|
Monday, July 31, 2006
Cebu dancers impress
By Marian C. Baring
Sun.Star Correspondent
DANCESPORTS Team Cebu City won the respect of their American counterparts in the 38th International Grand Ball Championships, as it harvested nine more gold medals and one silver medal at the Marriot Hotel in San Francisco yesterday. It now has a medal haul of 11 golds and two silvers.
“At first, I observed that Filipinos were underestimated and snubbed by the American dancers, but after we started winning, everyone was chanting, ‘go, Cebu City,” said City councilor Jack Jakosalem, who beamed with pride from the sidelines while watching the Cebuanos grab gold medal after gold medal.
Real-life couple Jojie and Jonah del Rosario and the duo of Renante Saldua and Ricca Alix each had three gold medals each. DTCC head coach Loloi Rendon and DTCC director Eleanor Hayco contributed two gold medals, while Jimmy Noel and Karla Fornolles added their drop in the bucket with one gold.
Lowell Bernados and Jeanen Bergado added one silver medal to the Cebuanos’ haul.
The del Rosarios, a familiar fixture in standard dances dominated in the Open Adult Pre-Novice Latin divisions, after winning in their favorite events Adult 1 Open Gold Tango, Open Gold Waltz.
The Saldua-Alix pair-up on the other hand, collared the titles in the Open Silver Quickstep, Open Silver Waltz and Open silver Foxtrot.
Rendon and Hayco, for their part, ruled in the Open Gold Tango Adult 1 and Open Gold Foxtrot. Noel and Fornolles, in the meantime, were adjudged the best in the Amateur Adult Pre-Championship Latin, which comprises four dances – chachacha, samba, rumba and the jive.
In the opening day, the del Rosarios fished one gold, Bernados and Bergado had one silver and Saldua, and Alix had a bronze. The team won in the team formation (Latin and Standard) event.
The Cebuanos’ overwhelming success had caught DTCC director Edward Hayco off guard.
“The competition is an intimidating arena of athletes as it is an international event. But through months of intense practice and prayers, the team was able to bring honors to Cebu,” Edward said.
Edward also extended his appreciation to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
“He gave us this once in a lifetime opportunity and we thank him for his unwavering faith and trust in the team,” Edward added.
The city had given the team financial support for their US trip. Also, late last year, when the DTCC was evicted out of their old studio, the Mayor readily gave them a space at the Cebu City Sports Center so that their practices and training of young athletes could continue.
Meanwhile, it is not yet certain if the winning team will receive monetary incentives from the city for winning titles in an international event.
“Compensation may not be in cash. Cash will come and go. We will have to find a more lasting way to thank our athletes that has given so much of their time, effort and energy for the love of their sport and for bringing glory for the city,” Jakosalem added.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 31, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
