The art of manoeuvres has been showcased throughout the years and will persistently captivate the dancing souls of future generations.
According to a Miriam-Webster dictionary, the word “manoeuvre” is a British variant for the word “maneuver”, often used by people from the United Kingdom. However, the group Manoeuvres, also known as MANOEUVRES or MNVRS, lives up to their name and meaning, which refers to a movement or action that requires skill and dexterity. This group of individuals has devoted their time and passion to dancing, earning them the title of the Philippines’ top-notch all-male dance group in history.
The Manoeuvres group, known for their immense passion and desire to showcase the beauty of dance rather than asserting themselves as the best dancers, has had a significant impact on the dance world. Their accomplishments and recognition have left a strong mark on Philippine dance history. They remain highly active in contributing to the dance community by offering street dancing classes in various workshops and studios such as Trumpets Playshop Workshop, AFP’s Teatro Aguinaldo Workshop, and Dance Planet Studio during the summer. They also run a program called “Dance After School & Homework” (DASH) at Dance Planet Studio, providing weekly dance classes throughout the school year. These workshops not only bring enjoyment but also provide a rewarding experience for young dancers.
Personally, I had the opportunity to join their summer workshop in 2009 at Celebrity Sports Club and returned in 2010 for their 25th-anniversary workshop led by Errold Amolong, a former member of Manoeuvres who now works as a photographer and videographer for their events. In 2013, I participated in Manoeuvres workshops again but this time at Dance Planet Studio. During these workshops, I was mentored by two esteemed choreographers: Bong Tan, head choreographer of Manoeuvres and also works on GMA 7’s Party Pilipinas;and Nathan “Jojo” Zafran – a senior member of Manoeuvres who regularly appears on GMA 7’s Sunday All Star.
Both Sir Bong and Sir Jojo expressed their excitement and humor when asked about being a part of a prestigious dance group and teaching students. Sir Bong described it as living a dream, doing something he loves as his job. Teaching is challenging yet rewarding for him as it allows him to inspire young dancers to work hard and improve their skills, bringing them happiness. He sees it as a win-win situation where he encourages his students to surpass their limits in order to fully develop as dancers.
In contrast, Sir Jojo humorously mentioned that being part of Manoeuvres helps pay the bills and put food on the table. Making money these days isn’t easy for him. However, he also emphasized that it’s an honor for him to be part of the group that he grew up watching on TV. It made him think that one day he’ll be just as good, and now he has the privilege of performing with his brothers and teaching teenagers how to become better dancers. He believes nothing compares to this experience.
Their answers pleasantly surprised me; I didn’t expect them to open up like that.
My mentors impressed me with their dedication to helping the younger generation and their love of dance. I noticed a change in my dancing abilities from childhood to completing my first Manoeuvres workshop and my most recent summer workshop. These mentors were not just teachers; they were wise confidants who looked more like experienced friends. They motivated and trained their younger companions to reach their fullest potential.
When I had a conversation with Sir Errold, my initial Manoeuvres coach, about teaching me in the past and seeing me dance years later, he expressed his pride in who I had become. He remembered suggesting that I move from the kids class to the teens class because he believed I could handle more advanced techniques. It was a risk, but he had a gut feeling it would pay off. Seeing me dance in his class again in 2010 reaffirmed his hopes for me, which led him to give me solo parts in the routine. This year, I exceeded his expectations, proving him right. The risk he took years ago ultimately yielded positive results.
I cherished every moment of seeing you dance on the recital stage, whether it was during practice or the actual performance. You have grown and matured in ways that I always hoped for you. Thank you for achieving those goals for me. I must admit, you are one of my favorite students ever.In the same vein, it’s no secret that his response brought tears to my eyesI observed a proud smile on his face while he spoke to me, which perfectly exemplifies the passion that Manoeuvres have for dancing. They possess the ability to inspire others, regardless of age. However, the story behind their dedication to learning and teaching dance is extensive. They have traveled a great distance and I can assure you that it is an intriguing journey.
Established on September 1, 1985, Manoeuvres (initially known as Wea Dynamics) underwent a name change the following year to OctoManoeuvres. In 1987, Gary Valenciano approached them to collaborate in his solo concert “Pure Energy at the Folk Arts,” resulting in their signing under Genesis, headed by Gary’s wife Angeli. It was then that they adopted their final name, Manoeuvres. Since then, the group has achieved numerous accomplishments.
In 1990, on their fifth anniversary, they held their first dance concert which earned them the title of “Most Popular Dance Group” by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation (GMMSF) in 1991. Throughout the 1990s, Manoeuvres participated in successful solo dance concerts across the country and became endorsers for renowned products and services like Magnolia Sorbetes, Royal Tru-Orange, Coke, and Company B. They also made appearances as guests on local shows including Sunday Variety Show (S.O.P.), Eat Bulaga, and Masayang Tanghali Bayan.
Yet their aspirations extended beyond fame and income; they aimed to use their talent for a noble cause. To raise awareness about fighting drug addiction, they organized a mall tour titled “Dance Away From Drugs.” This initiative spanned sixty days with an impressive turnout of individuals who attended and demonstrated support for this important cause.This serves as proof that these individuals view dance as more than just a stage performance where they get paid and leave immediately. Each participant had a genuine and heartfelt intention behind their engagement.
The humble group had an easier time choosing a name because they were recognized and hired by several famous people. As previously mentioned, Manoeuvres has collaborated with Gary Valenciano and other well-known individuals in the industry such as Regine Velasquez, Jaya, Side A, Pops Fernandez, Freestyle, Sharon Cuneta, Zsa zsa Padilla, and Martin Nievera during their respective concerts. Additionally, it wasn’t just the lead singer who received enthusiastic cheers and screams from fans; there was also a group of attractive, athletic, and charming dancers performing behind them. Take a moment to ponder on this.
Their talent and vibrant personalities enabled them to tour various Asian countries including Japan, HongKong, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. Furthermore, the skills of Manoeuvres allowed them to extend their influence beyond Asia to the United States, Canada, Italy, Israel, and the Middle East. This exceptional level of accomplishment is uncommon for a Filipino dance group but is a source of immense pride.
Although they extensively traveled, they ultimately returned to their homeland and chose to stay. However, this did not mean they gave up on all their hard work and settled for a mundane daily life. Instead, they pursued their passion for dance in a different way: by becoming teachers. These respected dancers transformed into educators, without needing fancy attire like polo shirts, slacks, and black shoes. They only required a spacious room, music, and willing dancers. They shared their knowledge and love for dancing with younger individuals. They even had the opportunity to teach famous celebrities from popular TV shows such as Ang TV Kids and Star Circle of ABS-CBN – including Jolina Magdangal, Roselle Nava, Camille Pratts, Rica Perallejo among others. Nevertheless, their teaching went beyond just working with “star business,” as they reached out and taught any aspiring dancer they came across.
The influence of manoeuvres on dancers is evident in my personal experience. These individuals not only demonstrate their dancing skills but also inspire others to participate in the joy of dance. Their magnetic charisma has the ability to forge strong bonds of friendship and family ties through dance. Joshua Zamora, an original member of Manoeuvres, inspired his son Job Zamora to develop a passion for dance. Over time, their shared love for dance strengthened their father-son relationship. Currently, Job is an active member of Manoeuvres and even teaches dance classes during the summer. Another original member, Jason Zamora, passed on his love for dance to his children Jordan and Jessica Zamora, who also fell in love with dancing themselves. Jon Cruz, another original member of Manoeuvres, motivated his daughter Angel Cruz to pursue dance like him. During a workshop last summer, I had the pleasure of being classmates turned friends with Jordan, Jessica, and Angel. Watching them perform alongside their fathers on stage was truly delightful as it represented both the beautiful bond between parent and child and the timeless talent of these fathers who danced with the same vigor as if they hadn’t aged at all.
Manoeuvres continues to perform in the Philippines with the best talent. Despite some members leaving, the bond between all members, young and old, remains strong. Passing the title of Manoeuvres from old to new members is a beautiful tradition that showcases their legacy. It is something to be proud of to see many men wanting to uphold the group’s name. When watching their performances, you can always see the essence of Manoeuvres, making them timeless. The foundation of Manoeuvres remains unchanged; their performances always put you in a good mood and inspire. Their goal is to make fans happy and amazed, expressing the beauty of love through dance. Their philosophy, “Dance to express, not to impress,” truly defines what Manoeuvres embodies in every movement.
