Stage Mom to a Budding K-pop Dancer

We woke up early this morning. We showered and ate our breakfast early. We got ready early. Today was a big day. After four weeks of waiting and dance practicing, it was time to showcase Gabby’s and the rest of his grade one batch mates’ dancing skills!

Gabby was excited to dance to PSY’s Gentleman k-pop music mix while wearing his complete k-pop costume comprised of his white school foundation days shirt, a blue bowtie, a pair of colorful suspenders, a pair of khaki shorts, a pair of striped blue and white knee socks, a pair of blue sneakers and a pair of cool shades. Indeed, he looked like a real k-pop artist with his colorful get-up.

I was more excited than Gabby was. I prepared my smart phone. I had my video camera ready. I ensured that both had 100% battery. I wanted to take as many photos as I can. I assigned Gabby’s Yaya Eloisa to operate the video camera. That was the original plan. Capturing that precious moment of Gabby dancing was our top priority. In short, I was excited to be a stage mommy even for a few minutes.

While riding the tricycle on our way to Ormoc Superdome, I realized I left the event tickets. I panicked a bit. My gut feel told me it was okay to proceed without the tickets. Anyhow, I asked Yaya Eloisa to quickly grab them at home and to follow us to Superdome as fast as she can. Gabby and I were able to get inside the Superdome right away even without the tickets. The school guard acknowledged us and our familiar faces. We got inside the venue barely five minutes before the program promptly started. We made it on time. After all, Gabby and his batch mates were the first to present their K-pop dance.

There was a sudden change of plan. Without Yaya Eloisa who had the video camera with her, I was left alone to carry out “the mission”. I had to do the best I can with my good old reliable smart phone. After the Opening Prayer and Pambasang Awit, I hastily found my way in a myriad of parents who were as excited as I was. I ensured I was in the best spot to take a video using my smart phone. Gabby was a tall child and he was positioned in one of the back rows. That spot was at the back of the principal, and in front of the stage.

When the program host called the Grade One batch to perform onstage, I wanted to shout like a stage director, but softly whispered instead, “Lights, camera, action!”

While Gabby was dancing, I did not only sit back, relax and enjoy. I took a 5-minute video not only for myself but also for my husband who is an OFW-seafarer. I also noticed that he was dancing better than his past three performances in school. His movements were more precise now. His steps were memorized better now. For somebody who has autism and has been having an issue of being clumsy, I realized his gross motor skills were improved now than before.

On that very moment, I softly and quietly cried. No, they were not sad tears. They were tears of joy. They were tears of pride. They were tears of gratitude.

Gabby will always be number one source of pride, joy and gratitude. No matter how many times Gabby would dance onstage, whether it was hip-hop, k-pop and perhaps jazz in the future, I would still cry happy tears and I would still say a silent prayer of thanksgiving to God for that exact milestone.

I did not mind that Gabby and I were almost late. I did not mind that Yaya Eloisa took a video from afar because she arrived late. I did not mind that we had a change of plan. I did not mind that I was a “Stage Mom” even for a few minutes. After all, ‘the mission’ was still fulfilled. I captured the precious memory with not only my phone, but also with my heart.