Here are some kind words from the students as well as our guest instructors about the Polestars Summer Workshops. We hope to always elevate your pole experience at Polecats Manila!

Click to view slideshow.

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In performing I always say, dance like it is your last.

Since I was a little girl, i’ve dreamed of becoming a performer. I learned dancing a few moments after I learned how to walk. It’s because dancing runs in my blood. My father was a great choreographer in his teenage years. His forte was Funk, and he set aside school work because he was always so excited to take the stage. He was a member of VIP Dancers, the back-up dancers of Vilma Santos back in the ‘80s. He had a chance to perform in some of the noontime variety shows like Student Canteen and, on the latter part of his career, in Eat Bulaga.

But my father was like a falling star. He grew old cursing the talent of dancing. Eventually, dancing made his life miserable. He had to stop his schooling because he chose to dance in different places. But dance didn’t give him a shot at becoming a successful man. That’s why he’s the Great Wall of China between me and dance. He was never happy seeing me dance. He always told me, “You wanna end up like me, huh?”But that didn’t stop me; I knew that I could become something bigger. So I danced behind his back.  I danced in school so that it wouldn’t be so hard to make up excuses for late dismissals. I always told him that I was busy doing bulletin boards and investigatory projects blah blah… But I was actually busy practicing school presentations. But soon he found out, and he was so mad. He grounded me and I ended up locking myself in my room crying all day and all night long. Finally, I found the courage to talk to him. I told him that I would’t make the same mistakes he did. I promised him that I would finish my studies while dancing. He told me, “You make sure. You are only allowed to dance in school. Got it?”

Years  passed and my father and mother got separated. My mom couldn’t stay because of my father; being around him depressed her deeply. The next thing I knew, our money had run out and I had to stop studying for awhile. My world turned upside down. I felt like I was hit by a truck. I would cry all day, cry til my eyes were sore. But I saw my family picture and I remembered that I promised dad I would finish my studies as I danced. So I looked at myself in the mirror, wiped my tears and told myself, “Hey young girl. Don’t cry anymore. Remember the first time you spun and jumped and got hurt from dancing? You didn’t cry right? So now,  just stand up and try the whole routine again. Apply that into life. Stand up and try the whole routine again.”

So I started working after celebrating my debut. Thankfully, I got accepted after my first job interview. I became a Customer Support Representative of ePerformax Contact Centers and BPO. I waved goodbye to dance right after I signed my contract. I felt bad of course, but what could I do? I had to earn a living.

Everything was going well until I lost my voice. The doctor said my voice got palsied and I needed to take a rest until it got better, which meant I had to resign from my job. But i still had to save money for the upcoming semester, so I ended up becoming a cashier at Padi’s Point Restaurant and Bar.  I didn’t earn big money unlike when I was in the call center, but I can say that after three years of cashing out money, i really learned to love it. Surprisingly, Padi’s Point opened the doors of dancing to me once more. They appointed me to become the Ambassador of the Padi’s Point Theme Song. They asked me to choreograph the “Tara Na sa Padi’s” song. Together with some of the dancing servers, we choreographed Padi’s theme, which was used nationwide. It was being danced in twenty eight branches and I was even in the instructional video!

I found myself back on track and I danced in school again. I would study in the morning, dance in the afternoon and work in the evening. It was tiring but fun. Right now, I am a Dance Coach in VoicePower Talent Management and Events Organizer. I teach kids to do street dance. It is so cool, like I am a part of their dreams of dancing.

Now, I’m 21 and I’m a Pole kitten. I wanted to learn pole dancing because I always wanted to be something bigger. My life feels like my own personal pole. I would climb and then slip, but I would always climb again. I would do spins and fall and but would try to spin again. Polecats are part of my inspirations in dancing. My teachers always ask me  to squeeze my thighs, to point my toes, to smile even if it hurts. They are simply asking me to be strong. They are asking me to conquer my fears of falling from the pole; because if you trust yourself, then you can let go.

I am Ahlex Leyva of Beginners 1, continuing my journey in dancing.

When Chinggay asked me to attend a pole dancing class with her at Polecats Manila, I was a bit hesitant.  For one thing, I had just committed to aBarre 3 personal challenge (30 classes in 30 days, don’t ask me why); I was only a week in, so my body was still adjusting to the sudden exertion.  Also, I could already hear my daughters’ reaction to the idea — “There she goes again. Sigh.” — and while I’m always trying to encourage them to be open to new things and challenge their limits, I was worried that the idea of their mother strutting seductively around a stripper pole would push them a bit over the edge.  But then I ran it thru my personal litmus test (also know as the “Why not?” test, or better yet, the “What would Angelina Jolie do?” test), and it passed with flying colors.  Which is why last Sunday morning, Chinggay and I found ourselves clad in our shorty-shorts, 22 floors up in the heart of Ortigas Center, waiting anxiously for the pole dancing class to begin. CLICK TO READ MORE

The great thing about learning is that it knows no bounds and this is why we should take advantage of opportunities we’re faced with.

This is what AJ, our senior tomcat, did when he went to the US over the holiday break.

Here’s a quick summary of AJ’s US pole adventure!

My first stop was at the Shine Alternative Fitness studio in Las Vegas where I took a flexibility and private pole class with American Pole Fitness Silver Medalist David C. Owen. I also met 2011 American Pole Fitness Bronze Medalist Suwasit Ritthiphon that day. Talk about being surrounded by pole superstars!

Check out David’s and Suwasit’s videos!

My next stop was at the Twirly Girls Pole Fitness studio where I took a class with the studio owner, Bel Jeremiah, who other pole stars fondly call Mama Bel. I became good friends with a fellow pole enthusiast named Sean Michael (not the wrestler. That would be Shawn Michaels. Haha!)

With Bel Jeremiah (studio owner) and Patrick Lorange (student) of Twirly Girls Studio

I concluded mhy US pole adventure by attending a private class with the beautiful Phoenix Kazree at the Entangle and Sway studio.

With Phoenix Kazree, and my kindred polemate Sean Michael.

Phoenix Kazree gave us tips on how to be better pole performers, especially onstage. She greatly stressed on the importance of avoiding shortcuts and making every single movement big.

Isn’t she beautiful?!

Along the way you meet people who give you another reason to do what you love to do. Im fortunate enough to meet these beautiful pole souls.

Our idea was to come up with a name so we could form some kind of a club, print a shirt, take a few photos. And then we decided, “hey, maybe we can do a couple of performances too”. Which turned into, “you know what, it would be cool if there was a live band…”, which eventually became “i think we should perform with an orchestra”.

As you know, our story is made up of little stories all clumped up into one big picture. These little stories are the things you probably don’t see happening — organising events, painting walls, working on other skill sets, eating and laughing together.

Everything we have ever done as a group was always a step towards a bigger dream, a higher aspiration.

This year we found ourselves in the Wellness Alliance, made up of an awesome group of people who want every single person to have a chance to change their lives through fitness. Not only in body, but in heart and mind as well. Now we find ourselves on the 22nd floor of Strata 100, hoping to change lives every single day.

2012 has been an amazing year. We learned so much and gained so much that our cup is overflowing. So many great opportunities opened themselves up to us, and though uncertain on some parts, we decided to step out in faith and take them anyway. And we’re so glad we did, because all of these things are leading us to better things and higher ground.

Next year, we plan on beating 2012. From just a few pole classes, we have somehow morphed into a real pole school. Next year, we aim to elevate the aerial arts in the Philippines. We’ve all gotten stronger, more flexible, graceful and powerful because of pole, and it’s time to start something new. We’re going to allow you to push yourself farther and higher than you have gone before. And once again, we’re going to turn your world upside down.

Everything we are today started with one small idea. We giggled at the thought. Today, we marvel at the reality. We are now taking that small idea into 2013 and we are allowing it to take flight, and we hope to see you right there with us.

Have a fantastic new year everyone, and we’ll see you soon!

They have been hard at work perfecting their tricks, transitions and floorwork, and they are getting ready to show everyone what they’ve got on December 9, Sunday, at the Big Shift Events Hall, on the 3rd level of A. Venue, Makati Avenue, Makati City.

For only P800, not only do you get a to watch a great showcase of talent, the ticket also comes with a buffet and a glass of red

Polecats Manila students: Nielsen Chua, Vicky Velasco, Leeanne Arnaldo, Kyla Ortigas, Fernando Trinidad, Hannah Villasis, Bambi Dela Cruz Dimapilis (Not in photo: Miguel Ignacio)

Different students from different schools will be represented at the event, and you definitely don’t want to miss that! Let’s all support local talent. So we’ll see you all at Vie and Vault!

You can just imagine the sadness a lot of women felt when they first heard this rule. No lotion leads to dry and flaky skin, which no one wants of course! But the more in love with pole you become, the more seriously you take this rule. It becomes a choice between smooth skin and not falling off.

And then we stumbled upon this little bottle that gave us a way around this No Lotion Rule in pole studios. We tried it for a month and came to this conclusion: it’s possible to have healthy skin AND be able to pole dance! Healthy skin is grippy skin, that’s the truth, and it’s all thanks to Pole Physics! If you have a serious love of pole AND healthy skin, this is exactly what you need to get your hands on. Slather it on 7 hours before your pole session and you are golden.

Pole Physics is specifically engineered for dancers. It’s fully absorbed by your skin, and it doesn’t give you an oily film when you sweat. Not only is it great for dancing, it’s also perfect for our tropical weather!

There’s nothing more we can say — you’re going to have to try it to see for yourself Pole Physics is available at the Polecats Manila Studio for the promo price of P1,200! It comes in Unscented, Scented and Tanning. Everything a pole dancer could ever need Grab a bottle now and enhance your pole dancing experience!

Kiara Tesoro
Remy Bueta
Oliver Loyola
Kim Camelo
Leeanne Arnaldo
Charry Cabantog
Melang Dela Cruz – Ramos
Marie Torralba
Ann Dajon
Mary Grace Elardo

See you on November 3!:)

You know the drill: Be the first 10 to answer 4 out of the 5 questions below and win a ticket to the Polecats anniversary on November 3, 7pm at Teatrino!

1. What is the Polecats Manila Twitter account called? (We hope you’re following us!)

2. What are the names of the two newest Polecats Manila members?

3. Identify this spin: Hold the pole using split grip. As you step forward with your inner leg, you whip your outer leg around and then tuck both legs in as you spin.

4. The Polecats believe that properly moisturized skin is key for a better grip on the pole. What is the name of the ONLY lotion that’s specially formulated for pole dancing? (Hint: We’re selling it at the studio!)

5. In 2010, we had our first ever anniversary party. Where was it held?
Alright guys, we have the questions, now give us the answers! Comments are first screened so that you can’t see the other answers GO!

With pole dancing, a background or experience in dance isn’t really necessary. It’s definitely going to make a lot of things easier for you as a performer, but in general, anyone can become a really good pole dancer. All you need is music that moves you and your inhibitions out the door.

This music video for Rudimental’s new single, “Not Giving In”, featuring the vocalists John Newman and Alex Clare, shows exactly how dance can save you. Shot fully in Manila and based on real life events, it shows the lives of two young boys who made very different decisions. One decided to take a more dangerous road, while the other let the magic of break dancing or B-boying take its place in his life.

It’s not pole dancing, but we can all take a little something from this Enjoy!