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My Super one is the youngest among five sisters, born on November 5, 1962. Her mom, Sergia, named her Cherry because she was naturally born with rosy cheeks like a cherry fruit.
I could remember her mom and her sisters used to tell me how talented she was. “She has been dancing since she was five years old”, Sergia once told me. They allowed Cherry to join dance contests in town fiestas and she always win the first prize, would bring gifts of cash and grocery items back home. Her confidence grabbed their attention so they took Cherry for ballet lessons to hone her skills further. As she learned the basic techniques in ballet, she got interested in jazz and became an active member of the artistic gymnastics team in high school.
Her inner drive for dancing made her decide to take Mass Communication major in Theater Arts at Far Eastern University. She said that there are two main reasons why she took that course. The two reasons are: She hates Math and adores the limelight. Whether on or off-stage, she performs 100% with love and passion.
Towards the end of college, Cherry got pregnant with her first baby.
Her eldest daughter
Her early pregnancy changed her life tremendously but in a happy yet challenging way. Cherry finished college and set aside her dancing for a while. Then she started to work for an insurance company to fend for her child. She was earning a lot and been recognized by the company as top agent. Not only she is good in dancing, she also got skills when it comes to selling.
Cherry gave birth again, to a baby boy.
Her only son
She gave birth year, after year, after year, having 4 in a row. It was only that time that her partner asked her to get married. As the years gone by, she felt an unhealthy relationship with her husband and the situation led to separation in 1991. With that, Cherry had an emotional breakdown, raising her kids by herself.
Eventually she found her way back. She had held multiple jobs using her skill in dancing. From a dance instructor teaching cotillions and ballroom dancing to choreographing Broadway and musical productions. She would send her calling cards to friends and give out her resumes to schools and other companies so she can put food on the table. Making life better for her four children.
Dance practice with her students
Julie, one of Cherry’s sister was the founder of Philippine Institute for the Deaf, lend a hand and helped her out. Julie offered a job position as full time Musical Director/Choreographer of the school so she can have a permanent work. She learned how to teach hearing impaired students to dance. She said that teaching children with impairment is the most rewarding job she has ever done. She had created 19 original masterpieces for the school.
Cherry accomplished successful recitals for the school because of determination, hard work and love for her students.
She continuously challenge herself to develop dance compositions based on her true emotions, mixing it with love and passion. She is currently teaching pre school students at Fairfield Community Center in Vallejo, California. Her upcoming recital will be staged on September 8, 2010.
Cherry with her second husband (left) and her youngest daughter (right) at SFO
~~I dedicate this blog to the most amazing, talented and beautiful mom, my super one, Mama Cherry!
Me and my mama Cherry
Thank you Globe for the “Super One Blogger Contest!”
