90-Year-Old Gran Enters Dance Floor at Party—She Quickly Steals the Show
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A 90-year-old has stolen the internet's heart after a dance comeback at her granddaughter's 18th birthday "debut."
The family celebration transformed into an unforgettable spectacle when the spry grandmother, affectionately known as Mama Ging, surprised guests with an impromptu dance performance that quickly gained traction on TikTok. The moment highlighted her enduring love for dance and ability to command a stage—no matter her age.
Rosie Alejandrino, 29, spoke to Newsweek about the video she shared, and explained that the event was the "debut" of her cousin, Angela Gabrielle—an 18th birthday tradition in Filipino culture similar to a Quinceanera.
Photos from Rosie Alejandrino's TikTok video of her grandmother dancing during her cousin, Angela Gabrielle's 18th birthday debut.
Photos from Rosie Alejandrino's TikTok video of her grandmother dancing during her cousin, Angela Gabrielle's 18th birthday debut.
@yesrosemarie/TikTok
Alejandrino, seen in a floral dress behind her cousin in a large pink gown, was thrilled by her grandmother's unexpected turn in the spotlight.
Mama Ging has been a dancer her entire life, Alejandrino said. Her passion for dance is deeply woven into her family's history.
"Dance actually plays a huge role in how my family came to be," she said. "Mama Ging was recruited to compete as part of the Philippines' Far Eastern University Folkdance Group in the 1950s, where she met my grandfather, our Papa Mike."
Both Mama Ging and Papa Mike went on to teach dance and physical education at the same university where they met, raising their children, including Alejandrino's mother, nearby.
The idea for Mama Ging's surprise performance came together just before the celebration.
"It's a custom at Philippine debuts for the debutant to perform some sort of dance alongside her friends or family, so we stayed up all night before her party putting together a quick dance routine to surprise her guests," Alejandrino said. "My grandma kept chiming in with her ideas for choreography and ways to improve the performance, so we decided that it would be a fun surprise to have her be the grand finale."
The moment Mama Ging took the floor, the reaction from the guests was electric.
"So many of the guests erupted in cheers when Mama Ging got up from her seat, and they only cheered louder when she started dancing," Alejandrino said. Initially, the family had only asked her to dance for an eight-count so she wouldn't get too tired, but Mama Ging had other plans. She surprised everyone by going "full-out" for the rest of the song.
Alejandrino shares a very close relationship with her grandmother. Mama Ging and Papa Mike lived with her family since she was about five years old, and Mama Ging has continued to live with her parents since Papa Mike's passing. This deep connection makes the shared experience of the moment even more special.
For Alejandrino, her grandmother is a profound source of inspiration even beyond her dance moves.
"If this video is proof of anything, she's definitely taught me that you are never too old to let loose and have some fun," Alejandrino said. "She really inspires me to take my health seriously and stay strong as I get older."
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