Saturday, August 04, 2007 Cebu dancesport athletes return goodness
DANCESPORT Team Cebu City (DTCC) not only makes champions out of virtual unknowns and fosters confidence among kids, but it is also making good people out of them.
DTCC gives no second thoughts in helping out their athletes build their place in the sun as they dance their way into fame even internationally.
This time, its students become zealous lieutenants in ferrying out the spirit of goodness as it trains kids in the barangays.
Christy Kim Velez, deemed an over-achiever for her exploits not only on the dance floor but also in the academe, said helping others is their way to give back the generosity of others.
“The team trains me for free, has sent me to many competitions here and abroad for free and they never asked me for anything in return. I can repay them by teaching the sport to others,” said Velez, who is a top student in her class at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy.
DTCC head coach Loloi Rendon said junior athletes are asked to assist dance teachers during the weekends when there are no classes. “This is also part of their training. When they teach, they learn more and understand more,” said Rendon.
Velez said teaching has given her a sense of achievement much like winning a gold in an international competition.
“It feels really good to see my students improve. It makes me want to do more for them,” said Velez.
Meanwhile, Hannah Jane Diluvio was only a curious bystander who felt awed watching the dancers train at the Cebu City Sports Complex before the team invited her in.
She became a regular before actually competing for the team. She feels it is her turn to spread the team’s kindness to her. “They always tell us, what you have received, you will share, and that is what I am doing by teaching in the workshops,” said Diluvio.
“I have not gone as far as the others in terms of competition, but I will always have a huge debt on the team for accepting me, which led me to discover a talent and a passion,” added Diluvio, who is a college student from the University of the Visayas.
“It (teaching) does not take a lot from us. It is just a small thing compared to what the team has done for us,” she added.
The seed of volunteerism planted in the hearts of the athletes has grown further even among the younger generations.
“We never asked the little ones to help out teach,” said Rendon, whose three kids are under the DTCC program.
“It surprises me to find my kids in the barangays and I don’t even tell them to do it,” he added.
Young athlete Jason Deluvio, who is only 11 years old, said nothing can keep him away from the weekly trainings at Cogon Ramos gym.
“I teach those who are older than me but I like doing it,” said the young Diluvio, who dances with his 10-year-old sister Kathlyn.
“It just gives me a sense of fulfillment that we have taught the kids well,” said DTCC director Ed Hayco.
DTCC is preparing for two huge events in September, which are the International Dancesport Federation Open, which is held simultaneously with the Dancesport sa Sugbo at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. (MCB)
