March 29, 2024

Members of the Benguet Dancesport team clinched two silver and two bronze medals in the 13th Cebu Open Online Dancesport Competition last Sept. 17 to 19.
The team was led by its top athletes Mark Gonzalo Benter who contributed one silver in the grade C Latin and placed fifth in the grade B Latin while Mico Dumalos placed third in the grade C Latin and was semi-finalist in the grade B Latin.
Coach Charibelle Pingawan said Dumalos did not complete the three dances due to erratic Internet connection but still emerged third in his category.
Zenobia Faith Olayan has contributed silver medal in the female junior cha-cha-cha and placed fourth in the junior rhumba, and was semi-finalist in the junior C Latin and junior jive.
Eiji Justine Balao also won a bronze medal in the female junior rhumba, and placed fifth in the junior cha-cha-cha while she settled as semi-finalist in the junior C Latin and junior jive. 
Ian Harvey Cariaso, a first-time competitor in the online platform, reached the semi-finals of the grade C Latin and quarterfinals of the grade B Latin in the adult category.
Ashley Abance placed fourth in the junior C Latin and was finalist in the male junior cha-cha-cha and reached the semi-finals in the junior jive.
Dancesport beginner and first-time competitor Xyraine Gail Bayanes also showed her prowess when she reached the semi-finals in the junior C Latin, junior cha-cha-cha, junior rhumba, and junior jive.
Meanwhile, registration is ongoing for the first Cordillera Dance Festival set Oct. 23 and 24.
The first online dancesport competition mounted in Northern Luzon, which will feature the Latin and standard discipline, is supported by the Philippine Dancesport Federation.
For details, organizers can be reached at [email protected] or message Pingawan at 0912-884-8084. – Ofelia C. Empian