Face of Allure: Tricia Centenera

MANILA, Philippines - People say that when you dance, you have to dance like nobody’s watching because it is the language of your soul. It is an expression of your emotions  you either let go of them or hold on to them tightly.

Professional dancer Tricia Centenera, 25, couldn’t agree more. When she dances, she lets her movements do the talking. Through the years, Tricia realized that dancing is so much like life itself  one has to go through ups and downs, swings and sways.

“I have wanted to become a dancer as long as I can remember,” says Tricia of her one true love. Already a professional dancer at 17, Tricia, who was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, took up Dancing, Acting and Singing at a performing arts college in Adelaide. The following year, she moved to Japan and traveled as well to Singapore and Malaysia for a tour of Australian dance shows. “Those trips really started to shape me as a person.”

But the road to success was paved with many a mishap, too. Four years ago, Tricia was walking across the road when she was run over by a car. “I was told by my doctors that I would never be able to dance again and that it would take six to nine months to simply learn how to walk again,” she painfully recalls. Determined to prove them wrong, Tricia, armed with the support and love of her family and friends, was able to walk again in three months!

“This experience proved that I am a fighter and when I put my mind to it, I can really achieve anything,” she muses. “This really goes for everyone. You really have to believe in yourself and in your dreams.”

The 5-ft.-5-in.-tall Tricia has always been the performer in the family. Although she grew up in the Land Down Under, the half-Filipino, half-Spanish beauty is very close to her family. She is the fifth child of businessman Jose Sebastian Centenera and wife Cristina Maria. Her mom shares that Tricia was very active as a child and was always singing and dancing around the house, entertaining them all. Tricia looks forward to the family’s annual tradition of going on a two-week trip to the ski slopes of Sydney. “I’ve learned that at the end of the day, family will always be there for you,” she says.

Most of the time, her job takes her away from her family. Now that she has moved to Manila to pursue a career in acting and the performing arts, she makes sure she is in contact with one or two family members every single day. Statuesque and svelte, Tricia is also into modeling and is now represented by W Talent Management. “I have been blessed with a wonderful manager, Pia Campos, and I am excited as to what my new life here in the beautiful Philippines has in store for me.”

Tricia may have gone through a traumatic phase in her life. The passionate dancer that she is, she knows that mistakes are inevitable. But she also knows that the tripping and tumbling are all worth it when the spotlight is finally on her.

Photography by Mau Aguasin • Styling by Corine Alegre • Makeup by Ria Aquino • Hairstyling by Albert Serrano • Outfits and accessories by House of Laurel • Accessories by CRU • Shot on location at Dusit Thani Manila • Special thanks to Ms. Danelle Palang and the staff of Dusit Thani Manila