A total of six groups registered for the Belly Dance Competition, 20 participants registered for the Belly Aero Marathon, and hundreds came to witness the festival, which is the first of its kind to be held in Davao City.
Participants all came in colorful and shimmery costumes as if the Eastern Belles all descended in the city though there were also three male participants. Coins, sequins and bells on their beautiful belly scarves made noises as participants moved around the place.
The first place winners for the Belly Dance Competition are the Harem Belly Dancers composed of Boots Rodriguez, Danica Espinoza, Racquel Okawa and Joana Marie Casas, winning P5,000 plus free workout at HGS and body massage certificates from Holiday Spa.
The Indian Belly Movers from I-flex came in second with P3,000 as prize, free workout at HGS and foot massage certificates from Holiday Spa. The group was composed of Ethel Mae Edar, Vina Jumamil, Anne Paullette Yap, Robby Rosa Delahente, and Knovie Darling Britiong.
Coming in at third place were Power J dancers composed of Flora May Adlawan, Lhey Ann Codog, and Sheryl Montes, winning P2,000, free workout at HGS plus foot massage certificates from Holiday Spa.
For the belly aero marathon, the winners were Joanna Marie Casas (champion), Nash Villa (first runner-up) and Boots Rodriguez (second runner-up).
Special awards were given to the two little misses who joined and finished the belly aero marathon with two hours of nonstop grinding and hip-dropping, Althea Chuang and Judy Fe D. Alas from BeeFit Gym.
The most senior participant was also recognized and given special gift pack, Charlie Flaviano. The three male participants were also given due recognition for showing to all that belly dancing is not gender-specific: Nash Villa, Che Jep Capuyan, and Charlie Flaviano.
Perhaps in 2009, there will be male and female category, and by then, more men will appreciate the benefits and have fun doing belly dancing.
The judges for the two competitions were Malou Montarde, group exercise instructor and belly dance instructor who came all the way from General Santos City just to judge and perform a special belly dance number; fit and beautiful Vicky Javier, group exercise instructor and owner of Beefit Gym; and Arnold Alvarez, award-winning choreographer of the Maharlika Dance Company.
This belly dance festival was HGS way of showing the people that there are other forms of exercise that are fun and easy to do and belly dancing is one of them. With the success of the festival, more people will practice healthy living knowing that exercise need not be the traditional boring exercises they used to know, but with other fun and enjoyable options for them to keep themselves fit.
Maharlika Dancers added life and oomph to the event with their intermission numbers, while the HGS group exercise instructors demonstrated the fusion classes they teach at Holiday- Belly Striptease and the Belly Hiphop.
HGS would like to thank the following sponsors who made the event possible: The Venue, Maharlika Dance Company, Coke Zero for the gift packs, Orient Glass for the trophies, Holiday Spa for the massage certificates, and Pryce for the LPG tank and gas stove received by the champion for the belly aero marathon. Special thanks also to Ms. Jackie Dizon for the belly costumes and accessories used by the HGS Group Exercise Instructors.
Have fun while staying fit. Visit Holiday Gym and Spa now, located along Torres St., Davao City with telephone numbers 222-3041 or visit their website: www.holidaygymandspa.com. You may also check out the latest top of the line gym equipment at www.campaigningforhealthyliving.com
