Members of the Benguet dancesport team are amplifying their skills to get the gold in the upcoming Manila open online competition on May 8 to 9.
Benguet dan-cesport team coach Charibelle Pingawan said the athletes have been busy preparing for the competition to be joined by various dance sport teams in the country.
Pingawan said the tandem of Mico Dumalos and Mark Gonzalo Benter, who were silver medalists in the two previous online competitions, are vying for gold this time.
“Mico and Mark are working on their duo routine, making their movements sharper and more synchronized. They are working harder to get a gold medal this time,” Pingawan said.
Dumalos, who led the team with his three silver medals in the First Annual Diamond online dancesport competition last month, will compete in the grace C solo male and grabe B solo male with Benter competing in the same categories as well.
Other participants are partners Roschan Escalera and Eiji Justine Balao for the youth duo female.
Escalera will join the youth C and D solo female while Balao will join the junior cha-cha-cha, jive solo female, and junior C solo female.
Jessica Marie Ogbinar will compete in the grade B and C solo female while Mary Luz It-itan will see action in the grade B and C solo female.
Jayson Abenoja will compete in the grade C standard solo male.
Pingawan said the once unknown team from the province has been gaining attention from other dancesport teams in the country due to their dedication to the sport.
She said the Benguet athletes, who are currently training at the Quads gym in La Trinidad, Benguet, edged powerhouse teams from Cebu and the National Capital Region during their previous competition.
She thanked the groups and individuals who continued to show support to their team in kind, financially, or through their virtual cheers during competitions.
To show support and get updates on the team, follow Dancesport Cordillera on Facebook. – Ofelia C. Empian
