Mercado, Melencio rule dance sport

Multi-titled Rener Mercado and Judith Anne Melencio added another feather to their cap by winning the Standard and Latin American junior disciplines of the recent fourth Quarterly Ranking and Competitions under the auspices of the Dance Sport Council of the Philippines at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu.

Cited recently by the Philippine Sportswriters Association together with the DSCP headed by Becky Garcia for outstanding achievements in 2002, the youthful pair of Mercado, 14, and 12-year-old Melencio led the other two-gold medal winners -- John Erolle Melencio-Dearlie Gerodias (Grade A and Youth, Latin) and Doraldy Caballero and Janice Abanilla (Grade D and E, Latin).

The blue-ribbon event was held in cooperation with Mayor Tommy Osmeña and the city of Cebu and sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Airlines, Waterfront Hotel, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Doctor Trusted Alaxan, Pagcor, ABC 5, Savannnah Moon and the city of Cebu.

The other winners: Standard discipline-Rico Rosima and Faye Salvador (Grade A), Joel Ocsena and Linda Lagdameo (Grade B), Richard Cania and Liezel Gomez (Grade C), Joel Madera and Anabelle Madera (Grade D), Leodegario Marante Sr. and Maricris Hermosa (Grade E) and Benny Lao and Geraldine Darvine (Special event 2).

Latin American discipline-Reggir Perico-Rhea Rose Muaña (Grade B), Rannel Epinosa-Joy Tagalog (Grade C), Charles Almacen-Rholiza Roe Tamarra (Juvenile), Dennis Sy-Maritess Dimabuyu (Special event 1) and Arthur Eroles-Rose Marie Jacob (Special event 2).