Dancers Show Flair in DanceSport National Tilt

The DanceSport Council of the Philippines Inc. (DSCP)launched the DSCP National Championships in conjunction with its 13th anniversary celebration. The competition was held last Nov. 29, with almost 400 dancers competing for the top spot.

Also geared toward finding the best candidates for the national pool of competitive dancers, DSCP Becky Garcia said that this competition is a way to keep the Philippine dancers visible on the international scene and also to develop of the skills of the country’s representatives in future dance tilts. The event was originally scheduled to be held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last Oct. 10, but was rescheduled to the Nov. 29 launch because of Typhoon Ondoy. The dance competition was held at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Serving as adjudicators in the competition are Mr. Jeff Elworthy (Australia), Ms. Hermien Rachmat (Indonesia), Mr. Marcel Keijzer (Netherlands), Mr. Victor Buenavida (Spain), Mr. Paul Harris (United Kingdom), Mr. Michael Lim (Singapore), and Mr. Gheorghe Raducan (Romania), licensed adjudicators from the International Dance Sport Federation (IDSF).

The dance championships had a total of 27 divisions in the Standard and Latin categories. Among those competing are National DanceSport athletes Emmanuel Reyes and Maira Rosete (Standard), Brian Ocana and Karla Ocana (Standard), Ronnie Vergara and Charlea Lagaras (Latin), and John Melencio and Dearlie Gerodias (Latin).The winners in the different divisions are:

Grade A Latin: Ronnie Steve Vergara and Charlea Lagaras (Cebu)
Grade A Standard: Brian Ocana and Karla Ocana (Metro Manila)
Grade B Latin: Anselmo Estillore Jr. and Mae Lozada (Cebu)
Grace B Standard: Gil Satrain and Chiao-Mei Chu (Metro Manila)
Grade C Latin: Jungie Zamora and Sheena Richen Daminar (Mindanao)
Grade C Standard: Don Kristian Bolaños and Alona Dangcalan (Luzon)
Grade D Latin: Joseph Bautista and Luzviminda Atruz (Metro Manila)
Grade D Standard: Glenn Marvin Fabul and Richelle Cabigas (Luzon)
Junior A Latin: Nigelandes Legaspi and Rochelle Canoy (Metro Manila)
Junior A Standard: Tristan John Ducay and Willanne Rose Ducay (Metro Manila)
Junior C Latin: Nigelandes Legaspi and Rochelle Canoy (Metro Manila)
Juvenile C Latin: Joshua Orapa and Dannah Joyce Piol (Metro Manila)
Juvenile C Standard: Joshua Orapa and Dannah Joyce Piol (Metro Manila)

The event was sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, PCSO, PAGCOR, NU 107, Savannah Moon, Water Zone, Studio 116, and Ho. Andrea Domingo.

For more details of DSCP and the complete list of winners, visit their website at http://www.dancesportphils.com/.

ARPI on its National Encounter

Arnis Philippines (ARPI) held the Annual Arnis National Encounter last November 27 to 29, 2009 in two different venues.

The eliminations in anyo (form) and full contact sizzle was held in the first two days at the Philsposrt Multi-Purpose Arena (formerly ULTRA), while the championships unfold on the last day at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

Overall winners for all categories are as follows: Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (1st) with 8 gold, 7 silvers, and 2 bronze medals; Philippine Air Force Arnis Team (2nd) with 6 gold, 6 silvers, and 5 bronze medals; and Baguio Arnis Team (3rd) with 5 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze.

ARPI President Raymond Velayo confirmed the participation of around 500 arnisadores from different areas of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Moreover, Velayo stated that the winners for this competition will represent the country in forthcoming Arnis International Encounter in Manila, and other international meets in 2010.

For more information about the event, email Arnis Philippines at info@arnisphilippines.com or visit their website http://www.arnisphilippines.com/.

Philippine Yoga Asana Championship 2009

The 2nd Philippine Yoga Asana Championships (PYAC) was held at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, 4/F RCBC Plaza, Makati last October 25, 2009.

The goal of the event was to bring yoga to the national consciousness by making more people aware of all the benefits — physical, mental, emotional — that can come from practicing yoga. At the same time, it also highlighted the possibility that “competition” can also take the form where all the competitors are cheering for one another and urging each other to reach their potential and go beyond.

Participants who joined the competition were required to complete 2 registration forms from the PYAC website, the Entry Form and the Waiver & Release of Liability Form.

Adhering to the rules and regulations set out by the organizing committee of the International Yoga Asana Championship, participants were also required to furnish a photo ID, proof of age and proof of residency together with the 2 forms. The duly completed and signed registration documents were then submitted to the Bikram Yoga Manila Office thru Tristan Choa, PYAC Chairman.

The Adult Division championship, which was divided into men and women categories, was open to all individuals 18 years and older. There was also a Youth Division category for younger participants. However, there were no separate categories for yoga teachers and students.

Foreigners using tourist visas were not eligible to compete. Other restrictions were: female contestants must not be pregnant, no contestant can participate as a judge at any regional championship and stimulating drugs or alcoholic beverages must not be used before or during the championship. The Committee reserved the full right to suspend a competitor at any time.

Participants were given 3 minutes to perform a set of required poses (“asana”), plus 2 more advanced poses. For this year, the five required asanas were:

1. Dandayamana Janusirasana (Standing-Head-to-Knee)
2. Dandayamana Dhanurasana (Standing Bow Pulling Pose)
3. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
4. Sasangasana (Rabbit Pose)
5. Pashcimottanasana (Stretching Pose)

Using standardized judging criteria, the competitors were given scores based on balance, strength, poise, stability, flexibility, gracefulness and appropriate use of the time to finish the pose as they performed their routine.

Optional postures were judged on the degree of difficulty and performance. Points were deducted for imbalance and/or instability. Postures in performances exceeding 3 minutes were considered incomplete and disqualified.

First and second place winners in the championship were eligible to compete at the Annual International Yoga Asana Championship Finals in Los Angeles, CA. The third place finisher was designated as an alternate competitor.

For the audience who watched the competition proper, tickets were sold for Php 300 at Bikram Yoga Manila and at the event entrance.

The event was for the benefit of A Child’s DREAM Foundation, Baguio City’s first pediatric rehabilitative center for special children. Children from Pampanga to Kalinga Apayao and Abra with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism or Down syndrome come to the place for treatment.

Presented by Bikram Yoga Manila and Pru Life UK, the 2nd PYAC was sponsored by the Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, and The Philippine Star.

For more information, visit the official website at http://www.philippineyogachampionship.com or e-mail info@philippineyogachampionship.com.

Team Philippines Dominated Asian Supercross round 3

Kenneth San Andres and JC Rellosa led the Team Philippines as they cracked against other international riders in the 2009 FIM Asian Supercross Championships held last September 26 to 27, 2009 at Speedworld Circuit, located in SM City Bicutan.

Representatives from Australia, Russia, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, and Iran compete in 65cc level, 9 to 12 years old; 85cc Junior, 12 to 15 years old; and MX 2 Pro categories while other national divisions were also contested. Moreover, the trophies for top three places and cash prizes were awarded during the said event.

Calendar of Events for the 2009 FIM Asian Supercross Championships are as follows: March 1, 2009— Puerto Princesa, PHILIPPINES; July 19, 2009—Ulan Bator, MONGOLIA; August 10, 2009—INDONESIA; and November 15, 2009—Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

For more information, contact Namssa, organizer of the event, at (63917) 847-9785, email namssa01@hotmail.com, or log on to http://www.namssa.org.