Marijo Castro-Torres

When not choreographing or teaching dance, Marijo would be seen hitting the golf greens. She works as a Statistical Specialist at One Beacon Insurance in downtown Boston.

Angela Dennis

Rose Marie Candaza

During her college days in nursing she was the chairman of Socio-Cultural Affair of her class and she represented her school in various activities. Before she migrated to the United States, Rose worked as a Project Industrial Nurse at Construction and Development Corporation of the Philippines (CDCP) and as an Emergency Room/Out Patient Department staff nurse at Roberto Oca Workers Clinic and Hospital (Seamen's Hospital). She is presently employed at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's GI Unit as a Registered Nurse.

Rose is very active and affiliated with other organizations. She is a founding member of DPPAC (Dance Philippines Performing Arts Company), KASAMA (Kapatiran Sa Massachusetts) and PNANE (Philippine Nurses Association of New England). In addition to serving as treasurer, Rose also currently serves as KASAMA's Choral Group Director. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors and was the Vice President of PNANE for three consecutive terms.

Rose is a woman who is loyal to her family and friends, who expects no more than others than she is willing to give. She is married to Teodoro "Boy" Candaza of Carigara, Leyte founder and past President of KASAMA.

Anna Castro

Along with her family, she moved to the US in 1974, residing in Baltimore, MD. She then moved to Boston, MA. in 1983 for its educational and job opportunities. Her move to Boston jump started her interest in folk dancing. Under the expert guidance of her sister, Marijo Torres, Anna has been homing-in her skills ever since. She was a principal dancer for the PAMAS Dance Group from 1983-1994 and the Philippine Dance Co. of Boston from 1994-1999. She is a founding dance member of DPPAC and is currently, an officer of the dance company. She continues to appreciate her heritage through her active involvement with the dance company. Anna is employed at Children's Hospital of Boston’s Department of Lab Medicine. Her other interests include travel, music, movies, art, theater, reading, bowling and of course, anything with dance, be it folk dancing, Hawaiian, ballet or modern!

Tom Cabaltera

In 1987, he arrived in Boston to work professionally as a physical therapist for Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Currently, he is a part owner of a private practice in the Lowell area.

His continued interest in the performing arts led him to know Marijo Torres and was involved with her since.

Nina Dimagiba
Nina’s penchant for performing arts began when she performed a Hawaiian dance number, Pearly Shells, as a first grader at St. Mary’s Academy in Manila. Having spent most of her growing years in the Boston area, Nina has managed to balance academics and her interest in dance performance and fitness.

Nina took ballet and jazz dance classes, while participating in her school’s cheerleading squad during her high school and college years. A professionally trained and certified fitness instructor with over 17 years of experience, Nina presently teaches Step Aerobics, Cardio Kickboxing, Cardio Latino, and Abdominal Crunch classes at Boston Sports Clubs/HealthPoint in Waltham.

Nina’s history in Filipino folk dancing began in 1982 when she first met Marijo Torres, and has continued ever since. She was a principal dancer for the PAMAS Dance Troupe under Marijo’s direction. She then followed Marijo at Philippine Dance Company of Boston serving as Board Members and principal dancer. In 1999, Nina joined Marijo in forming Dance Philippines, serving as Board Member.

Nina holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Massachusetts. She is also serving her 8th year as President of a Waltham-based software development company, Strong Systems.