rhythm NATION

Choreographer and creative director GIL DULDULAO sees the world in the fusion of dance and music.

- GABBIE TATAD

Born in Kalihi, Hawai'i, Gil Duldulao's story began as a little boy who was looking to fit into his own skin. When he took a hip-hop dance class for beginners, his limbs took over. "I felt like it was a natural thing for me. It wasn't uncomfortable or awkward. It connected with me and I felt connected to it," Duldulao recounts with a smile.

Initially, he attributed part of his interest to his Filipino heritage, constantly being surrounded by music and relatives who could sing and dance in some capaci ty. However, the next 10 years would prove that the interest ran much deeper where he went through many agencies and was brought to multiple dance conventions by different choreographers. "They kept telling me that I need to go to LA and I need to pursue this. It's kind of cuckoo, but I remember watching Janet Jackson's 'If,' and I was like, I want to do that. I want to be in a music video and to pursue dance."

The desire to leave and making the jump are two vast distinctions, especially for a 17-year-old, but Duldulao's mother understood how her son yearned for much more. He learned about the EDGE Performing Arts Center (EDGEPAC) in Los Angeles. At the time, the center had a scholarship program where hundreds of hopefuls would come in from all over the US to audition for scholarship slots.

"I told my mom about that, and I think she just saw that I was going nowhere. I wanted to grow in dance, I wanted to learn so much more, but it wasn't in Hawai'i. And obviously, sending your child to go and audition that's a lot," says Duldulao. "Then one day she says to me, 'Go look in your Bible, I have something for you."" There, between pages of scripture, was the needle that moved Duldulao's story forward: a one-way ticket to Los Angeles.