March 29, 2024

The Cordillera dancesport team with members from Baguio, Benguet, and Apayao is preparing for the 3rd Central Ball 2021 open virtual competition on Jan. 24.
But the group is still looking for a venue in Baguio or Benguet where the athletes will perform during the competition.
“We are planning to join but haven’t registered yet because we are unsure where to perform during the whole day competition. Meantime, we continue with our training,” said head coach Charibelle Pingawan.
Pingawan said the Quad’s gym in La Trinidad, Benguet where they conduct their training, is not available during the competition since church services are held in the building on a Sunday.
The team tried the Lednicky Hall of the La Trinidad municipal hall but it is not also available since sanitation is done on a Sunday.
Members of the Cordillera dancesport team, composed of grade school pupils and high school students, continue with their practice despite problems on logistics.
“Our athletes train face-to-face but only once a week since they have online and modular classes, but we are maximizing our training schedule,” Pingawan said.
She added dancesport athletes based in Apayao also hold online training using video clips she sends them as their guide.
Last year, team Cordillera dispatched 56 athletes, the largest number composing a delegation in the 2nd Central Ball open dancesport competition.
Mico Dumalos and Mary Luz It-itan of Benguet won gold medal for the closed youth C in the Latin category while the duo of Vien Carlo Garcia and Ryza Casilof Apayao won silver in the open juvenile 1C.
Partners Brandon Justin Bugne and Charvie Pobletin of Baguio went home with the bronze medal in the closed juvenile 2C.
Jayson Abenoja and Betty Mae Agad of Benguet snared gold in the closed youth C standard category while Ismael Caraccino and Aerianne Mencio of Baguio settled for silver in the closed youth C.
Shams Mohammad Hammouri and Sophia Califlores of Apayao won silver in the juvenile 1C. – Ofelia C. Empian