Members of the Benguet dancesportathletes bagged one gold, three silver, and one bronze medals in their first online competition, the 8th Geraldine’s Dancesport, on Feb. 20 and 21.
The duo of Mary Luz It-itan and Jessica Ogbinar led the awards with their gold medal win in the open Latin female category of the event sanctioned by the Philippine Dance-sport Federation.
The duo of Erick Cabloy and Ashley Aniwas snared a silver medal in the junior Latin male while the tandem of Mico Dumalos and Mark Benter also won another silver in the open Latin male.
Jayson Abenoja won the third silver medal win for the team in the solo event of the open standard male.
Betty Mae Agad won bronze in the open standard solo while Mico Dumalos placed fifth in the grade C Latin male solo.
Other members who placed sixth in their respective categories are Mark Gonzalo Benter in the grade C Latin solo, Jhosan Galvez in the grade C Latin female solo, and the duo of Roschan Escalera, and Eiji Justine Balao in the youth Latin female.
Escalera also participated in the youth Latin female solo, settling for 18th place among 45 competitors while Eiji Balao also placed 18th in the junior Latin female among more than 60 competitors.
Erick Cabloy placed 24th among 45 competitors in the junior Latin male.
Team coach Charibelle Pingawan said it was the passion and commitment of the young athletes aged 13 to 20 years old that enabled them to win in their respective categories despite the challenges they have faced in this pandemic.
The athletes, who hold regular practice at Quads gym in La Trinidad, Benguet, are students of Benguet National High School, Benguet State University, and the University of the Cordilleras.
Pingawan thanked the supporters of the team, which made it possible for them to join the competition despite the challenges of organizing practices in this pandemic.
“In behalf of Dancesport Team Benguet I would like to sincerely express our gratitude for the support you have given to us in the recently concluded 8th Geraldine’s Online Dancesport competition. No words can describe how thankful we are with your help. This means so much to us. Thank you to our families, friends, and the dancesport community for your unending support to our team,” she said.
The team was originally set to join the 3rd Central Ball online competition on Jan. 24 but the team opted not to register due to lack of venue.
The organizers of the central ball, instead, endorsed them to join the private national competition, which was also participated in by the different dancesport teams from all over the country and other countries like Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, and Malaysia. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 20, 2024
