Masacote Entertainment - Special Thanks

Sometimes friends come in the form of angels.

AND...

Sometimes angels come in the form of friends.

People always come and go, but very few will make an impact on your life. Even less will be able to say they remained at your side through thick and thin. These people will always be cherished, yet we often forget to thank them for being the kind of people some can only dream of being.

Joel and I have worked hard to get where we are today, but we still know that this hasn't been possible without the wonderful support of family and friends. Although we have been blessed with many great people in our lives, only some have held a special place in our hearts. This page is dedicated to them...

From Ana & Joel | From Joel | From Ana

Photographer: Calvin Barclay

From Ana & Joel: Back to Top

Life is so precious, and in the world we live in today, some people never get a chance to see how far their full potential can go in life. We want to give our first thanks to the almighty one up above for blessing us with all the talents and gifts he has given us. We pray that he uses us as his instruments to share with the world the joy, happiness, peace, and love that life has to offer. We want to thank him for all the things he has placed in our lives -- the good and the bad, everyone who's close to us and even the ones who are not. With every hard time, stress, heartache, or problem, we know that at the end of the tunnel there is a blessing. We pray that he looks over every one of us and protects us with his open arms. May he always keep us humble.

We're living in a crazy world. So, take time in your busy day, a minute or two, to thank him as well and let him know how much he is appreciated.

Victor & Burju -- You guys got skills! You are both amazing dancers, performers, choreographers, and on, and on, and on.....And yet, you guys still remain so humble. Joel and I are fortunate to have you as friends. We admire who you are and what you represent. Thank you for helping us out when we needed it, and thank you for all the support you have given us through our relationship and our marriage. We are happy to know two people who love each other as much as we do. Thank you for being Victor and Burju.

Photo courtesy of HYMStyle.com

From Joel: Back to Top

Mom & Dad -- Thank you for raising me the way you did. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be the person I am today. All your wisdom and advise, your comfort and understanding, helped me strive through my hard times. I love you all very much. Thank you.

Monique, Chenell & Shevonne -- We grew up laughing together, crying together, fighting together, all what brothers and sisters do. The memories we have are unforgettable, and now we're away from each other doing our own things. I wish you all nothing but success and blessings in everything you do. Love, your big brother Joel.

Ana -- You met me when I was going through the worst part of my life, and in spite of all the drama, you stayed right beside me as my cushion to fall on whenever I'm going through hard times. All the understanding and care means a whole lot. You're my best friend, my partner, my wife. Te Amo Mucho. Gracias.

Photographer:
Steven Bellew

Mel -- You know I consider you flesh and blood. From the first day we met when Seaon announced that you would be my partner, you've been nothing but a sister to me. Whenever I needed to talk to someone, to share whatever problems I was going through, or even just to talk, you were there. Thank you. I love you dearly as my sister.

Seaon and the Stylists -- Seaon, you've polished and fine-tuned my dancing to a phenomenal extreme. I've learned a whole lot, and it's helping tremendously now that I'm on my own making a name for myself. Your teachings forced me to try to share with the world my own interpretation of music and dance. Thank you.

To the stylists, we've been one big family, all the stylists before and after I left, and we're still a family. It's funny because even now on my own, people still associate me as a stylist. It's good 'cause it shows our unity in the dance and in how we are with each other. Even when it's interpreted wrong by others, we always stay one big family. Stay humble and be yourselves, and remember, no matter where I'm at or what I'm doing, even with my own company, I'm still a stylist.

Ryan -- Our friendship grew enormously. I want to thank you for being there for me whenever I needed you to be, and even when I didn't need you to be there, you were there. Thank you.

David -- From the first time I met you, when you were just learning to dance, you always wanted to know, "How do you do this step, this turn? How do you feel the music the way you do?" Those were all your words. Watching you grow in the dance from beginning to now pushed me a lot. To see how much you wanted it and in such a little time you strived to success, to your dreams, it made me look at the dance differently and pushed me to be unique and to strive for more. Keep it up and always stay humble like you are.

Edwin Ortiz and Orquesta La Romana -- It's been a wonderful 2 1/2 years playing with you all. Gigging and traveling around the metropolitan area in D.C. are memories I will never forget. I miss it very much. I wish you all the best, and thank you for treating me like family.

Jerome and Batch -- Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my interpretations of music and the way I see it on your record label. I'm looking forward to working more with you all in the future.

Michael Rodriguez -- You provided a shelter over my head and transportation to get around when I first got into D.C., and even when I wasn't under your roof, you've always been there in a time of need for me and Phil. Thank you for everything.

Gregoria -- You've treated me like the son you never had, and I am grateful for everything you've done for me. You're my second mom and I will always be there for you and your daughters.

From Ana: Back to Top

Photographer: Joel Massicot

Joel -- When we met that day in December, I never would have thought you would become my other half. Never would I have guessed I would find someone with so much in common with me. You are my life, my joy, my everything. You complete a part of me I never knew existed. Thank you for always being there for me, for cheering me up when I'm feeling blue, for giving me a shoulder to lean on. Most importantly, thank you for supporting me, for encouraging me, for BELIEVING in me. Thank you for showing me what true love really is.

Photo courtesy of HYMStyle.com

Mami y Papi -- Ustedes siempre han sido mi inspiración. No seria la persona que soy hoy sin la dirección y el apoyo que siempre me han brindado. Gracias por creer en mi y hacerme entender que todo en la vida es posible con trabajo y determinación. Mas que nada, gracias por ser mis amigos al igual que mis padres.

At my H.S. graduation

Rosa -- I know being the oldest child had to be difficult, especially considering that our parents immigrated here and had no formal education that they could help you with. You had to push to learn about college and beyond and made it easier for me to know what came next. Now look at you: a graduate of Cornell University and on your way to becoming an oral surgeon! You make me proud to be a Latina. Thank you for being such a great example and always giving me that extra push.

My sister on prom night

Raul -- Thank you for always being there to talk when I needed it. It's easy to be a brother, but it's hard to be a friend. Thank you. I hope I have been an example for you in the same fashion Rosa was to me. This is all I ever wanted to be.

At the 2000 Hispanic Heritage Awards Ceremony in Dallas with my brother

Andrés & Johnny -- You guys are so wonderful! Thank you for not letting your dancing skills get to your heads, which tends to happen often on the scene. Andrés, what can I say? I remember when I first got to Boston. You were so quiet and reserved. You didn't even feel comfortable doing a body wave. Now you do them 24-7. I'd be surprised if you didn't sleepwalk around the house doing suzy-qs. The one thing that has never changed, though, is your humble love for the music. That is what has made working with you so wonderful. Thank you for being so true to yourself.

Photo courtesy of MamBostOn2.com

Anara -- As I stated on Dwayne's site, you are my most admired dancer. Your determination, perseverance, and genuine benevolence are rare at this day and age. You've been through a lot, and yet you never give up. Best of all, JAM'NASTICS remains true to its mission today: by the community, for the community. Also, thank you for all the dance pointers and advice you ever gave me. Your help really took my dancing to another level. Thank you for being such a great friend.

Photo courtesy of MamBostOn2.com

Joanne -- Your eagerness to improve, your awesome personality, and the great conversations we have always had made practicing with you a joy, not to mention how great a dancer you are. Thank you for being so encouraging when I needed it most.

Edwin -- When I agreed to be in your video, I thought I would only know you as far as dancing goes, yet you have become a dear friend to both Joel and me. You have been there for me when I needed it and even when I didn't. Thank goodness you turned your life around when you did. It would have been such a loss not to have known you.

Jasmine -- That we chose to be roommates our first year at MIT and ended up friends still amazes me to this very day. That we are nothing alike amazes me even more! Thank you for putting up with me in school, dance, life. I wish the best for you always. :)

Justin -- Thanks for being such a great student, teacher, friend, support, all in one. Boston misses you so much! :(

Jude -- I miss the "Ana from MIT" introduction so much! It has been great having you in class and even better hanging out with you. Thank you for being so trustworthy and helpful to me, even when I made you do push-ups in class :) .....Thank you for everything..... :)

Roberto -- My dancing has gotten where it is today after watching all those videotapes you took of me social dancing. LOL! Thank you for being such a modest dancer and friend. I've known I can always count on you when I need you. I hope you've always felt that you can do the same. Just say a word. Thank you so much for everything.

Brian -- I improved so much when we danced together. Having you as a dance partner was wonderful. Having you as a friend was even better. Thank you for always encouraging me in school and giving me advice.

Janie -- You made such an impact on me while in school. No matter what you were going through, you could always face life with a smile and that unforgettable laugh. We weren't just friends...We were sisters.

Edith -- I am happy to be able to call you a friend. Thank you for being so true to yourself and for always supporting me even though we're so far away. Thank you for everything. Thank you.

Mr. Lewis -- It was an honor having you as a coach for the Odyssey of the Mind team. We wouldn't have gotten to state without you. Thank you for always lending me a helping hand. I learned so much from you, and for that I will always thank you. You will always hold a special place in my heart Coach.

Tina McCord -- I don't think you realize it, but you have had such a great impact on my life. You have been a mentor to me since elementary school. I still sometimes cannot believe you kept in touch with me for so long. I have been so fortunate to have you in my life, and I wish the best for you and your family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

All My Teachers -- There have been so many of you in my life that there is no way I could single you out one by one. Thus, I write to you all as a unit. I remember every last one of you that ever gave me encouraging words, from kindergarten to high school. Ms. Vegas, Ms. McNeely, Ms. Thompson, Ms. Jordan (elementary), Ms. Yancy, Ms. Drumm, Mr. Tidrow, Mrs. Freeman, Mr. Payne, Mr. Crumm, Mrs. Haney Karim-Silat, Ms. Energy Systems :), Mr. Taylor, Mr. Nickols, Mr. Haddemenos, Mrs. Jordan (high school), Mrs. Serrano-Correa, Dr. Tuttle, Mrs. Bradford -- you guys I cannot forget. Mr. White, Alan Gilkes, Mr. Correa, Mr. Fleisher, and Mr. Macklin -- you weren't my teachers, but you guys were always there to help me nonetheless. You have all helped me grow not just as a student, but also as a person. Thank you for everything.