Pil-Ams and America's Best Dance Crew

Posted Sat, 06/14/2008 - 20:05 by kaywan

One of the more possibly positive stereotypes of Pilipinos is that, dang, we can dance! In the recent years, Pilipino-Americans have been coming into the mainstream as some of the most talented and creative dancers ever in the world. Featured on shows across different major U.S. networks, Pilipino-American dancers continue to rock the stages and show that yes, we got skill...

Fox's So You Think You Can Dance featured Melody Lacayanga, Allan Frias, Ryan Conferido, and Dominic Sandoval. ABC's Dancing with the Stars had Cheryl Burke.

Another dance show that is absolutely saturated with Pilipino-Americans this season is MTV's America's Best Dance Crew. If you remember last season, six members of Kaba Modern from the Pilipino-American organization at UC Irvine, Kababayan, placed third in the competition. The Jabbawockeez, which were co-founded by Pilipino-American Joe Larot (who wasn't on the show), included three Pil-Am dancers: Phil Tayag, Rynan Paguio, and Chris Gatdula (also not on the show--Randy Bernal). As many of you know, they won the competition.

The season which officially starts on June 19, 10pm ET/PT, has an even larger Pilipino-American presence. Eight of the ten crews at least one Pil-Am:

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. All of the five bots: Ryan "Gesture" Dalisay, Miguel "Migs" Almario, Joesar "JPizol" Alva, Bryan "Boogie Mind" East, 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.

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]

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Comments

Haha yeah, filipinos are

by breakdown.517 - 10/25/2008 - 14:05

Haha yeah, filipinos are starting to be stereotyped as good dancers, but the thing is I can't dance to save my life, but I'm starting to learn lol

by Leah (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43

there were originally going to be 2 members in Kaba Modern that were Filipino, but had to leave the show because they were Kaba Modern 2008 coordinators

by k1 (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43

Nope, she's full japanese. I was on PCN board with her at UCI and I can say she can be an honorary Pinay anytime :)

by ben (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43

cindy minowa isnt pinay?

by K1 (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43

@aj: Yeah, I meant to say that MTV cut out the scenes/interviews where Kaba Modern mentioned Filipinos and Kababayan. You're correct about Allison Vicencio and Andrew Simbol, where were/are two of the three Co-Coordinators of Kaba Modern for 2008. They were on the show for auditions, but couldn't make the show due to their responsibilities.

by aj (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43

RE: KabaModern Actually - I heard that Kaba had two Filipino members who were supposed to appear and compete on the show. But due to responsibilities as Directors for their team, the 2 stepped back and were replaced. I dont think it was a decision made by MTV.

by Peter G (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43

It definitely is great to see Pinoys out there in Hollywood more and more. As a red carpet photographer, I feel the joy and the pride when I see a pinoy walking down the carpet during premieres and all. Props to the Jabbas as they been doing a lot of red carpet events, even invited to the various gifting suites of award events in which you hear about celebs getting free stuff. The Jabbas and other deserve their spotlight. Checkout photos of the jabbas, kaba modern and other pinoys on the carpet at pacificrimphotopress.com

by K1 (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43

Actually, I personally know that some of the dancers on the show were very involved in Kababayan at UC Irvine. Both Kababayan and Kaba Modern promoted the Filipino aspect of "family" in everything they did--despite differences in ethnicity. Going off of that, MTV is very selective about what they show on the screen. I know they actually mentioned Kababayan and Filipinos, but MTV chose to cut them out for who knows what reason. Probably for the same reason they cut Team Milennia from the show for being "too much like kaba modern" and how they incorrectly display Supreme Soul as cocky rivals of Jabbawockeez. It's all supposed ratings. /rant

by bakit (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43

All the dancers on Kaba Modern that were on ABDC were NOT Filipino!!!! Sad that Kaba finally gets national exposure and not one Filipino on the team representing.. what's up with that!!! Least they could've given a shout out while on the show to Kababayans!!!

by K1 (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43

Pinay neither! noted

by may mali (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43

Carrie Ann is not Pinoy!

by K1 (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43

Thanks for bringing that up RN, I guess MTV's just trying to create controversy...again. Side note: I wonder how the Jabbawockeez are doing with this post-winning thing. I'm sure MTV tried to exploit them as much as possible...you kind of see it in their eyes on stage. (personal opinion, not the opinion of BakitWhy.com)

by RN (not verified) - 10/15/2008 - 18:43

"Indeed, they have competed and won against the Jabbawockeez, but they haven't shared the same press so far." You couldn't be more wrong. This is the battle in question: http://youtube.com/watch?v=RHjtarG_wY8 Soul Sector vs So-Cal All Stars SCAS consisted of members from the Jabbawockeez. SCAS won that battle. That's why SS was so hesitant to admit anything on live TV, but they ended up lying anyway.