JOINING in a barangay dancesports clinic conducted by Alfa Dancesports Team Davao Inc. (ADTDI) jumpstarted Bernadette Grace Daquipil's journey with the sport, thanks to her mother who lured her to take part in the event.
Grace, an 11 year-old-student of San Roque Central Elementary School (SRCES), who first had no interest on any activity got interested with dancesports the instance it was introduced to her.
In less than a year, Daquipil clinched a gold medal in the juvenile C three dance and salvaged a bronze in Juvenile A five dance event of the recent Dancesport Council of the Philippines (DCP) mid-year ranking and competition at the Multi-purpose Arena Ultra in Pasig.
She also competed in several tournaments that molded her to excel in the sport. She saw action in the Batang Pinoy Games where she placed fifth in Latin and Modern Standard 2 dance event. She was also fifth in Latin two dance.
Her doting father Popoy Daquipil keeps her company wherever she competes as her mother Kyla works as a private nurse in Davao City.
"Si Mama talaga ang naga-pursue sa akin na sumali sa mga contest tapos si Papa naman ang alalay ko lagi kasi siyang sumasama sa akin sa mga practices and contests," Daquipil said during an interview with Sun.Star Davao.
Apart from ADTDI president Ligaya Arellano, she is taught by coach Farrah Alfaro. Her long-time dancing partner is John Niño Custodio, a 10-year-old student from Buhangin Central Elementary School (BCES).
She dreams to compete in international events someday as she also aims to win golds in the upcoming Alfa Dancesport competition slated Sept. 24.
Grace, however, also focuses on her studies as she also wants to help her family in the future.