Dancing is not her passion but 13-year-old Gemma Alcasero wanted to thank the Sto. Niño for keeping her and her family safe when supertyphoon Yolanda struck last November.
The grade 7 pupil joined schoolmates of La Paz National High School in Bogo City in performing in yesterday’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan parade.
Gemma said their cottage was destroyed by the storm, but she and her family were able to move quickly to a neighbor’s house made of concrete a few hours after the storm hit.
When she learned that the school was chosen to represent Bogo City in the parade, she quickly told teachers she wanted to join the dance troupe.
It was her first time to join a dance competition. Gemma said her usual extra-curricular activities were academic events in school.
“I am not a dancer but I tried my best to learn the dance steps taught by our choreographer,” she said.
“I pray that no disaster will happen again,” she added.
Gemma, a second-honors student, divides her time between dance practice and preparing for a Math Quiz next month.
“It’s just a matter of focus and time management,” she said.
Gemma said that while the family was affected by the storm, it did not hold her back from continuing her studies.
“I want to become a teacher and help my parents,” she said.
Her father is a jeepney conductor while her mother is a homemaker.
Bogo City was one of the worst hit areas by the supertyphoon in northern Cebu.