About the Walang Sugat Archives' Compilation Project Initiator

GIGI FELIX VELARDE

Gigi had not yet outgrown her own world of fairytales when she first danced “The Children’s Lullaby” at the age of five under rigorous tutelage of her mother Joji Felix Velarde, and the constant encouragement of her father Dr. Herminio Velarde Jr., project director of Pacifica Productions which produced the original revival of the play.

 She developed a consuming passion for ballet and a firm determination to succeed in art. Aside from her mother, she received ballet pointers from Eddie Elejar, Bobby Ongkiko, Cesar Reyes, Edgar Valdes and Exequil Banzali, Jazz under Odon Sabarre, and Hawaiian under Naty Bass. She underwent training at New York. She also attended Classical and Modern Ballet workshops in Hong Kong Ballet Academy and France under Mr. Patrick Bensard.

Furthered studied abroad New York Ballet Academy under Ronnie Bostick and became a member of Philippine Dance Company of New York under Ronnie Alejandro and Bruna Seril. Resident Choreographer of Ninoy Aquino Youth Talent Award.

She was also the Resident Choroeographer of the Earth Savers Dreams ( a socially- integrated group of differently- abled children; deaf, mute, crippled, and mentally- challenged, street kids with tribal youths) which runs through the country namely, Malaybalay, Bukidnon, Tuguegarao, Baguio, Catanduanes, Cagayan De Oro, Pangasinan, Butuan, Batangas, Bulacan, Tagaytay, Cavite, Rizal, Marikina. Along with that are forums and symposia of the Earth savers DREAMS Ensemble sanctioned by the United Nations which was held on different parts of the world such as: Denmark, Belgium, Rome, France, Turkey, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Portugal, United Kingdom, America, and the Middle East.

Sometimes, Gigi would perform with the Earth Savers Kids to make sure they would be alert and on time since  they are deaf and blind.

She was the Dance Director for St. Pauls Manila. She was the director and moderator for the  Bedan Dance Troupe, Likhang Sining and for Dulaang Bedista. She had became the Assistant Prefect of Activities for San Beda. She became the director for dance for the Montalban Artist Guild for two year, the ballet director for Clark Airbase – Youth Center. Was part of the KALAHI team of giving culture to the poor as choreographer trainer under Pres. Gloria Macapagal.

She once became a Philippine delegate to the World Dance Theater Conference in Tampico, Mexico.

She is married with Architect Jose Gamaliel David and has an only son, Justin Timothy David, also a dancer.

Aside from her ballet and folk performances she has learned to love acting and singing performance experience which include the Zarzuelas Minda Mora La Loba Negra and Walang Sugat which were shown in the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main and Little Theater, Folk Arts, Lincoln Center of New York, San Francisco Opera House, L.A. Washington D.C., Chicago, Virginia and Canada. She had undergone acting workshops under Lamberto Avellana and Severino Reyes and performed, choreographed, and directed as well numerous productions and some performances on plays such as Something to Crow About by Alejandro Roces.

She is a member of the Ballet Association of the Philippines, Asean Pacific Dance Alliance based in Hongkong, Presidential Commission on Culture and Arts for the Street Children, and UNESCO ITI World Congress.

She was a two- time awardees of Gintong Gabay Award for being a volunteer of Goodwill Industries of the Philippines Incorporated for the rehabilitation program of the handicapped, disabled and disadvantaged segment of our society. She has also received awards such as:  Congressional Medal of Honor and UNESCO Artist for Peace for the training of Earth Savers and a two- time nominee of the prestigious Ten Outstanding Women of the Nation (TOWN) award.

Gigi has been teaching ballet for 35 years now. She had taught at U.E. Sta. Mesa Montessori, Montessori in P. Guevarra , PCU Taft and Quezon City , Tanauan Batangas, Silang and Naic Cavite, Angeles, San Fernando, San Pablo, and Lipa, Batangas, at the Clark Airbase for 5 years, Philippine Women’s University, Chinatown, Gandara, and many more.

Today, she teaches regularly for Mary Angel School at Chinatown Gandara and at Filinvest II Clubhouse. She is a part- time Humanities professor for san Beda and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines

She is acting as the Chairman for the extension outreach program of the said state university. She is also serving as a member and head of team of PUP College of Arts and Letters (CAL) and thew moderator of CAL Cheering Dance Team.

Aside from ballet, Gigi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication at Philippine Women’s University. She also took up a Career Course in Social Graces at Jhon Robert Powers in New York. She is an undergraduate of Hotel and Restaurant Management and took Master’s degree in Theater Arts and Physical Education in UP Diliman and  units in Education from UP Clark.

Gigi updates her knowledge in ballet teaching, stage, dance and choreography by attending conferences abroad and watching theater and dance shows to keep herself abreast with the trend today.

She is the current directress of Gigi Felix Velarde Dance Fuzion Studio and had also inspired hundred of scholars and dancers who have reached far in their careers.