Kaba Modern: 1992 to 2009

References:
Step Up! A night of Pin@y dancers in Hollywood
Fil Am Famous: Is dance how we'll "get noticed"?
Guest Article: Filipino America's best dance crew

As a gesture to the culmination of the 3rd season of America's Best Dance Crew, I am posting a few photos (by way of Matt Nailat) from the Kaba Modern tryouts that happened on February 12 at UC Irvine. Choreographed hip hop dance has come a long way since 1992, when Kaba Modern was inaugurated. A whole chunk of this choreographed dance movement can be attributed to Kaba Modern--its origins, dancers, choreographers, and social spaces--hands down.

I first wrote about Kaba Modern on ABDC here. Since then, I have learned so much about the logistics and context of why there were no Filipino dancers included (look at the comments in the posting). Actually, the judges at the Kaba Modern tryouts clarified the situation sufficiently, and two of the Filipino dancers that were supposed to be on MTV were judges. Much props.

Enjoy!

The founder of Kaba Modern Arnel Calvario giving a run down of Kaba Modern history before the competition tryouts begin.

The judges introduce themselves. Kimmy Maniquis, far left, coordinated for KM for 4 years in the late 90s and choreographed the dance scene in The Debut. Remember this?--->

KM coordinators from the past year perform two routines--one for males, another for females. Contestants then emulate the dances in front of the judges. Contestants prepared at KM workshops weeks beforehand.

These KM contestants mean business.

And the winners prevail: Kaba Modern 2009.

(Special thanks to Matt Nailat)

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On a related note, this Saturday, March 7th is the Kababayan 35th Anniversary Gala and Scholarship Dinner at the Atrium Hotel in Irvine. Keep alive the Filipino roots in Kaba Modern yall! See you there!