Over a hundred young dancesports enthusiasts from all over the province joined the 1st Benguet Dancesport Training Camp held at the Capitol on July 1 to 3.
Benguet Dancesports Team coach Charibelle Pingawan said the event held at the Ben Palispis Hall has gathered 108 participants from Bokod, Buguias, Tuba, Kibungan, Kapangan, La Trinidad, and Baguio City.
Pingawan introduced the participants to the basics of Latin American and modern standard competitive dance.
The category of Latin dances in the international dancesport competitions consists of the cha-cha-cha, rumba, samba, paso doble, and jive.
Modern standard dances include waltz, foxtrot, tango, quickstep, and Viennese waltz.
In the standard dances, the couple maintains contact hold, whereas in Latin American dances, non-contact positions are generally taken.
Provincial Sports Coordinator Dean Mark Cuanso, meanwhile, discussed with the young athletes about sports nutrition and conditioning.
The event was in partnership with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Office of the Governor through the Benguet Sports Office, and the Sangguniang Kabataan of Betag.
Multi-awarded BDT athletes Mico Dumalos, Mark Gonzalo Benter, Jayson Ace Abenoja, Betty Mae Agad, Jhosan Galvez, Mary Luz It-itan, Ashley Abance, Eiji Justine Balao, and Xyraine Gail Bayanes also showed the newbies how dancesports is done.
Pingawan, also the president of the organizer Dancesport Cordillera Inc., said on the first three to five years of the group, it aims to help in the development of dancesports in the region. – Ofelia C. Empian
