EAST3: Bailrok! Mahalo for taking the time to do this interview with me! You are such an inspiration to all ages!
East3: What or whom inspired you to be a part of Hip Hop and dancing? At what age did you start dancing?
BAILROK: I have always loved to dance ever since I can remember. I have watched a lot of movies like Breakin, Beat Street and watched music videos and shows like America’s Best Dance Crew and I always wanted to learn dance moves like them. The Jabbawockeez is probably one of the main reasons why I started taking classes though. I started to take my first class at age 8. Since then so many dancers have inspired me to learn and love different styles of dance.
East3: Can you tell the viewers what you do and some of the things you have accomplished?
BAILROK: Recently, I won the 2013 Juste Debout Top Rock World Championship in Paris, France. I am the youngest to win. For me, it has been a dream I have been trying to achieve since 2010, it was one of my highlights this year so far and it will be an unforgettable moment. I had so much FUN!
I have been truly blessed and had the opportunity to be a Semi-finalist on Americas Got Talent 2010. I have been on TV shows like NBA All Star Slam Dunk with Serge Ibaka, Dancing with the Stars, Disney Shake It Up, Nickelodeon’s Fresh Beat Band and Kids Choice Awards with Will Smith. I had also been able to work several times with Chris Brown on his Fortune Album, Yeah 3x music video and Dancing with the Stars. I was featured in Access Hollywood, Fox 5, TMZ, Good Day LA and Lopez Tonight.
I was also a part of the Macys Glamorama Tour for 2011 and 2012 with Bruno Mars, Ceelo Green, Far East Movement, Robin Thicke and Karmin.
East3: When and how did you get into Rock Steady Crew and how it has impacted your life?
BAILROK: When I first began taking classes at a dance studio in Las Vegas, I met Artson, the instructor for the breaking class at the studio. We found out that he was a part of RSC. Artson took me under his wings and taught me the foundations of bboyin and the culture of Hip Hop. I will be forever grateful for having him be a part of my life. Artson invited me to my first RSC Anniversary in 2009 and I met and got to spend time with the crew then. RSC to me is more than just a crew. RSC is family. My parents always made sure that wherever my travels take me to be sure to connect with your family. I remember meeting you in 2011 when I came to Hawaii and that is when I first met you. Being a part of RSC has been truly a blessing because I have so many people that have positively impacted my life not just in dance, but in everything that I do.
East3: As a Bboy, describe how your style is unique and original? Have you created and new styles or moves?
BAILROK: Bboyin’ has been around for so long. I have had many influences in my dance style with mentors in Rock Steady Crew. When I dance I let my mind, body and soul be free to express myself. BBoyin’ is my passion but I also love to dance different styles such as Locking and Popping, I hope one day I will be able to make up a move and call it the BailRok move. LOL!
East3: How is traveling all around the world helped with your dancing? Do you think that you have learned different styles from all across the globe?
BAILROK: It has been truly a blessing to have traveled to places I could have never imagine going to through dance. I have been able to visit my native country, Philippines, as well as Hong Kong, Canada, London, France and all over the US. Being able to bond with many dancers around the world has influenced my dance and my love of it even more.
East3: How do you juggle being a movie & TV star, performer, crew member, traveling and being a student? I’m sure this journey is very fun and exciting!
BAILROK: Education is the key! Education is priority! I have to give thanks to my parents for allowing me to do what I do. I am a part of a Charter School program in Las Vegas that enables me to travel and still have face-to-face meetings with a teacher and other students my age. I am proud to say that I am a straight A student. I work even harder when it comes to my education. Crazy Legs, president of Rock Steady Crew, has also challenged the young generation with our education. He checks up on my grades all the time. He always tells me if my grades are not good I will be on probation with the crew. It really motivates me to do good when I know that people I love really have the best interest and follows and expects me to do good in school.
East3: What is your greatest accomplishment as a dancer and an entertainer up until this point in your career? Are your future plans to make this a life long career? Have any other dreams and goals out side of entertainment?
BAILROK: First, it is a great accomplishment for me to be a part of the legendary Rock Steady Crew as the youngest to be inducted in the crew at age 9. I have the motto, Dream It, Believe It, Achieve It. I use this motto for every challenge I have ahead of me. So every challenge, whether I win or lose is a great accomplishment for me.
It has been a FUN journey for me and I pray that it would be a life long career. I am young and I can’t foresee what is ahead for me. I just know that wherever life takes me DANCE will always be all about LOVE and FREEDOM and I hope that I will never lose that.
I LOVE FOOD! LOL! I have always had interest in how come food tastes so good, how was this dish made or what ingredients are in this dish. It would be awesome to be a chef when I grow up.
East3: Out of all the places you have traveled to what part of the globe impressed you the most in reference to their scene preservation, advancement, and organization and why?
BAILROK: This answer is based on what I felt, how I was treated and what came out of it for me. I would have to say Juste Debout in France has just been the most impressive organization. The love and support of the community is overwhelming. Imagine 16,000 people, dancers and non-dancers go and support this event. Every year that I go I leave with so much inspiration from dancers all over the world. Thanks to Bruce Ykanji of Juste Debout for creating a platform for the dancers to express themselves. I also want to mention a few of the people/organizations that continue to keep the dance movement relevant, Crazy Legs of Rock Steady Crew, CrosOne of Freestyle Session, Paulskee of Mighty4/Master Culture, DJ Hooch of UK BBoy Championship, Tyrone Van der Meer of IBE, Dave, Herman, Myron of WOD, Howard and Karen of HHI and so many more to mention.
East3: Since the beginning of Hip Hop there has been Music, Dance and Visual Arts (Writing), these art forms spawned from influences that were not considered or defined as Hip Hop because the culture was only at its infancy stages so the pioneers infused and invented to create what is now called Hip Hop.
What are your views on the current advancement of the “culture”? Do we need to preserve as well as invent and incorporate new elements in order for it to advance and grow in this generation? Any ideas?
BAILROK: This is such a hard question. I am still a student still learning the culture but I will try to answer it to best of my ability. My dad and mom is the driving force of the path that I am following. They are influenced with the culture as much as I have been. I have so much more to learn and understand. I feel that people should be more open-minded and to seek knowledge. All I can say is, that it is a blessing to be surrounded by people that continue to embrace, teach, and share their gifts and talents with me.
East3: What direction are you headed in for 2013 and beyond? Any new or upcoming projects you can share?
BAILROK: The past few years has been incredible years with the support of my family and friends I know with hard work I can achieve many more of my dreams. I want to continue to have FUN and ENJOY and CHERISH every moment.
My parents also makes sure that I contribute and share my talents through organizations like the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, All the Way Live, Jump for Joy, Empower and JDRF to name a few. My parents said that is it is very important for me to stay grounded, humble and thankful for all the blessings that God has given me. I will continue to pay it forward through organizations that help inspire others especially the young generation.
Thank you East3 for being a big brother and for allowing me to do this interview. I want to give a VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU to my parents, Ferdinand and Barbra Munoz, and my baby sister Faithe for always supporting me and allowing me to follow my dreams. I am who I am today because of the love and support of my family, Rock Steady Crew and my friends all around the world. I can’t truly express my feelings of gratitude for all of you. My apologies to anyone that I didn’t mention, but please know that all of you have inspired me and continue to inspire to be the best I can be. I want to thank God for always keeping me safe and surround me with positive people wherever this journey takes me. I can promise you that I will always try to do my best in everything that I do. I hope that I can inspire others as much as others have inspired me. I am truly blessed and thankful for all the blessings! I love you all!
Much love and respect,
Bailey aka BailRok