So I Competed in the 1st Lion's Cup this 052413....

Today, is May 26, 2013.  Forty eight hours ago, I stood on that 3-2-1 platform thingy (WTF is it really called ba?!) once more to receive a Trophy as CHAMPION in the 1st Lion's Cup held in Makati Sports Club (May 24, 2013).  For those who would like to comment, ngayon palang, remember that this is my blog and short of a breach in national security and rumor mongering, I can say WHATEVER (including boasts) I want ABOUT ME.

The night before comps, I'd threatened not to compete but let's just attribute that to our oh so "normal" and oh so usual pre-competition stress.  Partner and I more or less ironed things out before we reached the venue.

The day started late for Gilbert Amio and I.  We got to the venue at close to 10AM and were able to park inside Makati Sports Club (a lessened hassle from having to mind the time for parking in Makati on a Friday).  We bought enough food from the street kiosks and KFC, knowing that once inside the venue, all made up looking like a trannie, it would be hard to step outside na.

Moi and Gilbert - First Place, Marisse and Charlie - 2nd Place, Joy and Jong - 3rd Place

The heat was unbearable for some, but having gotten used to the steamy conditions during Zumba Fitness classes, I was able to overlook it during the pre-comp practice period.  We practiced for about two rounds on the floor (it was slippery) with shoes I hadn't worn for more than a year then we had lunch at the dressing room.  

The competition categories (and results) were:

Special Event 2 (for ages 40 and up), 3 Dance - Champion

2 Dance Open (for any age and skill) - 4th

3 Dance Open (for any age and skill) - 6th

I was happy with the results of all the categories.  Yet again, I proved to the world that my weight is not an issue.  I consistently am beating people HALF my weight and HALF my age!

Partner even "boasted"/"wish-thought" in between rounds that sana, we wouldn't go through to the next rounds (semis/finals) just so he could reserve his strength for the 3rd World categories.  You see, folks, he was joining as the male partner for a very strong, talented gay man we lovingly call Murat (see the dude in blue).  I was disappointed then because he was introducing negativity into my ever so positive paradigm and because he wasn't mindful that I was the paying guest who needed his support and skills to win whereas his categories with Murat were Dance Instructor to Dance Instructor, a seemingly easier feat.

I will make a note to remind him that he must be careful with what he wishes for.  If I lose, he loses a customer!

But it's been hours since our multiple wins (Gilbert and Murat placed first in both the 3Dance and 5Dance categories they joined in).  I've since forgiven him for his tired musings.

I was truly happy--for the first time--to receive MONEY AND A TROPHY for all my/our efforts!  P5,000 is enough for gas and a change-oil for my car but not comparable to the hundreds of thousands I've spent training, traveling and competing.  I was happy for what the prize money symbolized--a tangible ROI for all the blood, sweat, tears, white hair, disappointment, illnesses and pain I've had to undergo all these years.

Speaking of pain, I came prepared with breathable Mediplast for my toes since this pair of black heels were painful in so many spots.  I had not yet spray-tanned my toes and heels to hide its stark whiteness when I took this pic on the left.  I remember an earlier DSCPI competition in October of 2010 when I had to use a (CLEAN!) panty liner to cushion the blisters that were already forming all over my feet!  

No fake nails for me so no lacerations for Gilbert.  The floor was smooth so no bleeding big toes for me!  On the other hand, Gilbert, the day after comps, was of no use to anyone.  All his muscles were sore--so he says :)

The funnest part of the day was ending the NIGHT with a midnight 25-minute ZUMBA FITNESS impromptu class with our friends who stayed on.  Some danced in heels but I just went at it barefoot!!  To note, a decent looking DI was leading a very smooth and do-able line dance.  I was just sitting back eating peanuts and chocolate.  On his third song, I overheard him say "O, ito, Zumba move ito."  A ganun?!  I had Gilbert plug his IPod sa DJ's booth and we showed Mr. Line Dancing Leader what real Zumba Fitness moves by licensed instructors looked like.

SO I DECIDED TO BECOME A ZUMBA FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

I must start this blog entry off by stating that I have always been gutsy.  Growing up, entertaining mom's guests in the salas while she perfected her eyebrows upstairs, falling off stage mid-sentence but still finishing my lines during a college musical, auditioning for a TV commercial for a Marilyn Monroe role at 200 lbs. or competing AND winning at Dance Sport competitions here and abroad made it impossible for me to be anything but thick skinned! 

I was fat for most of my adult years.  I found that it gave me license to use humor and skill to get people to like me, if not fall in love with me.  If I could not lose the weight, I just made sure I got anything or any job done WELL and life would still be great.  Genius, right?!

Then I heard of Zumba Fitness.  I hadn't even tried it yet when I decided I wanted to hold classes at The Roxy.  I went straight into training and got my license for both Basic 1 and Basic 2.  One month later, I flew to Singapore to get a special license to teach Zumbatomic, the one geared towards kids between 4 and 12 years old. 

Hmmm, I thought, so much qualifications and I will pay others to do what I know I can do well myself?!  Four months later, I was teaching classes at The Roxy for experience.  Two months after that, I was accepting private and corporate classes!  

My strategy to avoid so much comparison with my thinner colleagues, was to use a different playlist, far from what everyone was using.  I made sure to choreograph my own dances (using the Zumba handbook/ guidelines, of course) so that I was unique but still effective.

At Merville Park, we started with 17 students.  We are now close to 50 regular attendees every TTH.

I've been telling people during my seminars (yes, Im a speaker for workshops), that there is no time but NOW, that shy people do not get rich, that people who believe they can, can and those who believe they cannot, are right.

I have decided that I will always dance with a smile.  It is my hope that my students get the feeling that Zumba Fitness is easy--that if  "fat me" can survive an hour of vigorous dancing, then "fat them" can do it too!

I write this, in the hope that I continue to inspire childless, over 40 years old, and/or heavy-set women to JUST FUCKING DO IT!

SO I WENT TO THIS CRAFT CAMP....

I half enjoyed my time at this first ever P5,500 Craft Camp in Zambales this May 18-19, 2013.  Why?  I knew half the crafts they were teaching / offering and the beach was (as beaches must usually be) hoooot!

These were my wonderful discoveries of my weekend:
1. Gocco Printing
2. DIY Watercolors in a tin container
3. Leather Crafted Calling Card Case
4. Friendship Bracelet Using a DMC Bobbin Winder (I've done the freehand ala macrame type before)
5. Hair Braiding (Waterfall, Crown)

Going in, I knew / have done / have actually taught the following modules/projects they offered:
1. Pompoms
2. Tea making
3. Batik Painted Bandanas
4. Book Binding
5. Copper Wire Jewelry (Rose Ring)
6. DIY Nail Art

Maybe I'm just too "over-crafted"?  For the normal folks, all those offerings are novel and brand new.... It seems, for someone like me, who has owned and run The Art Center in Megamall, who has been a preschool teacher for 18 years, who has had 1/2 of her two-bedroom Condo executed  as a Craft Room, I am harder to please or surprise.

To be fair, the very informative organizer (Alessandra Lanot and company) chose a great place to hold the event at (Crystal Beach, Zambales), we were transferred  to and from Zambales by van (by speedy drivers), our rooms were air-conditioned, we had breakfast-lunch-merienda-dinner-breakfast-lunch and merienda served at the dining room, all the materials for the event were provided--bottom line they delivered on what they promised!

What did I take away from this experience?  First Prize for my 5-woman group, the Gupi Tupi Cha Cha Tribe (three lootbags of goodies) for most points in the Craft Challenge, mediocre shots from my Iphone 4S, three refreshing mango shakes, about 25 new friends of the same mind... and a LIGHTBULB MOMENT....Not bad!

Like all my experiences, I was evaluating how I could do something like this myself, but only better.  :)  I can see myself putting together Crafting 101's, "CrAfternoons", Craft Exchanges and Crafting Weekends.

Those should be for another time and another entry.  I guess the universe will just have to stay tuned.