited July 9 UAAP Season 68 Opening Ceremonies, when our Stage Managers and Director came to our school to put some final touches. It was the very first time I told myself that it was the real deal..."This is real!" 5:00, 6:00pm, to 10:00, 11:00 in the evening. Practice, practice, practice... and boom!!! It's July!!!

Days before July 9, Kyla came to rehearse with us in Araneta. It was by that time that I've realized what we do is something big... bigger that I expected!

July 9. 6:00 AM. Our call time in Araneta Coloseum. When the make-upwas applied in my face, when we were just inches from the performing area, and the cold breeze of air is filling our noses and blowing our hairs, my body felt something good --- something unusual... I never felt as excited as this before!

Then, the yelling and the screaming of the crowd begun. This is it! It's show time! Pampam parampam... it was our turn to perform... whew!

Yells. Shouts. Cheers. I never imagined I will be performing for 10 thousand plus so-excirted audience!!! Yup! I am now tasting the sweetness of hardwork --- I am performing in ARANETA!!!