Stepping inside the rehearsal space for Viva Records, the place doesn’t immediately come off as the home of everyone’s favorite P-pop acts, both established and emerging. Hidden within a compound in Quezon City is an unfurnished ancestral house. Word around the neighborhood is that it is Viva Communications chairman and CEO Vic Del Rosario’s home-turned-creative hub.
Inside one of the rooms is Eli De San Andres, a member of Viva Records boy group XERENADE. XERENADE debuted on Valentine’s Day in 2026 with “Ikaw Lang,” but the group has been training for two years. De San Andres’ dance roots go back further, starting out b-boying for underground groups dating back to 2019. “Tinry ko lahat under hip-hop and ‘yung b-boy ‘yung isa sa pinaka-nagustuhan ko,” he says.
It’s unfortunate however that he had to stop learning b-boying because of a shoulder injury. De San Andres may be an idol now, but he is first and foremost a dancer. He constantly checks the time. As a choreographer, a second, even half a second, can make or break a routine. Dance is seldom out of his head. Even at night, he tells us, ideas for choreography come to him, sometimes while he’s already in bed. The pipeline from choreographer to idol, however, is not without sacrifices.
“Hindi nila nakikita ‘yung mga sleepless nights, ‘yung pawis mo o paano mo siya ginawa. ‘Yung wala na sa tamang oras ‘yong kain, ‘yung tulog,” De San Andres says of the effort and dedication demanded of P-pop groups.
As a full-time choreographer, he comes up with moves for XERENADE. But when he’s not training. He also thinks of routines for other groups like Alamat, with whom he has worked most significantly for their 2025 single “LuzViMinda.”
Steady Observer
Working with acts like Alamat, De San Andres understands the sacrifices required. Often it’s at the expense of time he would otherwise spend with family and friends. Despite this demand, he stays calm and professional. De San Andres knew what he signed up for.
“Tuwing umaga, nag-pa-practice kami ng XERENADE as a group, tapos ‘pag hapon, nandun na ako as choreographer para sa ibang grupo naman.”
Beyond blocking and footwork, De San Andres studies how each member moves, behaves, and responds before coming up with movement specific to them. Even during the shoot, he slowly sways while his foot stays afloat, giving the illusion that he’s in mid-air. Dancing, for him, excites and feeds the soul all at once. Hence, learning the human side of idol members is paramount to his creative process.
“Inaral ko talaga sila as individuals,” he says. “Pinanood ko sila live para makita ko paano sila gumalaw. Kinakabisado ko ‘yung personality nila.” But beyond tailor fitting a choreography, knowing each individual also ensures rehearsals go smoothly. “Mahirap kapag ‘di mo sila kilala, baka mawala sa mood o magalit.”
For De San Andres, the future of dance in P-pop depends on breaking barriers. In his head, there is a giant invisible border that’s prohibiting collaboration between dance groups who are perceived to be in different lanes.
“Kailangan matanggal ‘yung wall sa pagitan ng mainstream and underground [na dance groups],” he says. “Para lahat bonding lang, lahat socializing.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Eli San Andres is a choreographer and a member of boy group XERENADE.
Eli De San Andres has choreographed for other groups, most notably for Alamat’s “Luzviminda.”
XERENADE is a boy group under the music label VIVA Records.
XERENADE has released their debut single “Ikaw Lang.” The group debuted on Valentine’s Day 2026.
Eli De San Andres has decided to stop b-boying due to a shoulder injury.
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