JT Boy and Christ Believer Dancers: Using hiphop to bring the youth to God
Dancers will innovate, explore and study different kinds of dance and learn the basics
Tyrone Jimenez in a cool pose..
This writer and Joerhee Tyrone Gorieza Jimenez met during a judging stint in one mall's dance competition. The latter was introduced as the choreographer and member of Christ Believer Dancers, a hiphop dance group known for their superb moves and spirituality.
JT Boy, as his nickname goes, loves to dance hiphop, particularly Bboying or breakdancing and krumping. "Through these steps, I can express my inner self. Whatever I think and feel, I apply such when I dance," he said. But, he is willing to learn all kinds of dances.
He's a fan of dance groups Rocksteady Crew, Mighty Zulu Kings and Rivers Crew because they kept the foundation of Bboying solid. He loves the Krump Kings for krumping.
Learn more about Tyrone and his group ....
Kathy: What's your preferred dance attire?
JT Boy: In bboying or breakdancing I wear any comfy clothes were I can move freely. In krumping, I wear big shorts, pants and shirts. I appreciate how the Koreans and the blacks mix their clothes.
Christ Believer Dancers2.
Kathy: What impresses you when watching people dance?
JT Boy: The genre of their dance, the difficulty, the style, the flavor and when the dancers express their character to what their dancing.
Kathy: What and who inspire you to dance really well?
JT Boy: Jesus, family and friends.
Kathy: Where and how did you receive your dance training?
JT Boy: I had no formal training. I mean, nobody really taught me. I'm seriously practicing everyday.
Kathy: How do you keep up with the latest dance steps?
JT Boy: By surfing the internet.
Kathy: Do you invent dance stepss?
JT Boy: Yes, all of our dance steps are original. I prefer not to 'bite' or copy steps, I just make it my inspiration so I could create my own.
Kathy: What else are you into apart from dancing?
JT Boy: Playing PS2 and PSP, surfing the net, tambay sa Julies and talk 'til midnight and reading the bible, seriously.
Kathy: When was Christ Believer Dancers founded?
JT Boy: July 30, 2004. We first started when we were invited to dance in Christ Emphasis Week at CPU, but we were only a few, so we gathered all our high school friends to join us and our friends' friends joined us too. We rehearsed until such time we decided to use our talents to win souls and share Jesus. We grew bigger, better and blessed.
Kathy: Why are you called Christ Believer Dancers?
JT Boy: Basically, because we are a group of youth who share the same passion, that is to dance for God, so we named our group as dancers who believe in Christ.
Kathy: How many dancers do you have?
JT Boy: We are numerous, about 40, but 10 are consistently participating in competitions --- I, Wilbert Quiambao, Chloe Samontanes, Red Lozano, Ralph Rubrico, Karl Inocencio, Dio Ananoria, Archie, John Leo Ong, Richard Munar and Anna Lovella Gonzales.
Kathy: What makes this group special?
JT Boy: Because we're dancing for the glory of God, way of expressing our gratitude to Him, for what He has done, and what He's gonna do. We are not just mere dancers, but we believe we are commissioned to reach out to the youth and bring them closer to God.
Kathy: What events have you participated in during this year?
JT Boy: More often, we get to be invited in church and school activities. This year, we joined one major event 'Dinagyang Dance Showdown' last February. We won first place.
Kathy: What do you want to see in the Iloilo dance scene?
JT Boy: That time will come all of the dancers will professionally understand that they are artists, not just dancers. They will develop their dance, not stuck for years with the same step and with the same dance. Dancers will innovate, explore and study different kinds of dance and learn the basics.