What keeps Steffi Santiago on her toes

MANILA, Philippines - Stephanie “Steffi” Santiago seems like a typical 14-year-old.  But, she is anything but typical. She is an exceptional ballerina who, at a young age, realized her talent and developed the discipline, sacrifice and dedication required to hone it. Now she is reaping accolades, not only here but also abroad.

Neither she nor her parents, Bong and Annette Santiago had an inkling of how things would turn out.

“My friend invited me to watch her ballet class. I’ve never seen people having so much fun! I couldn’t think of anything better than to be in a place doing all that with friends — and nobody telling me to stop,” she exclaims. She was only six at the time.

She asked to be enrolled in beginners’ ballet class. Initially the hyperactive girl was simply having fun, releasing all that extra energy.

“When Steffi first used pointe shoes, I saw that it was effortless for her,” recalls Chelo Borromeo Gemina, artistic director of ACTS Manila ballet school. She looked as if she was just playing when others were awkward, she adds.

A few years later teacher Chelo decided to talk with Bong and Annette about their budding ballerina. She told them that their daughter showed “a natural spontaneity in movement,” and had the makings of “an excellent professional ballerina.”

Steffi’s parents recall seeing their daughter often watching YouTube videos of ballet performances of famous ballerinas, as though studying their movements. Even as a child, Steffi already articulated her dream of becoming a prima ballerina.  They realized later on that it was not a mere juvenile fantasy, and the art wasn’t just a hobby for their daughter. 

“That was when I took dance art seriously,” Steffi says. It dawned on her that she could really become a prima ballerina someday.

Admittedly, the young dancer misses her nights out with friends, such as going to the movies or watching concerts. Saturday sleep-ins are out, too, as she has to wake up early for dance practice. But that’s how she developed discipline.

“Steffi is very competitive and thrives in this kind of environment,” the mentor observes, adding, that words of encouragement help maintain that balance.  

Steffi is grateful to her parents and family, for the support and for believing in her. Bong and Annette take turns accompanying their daughter to ballet class, including training abroad.

“When I become a professional ballerina, I hope to be able to repay them for everything,” Stephanie vows.

As parents, the Santiagos acknowledge their role as stewards who must help nurture their daughter’s talent and guide her toward the fulfilment of God’s plan for her.

 Steffi reserves the highest praise and gratitude to God, who blessed her with the gift of dance. To her, it is the key to doing the best every time.

“He gave me this gift, so I want to glorify His name every time I perform,” she says. “Sometimes when I am dancing on stage, I see only a big light shining, and I know it’s Him. I feel like I’m the happiest person in the world because I know He’s watching.”

 Whenever she is upset or feels she didn’t do well enough in ballet class or her studies, she turns to God for encouragement. She knows that even when times get tough, she can hold on to God’s promise that He will see her through. “It’s what keeps her going,” her father says.

 “There is a spiritual significance to what she does,” teacher Chelo says. Stephanie understands the higher purpose of dance and acknowledges that without the grace of God, it loses meaning, she explains. 

 This is precisely the vision of ACTS Manila: to nurture artists “who embody and inspire Godly character,” and hopefully help transform society.

 Stephanie’s Christian devotion is the foundation of her character. It keeps her grounded. She knows her priorities and doesn’t feel that by giving up a few things here and there she’s missing out on life.  In return, she reaps more blessings.

 In her first-ever competition, the 2012 Philippine Dance Cup, she placed first.

 Many memorable moments soon followed. She represented the Philippines in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), the world’s largest student ballet scholarship program. She also got a scholarship in Australia.

 Her own dream? To be accepted into the big ballet companies, like the Australian Ballet in Melbourne and The Royal Ballet in London. “If it is God’s will,” she says.