Ballet Dancer

Ballet Dancer
Originally uploaded by Princess Em.

I used to be a professional ballet dancer. I started at the early age of 7 in my hometown, Davao City. I used to wear sky blue or back sleeveless leotards with pink tights and tutu skirts. When I started using pointe shoes, I developed lousy looking feet and in order for me to stand on my toes, I should have lots of callous. I remembered my feet was so ugly because of "patay na kuku at kalyo". But everything was ok for me then.

I went to Manila at the age of 12 for the ballet scholarship sponsored by Dance Theatre Philippines. Such ballet company was the place were the famous ballet dancers such as Lisa Macuja and Anna Villadolid bloomed to be great ballerinas of our time.

Ballet was my life then and never thought I would stop. Until I one day on my sophomore year in college, my schedules were mixed up. That was the most difficult time for me to decide which road I should choose, engineering diploma or pursue my ballet career. Hence, I opted the first one and immediately stopped dancing ballet and never looked back.

I do not want to use the word "regret" but the decision I did before still bothers me once in a while. Ballet was my life then. It was my top priority and did not mind if I had sacrificed a lot of good times which a teenager should experience. I just love ballet so much. For me that time it was my first love.

I may be successful to the path I chose but deep in my heart I would be more fulfilled if I pursue my love for ballet.