We basically know Gela Atayde as the daughter of veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez and the younger sister of talented actors Arjo and Ria Atayde. She was then introduced as Sanya Alba in the youth-oriented series “Senior High” and “High Street” that served as her acting debut, as well as the “New Gen Dance Champ” as she regularly performs on “ASAP.” 

And this 2025, Gela is about to put on another hat as she joins Robi Domingo in hosting ABS-CBN and Nathan Studios’ newest dance survival reality program, “Time To Dance,” which is slated to premiere on January 18, Saturday.

But before we get to see her on her first-ever hosting gig, let us find out how her passion for dancing got enkindled, as well as her journey as a professional dancer began, in this video. 

According to her, she started dancing at the age of 13 and instantly fell in love with it the moment she stepped into the dance floor and began moving her body. While Arjo is, perhaps, mainly known as a magnificent actor, not many people are aware that he’s also a great dancer, making him the ultimate inspiration of Gela. 

She disclosed that her brother used to be a competitive dancer when he was still in high school and was among the original members of the dance group Legit Status, so she decided to pursue dancing and be part of the same crew after she graduated in order to continue the legacy of her kuya. And in August 2023, Legit Status competed in the World Hip-Hop Dance Championship held in Phoenix, Arizona and emerged as the champion in the MegaCrew and Adult Divisions. 

Many Filipino dancers may have been recognized globally, Gela believes that dancers are still not given enough credit. Thus, she hopes that via “Time To Dance” everyone will see the reality lived by dancers like her by showing the process and challenges that they go through before becoming great in the craft.

“While watching them and looking at them, napapaisip ako, ‘How did they get this good despite everything they’re going through?’ I’m also really thankful that people see how much passion and love I have for dance and they’re allowing me to share it and spread it with everyone,” she related.  

Are you excited as us to see Gela in her first-ever hosting gig and for her to showcase her facet as a dancer? Well, you better not miss an episode of “Time To Dance” every Saturday beginning January 18!

*Photo credit to Gela Atayde IG