I’m a 100% full blooded Filipino. I was born in San Matias Philippines, and moved to Chicago with my family when I was 5 years old. I don’t recollect ever having any interest in dancing at a young age. During my freshman year in high school, I dabbled at that current trend of “Break Dancing”. It lasted about 6 months. I never felt the desire to pursue any other dance styles for about 15 years after that.

Not unit 1997 did I feel the need to dance, or at least the need to learn to dance. I was standing up for the wedding for a very good friend of mine. He informed me that the only music that will be playing for his wedding would be Salsa. I asked a few friends from work to help me in this situation. I had 4 weeks to accomplish this feat, plenty of time I thought. I learned some weird steps and very confusing hand movements. Well, at the reception I stepped on my partner’s toes quite a bit and managed to snare my watch in her salon perfect hair. That was on the first song we danced or should I say last song, for me. Such a traumatic experience welcomed the retirement of my dance shoes. Surprisingly, that same year I went to my high school reunion and met up with a friend who was dancing salsa and opened up a dance school. I cannot mention this persons name because it would reveal her age threatening my very existence. But everyone else calls her Lisa La Boriqua. Anyway, she was very enthusiastic about her school mentioning that I should take lessons. I laughed an orchestra of hysteria inside, but I could tell she was very serious in her accomplishment. Not wanting to insult her, I asked for a business card and for probably the only time in her life EVER, she didn’t have one. She did take my address down and promised to send me information.

For the next two years of my life, my mail was receiving endless pamphlets and brochures to a dance studio I had no interest in. I was just being nice. Finally, one brochure had a personal message written on it, “ I hope you will be able to take a class soon.” Guilt invaded my soul causing me sleepless nights for a long time. Maybe a day to be exact. I called to schedule a class to start the new millennium with a resolution for self-improvement out right. My first class was with Lisa and I’ve been retiring dancing shoes in a different manner ever since. Eight months down the road, I had the guts to audition for the dance company. Surprisingly I made it. Who knew a vertically challenged goofball like me would ACTUALLY get paid to dance. My dad today still ponders that very same thought. Not long after making the dance company, I became an instructor for the school. Teaching every Monday my version of the Deep Latin Groove we call Salsa.

I’m in my thirties, living the life of a 21 year old. I’m a full-time registered nurse, part-time Naval Reservist, all-the-time dance hound. My name is Nestor, I’m the Salsaterror and that’s my story.