Joined SDT in February as a full time member, Francis Jaena Jr started his training at the age of 13 in Iloilo City with the Dagyaw Theatre and Dance Co. He was given a major role in Agnes Locsin's piece Hinilawood as Dumalapdap and other contemporary & folk dances. In 1993 he was awarded "Dancer of the Year" by the Australian Ballet, Nicholas Row and danced on his piece called Exodus. He went to the University of the Philippines Diliman and majored in Dance under Steve Villaruz and became a company member of Philippine Ballet Theatre in 1998-2000 under Gener Caringa. He danced in Carmina Burana, Madame Butterfly, Andres and Filipino Pieces and performed principal roles in Romeo and Juliet. In July 2000 he became a member of the California Ballet Company under Maxine Mahon & trained under Paul Koverman and danced the lead role Renfield in Dracula. He joined the New York Ballet Theatre in Nov 2001 with Konstantine Uralsky and danced in Nutcracker and other contemporary choreographies. In 2003, he danced lead roles for choreographers Helen Heinemann and Lynn Parkerson in Manhattan.