Dance becomes: Faron Mijares
'My friends tell me I'm crazy, for once a dance step enters my mind, I apply it immediately'
'Dancing has gotten harder and harder. It's good to see that people are striving to improve by attending workshops'
Faron Mijares.
Faron Mijares
Ballroom dancing enthusiasts and dance sports experts know this name by heart. After all, he is Iloilo's bankable dance instructor who's responsible for bringing out the best in Iloilo City's ballroom aficionados. Good looking and gifted with an agile body fit for dancing, Faron also gets to be invited in competitions in Asian nations. Dancing has brought him to Brunei and Malaysia and soon, he will visit Australia and show its citizens the stuff he's made of.
Get to know more about Faron in this interview.
Kathy M. Villalon (KMV): Are you a full time dance instructor?
Faron Mijares (FM): Yes. I teach dance lessons during the day, but not everyday. Every night, I have bookings in Hotel del Rio and Amigo Terrace Hotel.
KMV: How long have you been in this work?
FM: Three years.
KMV: Did you take a course related to dancing?
FM: I just attended workshops. I'm a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Commerce, major in Marketing.
KMV: Oh, why dancing?
FM: I worked in companies before but I got bored. Dancing is more challenging. It runs in our blood. From my grandmother, mother, sister and brother. It's just me who made a career out of dancing.
KMV: How would you describe your work?
FM: Tiring because we dance until 2 or 3 am. But it's fun and enjoyable. It's quite an experience.
Champions in the Amateur Category Sabrina Basco
and Faron Mijares.
KMV: What are your favorite dances?
FM: Rhumba, jive and samba. In rhumba, I am able to express myself. Jive is fast and the opposite of all dances. People say I move a lot. With samba, I get to feel tribal and latin beat at the same time. It's a good feeling to be able to experience dancing Brazilian samba.
KMV: What are some of the competitions you've joined where you won or ranked top?
FM: Latino Dos held in Sarabia Manor where our pair was on the top three. There's the Kayaba Festival, an open competition in Gaisano where we were the champions, Extravaganza in Marymart, also became champions; and the pro-am category of the regional competition of the Iloilo Dance Sports Club Inc where we were hailed as champions. This club is now called the Dance Sports Federation of Western Visayas of which I am a member.
KMV: What's your dream competition?
FM: An international dance competition like the Black Pool. This is the highest dance sports competition in the world.
KMV: Are Ilonggos ready for such competition?
FM: Yes, very much.
KMV: What do you do on your free time?
FM: Play billiards.
KMV: Are you good at it?
FM: Yes.
KMV: Do you strive to improve in dancing?
FM: Yes. I make sure there's room for improvement. I believe that I am not a perfect dancer and that there is someone better than me.
KMV: How do you keep on learning?
FM: I keep on inventing dance steps. Also, when I see a dance video, I get restless no matter where I am. I make it a point to apply it right there and then. I don't want to wait for tomorrow to do that. My friends tell me I'm crazy, for once a dance step enters my mind, I apply it immediately. Meanwhile, in dance sports, there are steps that you really need to follow. I just put variety on the combination of these steps.
KMV: How would you describe the Ilonggo dance scene nowadays?
FM: There had been changes and so many dance aficionados who have stopped. Before, people dress up for ballroom dancing. Now, with the opening of Marina, you can wear just about anything to be able to enjoy ballroom dancing. There are many choices as regards the venue. Dancing has gotten harder and harder. It's good to see that people are striving to improve by attending workshops. I hope that ballroom dancing will continue to thrive here.