EXCLUSIVE: Meet the choreographer behind the first dance of the Kho-Belo Nuptials!

Dreams came true for long time couple Dr. Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho when they got hitched in the City of Love that is Paris last September 2. The wedding’s pizzazz was all over social media where many of celebrity royalty and close family and friends flew in and joined the couple to celebrate their union. It was a definitely a real-life fairy tale.

(READ: Hayden Kho Jr. & Vicki Belo’s fairy tale like-wedding locations in Paris, France)

Other than the red carpet, picture-perfect gowns and tuxedos donned by guests during the event and the decorated wedding reception held at (no less!) the splendid Paris Opera, jaws dropped with the newly wed’s first dance at the opera’s grand staircase. Donning a Mark Bumgarner blue tea length dress, Dra. Vicki Belo chassed and waltzed to the “Take Me As I Am” from musical Jekyll and Hyde as her husband lead her throughout the short routine choreographed by Movement Dance Studio director Lala Ilao Dinglasan. What makes the routine extra special? The song was sung by the couple themselves!

WHEN IN MANILA was able to reach out to Dinglasan for an exclusive interview.

Kho and Belo during rehearsals

WHEN IN MANILA: When did you start choreographing? (You may also share your background in dance).
LALA DINGLASAN: Since my younger years, like 6yrs old, perhaps. I have always been considered leader for dance demonstrations, school programs etc. I really started doing choreography or doing my own dance steps for solo and group performances at the age of 8. I still remember the song – it was Madona’s ‘Borderline’. The rest is history. My background in dancing is mostly gymnastics. I was a cheerleader in HS at  St. Scho, Marikina & college (UP Diliman, UP Pep Squad). I also took a lot of dance courses. I started with hip-hop, modern, cheerdance then shifted and concentrated in belly dancing, striptease, pole dance and aerial classes (silk, hoops & trapeze). 

WIM: How long did you choreograph/rehearse the routine?
LD: We rehearsed the routine for 2 months. 

WIM: How long have you known the couple?
LD: I met Doc Vicki first because she takes my dance classes with her daughter Cristalle and been my students turned close friends for 12 years now. And of course, Hayden came into the picture and knew him more when we worked together with the health & wellness business before.

WIM: What were the difficult parts of the routine?
LD: I think the difficult part for the couple was when I challenged them to do steps that are not common in wedding dances. What I am so proud about is that they nailed it very well, not just the steps but the whole routine.

WIM: Did you practice on the spot at the Opera? It must have been a spine-chilling moment dancing at the beautiful staircase, let alone watching husband and wife express love through dance.
LD: Yes, we were able to block at the venue, the Opera house. Nerve wrecking and exciting too! I was really anxious to practice at the venue because we have to know if the floor too slippery or not, how many steps from the top to the center ground – timing and counting wise. Plus they are the only couple that I can say who sang and dance at the opera house, naaaks!

Technical rehearsal

WIM: Dra. Belo shared that the song was recorded and sung by her and her husband. As the choreographer, did you choose the song? How did you rehearse this?
LD: Yes, we opted to record the song for better precision and concentration on the dance also. We started rehearsing with the canned music which is from the musical Jekyll & Hyde. They chose the song, and I always prefer it that way when I choreograph wedding dances so it is the “real love story” of the couple. In addition to that, it’s something like their love song so they can express more through their dance. If couples don’t have a theme song or music they prefer, I recommend songs based on how I assess them and their characteristics too as a couple, because I always want to come out natural and no pretensions when they dance.

WIM: What is the best part about choreographing the First Dance of the couple?
LD: The best part is they are easy to choreograph. They are very open to ideas and suggestions. But most of all, they are natural performers – talented and expressed what they truly feel about each other and gave true & sincerest meaning to the song, like these lines – “take me as I am, I hope I got everything you need.”

(Above) Dinglasan with the newlyweds during the reception; (below) A video of the first dance.

The two make us believe in love! We’re so happy for them. Congratulations to Lala and the newlyweds!

Watch the video above!

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Disclaimer: WheninManila.com does not own the photos or videos above. Credits go to Lala Ilao – Dinglasan.