Today we’d like to introduce you to Martin Jerome Manlangit.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
From elementary to my early junior high days, I explored various sports teams. I tried basketball, softball, flag football, etc, but I was never particularly good at them. When I saw some of my friends in my middle school’s dance team, I wanted to try it out. I started dancing in the 8th grade in my school’s dance team and was having the time of my life. Cliche to say, Dance was my life and would make me the happiest I’ve ever been. For me, it was fun making connections with other dancers, performing onstage, and learning and training in several styles like House, Locking, Waacking, Hip Hop Grooves, etc. We would compete in local competitions throughout my high school years and then went on to compete and perform in competitions like World of Dance LA, Vibe, Hip Hop International and would go on to win several awards.
After high school, I decided to pursue dance as a career and started training in the various dance studios in North Hollywood. I got to train and learn from teachers that I look up to and have helped me evolve to the dancer that I am today like Amari Marshall, Miguel Zarate, Shawnette Heard, Derrell Bullock, and many more amazing teachers. Here, I further developed my craft training in Afro, Dancehall, Jazz Funk, and Vogue.
Through dance, I was also able to learn about the Ballroom scene, an underground subculture that originated in New York created from Black and Latino LGBTQ+ in the 1970s. Lately, I’ve been focusing on my ballroom career and have been training in Vogueing which has become one of my favorite styles. Through Ballroom, I was able to develop a sense of family and community which led to me joining a House known as Miyake-Mugler.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Balancing school and dance was definitely a struggle but worth all the late nights. Between physical and mental exhaustion before and after rehearsals to trying to keep up with school, it strained the relationship with my parents and I. They could see my academic life in jeopardy and wanted the best opportunities for me, but I realized how important dance was for my emotional well-being. My parents came around once they started to come out to my competitions and performances. Once they saw how happy it made me, they continued to let me dance.
I’ve also struggled with my self-image and me coming to terms with my sexuality throughout my dance career. I always felt insecure with my femininity especially with how I dance and how I present myself and always compared myself to others. With the help of my tribe and my friends, I’ve come to appreciate and embrace my femininity and love that aspect of myself. They’ve helped me realize that me owning who I am as a person is my superpower. I hope my story can do the same for those who’ve been marginalized for being as feminine as me. From the way we present ourselves, to the way we speak, to the way we perform, I want my LGBTQ+ community to embrace their superpower.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Growing up in dance I found the value of community, This value has been made stronger as I continued my growth here in my home, Los Angeles. Through my community, I found the strength in what I considered weak, One of my favorite inspirations/artists Durand Bernarr once said, “I’m not meant to be understood, I’m meant to be experienced.” I want people to feel something when I dance, I want them to feel the passion and love I have for this art. I love the way I can fluctuate between both the Masculine and Feminine. I can dance in a 5-inch stiletto but hold my own in the grunge of hip hop. I am proud of my versatility in several styles while also keeping true to my artistry. I have yet to find what I’m most proud of but I’m excited for the journey.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a lil wild and full of energy. I was a very active and loud kid that just loved to play and participate in anything. But when it came to school though, I was raised to be very studious. I got in trouble a lot because I was very talkative so I needed outlets to help calm my spirit down. Dance was the perfect avenue to help channel my artistic energy.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @yoomartini
Image Credits
Photographers: Jaimar Viray ( IG: @justjaimar) Jimmy Love (IG: @issalovething__) Alice Yi (IG: @shaaaaloooom) Valentina (IG: @reneffolsonproductions)
