The Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Eagles dancesports team stormed to victory at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, clinching the overall championship after sweeping 14 golds, three silvers, and six bronzes on Thursday evening, May 29, at the Robinsons Mall Annex Activity Area A in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte.
said Department of Education Davao Regional Director Allan Farnazo in a Viber interview with SunStar Davao.
Leading the gold rush were Dabawenyos Bhenz Rudolf Owen Semilla and Francheska Dezzly Darvin of F. Bustamante National High School (FBNHS), who delivered a powerful farewell performance in their final Palaro stint. The pair swept all six golds in the secondary standard category, conquering the single dance slow waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, foxtrot, quickstep, and grade A standard (five dances).
"I'm very proud and happy. All the hard work paid off. This win means a lot to us po,” said 16-year-old Darvin in a Messenger interview. She recalled pushing through early morning practices, skipping social events, and enduring both physical and mental exhaustion just to keep chasing progress.
Although only 17-year-old Semilla is no longer eligible to compete next year, Darvin has also decided to end her Palaro journey, choosing not to return without her longtime partner.
“This win is for everyone who supported me—my family, coaches, teammates, and friends,” said Darvin. “And for Davao Region—my home, my pride.”
Jeah Canoy at Julie Flintham trained Darvin and Semilla in recent years, while Aireen Tampos serves as their Palaro coach this year.
Their coaches, Jeah Canoy and Julie Flintham guided them through the years, while Aireen Tampos coached them in this year's Palaro campaign.
(This is special because it’s our last year in the Palaro, and winning gold was one of our biggest goals)," Semilla said. "Nakuha po namin lahat ng gold. We feel sad po kasi last na namin po sa Palaro, which is one of every athlete’s dream. Mam miss po namin yung mga training, travels, at tska mga kasamahan namin galing ibang sports (We won it all. But it’s bittersweet—we’ll miss the training, the travel, and the friends we’ve made from other sports)."
Davraa's gold streak didn’t stop there. Reynard Engocoy and Marian Joyce Lingatong of New Corella CES SPED Center ruled the elementary modern category with four golds (tango, foxtrot, quickstep, and grade A) and a silver (Viennese waltz).
John Gabriel Marquez and Zyanne Brianna De Vera of F. Bustamante Central Elementary School seized three golds in elementary Latin (samba, chachacha, and rumba), and added two silvers (jive and grade A).
In the secondary Latin division, John Terrence Cuizon and Angel Tinambacan of Doña Carmen Denia National High School claimed one gold (chachacha) and five bronzes (samba, rumba, paso doble, jive, and five dances).
Davao's dancesport team cemented a legacy of passion, discipline, and Davaoeño excellence on the national stage. MLSA