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| PHILIPPINE BACKGROUND - CHERRY CHASTAIN |
| Cherissa Rodriguez-Chastain was born and reared in Manila, Philippines. She began her formal training in Ballet at age 4, until age 16 with Miss Anita Kane (a prima ballerina with the Royal Ballet of London) - where at age 14, she performed with Maggie de la Riva (as prima) with the Pamana Ballet Company. Cherissa also studied Jazz, Tap and Hula since age 8. She also studied Piano and Voice and plays the organ and ukulele. In her teens, she was the bass guitarist for an all-girl combo, THE INTRUDERETTES (female counterpart of Boy Angeles and the INTRUDERS). She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from Far Eastern University, where she received a 4-year FULL scholarship in Dance (others received only |
| a fourth or half). She was also a member of the FEU Modern Jazz Group and for 3 years was UAAP Cheerleader. At age 15, Cherry and her sister Menchu, began their TV career - under top Philippine choreographers like Al Quinn and Julie Borromeo - performing in many of the top TV shows like Nida-Nestor Show, Dance Time with Chito...... movie musicals, including an Eddie Mesa-Amalia Fuentes starrer (in which Eddie chose Cherry to be his partner for his song and dance number); Zamboanga (starring Fernando Poe, Jr., Susan Roces, Pilita Corrales) where the two were principal dancers (she also played the kulintang in |
| BOOTS ANSON-ROA & PEPE PIMENTEL, among many others. They opened for Kathryn Grayson, Timi Yuro, Freddie & the Dreamers, Zombies, Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs (of Wooly Bully fame), and others; worked under the direction of noted Broadway director, LeRoy Prinze - during their days with the Frontierettes (the Rockettes of the Phil.), under Cora Inigo. They both were lead |
| performing for Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Disneyland choreographer, cast and staff on their promo tour of the Far East; promo shows and road shows for Procter & Gamble, Pepsi, Coke, 7-Up; performed for heads of states and world dignitaries, at embassies, U.S. bases and the Presidential Palace (for 4 years while in college); featured in Philippine tourism postcards and tourism documentary film for worldwide distribution; and, choreographers for the Platters' World Concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. |
| dancers of the international award-winning FEU Folkdance Troupe; lead dancers with Bayanihan, lead dancers of the Polynesian Cultural Dance Company of the Philippines (about 80 members, most of whom were Hula teachers in the country); went to Karilagan Finishing School and have modeled for exclusive Filipino couturiers. (Menchu was named one of the Top Ten Outstanding Models of the Philippines, at age 22). Most notable of their accomplishments are: choreographers for an American movie filmed in the Philippines, starrung Troy Donahue; |
| Note: This website is filled with photos because I believe that "a picture paints a thousand words" and I feel that these photos reflect the fine quality and high calibre of my work. |
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| Perhaps, the most remarkable about the success of The RODRIGUEZ SISTERS is, they have accomplished all the above, and more, on SHEER TALENT and DEDICATION. They never had a PRO or manager to promote them. That is probably why there was not much publicity about them except for being seen on the top TV shows almost every night of the week, in 1, 2 or 3 different channels. They were hired by the TV shows' producers, directors or talent coordinators because of their excellent choreography and entertainment/performance value of the Rodriguez Dancers. They have never gone out with producers, directors and staff after every television taping or movie shoots, just to get TV/movie assignments. They just did their work diligently and efficiently, and then went back home to rest and practice for the next show. |
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| the movie); road shows with Tito Pepe Pimentel, fashion shows, et al. Later, when they were hired for shows like ETO NA KAMI and many ABS-CBN, KBS, IBS TV shows, they formed an all-girl dance group THE IN-CROWD DANCERS - an elite group of dancers composed of college students, former dance troupe members and high school girls from prominent families that they trained for their professional shows. Cherry and her sister, Menchu became well-known as THE RODRIGUEZ SISTERS - choreographers for numerous top-rated TV shows like Nora Aunor's SUPERSTAR, VILMA SANTOS SHOW, GUY AND PIP, KULANG SA PITO, VICTOR WOOD SHOW, CLUBHOUSE 9, ON STAGE WITH |
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