Pinoy ballet dancers get bronze medals in Asian Grand Prix

Filipino ballet dancers received bronze medals in the 2012 Asian Grand Prix International Competition (AGPIC) held in Chai Wan, Hong Kong from August 6 to 11.   A news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said 22 Filipino dancers represented the Junior A, B, C, Senior, and the Pas de Deux divisions.   A report of the news site Hong Kong News cited the awardees as:   Rudolph Capongcol, Senior Division – Bronze   Arnulfo Andrare Jr., Senior Division – 4th place, Most promising award   Elpidio Magat Jr, Pas de Deux Division – Bronze   Joan Emery Sia, Pas de Deux Division – Bronze   The other competitors include Jessa Balote, a dance scholar from Tondo, and Michelle Elizabeth Elizalde. Both mentored by Michelle’s mother, Philippine Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja Elizalde.   Lisa, the artistic director of Ballet Manila, praised the delegation, saying, “Hangang-hanga ako sa performance ng lahat ng mga Filipino dancers dito sa Asian Grand Prix. Talagang napakahusay ng pag-represent nila sa ating bansa. At talaga namang maipagmamalaki natin ang mga Filipino artists at dancers.”   More competitions   Lisa hoped that the country could join more international competitions.   “Sana every year makapag-participate ang bansa natin sa mga ganitong international ballet competitions dahil ang dance competition ay universal language. And it is a classical art na talaga namang mahusay tayo,” she said.   “Dapat nating ipagmalaki at ipakita sa mga tao na mahuhusay tayong sumayaw,” she added.   The AGPIC is now on its second year and was participated by over 170 of the best ballerinas from Asia.   Some of the Philippine ballet academies that were represented by the delegation were One Music & Dance Centre, Ballet Manila, and Maquiling Ballet to name a few.   According to the chairman and founder of the AGPIC, So Hon Wah, the competition can help young dancers launch their professional careers as they display their skill in ballet. - Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News