MANILA – Leonio Enopia and Exequiel Vargas captured two medals in the Gay Games 10 and International Federation of Same-Sex Dance Association World Championships in Paris, France.
The pair bagged gold in the world show dance contest but settled for silver in the dancesport men’s division on Aug. 9.
A native of Bacolod City, Enopia – a grand finalist in “Pilipinas Got Talent” last year – hopes his victory will inspire his fellow members of the LGBT+ community to live freely.
“My message to the LGBT community in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental is for us to show our true color to the world and never stop dreaming,” he said in a statement. “We also want to fully enjoy equality and freedom in our community.”
Another Bacolodnon, Michael Marquez Jr., and dance partner Gabriel Cerezo placed fourth in the competition joined by some 42 pairs.
Some 10,000 delegates from over 80 countries participated in the Gay Games 10 and International Federation of Same-Sex Dance Association World Championships, which has been held every four years for more than 32 years already.
Aside from dancesports, the 10-day sporting event involves 35 other disciplines, including basketball, volleyball, aquatics, boxing, badminton, football, golf, judo, and athletics./PN
