ALWAYS A STEP AHEAD
IF THE art of dance is a dream restored to Opal Portfolio Investments CEO Ida Tiongson, hip hop is a passionate hobby that helps her lady manages to squeeze in an average of 16 dance sessions a week. While Fitness First, the gym she frequents, offers classes several times a day, she prefers the ones in the morning to start her day right.
When it comes to the various genres of hip hop, Tiongson can swing to its several beats, from sexy, swag, Korean, old school hip hop, to the new school version. One inspiration was the late Michael Jackson, while her favorite choreographers are Rhemuel Lunio and V.M. Rivera.
While most tend to associate hip hop with the younger crowd, Tiongson maintains that its appeal is ageless and even notes that one of her more enthusiastic dance acquaintances is already in her early 70s.
The CEO adds that the dance does give her enough energy to keep up with the millennial generation. Burning those calories also keeps her in shape and apparently is instrumental in boosting her health. “I haven’t been to the hospital since I gave birth to my 15-year-old,” the mother of three says. “I haven’t been sick in a serious way. When I walk and shop, my legs don’t hurt anymore. I’m
Tiongson maintains hip hop
also enhances the brain power. She says, “Every dance class in hip hop is different. Your mind has to be alert, and it should be able to think as it connects the steps. You work out the steps to create a real good dance.” Tiongson adds, “I still do retro and body jam, but hip hop is the most enjoyable.”
With the dance DNA embedded
discovered its joys as a child growing up in Australia. The Hawaiian and ballet sessions in her early years would soon give way to breakdancing