Strong Fil-Aust contingent in recent Australian dance classic championship

Adjudicators with Media Team. L-R: Leanne Bampton, Neria Soliman, Neale Byrnes, Ofelia Kasilag

2009 is yet another year of marathon dancing, hot and dazzling dancesport competitions all over Australia to showcase the creamiest of the cream in the dance arena.

One can only mesmerize on the exotic varied moves, the lavish and creative gears of the competitors. This year’s East Coast Classic Championship, held at Rosehill Grand Pavillon last 25 October, was sponsored by Etienne Lawyers of Sydney. This is a yearly event organised by the prestigious ADS (Australian Dancing Society) participated by ballroom dancer-competitors from Sydney and other capital cities of Australia.

Once again the Filipino Australians cannot be outdone in this intramural of dance competition. Gerry Garcia, a Filipino resident of Sydney who is one of the creamiest male competitors and his partner, Shirley Law who are known as the undefeated dancing couple in the Latin category was again 1st place in the Master 1 & 11 Open.

Another visible and dynamic Filipino competitor, Rommel Catap and his partner, Nora Chen got into the tough final competition placed 5th among the 6 couple finalists. Brian Lorenz Babon, a brilliant Filipino dancer doing bridging course in Sydney got the trophy for Adult Level 4 Latin American with his Australian partner, Michelle Geale.

Popular Filipino lady competitor Vilma Enriquez- Smith and her partner Joey Simeon, another Filipino dancer to reckon with, placed first in Latin Masters 1 & 11 Level 3. Vilma and her husband, Neil Smith came 3rd in the New Vogue.

The Filipino contingent is proud to have very promising Juvenile and Junior competitors with Samantha Cruz, Angelique Aguas and Glen Gaspi in their group.Samantha and her partner Josh 0’ Grady got 1st in Level 2&3 Latin and 2nd in the New Vogue Finals. Glen and Angelique were 1st in Junior New Vogue Level 1&2 and 3rd in Standard Ballroom.

Brian Lorenz Babon and Michelle Geale, winners of Adult Level 4 Latin, Vilma Enriquez Smith and Joey Simeon, winners of Masters1 & 2 Level 3 Latin

Seemingly each competition is unique in itself and carries a flair of passion all its own. There is no boring moment. You only have to appreciate dance as an art which expresses emotion, sets a mood and tells a story. A story is told indeed in every dance. History tells of Isadora Duncan, the free spirited woman of the 1900’s who pioneered modern dance when she performed with her feet bare and her garments loose fitting to allow her freedom of movements. She allowed no background scenery lest it stole the spectators’ attention. Oh yes, when one emotes thru creative body moves it’s just like concocting a recipe with exquisite flair.

ADS officials with Media Team. L-R: Ian Hayes, Ofelia Kasilag, Neria Soliman, Melinda Hayes, Shirley and Barry Wall

Organisers, Ian and Melinda Hayes lined up a strong panel of adjudicators including Mr. Alan Shingler of United Kingdom. Chairman of adjudicators was the vivacious Shirley Wall who is the ADS secretary of the state and husband Barry the newly elected ADS President NSW Branch.

The coming competition dates for 2010 are as follows:

• Sunday, 16th May -> City of Sydney Dancerama at Hall of Legends, Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Homebush
• Sunday 8th August -> Australian & Jazz Ballet Championship at Hall of Legends, Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Homebush
• Sunday 12th September -> Grand Prix, Hall of Legends, Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre, Homebush
• Sunday 7th November -> East Coast Classic Championship

Shirley Law and Gerry Garcia, winners of Masters1 Latin Open, and Nora Chen and Rommel Catap, who came 5th.

Angelique Aguas, Glenn Gaspi and Josh O’Grady and Samatha Cruz – Junior competitors

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Posted by Neria N Soliman on Nov 6 2009. Filed under Dancing, Sydney. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry