WOW Pinoy

America's Best Dance Crew Season II

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Friday, June 20, 2008

Photo by Mark Davis/ MTV/ LAtimes.com

Information that I got from Bakitwhy.com (even though I really watch the show and recognize all the filipino's there).....Here are the list of Dance Crews who are proud to be Fil-Am blood:

Phresh Select
These boys from Philadelphia use hip hop dance to provide a positive outlet for youth in the city. Their goal is to reduce violence and crime in their city through dance and "love". The Pil-Am who's bringing the Philly cheesesteaks is Jay "Rukkus" Jao.

Sass x 7
The seven women of this group come from Rutgers University. Hated to be compared to cheerleaders, these dancers have a hard-hitting style. Madeline "Mads" Camacho represents the East Cost Pinays in the group.

Boogie Bots
Several of the members of this Washington, D.C. area crew were members of FIND (Filipino Intercollegiate Network Dialogue). Their style mimics famous robot celebrities like Voltron, Megazord, and the Transformers. Four of the five bots: Ryan "Gesture" Dalisay, Miguel "Migs" Almario, Joesar "JPizol" Alva, and Michael "Magic Mike" Arellano.

A.S.I.I.D.
Joey Antonio of A.S.I.I.D. has been profoundly deaf for his entire life, but he is one of the most skilled dancers in the competition. How does he move to the music then? He says he can feel the beats and connect with his teammates.

Xtreme Dance Force
This hip hop/jazz crew for the Midwest brings technicality and training to the competition. However, many crews have criticized the Xtreme Dance Force for their lack of city or "street" background. Alvin "Pino" Ramirez, a co-director, steps up for the Midwest Pinoys.

SoReal Cru
One of my personal favorites all the way from Houston, this crew completely rocked the 2008 World of Dance competition. Their detailed style is mixed with humor, and for once I completely agree with J.C.: every moment is like a picture. The 6 Pil-Ams on the 7-person representative team are: Brian "Burna" Puspos, Jackie "Jackstar" Lautchang, Mark Fucanan, Ailyn Joy "Ey Candy" Isidro, Brian "Ian" Fucanan, and Andrew "Goodfoot" Baterina.

Super Cr3w
This Vegas breaking crew went on the show to be an example of the adaptability and raw skill of breakdancers. This crew is actually a conglomeration of three crews--Full Force Crew, Knucklehead Zoo, and Battle Monkees. Pil-Ams in the crew are: RJ "Rockadile" Puno, Ronnie "Ronnie Boy" Abaldnado, and Angelito "Vex" Casal.

Fanny Pack
This crew aims to bring back the "unapologetic" era of the 80's back into the public's view. Their technical, quirky dances reflect the craziness of that decade. San Fernando Valley, CA native Cara Horibe stretch-pants it up for the Pilipina-Americans.

Supreme Soul
My other personal favorite, they've been promoted as the "Jabbawockeez' rivals." Indeed, they have competed against the Jabbawockeez, but they haven't shared the same press so far. Representing the San Francisco Bay Area Pil-Ams are Jonathan "Bionic" Bayani, RJ "KoolRaul" Navalta, and Alfred "Mitch" Sanedrin.

Honorable Mention: Team Milennia
This group representing Cal State Fullerton was labeled as "one that all other groups measure up to." Unfortunately they were in the toughest region on the show and were eliminated in the audition special. However, their pre-performance interview was a huge acknowledgment to Pilipino-Americans in the dance world.

So that's about 50-100+ Pil-Ams on America's Best Dance Crew this season. Watch the casting special via the link below!

America's Best Dance Crew Casting Special [MTV]
Meet the Crews [DanceWatcher]
Fil-Am Famous: Is dance how we'll get noticed? [Hip Hop Lives]

JabbaWockeez will join Gary V. in Concert

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Thursday, May 22, 2008

The JabbaWockeez will join the performing Gary Valenciano for this 25th anniversary concert at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on June 7, 2008.

The JabbaWockeez are best known for their recent victory as "America's Best Dance Crew" on the very popular dance reality TV series on MTV, hosted by American Idol Randy Jackson. Three of six members of the JabbaWockeez who appeared on MTV's high rated national TV competition are Filipinos: Ryan Paguio, Phil Tayag and Chris Gatdula.

The three wil be doing a special guest performance for Gary Valenciano's show along with their fellow JabbaWockeez members. Prior to their victory on Randy Jackson's show, the group also performed and competed on America's Got Talent. Most popular among the yuth, the JabbaWockeez are recognized for their unique style of dance and the marionette measks they wear while performing.

EWP Awards Jabbawockeez

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Monday, May 05, 2008

“It’s really a blessing. Everything that’s been going on right now has been crazy,” said FilAm Chris Gatdula of the Jabbawockeez. “It’s our hard work that has put us on the map.”

People just can’t seem to get enough of Gatdula and the other members of the Jabbawockeez crew. On April 26, the East West Players (EWP) awarded the dance crew the Breakout Performance Award at its 42nd Anniversary Visionary Awards Dinner.

Since winning the inaugural MTV show Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew a month ago, the members of the Jabbawockeez’ world like their dance move has flipped upside down.

More than 38 million people voted for the six-member dance group, giving them a $100,000 and fame. At the EWP Awards dinner, they performed a set titled Enter the Rabbit Hole wearing their signature plain white masks. After the performance, the Jabbawockeez were mobbed everywhere they went by photo hungry fans.

“It’s been the busiest few weeks of my life,” said Ben “B-Tek” Chung, who finished off the dance set with a head spin. “We’ve been traveling back and forth from the East Coast to the West Coast, hanging out with different celebrities at parties, it’s been great.”

“I’m more amazed at the fact that those celebrities actually come up to us and say that their big fans of our dancing,” added Chung.

Randy Jackson, who was in attendance to witness the awarding, also gave the crew much love after their performance. Jackson told the Asian Journal that he’s glad America voted for the right dance crew.

“I’m just so happy for these guys,” said Jackson. “They are so incredible. The choreography, styles, and their sets are different all the time. They have a mixture of everything from b-boy (break dancing), jazz, and everything. They got everything.”

Chung said the group split the winnings evenly and gave some money to the four other members of the Jabbawockeez that did not compete in the MTV television series.

“It gave me a chance to pay off my bills,” said Chung of his share of the money.

Bittersweet

With their successful performances, the Jabbawockeez crew draws inspiration from their former crew member, Gary Kendell, who succumbed to pneumonia and meningitis just a few months before their MTV performance. The crew competed for six gruelling weeks against other great dance crews around the nation. Although Kendell is gone, his spirit is still part of the Jabbawockeez, said Jeff “Phi” Nguyen. “It’s been bittersweet,” he said. “We wish he was here to celebrate and party with us but I know he’s here in spirit.”

The JabbaWockeez is a 10-member dance crew but only six competed in the MTV event. There are three FilAm members in the crew. The group was named after a character in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland Jabberwocky,” a character in Lewis Carroll’s book Alice in Wonderland.

Other EWP awardees

Besides the JabbaWockeeZ, EWP also awarded the Made in America award to USC Professor Velina Hasu Houston, for her contributions in art and theatre; and, the the Visionary Award to Carrie Ann Inaba of Dancing with the Stars. The Three Filipino Tenors compose of Antoine Diel, Randy Guiaya and Lito Villareal, hosted the event.

East West Players is a non-profit group that promotes Asian-American art and theatre.

Macy’s, Fox and Paramount Studios were among many sponsors who donated wonderful gift baskets to help raise funds for the Asian American theatre group.

Jabbawockeez Won at 2008 Asian Excellence Awards

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Sunday, May 04, 2008

After winnig at American Best Dance Crew title, JabbaWockeez accepted an award at 2008 Asian Excellence Awards for Favorite Reality Stars. I'm happy for them that after the contest at MTV, they been given a lot of recognition.

FilAm Kids Wow 'Dancing with the Star' Judges

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Wednesday, April 30, 2008

The late FilAm wonderkids put on their dancing shoes on the April 12 episode of Dancing with the Stars .

FilAm kids, 10-yearold Jaryd Farcon and eight-year-old Cara Abaya Campos performed the popular ballroom dance step the chacha to tthe music of Bruce Channel's Hey! Baby in front of millions of viewers on ABC's hit dance.

In their one-minute dance set, these pintsized ballroom dancers strutted their stuff with rapid hip movement, splits, and exaggerated facial impressions, a must in every ballroom dancer's arsenal Afterwards, all three judges were impressed by the performance and asked the young couple to come back.

"Jaryd, your hip action," said Judge Bruno Tonioli. "You could teach some of our professionals." "Cara, you're only eight years old and you're dancing like a 40-year-old hot mama," added Judge Carrie Ann Inaba

"Sharp, crisp leg action, fabulous hips, beautiful Cuban break, the whole package It was fantastic," said head Judge Len Goodman after the performance.

These kids are not your ordinary elementary school students. During the past year, Jaryd and Cara have performed on NBC's Today Show and won talk show hosts Maury Pvich's "Most Talented Kids" competition.

Jaryd and Cara both from the East Coast have been dancing together for more than a year. They have been compeing in national and international competitions, according to Cara's mom Irene Campos, who recently spoke with the Asian Journal about their accomplishments.

Irene said that since the two young kids have been performing together they've won first or second place in a number of competitions in their divisions. This year alone, Cara and Jaryd have won two second place trophies in the USA Dance Championships Nationals, 1st Place in the Teddy Bear - JIVE division at the Le Clasique in Montreal, Canada; and a first and second place award in the Manhattan Dancesport Regional in New York.

"I'm so proud of these kids," said Irene. "They really work hard and compete to be the best." the Dancing with the Stars Junior 10-and-under age group competition began this year. During last Tuesday's competition, Jaryd and Cara bested their opponent 10-year-old Dmitriy Slobodskiy and Michelle Kaplansky for a chance to come back again

ABC Dancing with the Stars producers have asked the young FilAm couple to perform again on the show sometime in May, according to Irene.

Cheryl Burke - Dancing with the Stars

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Friday, April 04, 2008

Cheryl Bautista Burke (born May 12, 1984) is a two time Emmy nominated professional dancer. As the professional dancer partner, she won the competition in the second and third seasons of ABC's American version of Dancing with the Stars with celebrity dance partners Drew Lachey (February 2006) and Emmitt Smith (November 2006).

Burke grew up in Atherton, California. She is of Filipino and Irish descent.[1] Her family dances recreationally and have a dance floor at home. At 4 years old, she began taking ballet lessons and performing locally. She first began ballroom dancing and decided to change her focus. She trained in both standard ballroom and latin dances. She began competing at age 13.

Burke is a 2002 graduate of Menlo-Atherton High School.

Dancing

Burke contends that dancing provides a medium for her to express her inner feelings and passion all the while maintaining focus and composure during extremely high-pressure situations.

Burke says that her dancing style is unlike anyone else's. She takes pride in being a "rule breaker" and feels that her greatest achievements in dancing are still to come.

Dancing with the Stars
Burke won her first championship with 98 Degrees member Drew Lachey in the second season. It has been alleged that they were having an affair during this time. She won her second championship with retired football star Emmitt Smith in the third season.

Burke returned to the ballroom on March 19, 2007 for Season 4, partnered with actor Ian Ziering. Cheryl and Ian were eliminated in the semi-finals on May 15, 2007.

She participated in a 38 city Dancing with the Stars Tour from December 19, 2006 to February 11, 2007. She joined the second summer tour which visited 24 cities between June 20, 2007 in Austin, Texas and July 24, 2007 in Vancouver, Canada. Her celebrity partner for both tours was Drew Lachey.

Cheryl competed on Season 5. Her partner was Las Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton. They were the third couple eliminated from the competition on October 9, 2007.

Cheryl recently participated with both Lachey & Newton in the Dancing with the Stars winter tour that kicked off December 18, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. The tour wrapped in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 10, 2008.

Cheryl is currently competing on Season 6 and is partnered with actor Cristián de la Fuente

JabbaWockeez First Season Champion

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Friday, March 28, 2008

Upon following every week of this Season Americas Best Dance Crew I am thrilled that for so long i've been waiting for and lot of people whose watching it. JabbaWockeez won the title and $100,000 grand prize (thats a lot of money but they deserve it).

In this competition as I wrote on my past post, I have two favorites in this competition. JabbaWockeez and Kaba Modern (They even sound alike). KabaModern have those smoothe moves and JabbaWockeez have these good dancing that reflect there brotherhood.

Congratulation to JabbaWockeez and Wishing all the best to all the crews that joined Americas Best Dance Crew. Its a good season i watched for long weeks of excitement and moving. It remembers me of all my High School Programs of dancing that its like i wanna go in the past and dance again.

Cris Judd - Ex-Husband of Jennifer Lopez

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Monday, March 24, 2008

Cristan Lee Judd (born August 15, 1969, in Abilene, Texas) is an American actor and choreographer. He is best known for his failed marriage to Jennifer Lopez.

Before Hollywood, Judd spent his early years growing up on Air Force bases in Angeles City in the Philippines and Hawaii. His mother is Filipino, his father is white. The Air Force then moved his family to Niceville, Florida, where he attended Niceville High School. While in Florida, Judd, an avid athlete, spent a lot of time surfing and golfing. With a golf handicap of four, he even considered going pro after graduation, but instead decided to go to college. While in college, he landed his first job at Disney World with friend and colleague, Wayne Brady.

At age 21 Judd became interested in dance. Within a year, he switched jobs and began dancing professionally with Disney. He was hired to dance with Michael Jackson for the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards and then danced with Jackson on both the Dangerous and History tours, eventually becoming lead dancer for the tour. In 1999, he performed at the Billboard Music Awards with Celine Dion, the MTV Music Awards with N'SYNC, and in 2000 at the American Music Awards with Enrique Iglesias and Brian McKnight, and for "Best Song" nominee That Thing You Do at the 69th Annual Academy Awards. Judd also teamed up for the first time with choreographer Eddie Garcia, a collaboration that continues to this day, to choreograph the 2000 Tour for Jordan Knight.

Since that time, Judd has danced in and choreographed numerous music videos including My Way for Usher, Jump, Jive, & Wail for the Brian Setzer Orchestra, If I Could Go for Angie Martinez and Tango for Julio Iglesias. He also directed the music video, Ain't It Funny-Remix, with Ja Rule. Judd then became creative director for Handprint Entertainment, overseeing a $5 million budget and delivering NBC's concert special "Let's Get Loud."

He met future wife Jennifer Lopez in Spain when he was hired to direct her music video for "Love Don't Cost a Thing". They were married on September 29, 2001. The marriage ended in June 2002. He also composed Jennifer Lopez's song, "Alive", which was selected as the theme song for the movie Enough.

Judd and his partner Eddie Garcia produced an interactive dance DVD released in summer 2005, and has prepared the Midnight Fantasy musical for the Luxor Resort in Las Vegas.

Jabbawockeez on Episode 7 of Americas Best Dance Crew

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Sunday, March 23, 2008

DANCE 1


DANCE 2


And this is i can say "WOW". They are now in the final two. Im so sad about Kaba Modern goin' home because they really good in dancing, respect to Kaba Modern. Now Status Quo and JabbaWockeez are now left for the Finals, of course im voting JabbaW. Sorry for this but I dont like how Status Quo's dance.

Well, hoping to all the dancers dance at Americas Dance Crew, they are all good. Hoping for them with all the best in their dancing and life.

Vote for JabbaWockeez:
Mtv.com

JabbaWockeez - Episode 4 & 5

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Thursday, March 13, 2008

Episode 4


At this episode they had to perform Street Style. Li'l Mama become they're leader after the dance ended. Miley Cyrus is there too to support the group.


Episode 5


I LIKE IT!!!!!!!!
At this Episode they had to do a song from the king of pop himself and his album THRILLER. They got PYT and they killed it!

JabbaWockeez - Episode 2 & 3

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Epsisode 2

At episode 2, i've been waiting for the next dance creation whats JabbaWockeez gonna do. Jabbawockeez have to perform "Omarion - Icebox" videos dance moves with the little bit dance moves of their own after the Omarion video. And of course they got it well. The audience are very excited and the judges (JC Chasez, Li'l Mama and Shane Sparks)are satisfied with their performance. Thats why they got in the next round.

Episode 3

At Episode 3. They can choose on their own beat, so they choose "Dem Franchise Boyz - Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It"But they have to add one thing in their dance move. They have to "defy gravity". While i'm Watching it im focusing where is the "defy gravity" move. At the end of the song, there it is. I laugh really hard. They really did defy gravity. By making like its floating. The audience is screaming and the judges is really got it. Judges like it. Im happy if i see them again in the next round.

Philippines All-Star - Hip Hop Dancers

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Thursday, February 14, 2008

A Filipino based dance group called All Stars is made up of 12 talented and young performers known for its real hip-hop and R&B styles which combines different styles of urban grooves to its international rank. The group puts free styling, pop, break dancing, crump, old school and new school in their routines. All-stars started as close friends coming from different backgrounds and were formed for the 4th World Hip Hop Championships held in LA, California where they placed 6th out of 26 other competing teams. Just recently, All-stars made Filipino dancers to be noticed of when they won the GOLD in the 2nd International Hip Hop Open D'Italia in Torino, Italy last June & the 5th World Hip Hop Championships in Redondo Beach, California last July 29, 2006. They plan to bring a bigger impact for all the hip-hop dancers around the world.

All-stars are consisted of Kenneth Serrano aka Kenjhons, Lema Diaz, Sheena Vera Cruz, Laurence Chua, Patrick Caballa, Kyxz Mendiola, Michelle Salazar, Jhong Mesina, Jeremiah Carandang, Reagan Cornelio, Chelo Espina and Madelle Enriquez. Trainees: Prince Paltu-Ob, Deo Bantillo & Niko Bolante (credit to monyoman for the team members info.)

JabbaWockeez - America's Best Dance Crew

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Thursday, February 07, 2008

One night while watching at MTV to see this new program "America's Best Dance Crew" who Randy Jackson representing. I am thrilled to all the dancing and everything and one crew i noticed, JabbaWockeez is been in this one talent show "America's got Talent" and here they go again for another time. PHIL TAYAG, 23 - SACRAMENTO, CA
, RYNAN SHAWN PAGUIO, 26 - SAN DIEGO, CA and CHRIS GATDULA, 26 - LAS VEGAS, NV
are filipinos. Some of the crews are Jeff Nguyen, Ben Chung, Kevin Brewer.






Go, go. Vote them at
http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/dance_crew/voting.jhtml?episodeId=1

Their Official Website is:
ttp://www.jabbawockeez.com

Ryan Conferido - "Do you think you can Dance?"

Written by **Billyboxergirl on Monday, January 21, 2008

Ryan Conferido (Born June 13, 1983 (age 24)Downey, Ca) is a Filipino American bboy, best known for being a contestant on the first season of the United States dance competition television series, So You Think You Can Dance (2005).

Conferido was raised in a strict religious household where dance was discouraged. He picked up bboying on his own in high school. In 2005, though he had no formal training, he decided to audition for the first season of the Fox dance competition So You Think You Can Dance. His impressive self-taught breakdancing style earned him rave comments from the judges and was eventually picked as one of the top 20 finalists for the show. On the premiere episode, his ability to pick up what seems to be a technically difficult Latin dance routine brought him a standing ovation. He proceeded through multiple rounds of eliminations, and was one of the last 16 dancers eliminated.

Prior to his fame in the Fox show, Conferido has also appeared in numerous movies as an extra, and had a prominent role as a breakdancer in You Got Served where he displayed his signature head-hopping and elbow-utilizing moves.
Conferido was also seen in some of the audition episodes during the 2006 season accompanying some of his dancing associates who were trying out during the new auditions in Los Angeles. He and his "Sickstep" dance troupe were invited to be featured performers on the June 21, 2006 episode.
Following news that he and other members have officially left the dance crew Sickstep, Conferido started his own crew Quest together with Hokuto Konishi, Steve Terada, Victor Kim, Nick Teti, Brian Hirano & Aris Paracuelles. Conferido is also a core member of the b-boy crew "The City Drifters". He has been in music videos for Papa Roach, the live action adaptation of Fat Albert, the Bboy DVD Unsigned Undadog, and "Based on a True Story, volume 2". He also appeared for both an interview and performance on Live with Regis and Kelly.

website:
Myspace of Ryan C.
Youtube of Ryan C.