U Can Dance: Dancing up a storm & loving it

They say dancing is not their cup of tea. But former Viva Hot Babe member Sheree and Games Uplate host Jaymee Joaquin head on with the challenge of moving their feet and grooving to a beat that could make anyone of them a dancing queen.

As two of the 15 celebrity finalists paired with professional dancers, Sheree and Jaymee will strut their ballroom dancing stuff on ABS-CBN’s U Can Dance Version 2. The Kapamilya network brings back the dance show with more rhythm after the success of its first edition.

Although ballroom dance is different from the sexy routine Sheree does on TV, her flexible persona prevailed when she auditioned upon the invitation of Maribeth Bichara, one of the show’s jurors (the other is Jhong Hilario).

“My mom used to nudge me to go ballroom dancing with her, but I didn’t expect that one day it would benefit me,” Sheree relates.

Her dance partner, Sergio Machon Jr. of Irong Irong Dance Company Iloilo, will help her perfect routines through practice and unwavering effort in creating a ballroom dance fusion that the show requires from contestants.

“This time, it’s not just a simple ballroom dance. Finalists can make a combination like salsa, tango and jive in a dance routine to make it more appealing to the young audience,” Maribeth says.

Contestants can hire choreographers to come up with a style that would stand out from the rest. Every week after the show primer tomorrow, July 7, five pairs will compete and a pair or two will be eliminated until the best pair emerges as grand winner.

“Right now, exercise is a must like stretching, so my body won’t ache while doing lots of splits and lifting,” Sheree declares.

Among the finalists, Sheree considers Pinoy Big Brother Season 2 housemate Saicy Aguila stiff competition as the latter moves distinctly.

Aside from aspiring to be a dance queen, Sheree will also be seen soon in a digital film titled Roxxxane with Elizabeth Oropesa and Jay Aquitania. It is written and directed by Jun Lana.

Jaymee, on the other hand, was not initially included in the final list. But she can dance and has rhythm. So, when Cherrylou backed out due to other commitments, Maribeth got Jaymee as replacement.

“I only had dancing experience when I was in high school as part of a cheering squad, and getting in for the competition is a challenge,” Jaymee says.

The Development Studies graduate of De La Salle admits she feels intimidated by other finalists. But the rocker that she is, Jaymee would rather hone her dancing talent to the hilt.

Besides, the show aims to train every celebrity contestant’s dancing feet by teaming them up with professional dancers who could teach them as the competition goes on.

“As the most inexperienced of them all, I shall speed things up by catching all those dancing styles I have to learn so my partner won’t be ashamed of me,” Jaymee states.

Her partner, Marlon Aballe of Dancesport, is helping her discover a dance step that would complement her personality. For the initial presentation, the two will do a combination of rhumba, tango and jive.

To be hosted by Iya Villania and Derek Ramsay, U Can Dance Version 2 airs at 10 p.m. with new twists and variations in ballroom dancing. Dina Bonnevie is guest celebrity juror for July.
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