When winning becomes a habit

It is said that winning attracts more winning. Shirley Halili-Cruz, founder and artistic director of the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet (HCSB), knows this only too well. Awarded the “Most Outstanding Ballet School in Asia Pacific” trophy, HCSB has consistently reaped top honors at the Asia Pacific Dance Competition, an annual competition sponsored by the Commonwealth Society of Teachers of Dancing (CSTD). At the 10th Asia Pacific Dance Competition held recently in Singapore, they did it again. Sixty-two trophies and medals were won in the various categories, in various age groups in classical ballet, neo-classical, national and modern category.

These winners will be the first to tell you that winning is the product of nothing less than total commitment, hard work, and focused preparation. “Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse” seems to be the mantra they live by. Arriving late at night in Singapore and swinging by the hotel just to check in and drop off their bags, the delegation of 300 from the Philippines, 116 HCSB students with parents and siblings and even grandparents in tow, were loaded in two chartered buses, which brought them to the competition venue, the Lee Foundation Theatre at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) on Bencoleen St.

The dancers were there to rehearse and get a feel of the new stage. The stage moms came along to help their little protégés change into their costumes and assist in whatever else they might need. The stage dads came along with their ubiquitous video and digital cameras to record those precious moments. And the rest of the family members filled the auditorium to applaud and lustily cheer each and every dance number — yes, even at rehearsals.

“It’s a new venue this year, different from last year,” Anna Kathrina Halili Cruz explained. Teacher Anna K — as she is called to differentiate her from the other Anna, Anna Lissa Tuazon-Balmadrid — together with Grace Garalde-Perez, complete the artistic team headed by Shirley Halili-Cruz. Under their watchful eye and patient mentoring, the young ballet students were inspired to give their best. Teacher Shirley, as her students fondly address her, was generous with her encouraging words. “That’s good.” “Keep it up.” “I want to see your entrance one more time, please.” “Smile, come on, show me your beautiful smiles.” “Enjoy your dance.” “Exit nicely. Hold your skirts properly.” “Palm should be facing the audience in that part.” “Come here, I will give you more tips.” “Spread out, make use of the big stage.” “Ready, pause.” “Very good! Very good!”

After all the hard work, victory was sweet and well-deserved. “Salu-Salo” was the winning number of the very young group under 13 years old, the first to win first place, in the first category (National) on the first day of the two-day marathon competition. The young ones set the highest standard, and those who followed could do no less. The even younger group under eight, competing on the second day in the Classical and Neo-Classical category, with their dance number “Flowers and Bumble Bees,” and the group under 10, competing in the Freestyle category with their lively number, danced to Wham’s Wake Me Up (Before You Go) and both won first place as well.  

The drive for excellence is the common denominator among teachers and students, starting with multi-awarded Teacher Shirley, herself. Shirley studied ballet under Bonnie Weinstein-Calagopi and Edgar Valdez of the School of American Ballet where she was recognized as an outstanding ballet student and lead dancer. She is also a natural teacher such that at the very early age of 15, she was entrusted with running the dance school by her teacher, Weinstein-Calagopi, when she left for the United States. Teacher Shirley graduated valedictorian in grade school and high school, summa cum laude with a BSC degree in accounting, management and marketing, and was an outstanding graduate of the Dance Educators of America.

 “The more things you need to do, the more energy you seem to find to get them done with excellence,” Teacher Shirley observes.

Manuel and Maryl Chua are the proud parents of nine-year-old Jackie Chua who studies at Miriam College where she was among those who have been recognized on “Achiever’s Award Day,” a special day when students are publicly acknowledged for their achievements, Maryl relates. Jackie, together with Nicole Paredes, who studies at St. Theresa’s College, and Alee Young, who studies at the College of the Holy Spirit, started at HCSB with baby ballet when they were barely four years old. They have become fast friends, and so have their moms, Maryl, Joanne Paredes and Criselda Young. “They love dancing,” Joanne says. “They were so excited about the competition. They have gained confidence and have also learned to be independent.” 

“It is our school’s mission to provide a comprehensive ballet training program that will address not only the development of the student as a ballet dancer but also the holistic development of one’s personality — artistically, physically, mentally, emotionally and socially,” Shirley remarks. “We also continually seek opportunities to give our students various forms of exposure, such as international and local performances and competitions that will develop in them confidence and the passion for excellence.”

This year saw 56 new pieces choreographed for the competition. HCSB won first place with their dance number
“Allegro” and second place with “Cabaret,” both in the Ensemble under 12 category. In the Ensemble under 16 category, “Valse Brillante” also won second place. In the Ensemble open category, the dance number “Abstract” won first place. The top two awards went to the Halili Cruz dancers; third and honorable mention went to the dancers from China and Singapore.

In the Duos and Trios under 13 category, Princess Brillantes, Erika Cammayo and Tonette Duque won second place with their dance number “Pas de Trois,” while Anna Santos, Princess Flores and Biannah Peji-Palm won Honorable Mention with their number, danced to Enya’s Only If. In the Duos and Trios under 16 category, HCSB made a clean sweep, with Jeng Guerrero, Misha Bernas and Louise Lopez winning third place; Aira Rostrata, Rizza de Jesus and Tetris Tan winning second place; and Janine Baldonado and Nicole Orteza winning first place. Indeed, a grand slam victory! In the Pas de Deux open category, HCSB repeated the feat with their two entries winning top honors. Cheka Cabreza and Nordic Caraig won second place while Gabby Quinto and Glenn Ragel won first place.

In the Open Professional Category, all the solo entries won first prize with a perpetual trophy: Classical Ballet solo — first prize; Neo-Classical Solo — first prize; and Modern Solo — first prize. In the Classical Solo under 15 category, Chelsea Cacho won Honorable Mention, and in the under 16 category, Janine Baldonado won second place while Rizza de Jesus won first place. Toni Noel, in the Freestyle Solo under 8 category, won second place, Alee Young and Shayna Ragos Ty won in the Under 10 Category, while Princess Brillantes in the Classical Solo under 13 category, won first place.

 Participation in this year’s Asia Pacific Dance Competition in Singapore drew record numbers, with 810 competitors from the Asian region coming from 21 schools and dance companies: nine from Singapore, five from China, three from Thailand, one from Malaysia, one from Indonesia, one from Australia and HCSB from the Philippines. This year’s adjudicator was Michelle Edwards from Perth, Australia. In her program message, Betty Tilley, CSTD Asian Region director, remarked “Our hope for this competition is that students of dance from the region may come together to learn from each other and to perform in the spirit of friendly competition. On that note I would like to wish each and every one of you an enriching experience this weekend, keeping in mind that every participant is a winner!”

Naturally, it cannot be helped that the spirit of “friendly competition” should step up to “intense competition” when worthy opponents have their sights set on one and the same goal. Cheka Cabreza, Gabby Quinto and Regine Magbitang did their school and country proud when they won first place in the Trios open category besting professional company dancers from Singapore, China and Thailand.

Cheka Cabreza started studying ballet at HCSB when she was seven years old. “She was a cute, chubby kid then,” Teacher Shirley, who also happens to be her godmother in confirmation, recalls. It’s easy to see how she has now bloomed into a very talented dance artist and lovely young lady. Cheka’s “Carmen” also won second place in the Neo-Classical Solo open category and Gabby Quinto won first place, winning over seven professional dancers from China, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. In the Classical Solo open category, Cheka’s “Variation from Corsaire” won third place, while Gabby Quinto’s “Black Swan” won second place. They have been alternating in the first place in classical, neo classical and modern entries in the past APDC.

 Gabby Quinto and Cheka Cabreza both won Honorable Mention in the Modern/Jazz Solo open category professional category, while Regine Magbitang won third place and Nordic Caraig won first place. In the Modern/Jazz Groups open category, HCSB won second place with their pulse-racing and stunning modern interpretation of a neo-ethnic tribal dance with an effective costume especially designed for the complicated movements in the choreography. The two male dancers from HCSB stood out, a head above the rest of the male competitors with their artistry, skill, and commanding stage presence. They won first place in their solos; and in the duos open category, the winning pair, Nordic Caraig and Glenn Ragel, won first place once again.

Glenn Ragel who started dancing when he was 13, cannot imagine doing anything better than this to which he has dedicated all his energy. Nordic Caraig started when he was 12. He is certain that this is the life for him.

In the HCSB, the spirit is of dedication, commitment, hard work, camaraderie and excellence! The HCSB was awarded the much-coveted four perpetual trophies for getting the highest grade in all the Open Professional Category in the entire competition.  They received the perpetual trophies for Solo Neo Classical, Solo Modern, Duos Open and Groups Classical Ballet.

They received the highest grade in the history of APDC competition. They were given a grade of 97 for their excellent performance based on the high standard of technique, artistry, the choice of music, choreographic concept and costume design.