Aira Bermudez Opens Up About Her Humble Beginnings as a Dancer
AIRA BERMUDEZ – Before becoming one of the original SexBomb Dancers, Aira Bermudez was earning only P150 to P200 per performance in local dance contests.
Aira Bermudez recently looked back on her humble beginnings before becoming one of the original members of the iconic SexBomb Dancers, revealing that she used to earn only P150 to P200 per performance in her early days.
The former SexBomb shared that she was first discovered at just 15 years old during an interbarangay dance contest. It was veteran dancer and talent manager Joy Cancio who noticed her talent and eventually opened the doors for her entry into the entertainment industry.
Before that life-changing moment, Aira had already been joining dance competitions since she was around 11 or 12 years old. In the “i-Listen with Kara David” vodcast, she fondly recalled how she and her friends would travel to different barangays just to compete and earn a small amount of money.
“Tapos, nakakatawa ‘yung simpleng kita mo nanalo ka ng P150. Diretso namin nu’ng mama ko noon, tapsilugan.
“Kumakain kami together. ‘Yung extra bibigay ko pangkain namin. Dumadayo kami ng iba-ibang barangay para lang makasali at kumita,” Aira recalled.
Winning small cash prizes brought her immense joy, especially when their group was recognized as the best group. At one point, she even received a special award as “Face of the Night.”
“Parang ‘yun ‘yung naging start. ‘Ay, parang ito ‘yung calling ko.’ Ang saya. Sayaw lang ako nang sayaw. Tapos, kakasayaw lang namin, kaka-join lang namin ng contest nakaabot na ako ng ibang channel, sumasayaw na ako doon.
“Nag-contest na ako. Parang, ‘ay, ibang level na ito!’”
Her big break came during an interbarangay contest in Parañaque, where Joy Cancio served as one of the judges.
“Sa interbarangay ng Parañaque. Nag-join kami. Ate Joy was one of the judges. And then, si Ms. Joy noon nakita niya ako.
“Second place kami noon. Tapos, si Kuya JV (nakasama nila noon), tinuturo ako, ‘Puwede ‘yun, puwede ‘yun.’
“Tinawag niya ako (ni Joy). Sabi niya, ‘Halika,’ tapos, lumapit ako. ‘Gusto mo mag-SexBomb? ‘Ano po ‘yun?’ sabi ko pa,” said Aira.
At the time, she was unfamiliar with the group, which was still new and even called “Chicken Sandwich Dancers.”
“Si Ate Joy, since wala pa siya nu’n sa studio, pinag-audition pa nga ako nu’ng assistant niya. Nakita nila, ‘Ay, ang easy nu’ng sayo.’
“Kumbaga, ang bilis kong i-pick up ‘yung sayaw. Siguro, simula bata talaga ako, ‘yung pick up ko, parang naa-absorb ko agad siya,” she said.
Eventually, she was accepted and introduced to the original members.
“Si Ate Joy, doon unang nagpasukan ‘yung original SexBomb. Wow, talagang na-amaze ako. Kasi pasok si Kikay (Baquiran), siya ‘yung leader ng Sexbomb dati. Si Pepay, huling-huling si Rochelle (Pangilinan). ‘Ay sila pala ‘yun.’ Nakatingin lang ako,” said Aira.
“‘Uy, may bago tayo.’ Nilapitan ako, sumasayaw, para ka lang nene, parang pinabili ka lang ng suka ng nanay mo,” Aira further described herself then.
She also revealed that she used to receive P150 to P200 per stage appearance, which was already a big amount for her back then.
“Nakatikim ako ng unang suweldo, ipinakita ko sa mama ko, ‘Mama, may sinusuweldo na ako. Tingnan mo.’ Alam mo, ‘yung sobrang excitement namin. Kaya du’n ako nag-start na parang, Wow! Galing!
“So, hindi ko pa na-feel na parang ‘yun pala ‘yung ganun ako magiging kagaling sumayaw.
“Pero si Joy Cancio po talaga ang nag-open ang door parang gumaling talaga ako. At masabi ko sa sarili ko na ito talaga ‘yung career ko sa buhay ko,” said Aira.
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