Gela Atayde marks milestones in 'Time to Dance'


At a glance

  • Robi Domingo, who also hosts the dance program, praised Gela for her debut as a television host.


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Gela Atayde

New Generation Dance Champion Gela Atayde showcases her passion for dance by hosting the survival reality show “Time to Dance” on ABS-CBN beginning Saturday, Jan. 18.

During a media conference on Jan. 16, Gela got emotional as she recalled the creation of the dance show.

"This is a passion project of mine. It was pitched to me to have a dance show. It was the idea of Star Magic kay Direk Lauren (Dyogi). It was he who believed in me in the first place. My mom (Sylvia Sanchez) helped me conceptualize these things. It was a collaboration of different productions," said Gela, the daughter of Art Atayde and veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez.

Gela added: "But my mom would always say na dahil nakita nila yung puso and passion ko sa dance but also for the community. Being in the community, I see the ins and outs and what happens. I want to help those who wish to dance more, especially those who cannot afford it."

Robi Domingo, who also hosts the dance program, praised Gela for her debut as a television host.

"We can see Gela's passion and all the show's personalities from different walks of life. The show is timely because the last dance show of ABS-CBN is World of Dance. 

"Then we also have Your Moment with singing and dancing. Then the last dance segment was Girl on Fire na sobrang lakas din ng appeal. I'm sure magiging malakas din ang impression nila sa 'Time to Dance.' (Then we also have Your Moment, which includes singing and dancing. Then, the last dance segment was Girl on Fire, which also had a powerful appeal. They will also make a strong impression on 'Time to Dance.)

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From left: Robi Domingo, Gela Atayde, Vimi Rivera, and Ken San Jose

"Mapapanood niyo rito ang mga iba't ibang tao na may iba't ibang problema na ang goal talaga nila ay sumayaw at hindi pa huli ang lahat sa programang ito. (You can watch here different people with different problems whose real goal is to dance and it's not too late for everyone in this program)

"Grabe rito ang puso ni Gela. I think umiyak ka rito ng 52 times. Everytime may elimination, iiyak na naman si Gela. It's how she shows her heart and passion. I think it's endearing," said Robi. (Gela's heart is so heavy here. I think you cried 52 times here. Every time there's an elimination, Gela cries again).

Gela, 21, who has also been in a young modeling and acting career, said she was inspired her elder brother Rep. Arjo Atayde of Quezon City to dance when she was 12.  When asked if she’s been in other types of dancing, like ballroom and others, she replied that she's only been in hip-hop and street dance.

“Watching Kuya Arjo dance back when he was a competitive dancer sparked my love for dancing. But today, other talented dancers around the country inspire me to grow in dance continuously,” Gela said. “This is the path I have always wanted to take."

She has been motivated by many people, like her first former coaches, Coach Von and Chinky Asilo, in her former dance team — Poveda Enciende — for raising her to be the dancer she is today. 

“All the values they taught me from when I was 13 to 18 have brought me here. They are the two people that keep me going. Aside from them, my family and friends continuously support me. They are my motivations.”

Gela isn’t a newbie in the international hip-hop street dance competition scene. She’s a champion in the 2017 Dance Worlds and a bronze medalist in the International Cheer Union in Orlando, Florida. She was also a champion locally in the Beacon Dance Competition and at the Chosen Ground 15 in 2019.

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Gela Atayde 

Another milestone for Gela was recording her first song for the theme of Time to Dance with Kyle Echarri.

Members of the Time to Dance council include Ken San Jose, Vimi Rivera, Chips Beltran, Lema Diaz, and Jobel Dayrit.

"I feel honored to be a judge in the show. It's nice to participate in this show, share my input with the contestants, and be part of their journey throughout the show," said Ken.

Vimi said: "I want to thank ABS-CBN and Nathan Studios for providing the dance community with this platform. Yung mga nakapasok na dancers sa show, they are the lifeline of the program. It allows for bridging the show and the dance community. I am so grateful na may respect na talaga sa dance community. Nagkaroon na ng opportunity ma-showcase ang dance groups natin. We are trying our best to showcase the dance community."

In choosing the grand champ, Vimi said: "You must be your best. It is still a competition. There will be one winner. As a dancer, you need to be skilled and creative. But on top of that, you have to be competitive. If your endurance and fighting spirit are shaky, you will not endure. There will be pressure. Pressure is good as long as you embrace that. We will have the best dancer at the end of the first season."

Ken added: "Dance is not just movement. They need to be skilled. As a performer, you must use your skills and emotions to tell a story so everyone can connect."