Cebu SBKZ Fest 2025 to feature Asia’s first Kizomba concert

CEBU, Philippines — The resounding success of last year’s Cebu SBKZ International Festival compelled many international artists to return for the 2025 edition, as organizers from Cebu Salsa Club aim once more to put the province on the map as a key destination in the global social dancing community.

Cebu SBKZ features workshops for amateurs and pros alike to learn salsa, bachata, kizomba, and zouk, along with social party events where delegates can put their skills to the test with fellow participants on the dance floor.

“I really enjoy exchanging our culture and knowledge with fellow artists and dancers, so I’m bringing a few students from New Zealand with me to Cebu,” said New Zealand-based DJ Alyx Ty at yesterday’s press conference at Harolds Hotel Cebu.

Many of the artists present Thursday praised the club’s founders – Jilly Enriquez, John Monteith, Barbie Alonzo, and Kevin Sato – for their smooth operations last year, as the group seeks to expand Cebu’s social dancing scene through SBKZ.

“This event is not what I’ve seen from other [social dancing] events where there’s even a presscon. It’s nice for us to engage with the locals as we want them to join us in learning how to do social dancing,” Ty added.

Another returnee is India-based DJ Rajbi, who said, “I am a friend [of the organizers] and I want to support them in every way to make Cebu a future hotspot in social dancing.”

Monteith said that this year had been a lot easier to organize because their team has been implementing ideas that are “fresh and out-of-the-box.” One of these new ideas is a “kizomba concert” – which organizers say is the first not only in the Philippines but also in Asia – headlined by West African-born, Czech Republic-based kizomba artist Vitor Tavares a.k.a. Energy Na Casa.

The concert will take place during the festival’s gala night on April 12, which also includes a buffet dinner and a performance showcase featuring 12 dancers.

Other social events include a beach bonfire party to open the festival, themed parties such as a “denim and diamonds” party on the first day, a “wear your culture” party on the second, and a “halo-halo colors” party, and a “neon foam” pool party to close the weekend.

Workshops will take place in the morning and early afternoon, led by instructors including the Cebu Salsa Club founders, Ty, Janina Searle, Vietnam’s Frank Long, Rajbi, Brazil’s Rau and Isa, among others.

The festival encourages participation from everyone regardless of personality or background, including learning how to lead or follow in dance regardless of gender – aligning with Cebu Salsa Club’s advocacy for inclusivity in social dancing.

“Even if you are a man, you can dance as a follower, which is traditionally the lady’s part. If you are a woman, you can take the lead, which is usually the male’s part. You will understand how you move and use your body and skills,” Long explained.

“Dance is an art and everyone has a right to express themselves,” Sato added. “We want to make sure our dance space is a safe space for everyone, regardless of how they look or who they identify as. Some may be beginners or advanced. In fact, we want our advanced dancers to dance with the beginners so they know how to lead and follow. You become a better dancer that way.”

With cultural appreciation versus appropriation being a hot topic on social media, organizers and guests also assured that the festival will include learning about the roots of the dances featured.

“What matters is the intention and how you use it. If you take something else that is not your culture and you don’t give credit, that’s appropriation. That’s what we want to avoid, especially in the dance scene. You have to give credit where it’s due. Kizomba is from Africa, salsa is from Latin America, bachata from the Dominican Republic. These dances didn’t just come from nowhere,” Enriquez said.

Tavares also shared, “People will know the different dances and the stories behind them because this is what this festival is all about. It’s part of the evolution of dance. Once you know the story behind these dances, you do it with a purpose, you are well-educated, and you can keep growing from there.”

Tickets for the Cebu SBKZ International Festival 2025 happening this weekend from April 11 to 13 at Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa are available through the Cebu Salsa Club’s website or by messaging the festival’s Facebook page (https://web.facebook.com/CebuSBKZFestival).

Packages include workshop passes, party passes, and a combination of both, with options for day passes or all-access.