Battle for supremacy

MANILA, Philippines - Excitement was at a fever pitch as the Skechers Streetdance Battle — the country’s biggest, toughest and hottest street dance competition — recently held its Final Battle Year 9. It was witnessed by thousands of avid street dance followers at the Mall of Asia Arena. Dance crew finalists gave an all-out, adrenaline-pumping performance in an epic dance showdown of the fiercest moves and sheer attitude as they vied to earn bragging rights as the country’s ultimate dance crew. At night’s end, St. Paul College Pasig’s Terpsichore and the University of the Philippines-Diliman’s UP Streetdance Club reigned supreme and were hailed as grand winners in the high school and college categories, respectively.

Each of this year’s grand winners took home P100,000 and the most-coveted title of Skechers Streetdance Battle Champion, as well as a year’s supply of Greenwich Pizza. The UP Streetdance Club also won a Nokia Asha for each of its members.

The 16-member St. Paul College Pasig’s Terpsichore dance crew showed what girl power was all about with its second win, after its first success during the seventh year of Skechers Streetdance Battle. The team placed second last year and thus committed themselves to work and train even harder in this year’s competition. According to Mica de San Jose, Terpsichore’s team captain, their routine was “manly,” yet girly with smooth moves. They spruced it up with “attack mode” moments and fierce attitude; and each segment was full of energy that left the audience awestruck.

On the other hand, the members of the UP Streetdance Club again showed their mettle and reclaimed their glory as the country’s ultimate dance crew by bagging their fifth phenomenal win. The 15-member team gave a show-stopping performance that distinctly featured the group’s awesome moves. The dance crewmembers have become known for their evolving style, always bringing something new to the competition. According to the group’s team captain, Carla Castillo, what makes the team solid is that they’re ministry-based, putting God at the center of their lives.

The runners-up in the high school category are: Colegio San Agustin’s CSA Dance Troupe (first runner-up) and Miriam College High School’s Sayawatha Dance Troupe (second runner-up).

In the college category, the runners-up are De La Salle University-Manila’s La Salle Dance Company-Street (first runner-up) and Ateneo de Manila University’s Company of Ateneo Dancers (second runner-up).

The street dance battle had over 100 dance crews that participated in the elimination legs. Ten crews made it to the high school category while 16 schools made it to the college category.

The other seven high school dance crews that made it to the final battle were:  Claret School of Quezon City’s Hataw; School of St. Anthony’s DANSSA; School of the Holy Spirit’s Aglaia; Maria Clara High School’s MCHS Dance Troupe; Xavier School’s Dance X; Ateneo de Manila High School’s INDAK; and La Salle Greenhills’ Airforce.

The other 13 college and university finalists were: Lyceum of the Philippines University-Laguna’s Lyceum Spartans Dance Troupe; Olivarez College’s OC Performing Arts; Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila’s TIP Aeon Crew; Far Eastern University-Manila’s FEU Dance Company; University of the East-Manila’s UE Extreme Squad; University of the Philippines-Los Baños’ Wyre Underground; EARIST’s RedFox Dance Company; Philippine School of Business Administration’s Groove One; Asia Pacific College’s APC Dance Company; Colegio San Juan de Letran-Calamba’s Letran Street Dance Crew; Siena College-Taytay’s Siena Dance Company; De La Salle Araneta University’s DLSAU Dance Troupe; and Dr. Yanga’s Colleges’ Nitrous Image Crew.

At the event, there was also the Skechers’ Freestyle Showdown where crews had a dance face-off in pairs. La Salle Greenhills’ Airforce dominated the high school division while the UP Streetdance Club won in the college category.

The Skechers Fashion Show gave a glimpse of the new Skechers footwear collection with models rocking the latest styles and looks. There was also the Skechers Streetstylers segment featuring the trendiest male and female dancers, which was won by Vince Gamad of De La Salle University-Manila’s La Salle Dance Company-Street and Bea Agbayani of Miriam College High School’s Sayawatha Dance Troupe.

The Skechers Streetdance Battle Year 9 was presented by Skechers GOrun2 and Skechers Time; and co-presented by ETC and Nokia Asha 501. The event was also sponsored by Greenwich and media partners Monster Radio RX 93.1, Chalk, Status and Clavel Sneaker Magazine; and conceptualized and organized by Brainbox.

(For more information, visit www.facebook.com/skechersstreetdancebattle.)