Al-Raqesa Academy

24/05/2026

New online class schedule this June and July under Al-Raqesa Academy Philippines!

Foundations of Egyptian Raqs Sharqi: Techniques and Combinations (Open Levels)
June 14, 22, 28 & July 5, 12 (Sunday)
3:15PM - 4:30PM (1 hour & 15 minutes)
PhP 1,800 (All 5 sessions) | Php 450 per class / drop-in rate

This is an open-level class. Students will learn various techniques and combinations to widen dance vocabulary and improve on technique and musicality. This class will cover various dance genres and music within the Egyptian dance styles (Classical, Oriental, Shaabi, Baladi, etc). There will also be homework and personalized feedback and coaching. Classes will be recorded and will be made available for review, exclusively for Al-Raqesa students.

Visit https://alraqesaacademy.com/classes to sign-up for the classes.

13/05/2026

Al-Raqesa Academy presents an online lecture to be conducted by our guest, Nisaa of St. Louis from USA. She is the author of “Egyptian Belly Dance in Transition: The Raqs Sharqi Revolution, 1890-1930” & “Raqs in the City: The Belly Dance Landscape of Cairo”.

Join us for an hour as we talk about the myths that we normally hear about Egyptian belly dance history. In the international Egyptian belly dance industry, myths and misconceptions about the dance’s origins, its purpose, and its practitioners continue to abound.

In this lecture, Nisaa deconstructs some of the most commonly repeated myths about Egyptian belly dance history, explaining how and why these myths came about, and presenting the historical evidence that contradicts them. Our participants will learn what current research tells us about the dance’s history and development – and you’ll discover that the facts are much more compelling than the fantasies!

Date: June 13, 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 10:00 AM (PH Time) (1 hour)
Fees: PhP 700 (Early Bird) / PhP 850 (Regular or Drop-in Rate)
Early bird rate ends 5 June 2026

To register, visit https://www.alraqesaacademy.com/events. Recording of this lecture will be made available for 30 days for those who cannot make it for the live session.

12/05/2026

Last May 2, we had the opportunity to meet and learn from Nair Elias of Argentina. She conducted two workshops on hip techniques and a classical song choreography.

Thank you, Nair, for sharing your dance to our participants.

Also, a big thanks to for collaborating on this event and to Opera Haus for hosting our workshop.

Stay tuned for more workshops and events under Al-Raqesa Academy!

08/03/2026

Nair Elias will be in Southeast Asia this May 2026 and Al-Raqesa Academy will be hosting her for the first time in Manila, Philippines!

Date: 2 May 2026 (Saturday)
Venue: Opera Haus 3657 Bautista St. Makati City 1230 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/L1Nkqd3AvPE19k4G6)

Schedule:
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Nair’s Full Calderas / Full Hips Technique
This workshop focuses on Nair’s own method called ‘Full Caderas’ (Full Hips), focusing on mobility, flexibility, and strength.

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Classical Oriental Choreography
Learn a classical oriental choreography using Nair’s techniques.

Fees:
1 Workshop - PhP 2,300 (Early Bird) / PhP 2,600 (Regular or Drop-in Rate)
2 Workshops - PhP 4,700 (Early Bird) / PhP 5,000 (Regular or Drop-in Rate)
*Early Bird Rate ends 30 April 2026.

Payment Details:
1. GCash (09567558498)
2. Bank Transfer
Bank: Philippine National Bank (PNB)
Account Number: 149010038936
Name: Vitug Arjae Vryan Lacaocao
Branch: 1281 - PNB Sucat (Paranaque)
Bank: BPI Savings
Account Number: 3629174167
Name: Arjae Vryan Vitug
Branch: Dr. A. Santos Ave. BF Homes
3. Paypal (http://www.paypal.me/arjaevitug)

DANCER’S PROFILE:

NAIR ELÍAS of Argentina
International Cultural Artist | Headliner | Master Teacher
With Syrian–Palestinian roots deeply embedded in her artistic identity, Nair Elías represents a refined and culturally grounded vision of Oriental Dance — combining tradition, theatrical sophistication, and academic precision.Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, she completed her professional training at the school of renowned master Amir Thaleb, one of the most prestigious Oriental Dance institutions in Latin America.Throughout her career, she has continued her development by training with various international master teachers, constantly refining her technique, musicality, and interpretative depth.Her artistic recognition expanded after her participation in Got Talent Argentina, where she reached the final stages and was praised for her technical strength, presence, and distinctive artistic identity.

22/02/2026

Al-Raqesa Academy Online Classes are back! Starting this March 1, we will begin our open-level Technique & Combination classes. Focusing on techniques, we will focus on foundational movements and weaving them all together to a short combination.
Dates: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 (Sunday)
Time: 3.15 PM - 4.30 PM MNL/SGP (1 hr 15 mins)
Fees: PhP 1,800 (All sessions) / PhP 450 (1 session / drop-in)
Visit https://www.alraqesaacademy.com/classes to register.

19/12/2025

In the spirit of the holiday season, Al-Raqesa Academy will be having a donation-based workshop this month of December.

A bellydance workshop for a cause, 100% proceeds of the workshop will go to two foundations: Duyan Foundation and Project HOPE.

Join us on Dec. 21, 2025 (Sunday) from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Opera Haus, Makati.

There will be a minimum donation of PhP 500.00 via GCash or settled on the day itself.

An Open-Level class, Arjae will be teaching a Shaabi choreography. The workshop is open for Beginner to Advanced level bellydancers.

You may send your donations via GCash:
+639567558498
Name: Arjae Vitug

Contact [email protected] or +6597242492 (WhatsApp / Viber) for any enquiries.

Information about the beneficiaries:

Duyan Foundation: .renzo
Duyan Foundation is built to help families of children who are living with HIV. They are born to this world with the virus that weakens their immune system. Duyan provides assistance to these kids and their families to sustain their life and be able to help other kids to grow despite to the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV & AIDS. Kids are from infant to 17 yrs old. Pamela Magdaluyo is their Duyan Foundation coordinator who continues to seek help to bring joy to these kids.

Project Hope:
A project of Care to CARE Philippines, Project HOPE (Help Others Pursue Education) targets beneficiaries who are elementary public school students from 3rd to 5th class municipalities. Offering the students various supplies needed in school, Project HOPE has been conducting distributions in the Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas areas.

16/12/2025

In the spirit of the holiday season, Al-Raqesa Academy will be having a donation-based workshop this month of December.

A bellydance workshop for a cause, 100% proceeds of the workshop will go to two foundations: Duyan Foundation and Project HOPE.

Join us on Dec. 21, 2025 (Sunday) from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at Opera Haus, Makati.

There will be a minimum donation of PhP 500.00 via GCash or settled on the day itself.

An Open-Level class, Arjae will be teaching a Shaabi choreography. The workshop is open for Beginner to Advanced level bellydancers.

To register, send a message to:
+6597242492 (WhatsApp + Viber)
+639567558498 (SMS)
[email protected]

Information about the beneficiaries:

Duyan Foundation:
Duyan Foundation is built to help families of children who are living with HIV. They are born to this world with the virus that weakens their immune system. Duyan provides assistance to these kids and their families to sustain their life and be able to help other kids to grow despite to the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV & AIDS. Kids are from infant to 17 yrs old. Pamela Magdaluyo is their Duyan Foundation coordinator who continues to seek help to bring joy to these kids.

Project Hope:
A project of Care to CARE Philippines, Project HOPE (Help Others Pursue Education) targets beneficiaries who are elementary public school students from 3rd to 5th class municipalities. Offering the students various supplies needed in school, Project HOPE has been conducting distributions in the Cavite, Laguna, and Batangas areas.

04/11/2025

Al-Raqesa Academy presents the opening piece of the Raqs Filipinas Troupe during the Raqs Filipinas Oriental Dance Festival 2025 gala show.

Song: Oriental Ashka from Lubna Emam’s CD
Choreography: Arjae Vitug
Costume: Sufel Boutique Bellydance Costumes

Dancers:
Lexi Galang
Lorrie Figueroa
Nilda Boquiren
Jennie Lou Bland
Sharon Dumdum
Reign Naz Ngking
Jhuvy Lahoy-layhoy
Bianca Casuco
Vina Gubatan

The Raqs Filipinas Troupe opening the Raqs Filipinas Oriental Dance Festival 2025 gala show with a mejanse. Song: Oriental Ashka from Lubna Emam’s CDChoreogr...

21/08/2025

Online classes will be back this September and October.
Watch this space for updates and schedules of our upcoming classes!

13/07/2025

Throwback to 2 weeks before when the dancers learned a pop song and a drum solo for the gala.

Looking back at the months of preparation before show, gave a sense of accomplishment. Thank you to all these dancers who joined and shared the stage with me.

Thank you to for the space!

10/07/2025

Sa 2026, mag-niningning ulit ang mga Tala.

Watch this space for a bellydance showcase featuring the stars of Philippine bellydance scene.