Nowadays, people are becoming more imaginative and innovative—perhaps to cope with the economic crunch, what with the changing times. What used to be lucrative careers, changes in people’s lifestyles and spending habits have driven some people to shift careers in midstream.Let’s have a quick look back. Ballroom dancing in the early nineties became very popular and just about everyone embraced it for the glamour, socialization and fitness benefits. Dance instructors were suddenly a dime a dozen, enjoying hefty earning to as much as P40,000 a month—minimum! Added on to this were countless perks: travel, brushing elbows with the rich and famous, partying in beautiful houses, earning a car, owning a condominium, and signature clothes, all courtesy of society’s tres riche. But eventually, these dance instructors went into dance competitions, or were lured by jobs abroad. The result: A dip in the number of dance floor princes, and along with it, the fading away of the ballroom scene. The smart ones left quickly went into other endeavors.This is the story of two highly paid dance instructors, who are now into hairstyling. Thanks to the ICI Training Center by the Franck Provost Salon, people like them were given the know-how and skills to start a whole new career.Jose Ronaldo “Ronald” Gajudo took up BS Psychology at the Centro Escolar University, but with the birth of ballroom dancing in 1995 started moving to the beat. But being the creative person that he is, he went into a second career and made a name for in the beauty industry. Ronald enrolled in the diploma program in Cosmetology at the ICI Training Center at the Franck Provost Salon. This is where he honed his natural skills in make-up and hair cutting. Now, he doesn’t only dance with his guests, but does their hair and make-up too!Another very successful dance instructor is Roman Gravador, who had a totally different career before his dancing days. He was a medical technician, having earned a Medical Technology degree, also from the Centro Escolar University. His love for dancing turned him into the most sought after dance instructor to rich guests, who in turn, introduced him to the world of ballroom dancing. Soon, he was traveling abroad and doing shows.When not on the dance floor, Roman was also designing clothes and jewelry dabbling in interior design. He was able to do interior designing for friends’ houses in San Francisco, USA.Eventually, with the earnings he made, Roman was able to put up a company that designs and manufactures shirts. But because his other dream has always been to open a beauty salon of his own, he also enrolled in the six-month diploma program in Cosmetology at ICI where he used his artistic talent to the fullest. Now his dance partners and guests call him to do their make-up and hairstyling before they go boogie.Seeing all this happen, what I have to say is congratulations to the management of Franck Provost Salon, Baby Cruz and Tisha Cruz Bautista for giving artists the opportunity to spread their wings via the ICI Training Center!For more information, call 897-0383 or 895-3401.Meanwhile, here’s good news for those going lot hunting. The Global City, Meridien Development Group recently won a public bidding, conducted by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, for a 3,800 square meter prime land located at the corner of 11th and 23rd Avenue, Fort Bonifacio Global City. Jose E.B. Antonio and Ricardo P. Cuerva (chair and vice chair of Meridien Development Group) have closed the deal with BCDA chair Rufo Colayco.The lot is located between The Fort and the soon to open Market! Market! It is also near the International School, British School, Victory Learning Center and the Japanese School.This prime location at Fort Bonifacio, Global City, will be the future site of South of Market or SOMA, a luxurious 37-story twin tower commercial-residential building. SOMA is the new breed of residential condominiums, as it will be the first of its kind to deliver fully fitted and fully furnished units to owners.With Meridien Development Group Inc. behind SOMA, investors are assured of 20 years development experience. Meridien’s top projects include Essensa East Forbes judged by Asiaweek Magazine as the “Best Residential Project in the Philippines.”The model units of SOMA are located on the 6th floor of Pacific Star Building (corner of Gil Puyat Avenue and Makati Avenue) in Makati City.For appointments, call 818-9025.