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Kidapawan dancers rule Australia dance tilt

TOURISM • 10:30 AM Wed Oct 9, 2019
2
By: 
Williamor A. Magbanua
Photo courtesy of Dave Cazenas.

KIDAPAWAN CITY  — A group of local dancers from this city was adjudged over all champion during the World Supremacy Battle Ground dance competition, winning gold medals in the tilt held in Sydney, Australia on Sunday.

These young dancers composed mostly of high school students and some professionals flew to Australia to represent, not only Kidapawan City, but also bringing with them the Philippine flag as it was the only group from the country that qualified in the world competition.

The group known as “Off Limits” battled with the best dancers all over the world and consistently on top during the preliminary rounds which started in October 3 and landed in the championship showdown that they performed on October 6.

Off Limits team captain Dave Cazenas said there were at least 15 teams competing in the varsity level but their group was always qualified to move to the next round until they reached the final level of competitions.

“It’s a very tough competitions especially that the rest of the contenders are also good in terms of dance move and tricks,” Cazenas told this writer via mobile phone interview.

Cazenas said they won because of their synchronized dance movements and love and passion for dancing only armed with hope and thrust among each members of their team.

“For first timer joining the International Dance Championship is very memorable to us especially that we came to Australia with meager pocket money,” Cazenas disclosed.

Each of the members received a gold medal and a golden trophy which serve as token that the group will be bringing home back in the Philippines especially in Kidapawan City. It was not clear however and Cazenas never mentioned whether there are monetary rewards in winning the said world dance contests.

“We cannot believe until now that the group from Kidapawan will top the contest. We are still in the cloud nine as of this moment,” JM Gelicame, the team manager said.

Gelicame disclosed that they experienced difficulties in terms of securing the needed documents especially in processing the team’s passports and visas. Being the team manager, Gelicame led each member to save money and look for sponsors in order to obtain the needed bank certificate which one of the requirements in getting the Australian Visa.

“We seek assistance to our friends that has the capacity to help. With God’s grace they helped us without second thoughts,” Gelicame said.

Even the team’s plane tickets from Davao-Manila-Australia and back were paid individually via installment basis from a local travel agency here.

Off Limits participated in all dance competitions in North Cotabato even in the barangay level and the money they won was used as payments for their round-trip tickets.

They also seek assistance by doing a radio-hopping asking for any amount to augment their pocket money which they will be using in the weeklong stay in Australia.

Meantime a good Samaritan who was resident of Kidapawan City and now resides in Australia adopted the group during their stay for free in order to defray their accommodations.

“God is really good. He uses kindhearted people for us to realize our dreams to be in the world competitions,” Gelicame said.

Off Limit is a local dance group founded in 2007 in Kidapawan City aimed to trained interested elementary and high school students especially those who have passion in dancing. Though they have no regular place or studio for training, they choose to use the covered courts and even the city plaza just to performed and teach those who joined the team.

“We don’t ask for payment. We just shared our steps and tricks in dance steps to our group. We make this as our passion to express our selves through dance move,” Gelicame said.

Gelicame said their group “Off Limits” once again proved that lack of money is never a hindrance to join the international battle.

He said the love and passion as well as the prayers of those who believed in their dreams are their tickets in winning the battle in the dance floor.

Gelicame thanks all those extended supports through financial and prayers for them their burning desire and once a dream was realized by raising the Philippine flag in the world of dance in Australia. Mayor Joseph A. Evangelista will honor the group during the convocation program this month.

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