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Ailyn Agonia
Doha
A ZUMBA event featuring Manila-based artistes and a number of Doha-based licensed Zumba instructors were the highlights of the second day of Filipino Food Festival titled Kulinarya Qatar 2016 at the Westin Doha Hotel & Spa on Tuesday.
Joshua Zamora, a former member of Maneuvers dance group and currently one of the most famous licensed Zumba instructors in the Philippines, showcased his trademark moves on the dance floor during the Glow Zumba event participated by dozens of Zumba enthusiasts in Qatar. He was joined by his wife Jopay Paguia, a television actress and also former member of a popular dance group in the Philippines, in their first performance in Doha.
"I am thankful to the Filipino community in Qatar for choosing us to host a Zumba event here. While it is not my first time to perform in the Middle East, it is our first time to visit Qatar. We really don't have any expectations from the crowd but want to just have fun," Zamora told Qatar Tribune.
The Filipino celebrity also underscored the popularity of Zumba among Filipinos especially all over the Philippines. He said,"Filipinos love to dance and when Zumba became popular the response of Filipinos has been very positive. I retired from Maneuvres in 2010 because that time I said 'I'm done with dancing'. A fellow celebrity Regine Tolentino invited me in one of her Zumba events and then she urged me to undergo Zumba training. I became a member of ZIN (Zumba International Network) in 2014. Zumba revived my passion for dancing. Although it is more on Latin music, I am able to incorporate my own 'flavours' or Maneuvers 'flavours' to my moves which is something I like about Zumba."
Indeed, Joshua didn't fail his avid followers and brought back memories of Maneuvers during his energetic performance. He performed popular music from the 90s and 80s to the delight of the crowd. The husband and wife in tandem was well-appreciated by all the participants of the exclusive Zumba event aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle among residents of Qatar.
Doha-based instructors Marvin Abaredes, Eddie Santiago and Tachi Gonzalez spiced up the Zumba event.
Aside from Zumba, Day 2 of Kulinarya Qatar also featured live entertainment by Diversity/ Heatwave Dance Group, BnB, Beautiful Agony Band and Tanghalang OPi. A live cooking demonstration was hosted by Saladmaster while Doha Shutterbugz organised a Photoshoot for a Cause featuring Jopay and local model Tess Roozen.
