Actor-Dancer Gerald Magallanes in Focus

Ni Oggie Medina

I could never forget the dance workshop facilitated by Gerald Magallanes in one day.

What was once the champion of the dance floor during my younger years, especially when I won the “John Travolta of the Philippines” Dance Competition many years ago and the non-stop dancing competition champion, was at a loss during the workshop since I am already 66 years old. This was the first time I did dance exercises after years in quiescence.

Having been a relative of the late National Artist for Dance Leonor Orosa-Goquingco and having been linked to a family of dancers have added to the pressure.

Thanks to Gerald Magallanes, an accomplished Filipino theater actor, dancer and choreographer, for reviving my terpsichorean capability.

Over more than a decade with PSF, Gerald has earned multiple Aliw Award nominations, including nods for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical and a two-time nomination for Best Choreographer. He has extensive training from some of the Philippines’ most prestigious dance institutions, including Ramon Obusan, Ballet Philippines, and PowerDance.

On screen, he is credited for his work in films like Otso (2013) and the musical film Ako si Ninoy (2023). His recent productions include Bagets The Musical (where he performed as part of the cast for the nostalgic production at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, which enjoyed a successful run from January through March 2026); Reverse Card in which he reprises his role as Marvin’s partner, John, in KhoLab Productions and Artist Playground’s twin bill show Double Take (the production is scheduled to run from May 29 to June 21, 2026, at the Illumination Studio in Makati); Dalaga na si Maxie, a drag musical extravaganza, in 2025.

What a hectic day indeed to learn folk, jazz, modern and contemporary dance exercises from Gerald Magallanes who is widely recognized as a long-time resident artist and choreographer for the Philippine Stagers Foundation (PSF), a prominent theater company he joined in 2009.