POLECATS MANILA: Where Bruises, Muscle Pains, and Scrapes are your Sweetest Rewards. Ready to take a Class with them?

I will never forget October 06, 2012, Saturday. For this day, I am so excited to travel back to my childhood love; Dancing! Only this time, we add in some spinning, climbing, and lifting! I cannot wait to learn how to Pole with the first organized pole dance group in the country that has the first instructors to get Internationally Certified! I am so ready, Polecats Manila!!! *Aaaaaaaaahhhhh! :D

Polecat Kris engagingly shares their story

Warm up! Get to know more about the group as one of the graceful Polecats, Kris Isaac, shares to us the Polecats Manila story!

Polecats Manila Polarity – Sana by Manila Symphony Orchestra

What are you most proud of?

photo of Polecats Manila

‘I think the greatest achievement of Polecats Manila is our School! We have our own studio with hundreds of students enrolled. And our students, they share how pole changes their lives. Funny thing is a lot of people start because they’re heartbroken! They say ‘Mag po-pole ako! Magsisi ka!’ (laughs)

But eventually, it becomes a journey of one’s self. Nare-realize nila na they don’t need someone else to validate them. These are the moments when we say ‘This is why we do what we do, this is why we Pole!’ (smiles)

Do you mind sharing to us a brief history of pole dancing?

photo of Polecats Manila

Here, some talk about this Maypole dance, which dates as far back as the 12th Century. Maypole is a pagan fertility celebration where women twist ribbons around a wooden pole as they dance. And there is the ‘Mallakhamb,’ it’s an Indian sport where gymnasts perform tricks on a wooden pole or rope.  Mallakhamb is ‘pole gymnastics’ in English.

But some people actually still see it the other way, right?

Yes, because pole dancing also used to be a very sensual dance form. But in the 80’s, in Canada, a pole dancer decided to take a video of herself so other women can try pole fitness at home. It spread and in time, it had been welcomed as an art. And during the early 2000’s, it finally reached the Philippines!

By the way, how was Polecats Manila formed?

Christina Dy aka CD, Polecats Manila founder, was our teacher; we were taking her dance class. Then one day, she said ‘Let us create a name so we could print a shirt!’

So why choose the name Polecats?

photo of Polecats Manila

Wala lang, cute eh! (laughs) There’s really nothing behind, our friend just suggested ‘What about Polecats?’ We liked it instantly and we just added Manila later on.

And then CD asked ‘Why not perform?!’ That time, we were a bunch of students, we love Pole Dancing, and we all have the same amount of obsession for the sport. So we agreed, basically we just performed for fun!

One gig, to another gig, then another and the next thing we know, we have our own studio! We have our students! It was pretty much a snowball!

Who could join Polecats Manila?

                           

     the author, trying her hardest to follow :-p

Anyone can join but just to be on the safe side, we allow 18y.o. and above. If you are below 18, you need your parent’s consent.

What should we expect when we join you, like, if I'm a beginner?

In pole dancing, everyone has to prepare his muscles for intense exertion. Pole will really tone you because you carry your own body weight. You use your core to lift your legs. It’s your whole body involved when you’re doing pole. So expect that every part will hurt!

This makes me nervous now! (laughs)

It will definitely hurt at first though people with athletic background, like dance or yoga, will find it easier to get used to pole. Expect also that since it will require physical exertion, you’re gonna scrape a little bit, and bruise a little bit! (smiles)

OMG!

(Kris laughs) But, Joanne, a lot of students walk out feeling proud of the pain. Kasi di ka naman masasaktan nang wala lang eh, masasaktan ka kasi ang ganda ganda mo! (smiles) Because you’ve done a great spin, a trick, and what not! It’s the kind of hurt that students get addicted to! (smiles)

How about you? Why are you so addicted to Pole Dancing?

Hmm.. I was wondering at first, what is this amazing sport? It mixes beauty and grace with strength! I didn’t know I could do this and that it would look so splendid.

You know, after I took a class, I was automatically super hooked! (smiles) Then I asked myself, what’s the next step?

So it challenges you!

Yes! It’s the fact that you surprise yourself with what your body can do every single time, it makes you wanna come back to see what else you can do!

Now, how about if you share a crazy Polecats Manila moment?

Whenever we’re together… something crazy happens! But one time, during one of our earlier gigs, it was a FunkPole gig, I was just doing a warm-up when some big American guy threw money at me! Pinaulanan niya ko ng pera, kaso puro bente! Sana tig-iisang libo man lang diba? (Kris laughs as she quips) Then he grinned and walked away!

What!?

Yes, I was so shocked! My mind couldn’t grasp that someone can still be that shallow. When my boyfriend arrived, I was like 'That guy threw money at me!' Then he returned all of it to the American guy and said. 'We don’t need your money!'

That was really crazy! Let's talk about the future now, say in 5 years, how do you see Polecats Manila?

photo of Polecats Manila

Hopefully, we have opened another Polecats Manila studio, maybe somewhere in the North; then bigger student base; and more appreciation for this art in our country.

Lastly, was there any tough time for Polecats Manila?

photo of Polecats Manila

A lot of people don’t know that there’s a lot of work that goes behind the scenes. We’re practicing for gigs all the time. We’re always performing, so we’re constantly doing something. And sometimes, it’s hard because it gets busy.

But I see that you will never quit this, will you?

No, Joanne, I love the group! We, Polecats Manila, we are a family! It’s hard to let go of a group that makes you feel that you’re always welcome. (smiles)

NEXT with POLECATS MANILA!

Ebe Dancel's 'Maligalig' behind the scenes

Join us if you wanna turn your world upside down! –Polecats Manila

with Ms. Sheng, our Polecats instructor that day :)

Thank you so much Ms. Christina Dy, Ms. Kayleen Ortiz, Ms. Kris Isaac, Ms. Sheng Belmonte, Mr. Albert Bautista, and the rest of the Polecats Manila family! I really enjoyed the class and I better see you again soon! Even if  I’m not heartbroken! Haha! And btw, I am so proud to wear short shorts to show off my grade A+ pole dancing bruises! XD


So how about you? When are you planning to Pole? ;-D

Guys and gals, check this out for guidelines, class schedules, promos and more updates about Polecats Manila!

POLECATS MANILA

Website: www.PolecatsManila.com
Mobile (class): 0917-700-POLE (7653) 
Mobile (gigs): 0917-701-POLE (7653)
Email:  info@polecatsmanila.com
Facebook: facebook.com/polecatsmanila

Address

Main Branch: Wellness Alliance, 22nd Floor, Strata 100, F. Ortigas Jr. Road (formerly Emerald)
Ortigas, Pasig City

Dance Studio: 360 Fitness Club Makati, 7th floor Dolmar Gold Tower, C. Palanca, Legaspi Village.

POLECATS MANILA: Where Bruises, Muscle Pains, and Scrapes are your Sweetest Rewards. Ready to gain them?

Paper+ Lens+ Sneakers = Pole dancing

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