The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) DanceSport team showcased their talent and brought home several awards at the first-ever UP System Oblation Sports – DanceSport Championship held on June 8-9, 2024, at GMall in Cebu City.
The event, hosted by UP Cebu, saw participation from various dancesport teams across Cebu City and the country, including units from UP Cebu, UP Diliman, UP Mindanao, UP Tacloban College, and UP Visayas.
Nine skilled students from UP Visayas represented the university under the guidance of their coach, Assistant Professor Rhoma Grace Pandan from the Department of Physical Education. Pandan also competed in the teacher-guest category with her guest partner, Mr. Patrick Ivan Sa-ato.
In the Modern Standard Category, UPV students achieved remarkable placements:
Solo Events:
- Khylle Jules Arsenal, BS in Food Technology III
- 5th Place in Solo Waltz
- 4th Place in Solo Tango
- 4th Place in Solo Quickstep
Student-Student Grade C and Grade D Events:
- John Alexandro Deles, BS in Chemical Engineering I and partner Mary Arnelyn Andres, BS in Statistics II
- Grade C: 4th Place
- Grade D: 4th Place
- Ryden John Palermo and Julia Lyn Karmeli Laurea, BS in Biology III
- Grade C: 5th Place
- Grade D: 5th Place
Teacher-Guest Grade C and Grade D Events:
- Rhoma Grace V. Pandan and Patrick Ivan Sa-ato
- 2nd Place
In the Latin American Category, the UPV team also delivered commendable performances:
Student-Student Grade C and Grade D Events:
- Jose Leo Fortillano, BS in Fisheries IV and Sharaine Ghail Taaca, BA Communications and Media Studies
- Grade C: Semifinalist
- Grade D: Finalist, 6th Place
- Joshua Ray Brillantes, BS Chemical Engineering and Alyssa Zyrene Bilbao, BSBA Major in Marketing III
- Grade C: Semifinalist
- Grade D: Semifinalist
The UPV DanceSport Team expressed their gratitude to the university administration and all those who supported their journey. Assistant Professor Rhoma Grace Pandan noted the team’s dedication and hard work leading up to the competition.
This achievement not only highlights the exceptional talent within UPV but also underscores the importance of fostering athletic and artistic excellence in academic institutions. The UP System Oblation Sports – DanceSport Championship has set a precedent for future events, promoting healthy competition and unity among the UP campuses. (Ms. Brevish Dame Franco, Department of Physical Education)
