MANILA – Dancers from Matias Balbastro Dance Academy-Philippines emerged victorious in the recently held Asia Cup Taipei Open Championships and Lionheart Online Dancesport Competition.
Joemel Yap Magallanes bannered the Iloilo City-based squad with five championships in Taipei Open’s U16 Open Solo (Chachacha, Rumba, Jive), U16 Open Solo (Chachacha, Salsa, Rumba, Jive), U16 Solo Chachacha, U16 Solo Rumba, and U16 Solo Jive. He also notched five championships in Chachacha, Samba, Rumba, Jive, and Youth Duo male of the Lionheart competition.
Three championships were captured by Dana Angelica Galfo in the U18 Paso Doble, U18 Jive, and Open Solo U18 (Chachacha, Salsa, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive) of the Taipei Open. In Lionheart, Galfo topped the Youth C female, Youth B female, Youth Solo Chachacha, Youth Solo Rumba, Youth Solo Samba, and Youth Solo Jive.
Meanwhile, Zoe Alexandria Lanceta triumphed in the Open Solo U10 (Chachacha, Rumba), Open Solo U10 (Chachacha, Rumba, Jive), and Open Solo U12 (Chachacha, Rumba, Jive) of the Taipei Open. Lanceta also had four championships in Lionheart’s Juvenile 2 (Salsa, Chachacha, Jive), Juvenile 2 Samba, Juvenile 2 Jive, and Youth Duo Female.
Leanne Reigh Lanceta bested other participants in the Open Solo U18 (Chachacha, Rumba, Jive) of the Taipei Open and Youth Duo female of the Lionheart.
In a Facebook post, head coach Matias Balbastro Cu Tanco lauded his dancers for their excellent performances despite limited training due to enhanced community quarantine in Iloilo City.
“I just want to thank the Lord since hindi man gid kami pinabayaan despite all the adversities these past few weeks in preparation for this event,” said Balbastro./PN
