Central Visayas is adjudged champion overall in dancesports in the Palarong Pambansa 2024.

For the first time in the staging of Palarong Pambansa, dancesports is considered a regular sport which means that the medals reaped in dancesports are counted in the overall medal standing. 

Francis Dave Sombal, a senior high school graduate, and his partner, Mitchloni Dinauanao, are the biggest winners in the Secondary category as they bagged six gold medals.  

“Last na namo na Palaro so need jud nga ihatag namo tanan…ga-training mi everyday gikan sa afternoon hangtod gabii, magworkout pod mi, jogging then workout sa legs, mao na amo gipractice sa partner nako, sige mi og sayaw,” Sombal said.

Their coach said that the pressure was extreme since Cebu is deemed the capital city for dancesports.

“Giconsider siya nga Cebu is the capital city for dancesports, pressure jud kaayo of course; last year gold medal sad sila, mao to as a coach magtan-aw ta nila nagsayaw, kulba kaayo,” their coach, Aldrin Kevin Uban, said. 

In addition, there were also performers from Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) who clinched the gold in their category. 

Kyle Nathan Rey Fabian and Lediviere Joy Hebron from Zamboanga Sibugay reaped six gold medals in the juvenile category. 

It was their debut reportedly so the victory for them is overwhelming.  

“No’ng bata pa ako, gusto ko talagang magsayaw, then ‘yon po nakita ko dancesports kaya sumali po ako,” Fabian said.  

As for Hebron, her interest in dance started in a school program. 

“Before kasi ako nagdancesports talaga, nagjo-join ako sa school program, do’n ako nag-start,” Hebron said. 

However, the pair did not start as skillful dancers, according to their coach Cedrick Tinapunan. He said that despite his initial impression, he observed that the pair is hardworking; so, they ended up skilled and fit for the national competition. 

“Hindi ko sila nakitaan ng potential no’ng una. Napasabi pa nga ako na ‘bakit ganitong mga bata ang napunta sa akin, hindi dancer.’ Ayun pala, masipag sila, hindi magaling na dancer pero masipag na dancer, nakuha nila through hardwork,” Tinapunan shared.

Maria Donna Cosejo, dancesport tournament director, told GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak how jubilant she is upon learning that dancesport is elevated to a regular sport.

“We are very happy and we are grateful sa mga taong naging part sa dancesports kasi for almost six years we are a demo sport, but this is the most awaited time,” Cosejo said.