About Us
Meson and Sarena started their courtship May 3rd of 2006, close to a year after they had decided to partner up for ballroom dancing. Meson, who was offered to teach in Brazil, was encouraged to take ballroom classes as a way to learn about the Brazilian culture. Sarena had been interested, for years, in taking salsa classes after attending a few salsa clubs in Philly during her grad school years. During one of their bi-annual dinners back in the summer of 2005, Meson and Sarena decided to partner up for the pure platonic reason of learning ballroom dances. Sarena, at the time, was dating someone else while Meson, after a couple years of relationship hiatus, was still concentrating on other things such as work and school. Neither one had the idea what God had planned for them- something bigger than just taking simple ballroom classes.
After a few series of events that transpired in the beginning of the 2006 year, Sarena became single again. However, for personal reasons, she did not disclose this information, not even to Meson until many months later. During mid-spring of 2006, Sarena invited some people, including Meson, to come with her to the Bodyworlds exhibit in Philadelphia (it’s the geeky physical therapy side of her), an exhibit that only comes once in a blue moon. Unexpectedly, it turned out that only she and Meson would go. Just like the rarity of the exhibit, that rare experience marked a hallmark in their friendship, the catalyst for their relationship, but not until a few weeks later. After all, almost a decade of close friendship was on the line, it required a bit of divine intervention. After many prayers, advices, spiritual guidance and discernments, Meson asked Sarena to their first official date.
Meson
Meson was born December 29, 1979 to Dr. Eby and Mrs. Julieta Bañas at Lexington, Kentucky, where he grew up until he moved to the town of Cherry Hill, NJ in 1984.
Meson is currently a music teacher working for the Woodbury Heights Board of Education and pursuing his Masters of Music Education at Westminster Choir College at Rider University. In addition, he serves in ministries as a Youth leader and Worship leader at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Voorhees. During his spare time, he continues to take ballroom dancing as well as perform and teach private music lessons.
Sarena
Sarena was born February 3, 1980 to Capt. Alfonso and Mrs. Susan Dorado in San Pablo City, Philippines. She grew up for the first 12 years of her life in the Philippines, partly in Laguna and partly in Cebu City. She, her siblings, and dad came to the U.S. in April 1992 joining their mom in Queens, NY. About a year and a half later, her family decided to move to Cherry Hill, NJ. It wasn't until a couple of years later that Sarena and Meson would finally meet in the halls of Cherry Hill High School East.
Sarena is currently working at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital as a staff Physical Therapist. Her current projects include pursuing her doctorate degree in Physical Therapy and ballroom dancing with her lovely fiancé. She attends The Church of the Good Shepherd in Voorhees and works side by side with Meson in ministries including the C.Hill Youth group, Praise&Worship Team, and Preteen Sunday School class.
