Pinoy dancing talents, Marko Germar and Tadd Gadduang prove that Filipino talent is not limited to singing,but in dancing as well.
Premiering last May 26, the American dance reality show, So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD), kicked of its 8th Season by showing how 20 talented dancers stood out and were chosen from the thousands who auditioned to compete in Las Vegas. Among those who were chosen were two Filipino-Americans, Marko and Tadd.
Born to Filipino parents, 22-year-old Marko described himself as a trained jazz hiphop dancer who likes to eat a lot, is clumsy, and is up for any challenge. In an interview with danceplug.com, Marko said that what separates him from the rest is his versatility as a dancer.
“I’m not only a technical dancer, but I am also a hip-hop dancer who can do a bunch of tricks. I mean, ask me to flip off a wall, jump off of anything you want me—couch, chairs, tables, I’ll do it.”
This nasal-voiced lad also shared that he can breakdance and knows a bit of ballroom too because of his mom who is a ballroom instructor.
Coming from the island of Guam, Marko served as an example of a performer who did not let obstacles get in the way of reaching his dreams. During his audition, Marko shared that he has been a victim of a robbery that happened in his office in Los Angeles back in 2009. Held at gunpoint, his instinct drove him to fight back which caused a bullets to pierce through his flesh. One bullet, however, remained on his right arm for fear that taking it out might risk immobility should the surgery accidentaly hit a nerve.
Refusing to give up his dreams of becoming a better dancer, Marko said during his VTR on SYTYCD that he went through physical therapy a couple of times a week and did everything he can to recover.
All of his efforts paid off when one of show’s mainstay judges, Nigel Lythgoe, commended his contemporary performance with partner Melanie Moore as probably “the first Emmy-nominated routine” when they performed as “dancing statues.” Marko and Melanie sent the crowd and the judges to high levels of emotions when they danced to Ingrid Michaelson’s Turn to Stone.
“Marko I can’t believe you still got this bullet lodged in your shoulder. I worry about you all the time, it doesn’t show. You were absolutely magnificent,” Lythgoe added.
Aside from gaining Lythgoe’s approval, another mainstay judge, Mary Murphy, was almost driven to tears as she commended the couple’s “amazing chemistry” and “amazing technical level of dance.”
Like Marko, 25-year-old Tadd’s parents are also Filipinos but he was raised in Daly City, California. Tadd began dancing at 15 with the influence of his older sister. As a kid, Tadd shared during an interview with FOX that he also studied Filipino Martial Art of Kali since he was six years old. After graduating from high school, it was then that Tadd realized that he wanted to take his dancing to another level and take it as his profession while he studies 2nd Year Psychology.
Currently staying in West Valley City, Utah, Tadd shared that he never learned how to ride a bike; he also does not engage into sports nor has he studied gymnastics.
Identifying himself as an urban dancer, Tadd shared that it is his individuality that separates him from the rest of the contenders.
“You can only be yourself, you can’t be anybody else,” he added.
A self-taught dancer, Tadd’s performance of the Viennese Waltz with partner Jordan Cassanova during their performance last June 22, 2011 was well received by the audience and the judges that spared them from the next eliminations.
Considered as two among the top contenders of So You Think You Can Dance, Tadd and Marko addressed their fellow kababayans in the US to vote for them.
Since people in Guam cannot vote because of time difference, Marko is hopeful that the Filipino community in the US would help him and Tadd move forward in the contest.
Likwise, Tadd pursuaded his fellow kababayans to vote.
“Vote, please. Mahal kita,” said he.
So You Think You Can Dance is aired every Wednesday night at 8/7c on FOX Network.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(OCIE July 8-14, 2011 RedCarpet pg.2)
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
