Nierras: Dancer with a mission

Douglas Nierras is an artist with a mission: To share the power and beauty of dance to as many people as possible through his evocative works.

Oozing with artistic excellence for more than 26 years now, Douglas will never waver in his passion to promote this art form because he believes that dance has the power to change the mindset of the Filipino, if only it will be given a chance.

Now more driven than ever, Douglas is once again busy at work as Powerdance celebrates its 20th year with a dance concert at the Araneta Coliseum on May 27.

“Of course, we’ll give you the best!” Nierras proudly shares. “In this show I will let the audience experience the most significant, most talked about, most applauded, and most requested pieces like Buhay, Hapis at Pag-ibig, Ngayon at Kailanman, Ampalaya at Asukal, and the award-winning piece Sayaw ng Puso at Kaluluwa,” he added. Sayaw ng Puso at Kaluluwa won in the 10th International Creative Dance Competition in Saitama, Japan in 1999.

The Saitama International Creative Dance Contest aims to discover dance works with an outstanding creativity to develop the dance culture in Japan and promote international exchanges.

“I believe in the power of dance to evoke a message that will not only entertain but teach people,” he says. “I believe that there is something in us that seeks beauty, higher learning, something fulfilling, something substantial, and something that will elevate our senses,” he shares. “That is what we hope to offer through our works. What really hurts me the most is that the masa doesn’t know that they have a choice.”

Founded by Douglas in 1988, Powerdance was formed with the vision of performing and sharing the art of dancing and making it more accessible to a greater number of audiences, especially the youth. The company aims to promote contemporary Filipino culture and help develop a more sensitive public by sharing that unique dance experience peculiar to Powerdance.

“We dance because we want to give messages,” Douglas says. “We dance because we want the audience to experience the art of dancing. We are not merely visual spectacles; we are an experience. We want to invite everyone to join us because we love the dance experience so much that we want to share it.”

Douglas believes that their staying power comes from the need for art, the need for beautiful things. “There is also a need for communication,” he adds. “We address these through our art.”

“My secret is beauty (laughs),” Douglas jests. “I don’t have a secret. I have never been selfish. I teach my dancers what I do so that they can eventually share them. I always derive inspiration from people around me. I always observe. I always accept other ideas. That’s why I cannot claim that all the ideas that you see in my dances are mine alone. I put it together because choreography is very individualistic. You have to do the work yourself but I draw inspiration from others. You have to be open.”

Dance for Douglas is an art form that is not a commercial commodity. Douglas would like to believe that he is creating art, but more than that he would be more than happy to immerse himself to the dance experience.

Although he sports a mean demeanor on primetime television (a reputation typical of the Waray), Douglas is actually a kind soul who loves his religion. “I don’t have any apologies about my religion and my faith,” he says. “As a matter of fact, I embrace it. I’m a happy Catholic.”

Grand Fiesta Summer Bazaar

Christine Bersola-Babao invites everyone to come and shop at the bazaar which she is organizing with her Mommy Ching called Grand Fiesta Summer Bazaar on April 1 to 6, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Rockwell Tent, Makati City. The best Pinoy made products, unique gift items, summer and trendy clothes, furniture, art pieces, etc. will be on sale. Free gulaman drink at the entrance. There will also be lots of fun and entertainment, food booths, daily raffle prizes, mime acts, balloon twisting, and celebrity items will be auctioned off for charity.

Grand Fiesta Summer Bazaar is for the benefit of DZMM Aksiyon Ngayon Center, KNDC Scholars, Shepherd of the Hills Orphanage and Bantay Bata 163. Special thanks to Rockwell Land, David’s Salon, Marcella, Ideal Vision, Essilor & Fresh Look Contact lens, Johnny Santos, Danex, Inc. and Riksun and the City of Makati. For details, call 0918-4880059.