Dance capital

When the Guiness Book of World Records affirmed Cebu City’s staging of the largest dance class, it was but one of the ways to bring attention to the city as we work to become the world’s dance capital.

While the effort may seem like just a mere attempt to gain a record and make it to the book, the story behind it is not as trivial as it may seem.

I consider myself an outsider of the dancesport community since I don’t know how to dance, but I have been a big fan and a keen observer for the past decade believing that this is an event that Filipinos can be very good at.

I wasn’t wrong when I said years ago that we’d become world beaters in dancesport and I am very happy that we now hold a world record that adds to Cebu’s popularity not just as a source of talent, but also as a place to showcase talent.

If we talk of sports tourism, I believe that dancesport is one event that can draw thousands of visitors – both competitors and fans, if we host international events.

I remember back in 1999 when Cebu hosted the World Shoot and many government agencies seem very cold about it. 

Now, they talk of sports tourism, including the city that hosted that world event, but I still have to hear them mention about how the Cebu Pistol and Rifle Association (CPRA) made it happen ten years ago this November.

When Cebu City will host an international event in a couple of months, I’m sure we will be able to understand the impact of the world record better.

It may not have been an activity geared at making Cebu a better place immediately after the dance class, but it will in the long run.

To those who are not very familiar with Team Cebu City Dancesport, here’s something I’d like to share with you again.

This is the only team that has so many volunteers, who are willing to go to the different places and teach the sport to anybody interested for free.

The volunteer coaches say that this is their way of giving back to the sport that has helped them become better people.

While we may have more serious problems to deal with in the city like crime and poverty, it is a breath of fresh air to know that there are people willing to share so much of their time, effort and money to make this a better place.

To the men and women behind Team Cebu City Dancesport, you made us very proud of what you’ve done.

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While I admit disappointment that most likely Lance Armstrong won’t win an eighth Tour de France title, it is already an achievement for him to still be there among the world’s best despite a three-year hiatus.

More than still being among the best, Lance has also proven that he is a true team player.

More importantly, his return to the TdF is also a big boost to his Livestrong Foundation, which is helping make more people aware of cancer.

Next year, he won’t be racing for Astana anymore, but for Team RadioShack. Go Lance!

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings to the Assistant Squad Leader of the Cebu Squad, Lt. Col. Ezra James P. Enriquez, better known as Eking ’88. Sir Eking is a fellow Deltan and was our company executive officer.

The same greetings go to my friends Gilbert Olan and Lee Marie Alvarez-Choachuy and to my classmate Nona Bacatan-Suerte, who is now dean of the College of Arts and Sciences of the Cebu Institute of Technology.

More power to all of you!