Dancing prowess remains Mark and Vhong’s strongest suit

COMPARED to actors and singers, dancers aren’t given enough opportunities to shine in local show business—and that’s a crying shame. After all, they’re talented in their own right, and have generally trained much harder and longer to become exceptional performers. You can try to fake your way through an acting or singing assignment, but when it comes to real dance moves, either you’ve got them or—don’t even try!

But, when we jot down the number of stars who are known most for their dancing, the list is woefully gaunt. And yet, the biz has many luminaries who, unknown to some people, got their start in entertainment as dancers including Dolphy, Chiquito, Lito Lapid, Jun Aristorenas and Gerald Anderson.

Opportunities

Currently, the biz’s most popular “dancing” stars are Mark Herras and Vhong Navarro. Since actors get more stellar opportunities to perform, Mark and Vhong are busier as dramatic leads or comedians, but their dancing prowess remains their strongest suit.

Recently, we talked to Mark, and he was upbeat about the prospects of his new soap, “Hiram na Puso,” which will start telecasting on GMA 7 next month. He likes his “edgy” role in it and welcomes its challenge for him to step out of his comfort zone.

After almost a decade in the biz, Mark also yearns to tackle other projects that will further expand his horizons as an all-around performer, like TV-film action-dramas or action-comedies. His inspiration is no less than the iconic Eddie Garcia, who’s done it all—and more!

Mark observes that dancers make good action stars, because they know how to move and are physically fit and agile. As for the comedy part of the equation, he has a lighthearted view of life and loves to make viewers have a great, happy time—so, bring it on!

For his part, Vhong has already established himself as a TV-film comedian, and is now trying to make it as a TV host by way of the daily noontime program, “Showtime.” While his current sitcom, “Toda Max,” is reportedly rating well, he needs a new comedy film to keep his stellar career on an upward trajectory.

More intense

What both Mark and Vhong need to work on is a more proactive career development plan that will enable them to surmount their competition, which is becoming more intense—and getting younger—each year. They shouldn’t simply wait for the offers to come, but go out of their way to initiate and develop their own stellar showcases that are designed to reveal new facets of their performing persona, to keep viewers entertained.

But, they should also keep reminding themselves, and their fans, of their strongest suit—their outstanding dancing-dervish moves, and make it a part of their “package” as actors, singers and hosts.

In this regard, they can take their cue from Dolphy, who kept dancing in many of his movies and TV shows, even after he had made it big as a comedy superstar.