Student and dancer Gab Pascual, behind the Big Bank dance craze, talks about the power of TikTok to relieve stress and connect with people
A student at the University of the Philippine (UP) Diliman, Gabriel Luis Pascual, who goes by Gab with his friends, has been dancing his whole life. It is a wonderful way to celebrate the freedom of expression, a million ways to move one’s body to feel energized. While Gab used to train with a dance crew, he has had to focus on his academics after entering college.
“But whenever I miss the feeling, I just post my own covers on Instagram,” Gab shares with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “During quarantine, I discovered that TikTok is a much more suitable platform! The app’s culture really celebrates dance.”
The Gen Z-dominated social media app TikTok is filled with 15 to 30-second videos of just about anything you could think of, and then some. One of the most popular types of posts on the app is quick choreographed dance-a-longs to a verse or the chorus of songs. Users encourage others to upload their own versions. It is like the social-media-distancing version of the classic Dance Dance Revolution arcade game, with the power given to the people to create the moves.
There is no surefire way to go viral on the app, but good music and smooth moves generally add up to a good time.
Breaking the bank
Gab gained international attention after his Big Bank challenge, co-choreographed with Devon Moore, was danced by thousands of users on TikTok. The moves are danced to the beat of a remix of “Big Bank,” a single by YG featuring 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Nicki Minaj.
As of writing, the original video has over 4.5 million views. Check it out below:
Gab knew the challenge could officially be called viral when Charli D’Amelio, who has the most-followed account on TikTok with over 80 million followers, posted herself dancing the challenge.
As of writing, the American competitive dancer’s video has over 85.7 million views and 11.3 million likes. Check it out below:
“I was in complete disbelief when I got a notification that she tagged me in her video,” Gab exclaims. “My mentions were exploding and a lot of people were so excited for me, especially our kababayans!”
Gab even posted a reaction video on his TikTok with the caption, “Best thing to wake up to!”
There are over 400,000 videos based on Gab’s original Big Bank challenge.
Even before the Big Bank challenge, Gab had over 200,000 followers on TikTok. After the Big Bank challenge his follower count and engagement shot up, opening doors for partnerships.
“I must say that the best part was gaining more virtual friends on the app, finding people who loved dancing just as much as I do,” the 20-year-old Gab adds.
Dance like nobody’s watching
Whether someone can hit all the moves on their first try or have not gotten it by their thousandth try, whether it gets posted on a private or public account, and whether the video gets one view or a million views, relax and dance like nobody’s watching.
“TikTok is a really effective stress reliever,” says Gab, re-assuring TikTok dancers and casual TikTok users that getting viral isn’t the most important thing about any TikTok career. “I regularly release dance challenges for fun. Some blow up, some don’t. None has ever reached the height of the Big Bank dance craze. But TikTok has personally helped me deal with the stress and anxiety I feel in quarantine.”
Many of us have restricted where we go, staying as much as possible within the four walls we call home. It can feel restricting. But dance can remind us of what it is like to move and to feel free without even leaving the safety of our rooms. The social media aspect of TikTok can also allow people to engage with the online world and find likeminded people.
“The app offers a wide range of content like comedy, drama, and all sorts of educational videos. You will surely be able to find the right ones you’ll enjoy watching or can relate to,” adds Gab. “Moreover, creators and audiences interact actively and the rich discourse allows you to feel very welcomed and validated in the community.”
Gab continues to focus on his academics while also occasionally posting fun choreography on his TikTok account. His recent dances include performances to several BTS singles, as requested by his followers, as well as Cardi B’s recently released, sex-positive single “WAP,” featuring Megan Thee Stallion.
TikTok: @itsgabrielluis