"Notre Dame Pair Conquers 1st T'nalak Dance Sport Competition"

Notre Dame of Dadiangas University's pride, Xandra Fe Robleza, and Eliseo Villaganas were hailed youth category champions at the recently concluded 1st T'nalak Festival Dance Sport Competition which was sponsored by the Madal Kolon Datal socio-cultural dance troupe, held at "The Farm" Hotel, Koronadal City, South Cotabato last July 14, 2010.

< The said competition which has just premiered is a part of the activities lined up for the foundation day anniversary of Koronadal City, T'nalak Festival. The said celebration is named "T'nalak", after a cloth weaved by the indigenous tribe of T'boli in the region. This festival is celebrated annually to embody the people's gratitude to God for a bountiful harvest and a peaceful year. The local socio-cultural dance troupe, Madal Kolon Datal, sponsored the said event in order to encourage the youth to turn into dancing and to discover new talents. They invited dancers from all over Mindanao to compete in four different categories, Juvenile, Youth, Amateur, Professional and special events.

Xandra Fe Robleza and Eliseo Villaganas, the pair, are both second year students. Xandra is taking up Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science while Eliseo is a Bachelor in Secondary Education major in MAPEH student. The pair joined three different categories. They were able to clinch the 6th spot on the Amateur category, 5th on the Special Events and eventually 1st on the Youth category. Winning not only entitled them to a trophy and a P3,000.00 cash prize but it also assured them the chance of becoming South Cotabato's representatives to the upcoming 2nd Team Cebu Dance Sport Competition which will transpire this coming September 2010.

In the said competition, the graceful pair bested sixteen other delegates from all over Southern Mindanao, in front of the panel of three judges who were choreographers and professional dancers. With their precise movements and perfect timing they wowed the spectators by dancing to the Latin rhythm of Chachacha, Samba, Jive, Pasodoble and Tango.

"I am so happy with this championship award. I consider it among my greatest achievement!" exclaimed the ecstatic Xandra, who admitted that dancing is a passion which began at an early age of 9 years old. She added that they had to go through pinholes for they had no trainer and they only had a meager time, to practice. She and her partner, Eliseo, had to be self-relaint. They were forced to review past routines just to ensure readiness.

"It was not that easy. We had to go through a lot!" professed Eliseo in an interview. According to him, the event was so well-organized that he now considers it among the most prestigious dance events that he has ever joined since he was 13 years old, the age when he started competing. It even seemed to have the glitter and the glamour of a "Star Ball", where celebrities compete."We slipped several times." he added further, referring to the slippery ceramic tiled dance floor of the hotel's convention area where the event was held.

"It was hard but the result was sweetest!" they joyfully concluded.

 

 

-Kirk Joshua M. Nerona AB-Econ 3-