Faces of Ego - Urban Vibe

Spot us at any EGO branch! (:
Photography & styling by Daniel Cabrera.
Assistant photographer: Kai Shah
Assistant stylist: Caro Ramlee & Alfie Juhar
Clothes sponsored by EGO

GHK Private Wedding Function Performances

We were invited to perform for an exclusive private wedding function by the GHK family at Manggis Mall's Ballroom as well as their vacation house in Kota Batu. These are the videos from the Manggis Mall event. Congrats to the newlyweds (:




Much love from the Urban Vibe Members

UV Wishes

Because of an accident, we found our Wuen hospitalised for two days and his right arm will be in a cast for two weeks. Thankfully it was nothing serious. Get well soon Wuen and start breakdancing again! :)


Much love from the Urban Vibe Members.

RAD Festival at Panaga Beach

3 studios came together to put up a concert by the beach and it was the first ever RAD Festival in Brunei. Our Coach D, Alfie, Jon, Kai and Caro were the production team for the ballet students of Studio Scene and the ballerinas of UV were in the show as well. Congrats on the success of the concert everyone! Pictures!

Much love from the Urban Vibe Members.

UV's Birthday Shoutout!

Late Update!

May 10th was Georgia's Birthday, the youngest in our group! Happy Belated Birthday Georgia!

Much love from the Urban Vibe Members.

Dancing Through Life's Difficulties

by Ala Paredes

We are all familiar with the concept of heroes from myths, fairy tales, historical figures, world leaders, soldiers, and even athletes. But the greatest triumphs of the human spirit can also come from the ordinary people who walk amongst us.

Daniel Cabrera, known by his friends as "Dan", is one such person who has gracefully overcome some of life's most difficult challenges.

As an overseas Filipino worker teaching at one of Brunei's most active dance schools, Studio Scene, Dan's exceptional talent has been noted ever since he was very young.

In fact, not only has he been involved in major dance and theatre productions in the Philippines, he has also competed as a grand finalist on Philippine National TV on the show, "Stardance". With his versatility and talent, he was a natural choice to be a teacher for Studio Scene.

Dan had been a dance instructor in Brunei for less than a year when on a rainy night in October 2007, he had a devastating injury when he slip and fell.

His left arm was broken and his left heel was shattered into many pieces.

In what he describes as excruciating pain, he was rushed to the hospital where the doctors put two metal plates in his hand, and two metal supports on his foot. So severe was the injury to his arm that it hung from his side uselessly unless supported.

But perhaps even more devastating than the physical pain he endured was the news from the doctor saying he would never be able to walk or dance properly ever again.

"That really broke my heart more than anything," said Dan. "It's like telling a painter that his arm is useless or a singer not having his voice anymore."

During his long stay at the hospital, Dan could not help but sink slowly into despair. In extreme pain, and feeling useless "both as a person and as an artist", he sometimes felt he would rather be dead.

But something told him not to take the doctor's word as final. "I had to decide whether I should give up and lose hope or keep the faith and pray for the best." What followed was a very spiritual time for Dan.

After being discharged from the hospital, Dan wasn't capable of doing much.

He was unable to walk or work as a teacher, and even unable to travel home to the Philippines. For the first time in his life, he was handicapped.

As he continued to sink into depression, Dan decided he would continue teaching... even if he had to do it sitting down! Perhaps it was a little flicker of hope that drove him to do such a crazy thing.

"I conducted classes using merely my voice, and asked some of the older students to demonstrate the moves I could not explain verbally," said Dan.

"I thought it was a crazy idea, but I had to do something with my life other than just sit there and feeling sorry for myself."

To Dan's surprise, his students only increased in number! "They didn't seem to mind having a dance teacher in a cast. God is really funny," Dan said with amusement. His students only saw his setback as an inspiration.

Though the possibility of never being able to dance again still haunted him, Dan kept on as if he would be dancing again some day.

And sure enough, Dan recovered in only half the time that the doctors expected him to. At only five months, he was already walking, perhaps not perfectly, but good enough for him to know in his heart that it would only be a few months before he would be able to dance again.

On his first live performance post-accident, he was a bundle of nerves. "After the show, I knew in my heart that if I really put my mind to it, anything is possible. I know that God used me, and this accident, to change people's lives. I am glad to have been His instrument."

Apart from a deep spiritual life, Dan feels that he never would have made it through without the support of the people he now calls his "family": the doctors at RIPAS, Pat and Siva who rushed him to the hospital, Urban Vibe, as well as other people at Studio Scene who showed who where by his side during his times of greatest need.

More than a year after the accident, Dan feels unstoppable and has started learning new dances. He is also set to expand his teaching repertoire to ATOD tap and jazz at Studio Scene

"I'm really excited about life and what it has to offer. I'm excited to be in Brunei. I'm really thankful for the love and support I get from my family, and I will return that love by not giving up."

It is in our direst moments that life gives us the chance to become the heroes we truly are. Truly, no moment in life is wasted if we face it with a hopeful and resilient attitude. As Dan's favourite motto goes, "Carpe Diem"- seize the day!

(copied from Borneo Bulletin)

Urban Vibe Is Now Two Years Old

Our 100th post on this blog!

URBAN VIBE, a street dancing group under Studio Scene, a school of performing arts, turns two years this month.

The school founded by Director Patricia in February 2006, added street dance to the studio's list of dance disciplines in 2007 for children and teens who do not have the fundamentals of classical training to express themselves through dance.

In its quest to get more students from diverse backgrounds involved in street dancing, the studio has conducted several auditions to find those with potential to train. To date, sixteen scholarships have been given by Studio Scene and with this Urban Vibe was born.

The scholars were given rigorous training in dance where they learned technique, style, musicality and discipline. The hard work that Urban Vibe has put in has resulted in numerous performances, all of which have been well received by the audience and this is evident by the number of requests to perform in functions organised by various organisations. They have also received sponsorships in terms of clothing and make-up by "Ego" and The Body Shop.

There have been members who have left the group over the years but at the same time others have been recruited. Today, Urban Vibe is stronger with more talented members and looks forward to performing for more events and functions in Brunei.

Studio Scene aims to provide a healthy lifestyle for young children who wish to discover their talents in dancing. The studio currently offers various dance disciplines such as classical ballet, theatrical and tap, jazz ballet, pre-school tap and jazz, ballroom (standard and latin dancing), Malay traditional and other dance styles. On top of this, it also offers health and wellness programmes such as yoga, pilates and yogilates. While it focuses mainly on the younger generation, it also caters to the older generation who enjoy dancing and fitness programmes as a hobby. (DMS)

(copied from The Brunei Times)

Launching Of Audi A4 Performance

JIS Fobissea 2009 Performance

Sorry for the delay. More videos to be posted soon! Enjoy :D

UV's 2nd Year

UV had a BBQ party for its 2nd year and the theme was PJs. It was a fun and memorable night. Here're some pictures.

Happy 2nd Birthday Urban Vibe! Our journey has been wonderful and we've come a long way and guess what? we're not stopping ;) right UV?

Thank you so much to all of you who has been supporting us along our journey...

WHAT TEAM??!! lol

Much love from the Urban Vibe Members