In a world where Filipino adults have been making their mark with talent and dedication, young Filipino kids are following suit, raising the Philippine flag even higher. One such remarkable example is Daniella Alessandra P. Daniel, a 9-year-old Filipina, who showcased her incredible talent at the Global Dance Open (GDO) Finals 2024 in the Netherlands from July 9 to July 19, 2024.
Daniella, the lone representative from the Philippines, made it to the top 10 in the Mini Solo Ballet Repertoire category and won the crowd favorite award for her stunning performance of the Ballet Blue Bird variation. This prestigious international dance competition featured over 1,500 dancers from more than 30 countries, making Daniella’s achievements even more noteworthy.
Daniella’s journey in ballet began at the tender age of three at the Ballet Center in Jumeirah. Recalling her first ballet recital, her parents fondly remember her enthusiasm and passion. “We can still vividly remember her first ballet recital group performance. After their dance, when the rest of the dancers left the stage, she remained right there. While the crowd was cheering, she started waving to the audience, enjoying the moment. From there, we realized her passion to perform,” her parents shared.
An upcoming Grade 5 student at The Philippine School Dubai, Daniella balances her academics with a rigorous dance schedule and other extracurricular activities. She is an active member of the Drums and Lyre Corps and shares her talent with her church community at St. Michael The Archangel in Sharjah.
Managing Daniella’s dance practice alongside school and other activities is no easy feat. Her parents described their busy weekends: “Honestly, our weekends are completely busy and full. We start our Saturday morning by going to St. Michael The Archangel Church in Sharjah for her Catechism class and attending mass. After church, we’ll go straight to her ballet class/practice. By Sunday, we need to get up early as well for her Drums and Lyre Corps practice which starts at 7 am. In the event of any conflicting activities, then she has to attend during weekdays after school.”
Preparation for the GDO Finals was intense. “As early as January, she participated in the qualifying round for the GDO. By March, we started working with her dances with the help of various teachers. We adapted the idea of hybrid setup, having her online sessions at the same time with face-to-face practice. By then, Daniella’s average practice time was at least five hours a week,” they explained. They credited the Dance Factory in Cavite, Aspire Ballet Dubai, and Dance with Lina in Makati for their invaluable support.
Competing internationally has significantly boosted Daniella’s confidence and personal growth. “She is really excited to represent the Philippines on the global stage such as GDO. Her long preparation, practice, motivation, and support from our families and friends really helped boost her confidence and to stand tall among the other participants from different countries. She also gained a lot of friends during the competition from all over the world. Actually, she is already looking forward to joining next year’s GDO competition to be held in Birmingham, England,” her parents said.
Despite living overseas for many years, Daniella’s Filipino heritage profoundly influences her dance journey. “Eventhough we reside overseas for many years, she grew up loving the Philippines. She is fascinated about the Phillippine history. In fact, when we went for vacation last year, we visited a lot of historical places and museums,” they noted. Daniella’s large, supportive family in the Philippines has also played a crucial role in her success.
The moment Daniella was named the crowd favorite for her Ballet Blue Bird performance was unforgettable for her family. “Making it to the top 9, with the grade of 90% was already an achievement for us. Voted as the audience favorite performance is like a cherry on top,” they expressed.
Daniella’s involvement in the Drums and Lyre Corps and her church activities has further helped her develop as a performer. “Her participation in TPS DLC and church activities has been a platform to build her confidence in performing in front of a huge crowd. The TPS DLC performed in many events and activities that helped her to get more exposure. While with our Church, she was able to perform her routine during the Family Feast 2024 Talent Show,” they added.
Looking ahead, Daniella’s parents emphasize the importance of balancing her studies with her passion for ballet. “As a parent and as agreed with my wife, studies will come first for Daniella, so we plan accordingly her ballet and other activities and that will or should not affect her studies. But, as we can see, she really loves to perform and transform into something wonderful whenever she is on the stage. So whatever she wants to be when she grows up, we will always love and support her.”
This article has been published in Volume 5, Issue 2 of The Global Filipino Magazine. If you have a unique life story or know someone who does, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us at eic@theglobalfilipinomagazine.com. If you’re interested in obtaining a print copy of the magazine, please contact Mr. JP Cosico at +971 54 482 0661.