Sol Fernandez's infinite passion for classical ballet

Text and photos by Ronelo S. Ladiao

"Without God I can't do anything".I can see the illuminating spark of faith the eyes of Sol Fernandez as he uttered these words with deep optimism and sentiment. He embraced ballet dancing as his destined craft, inspiring young dancers to dance with grace. This time his thoughts and sensible words will choreograph a dance with destiny that will carve shades of inspiration in your heart and soul, read on.

Queries, personal thoughts and beginnings.

In the first phase of my chat with Mr. Sol Fernanadez he never hesitated to answer queries that reflect his personal views about life, himself and how he started to dance toward a destiny he was longing to endure.

Who are you as a ballet teacher?

"I'm a comedian, I teach positive values and correct techniques in ballet dancing to my students who wish to master this craft"

What are the 3 things you want other people to remember you?

"Well, as a good teacher, honest person, loving father and husband"

What are the things you pray at night?

"I pray that God will watch over my family, friends, students and the church"

If you were a character in a ballet performance what would you to be?

"Well, to tell you frankly laging kontrabida ang role ko noon in my various performances, I always do the bad guys and I was even tagged as 'Max Alvarado' of ballet, but in reality I'm a very loving man. In fact, I would always want to play the role of the Prince like in my early performance in Swan Princess when I was young"

What are the things you want to change in the past and in yourself?

"You know, I don't want to change anything about me and even in my past because I had a memorable childhood. I'm really contented but, I guess, right now I want to change my weight because I got so big"

How do you deal with depression?

"I have encountered so much depression in the past especially when I thought everything had to end but I tried to be open about my dilemmas and pray hard, that's the secret of dealing with depression"

Solomon Hamowy Fernandez is a 45 year-old ballet teacher at his own dance studio atop Jag Marketing in Mabini St. , Iloilo City. His parents Adolfo Fernandez, a private pilot, and Rosa Hamowy-Fernandez, businesswoman, nurtured him to become a good soul. "Sol" as simply called by his family and friends is a strong-willed person who believes that without God he can't do anything. His elementary and high school years were spent at Lourdes School , Jose Rizal College (both in Mandaluyong) and University of Manila . While he finished his Performing Arts course at the University of the Philippines Diliman. By nature he is truly a creative, broad-minded and talented person who always has enough patience to share his wisdom to other people. His hobbies include eating because he loves to cook, swimming and of course dancing. Sol's favorite movies are comedies, cartoons like The Incredibles, famous Disney films and a whole lot more that bring out the child within him. James Brown, Billie Holiday and Motown are among his well-loved music artists while Jackie Chan and Jim Carrey are among his favorite Hollywood actors.

Perspectives, inner visions and career beginnings.

Are you contented and fulfilled right now?

"You know, everything in life is fulfilled if you know that you've done your best and what can I ask for because I'm happy with what I have right now"

What the 3 things you love here in Iloilo City ?

"Well.mangoes of Guimaras, bayi-bayi and Iloilo City itself, full of life, colors and gentle people"

Do you fear death?

"No, kasi even if you fear death definitely we end up dying so just accept it because if it's your time you can't do anything about it. Fearing death means losing your trust in God and his great plans"

What reality and essentialities young people should know about ballet dancing?

"You see, they can't do modern ballet without the correct technique because classical ballet is the base. That is something I always tell to my students and dancers"

Do you have pieces of advice for those who aspire to become good ballet dancers?

"Well, they must have discipline, aim for the correct dance technique and always listen to the advice of their teachers"

Is there something you want to change about yourself as a person and teacher?

"I really want to lose weight, it's not the size that matters after all but your gift as a ballet teacher to teach or give the correct technique"

So, do you have any expression to share to end our conversation?

"Grabe!...ewan ko basta may maganda o pangit akong nakikita I usually say this line"

Sol Fernandez started dancing in his younger years as a member of the first batch of University of the Philippines Performing Arts then he began his trainings as part of Metro Manila Ballet, Bayanihan Folk Dance Company, Philippine Ballet Theatre, Fabella Elejar Dance School and Power Dance headed by Douglas Niervas. As a versatile and in-demand ballet dancer he appeared in countless and prestigious ballet performances in the country and even abroad. Sol was also thrilled and honored to perform together with some popular people in ballet dancing (locally and internationally) such as Lisa Macuja, Mickey Monusa, Yvonae Maritoni Rufino, Anna Villadulid, Katrina Santos and Miriam Saldaña. He also coached the famous Jelsy Kirkland and Robert Burnett. Classical ballet performances that Sol appeared as one of the lead cast were Romeo and Juliet, Astibalt, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and many more. Such appearances boosted his self-esteem in this field of performing arts. His ballet dancing career span from 80s, 90s and up to the present where he shared his wisdom by serving as choreographer and ballet teacher in St. Scholastica, St. Anne's College, and School of Holy Spirit among others. Here in Iloilo City he was hired as ballet instructor and teacher at Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus and his dream came true when he opened Sol Fernadez School of Dance at Mabini St. , Iloilo City. His loving and supportive wife Bella Perez-Fernandez and their two lovely daughters, namely Unna Isabel, 7 years old, and Abiah Abegale, 2 years old, are God's gift to him that remained the wind beneath his wings in his passionate flight for dancing. Now, Sol Fernandez is not just a performing artist advocator but a fashion designer who's willing to create trendy, colorful and classy outfit for ballet dancing as part of the Designer's Guild of Iloilo (DGI) together with some of the most sought-after fashion designers here in Iloilo City .

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