"I - Sayaw Dance Studio celebrates 10th summer showcase"

“I-Sayaw Dance Studio celebrates 10th summer showcase”
SunStar Davao, July 22, 2025

In a heartfelt celebration of artistry and growth, I-Sayaw Dance Studio marked its 10th summer showcase with a recital titled “From Theatre Classics to Classics”, held at the Ayala Malls Abreeza.

Established in June 2014, I-Sayaw began as a humble dream beside the Ateneo de Davao Grade School, where Teacher Cecile Dioquino Hidalgo, an architect by profession, set out to build not just a studio, but a safe space for aspiring dancers. With professional architectural expertise behind the studio’s design, it boasted proper suspended flooring, sturdy barres, and full-length mirrors which made it an ideal environment to nurture discipline and creativity in ballet, hip hop, and tap.

The studio’s early days were marked by a meaningful Christmas thanksgiving show in 2014 featuring twenty-three students. Fast forward to today, several of those students such as Reana Parrucho, Bria Menor, and Rhonna Daymiel still grace the I-Sayaw stage.

                          

Among I-Sayaw’s proudest milestones is its participation in the 1st and 2nd CCP National Ballet Competition, where students Pam and Erika Almaden represented not just the studio, but all of Mindanao. Both, under the mentorship of Teacher Cecile herself, they competed in Manila at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

                        

Moreover, in 2017, I-Sayaw staged its first full-length production, “Enchanted Evening of Dance,” featuring Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” with original choreography, an impressive feat for any young company.

This year's recital shone the spotlight on both seasoned and debuting performers.

     

Intermediate to advanced dancers Queen Hectin and Kinne Mesias took the stage for the first time in major roles, while the studio’s hip hop program, led by Coach Jazy Calvelo, brought energy and edge with students trained under his dynamic mentorship. “We are proud to say that we have honed students who are now part of different hip hop crews in Davao,” says Teacher Cecile.

Gratitude flowed freely in the event’s message, with deepest thanks to supportive parents, behind-the-scenes heroes, the studio’s media team, costume creators, and many others. Special appreciation was also extended to family members like Cecil’s only child Noe Hidalgo, who leads promotions, and husband Architect Kiko Hidalgo, who manages studio operations.

“Our constant rehearsals have drawn the students closer, each gaining a new friend. Thank you, parents, for supporting the artistic desires of your children,” shares Teacher Cecile.

In every graceful turn, I-Sayaw continues to prove that in Davao’s vibrant dance scene, its rhythm and passion are here to stay.

"A golden birthday surprise"

“A golden birthday surprise”
SunStar Davao, June 28, 2025

Harold Soriaga had one guiding intention in mind as he began planning his wife Jolla’s 50th birthday: to celebrate her in a way that was as meaningful and remarkable as the life she has lived.

Currently the AVP for Business Development and Operations at Alsons Development and Investment Corporation, Jolla is a licensed real estate broker who impressively made it to the Top 10, a BS Management graduate from Ateneo de Manila University, and a Master’s in Management alumna from UP Mindanao.

                      

But she is far more than her titles. Jolla is a registered yoga teacher with specialized training for children with special needs, a breastfeeding advocate, a supporter of Mindanao art, and a proud alumna of SSEAYP or the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program where she met the very man who would pull off the surprise of her lifetime.

Five-gift secret mission

For Harold, who is an engineer, the plan was simple in concept but monumental in execution: five significant gifts over five months, culminating in a surprise birthday party that would bring together fifty of Jolla’s closest family and friends. The carefully chosen guests were drawn from different aspects of her life: family, high school classmates, colleagues from both MEDCO and Alsons Development, and long-time friends.

Gift 1: The surprise party

The venue, La Herencia in Davao, was cleverly disguised as an art exhibit visit. With help from art coordinator Wilfred “Rob” Tanedo and curator Cherm Cua Go, the ruse was perfectly executed. The “guided tour” ended with a door opening to the pavilion where guests were waiting, and the look of surprise on Jolla’s face was worth every ounce of secrecy!

                    

                                     

                        

Gift 2: A collage of handwritten memories

In an age of digital convenience, Harold chose a collage of handwritten messages from friends and family. What started in January was a labor of love. He collected, formatted, and arranged these intimate pieces of paper into a vibrant 3x4 board with no blank spaces, each note a snapshot of the lives Jolla had touched.

      

Gift 3: A personalized cake topper

Known for crafting superhero sculptures, Harold put his artistic talent to a new use: a yoga-inspired figurine of Jolla herself, perched proudly atop her birthday cake. It was a fitting tribute to her passion for wellness and her whimsical side as a “wannabe visual artist.”

                     

                    

                     

Gift 4: Launching her music career

Jolla once confided to Harold that she dreamed of performing even though she did not consider herself a singer. So, Harold orchestrated a moment where she had no choice but to take the microphone during her party, with a live band ready and an audience cheering her on. With “Islands in the Stream” as her debut number, Jolla’s long-hidden stage dream came true and just days later, she repeated the performance at a company event.

Gift 5: A music video with the kids

Harold and their children, Cylo (21), Mati (20), and Primo (9), collaborated on a musical tribute using the tune of “Kiss the Girl from The Little Mermaid”, rewritten to tell Jolla’s amazing life story. The playful “Shalalala” morphed into a joyful and humorous homage to “Jollalala”.

Co-conspirators

Certainly, a surprise of this scale demands co-conspirators, and Harold found them in Jolla’s network. Her officemates Mary Anne Odal and Teresa Suringa gamely helped gather messages and lent a hand with logistics. Former colleague Baybay Yagong and current team members Ding Bernardino and Marga Rey-Gross played key roles in the program, while the renowned Mindanao artist Kublai Millan led the toast.

Adding a final touch of warmth and generosity, Jolla’s longtime boss, Ms. Rosie Alcantara-Dominguez, not only delivered an honoring speech but also brought the life of any Filipino celebration: the lechon.

The venue itself was transformed by Jolla’s high school classmate, Dr. Phany Castillo-Ho, who, after receiving the call for handwritten notes, volunteered to both decorate and host. “With all the things Jolla has done for her friends, she deserves to be celebrated and honored in a special way,” Phany said.

A celebration of love and legacy

Looking back, Harold confesses that his previous party-planning experience had been limited to the kids’ birthdays, simple affairs that stopped at age seven. But this? This was something else entirely.

“This was more than a party. It was a tribute not just to Jolla’s 50 years of life, but to the relationships she has nurtured, the causes she champions, and the joy she brings to everyone around her,” Harold reflects.

And as she stood among loved ones, singing her heart out and smiling at every thoughtful detail, one thing was clear: Jolla was seen, celebrated, and surprised, just as Harold had hoped.

“Knowing Harold spent six months secretly planning this surprise party, I can’t imagine ever matching, let alone outdoing what he pulled off,” Jolla expresses gratefully. “He truly deserves an award for Best Husband!”

"A sister's love inspires autism advocacy"

“A sister's love inspires autism advocacy”
SunStar Davao, June 7, 2025

At age 2, Alessandra Monique “Nikkey” Ang’s sister Trixey was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

“At that time, I wasn’t really sure what that meant,” Nikkey recalls. “All I knew was that she was different, and that we, as a family, needed to make adjustments to accommodate her needs.”

The reality of this challenge became particularly evident during the pandemic, when therapy centers closed and Nikkey took on the responsibility of continuing Trixey's special education at home. Those months taught her the importance of advocating for inclusive education and celebrating small victories in a child's developmental journey.

Recently, Nikkey launched a meaningful project close to her heart.

                      

"Autismbilities: A Spectrum of Possibilities" is a student-led initiative providing practical resources for families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The project addresses a critical gap in the Philippines, where children with autism often remain undiagnosed for years while families struggle without adequate support, affordable therapy, or properly equipped schools.

                              

The Davao Christian High School graduate’s initiative is in collaboration with author Geraldine Solis, M.Sc. Psych., and the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Davao.

Comprehensive resource for early intervention

The project's cornerstone publication, “First Steps: A Family Starter Guide on Autism”, is a comprehensive guidebook that explains what autism is, how to recognize early signs, and provides simple home exercises for impactful early intervention in children aged 0–5. The book also includes self-care guidance for parents and DIY activities.

                          

Since its official launch on May 22, 2025, the book has reached 1,500 families across 15 centers in Davao City. It is now freely available online under the Creative Commons License, ensuring that financial constraints will not prevent families from accessing vital information.

The project gained public recognition when it was introduced during the Autism Society Philippines' Angel’s Walk on April 13, 2025, and earned 1st Runner-Up for Best Project at the 58th Search for the Most Outstanding High School Graduate of JCI Davao on April 4, 2025.

Expanding reach and impact

“Through this project, we hope to help people recognize that children like Trixey are special—not because of their different needs, but because they bring a unique kind of joy to our lives as they teach us to celebrate every small win that comes our way,” Nikkey explains.

The project team is currently developing Tagalog and Bisaya translations to expand accessibility, along with derivative materials for distribution in barangay halls and health centers. Additional volumes focusing on family welfare and inclusive classrooms are also in development.

Autismbilities is actively seeking partners who believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, including educational institutions ready to embrace inclusion, healthcare organizations serving families, NGOs championing special needs advocacy, publishers aiming to amplify important voices, and community leaders committed to building bridges of understanding.

For families who could benefit from this resource—or organizations interested in partnership opportunities—the guidebook is available for free download. Multiple ways to connect with the project are readily accessible.

Follow the project on Facebook: Autismbilities PH and Instagram: @autismbilitiesph.