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We're Still Standing Here
Aug. 1st, 2011 06:17 am
Affirmative.
Being a fan entails a lot of responsibility --- basically, the fans are the ones who make or break the group. They cheer to the top of their lungs, buy their merchandise, and protect them from insidious remarks others may impute to their idols. They are their idols' army and their first line of defense. The fans are those people who ardently support any person or group to some extent of forgetting that they have their own needs too.
Yesterday, July 31, 2011, was an epic day for TVXQ's Filipino fans, also known as Cassiopeia Philippines because they once again proved that Cassiopeia is STILL here when they emerged as Champions in the 2nd Annual KPOP and Culture Fest Fanchant Battle, held at the SM Megamall.
Let me share to you my experience being a member of Cassiopeia Philippines' Pep Squad, which I consider to be one of the best decisions I made in my life. ;)
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Starting to Dance for TVXQ
Although I loved dancing during my elementary days, I can never really consider myself as a good dancer. I really wanted to join dance contests before, but since I was afraid that I might mess up on stage, I just dumped such idea.
It was TVXQ who made me return to dancing after 9 years. I was so damn amazed on how they executed their dance routines --- it was so clean and coordinated. Aside from the fact that my bias, UKnow Yunho is their lead dancer, I have always wanted to learn their dance moves since the day I first saw the Rising Sun MV in 2006. It would be good if I had learned the Rising Sun choreography in 2006, but due to my uber-busy-academic life (yes, I was a good student before :P), I didn't had the chance to learn it.
4 years later, in 2010, when CassPH organized a flash mob (a group of people coordinated to meet and perform some predetermined action at a particular place and time and then disperse quickly), I quickly signed up to be one of its dancers. We performed last July 04, 2010 at the SM Mall of Asia grounds. Incidentally, it was the anniversary of TVXQ's The Secret Code Concert at Tokyo Dome. :) I was proud that time, but never did I know that things will get better soon.
I also got the opportunity to manage TVXQute, a five-member all-male dance group covering TVXQ's dance hits. The members are my best guy buds from the fandom, and I am so happy I got to learn the dances as well whenever I attend their practice. I really admire these five guys because of their dedication to TVXQ, and yes, proud manager is proud when they were applauded during CassPH's 8G (see earlier posts) last May 07, 2011.
Three of the members of TVXQute: JP, Leo, Jeff ♥
Last December 11, 2010, we were summoned again to repeat the flash mob at the 2nd KPOP Convention at the PICC forum. There was greater pressure this time, because there were a lot more people in that event than in the MoA flash mob. At 12: 26pm (yes, we coincided it with TVXQ's debut, which was December 26), we started the flash mob. One by one, we gathered at the middle of the PICC forum and danced our hearts out. Many people were surprised, and people converged around to watch us dance. The flash mob was well-received, and again, I became proud as a Cassie.
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June 2011.
I got this secret invitation from Gielyn, asking if I want to dance for TVXQ, and without any further explanation from her, I agreed. Then I learned that CassPH will be joining the KFest FC Fanchant Battle. Pressure's on us because with TVXQ's hiatus as a group, and with the popularity of other groups, we were afraid that a few Cassies will come to cheer for us, and for TVXQ.
Practices last June had a rough start, because most of us were unavailable during Saturday because of school stuff. For the record, we were never complete during practices, so it was kinda hard filling in the place of those who were absent.
For 6 weekends, we practiced our routine, and as July 31 comes close, we even felt more pressure because last year's champion, Triple S Philippines (SS501) decided to join in the battle --- alongside Soshified Philippines (Girls' Generation), and I Heart Big Bang (Big Bang). My cramps, which has been my problem since time immemorial came back --- worse than I expected, because every Sunday morning, I woke up writhing in pain, making me unable to dance well during practices because my right leg freakin' hurts. I felt so useless that time, because while the others danced their hearts out during practice, I pretended I was okay and danced as if nothing happened to my legs. Deep inside, I was already screaming in pain. I did not tell them the full details of my injury because I don't want them to worry about me.
July 31, 2011.
The day has finally come. We brought the props we prepared, which included our personalized shirts with the captions: I love/dance TVXQ, and an uber-cool gloves with nice red LED lights which form the Cassiopeia constellation, courtesy of the uber-creative minds of Ate Barbie and Ate Joanne. When we saw the people enter the Megatrade Hall, I kept wondering, "Will they cheer for us?" That question will be answered later on.
The uber-cool gloves with LED lights, as worn here by Gielyn ;)
For the first time, we were complete yesterday, and to my surprise, the boosters gathered the Cassies they saw to teach the fanchants. I was in awe when I saw many people in red shirts gathered inside our practice area. ♥ We practiced for a few times, and taught each other the fanchants, and usual, we all goofed around each other, spazzing about our 5 boys. The TVXQ tarp that CassPH owned was even raped. XD
See? I told you. :) /brb flailing over 2U ksdgfjgfgf
Goofing around with Leo, who is trying his best to wink XD...
...and JP. :D
Hooray for Team Hogwarts ♥
From left: JP, Nerii, Jeff, Marj, Leo
Jeff, Cherry (aka Katy Perry), Angel, and Regine
Gielyn, Ate Joanne, Eri, Lyn, Angel, and Marlisse chillin' around.
Linh and Berna, two of the CassPH cores. ;)
Ron, one of the CassPH cores, with JP. :D
We had one last practice, changed into our flaming red TVXQ shirts, gathered for some photo-ops c/o Eka, the official photographer of CassPH ♥, and prayed that whatever happens, the Lord may guide us as we perform, and everything that we do is for the glory of the 5 boys we deeply love.
CassPH, fighting!! ♥
Foolin' around before the performance :)
Performance time
When I went up the stage, I was full of pride and determination. Ang yabang kong umakyat sa stage. I want to prove to the antis that Cassiopeia is still fuckin' here, supporting our OT5. Yes I was nervous, but that didn't deter me from keeping my head up high.
The music had started, and hell yeah we danced like there was no tomorrow. I was shocked when I saw the audience applauding and shouting. Call me arrogant, but Cassies owned that moment! I shouted to the top of my lungs, "JUNSU JAEJOONG CHANGMIN YUNHO YOOCHUN ALWAYS FIVE!!!!" I didn't care what would happen next, and I didn't care whether or not I'll get sore throat and thus render me incapacitated to talk to my students the next day. I just want to show my love for TVXQ that time. They gave such a huge impact in my life, and I felt that dancing and cheering for them was one way to show my gratitude to them. We danced, we shouted, we cheered.
We want to show the whole KPOP community how proud we are to be the MIGHTY CASSIOPEIA.
We were met by thunderous screams and applauses from the audience, and we were still in a state of shock. We were so damn proud of what we did. Then we gathered together and cried in each others' arms. The feeling was so unexplainable, and I could just say that it was so overwhelming. As I write this blog, I am crying again because everytime I remember our performance, I just can't help but tear up and remember the feeling.
Consoling each other after the performance. I can clearly see my tears. *_* Hey Ate B and Cherry, why are you looking at me and JP?
Another photo-op after the performance (and the crying too.)
THOSE 4 MINUTES WILL DEFINITELY BE REMEMBERED FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.
We really didn't care about winning, because all we wanted to do is show the world how we love TVXQ.
While walking around after our performance, some people whom I don't know came up and congratulated me for our performance. I endlessly smiled and thanked them. I even overheard from a non-TVXQ fan, "I can feel the pain of Cassiopeia." HELL I WANTED TO CRY AGAIN THAT MOMENT. Yes. Being a Cassie is so painful, and yet, so fulfilling.
What I loved most about CassPH is the unity they exemplify. The red ocean yesterday sat down, spazzed, and ate together. (BTW thank you so much CassPH core for the food ♥♥♥) It was really a heartwarming scene to see Cassies converged together in one place. Let's paint the town red was the tagline yesterday. ;)
We waited for the announcement of the winners, and yes, WE MADE IT! CASSIOPEIA PHILIPPINES IS THE CHAMPION! We rushed onstage, hugged each other, and bowed to the audience who supported us earlier. For one last time, we shouted, "XIAH JUNSU, YOUNGWOONG JAEJOONG, CHOIKANG CHANGMIN, UKNOW YUNHO, MICKY YOOCHUN, SARANGHAEYO HAMKAEHAEYO DONG BANG SHIN KI!!" And then we cried again in each others' arms.
WE EFFIN MADE DONG BANG SHIN KI PROUD!!
Cassiopeia Philippines will always be one of the best orgs I've ever joined to in my life. No words can explain how grateful I am to be a part of this wonderful FAMILY. Unity in times of adversity. That's the Cassiopeia spirit. ♥
WE'RE STILL HERE, AND CASSIOPEIA WILL FOREVER WILL BE HERE FOR DONG BANG SHIN KI!!
Cassiopeia let us set up our world,
Till the end of time we'll light Dong Bang Shin Ki's way,
Always keep the faith,
Keep on holding on and hope to the very end~
Higher will be our progression,
Pearl red lights keep shining on~ Forever,
JUNSU JAEJOONG CHANGMIN YUNHO YOOCHUN
ALWAYS FIVE!!
ALWAYS KEEP THE FAITH!
Cassie in life and in death,
Marj ♥
Note: Ironically speaking, yesterday, July 31, 2011, was the second anniversary of JYJ filing the lawsuit against SM Entertainment.
TVXQ secrets: taken from tumblr
CassPH pics taken by Erika Paulino ♥
See the rest of the pictures here:
http://s968.photobucket.com/albums/ae169/marzorie25/CassPH%20at%20KFEST%202%20073111/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ20
